as an extra convertible security measure? i've only found one set up so far that adds about $140 to the cost of a hub (momo type).

that woud make for one hell of a big keychain!!

IMO
that would be like a detachable face for your CD player, SOMTHING YOU WILL MOST LIKLEY NEVER USE

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Rich
Sioux Falls SD

86' 2m6 4.10-too many extras to list
92' BMW 325i-cold air intake, borla exhaust,strut tower brace,
97 Eclipse GS-T --- a few mods

Seems to me that if he's asking for information about it, it's something that he WOULD use.

I imagine that any way at all that you can make it more difficult to steal your car, the more likely a thief would go after easier pickings.

However, if they want it, they're going to get it one way or the other, even if they pull it onto a flatbed and haul it off.

A removable steering wheel will deter joyriders and such, but wouldn't even slow down a determined, high-level car thief.

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Patrick W. Heinske -- LZeitgeist@aol.com
1988 Red Fiero Formula
- 1st Place - Stock Coupe - FOCOSEVA 2000
- 3rd Place - Stock Formula - FOCOA Nat'l 2001
- Class Winner - 1982 to Present - Tarheel Tigers All-Pontiac Show 2001

If they want to take your car, they will. If they want to trash your car, they will.

The removeable wheel will certainly make the casual thief pass you by. And of course it looks cool. A friend has one on his 36 chevy stock car. Really makes you look twice, the first time you lean in.

it's kind of true that i probaly wouldn't pull it off very often. if i use it like my detatchable radio face it may not be more than a few times a year. i'm just thinking for the "opportunist" type thief it might be more tempting since getting into the car is as easy as having a halfway sharp knife.

While it will likely deter casual thieves...

If you are going to park in an area where you're thinking "Gee, I should remove the steering wheel here" Then you should *PROBALLY NOT PARK YOUR CAR THERE AT ALL!*

Instead, just get an alarm that senses if someone puts their hands in the open-top. (and just leave top off)

A well placed prominent DOD or Sherrif's Department parking sticker, and maybe even a CB radio installed in your car too, makes one *hell* of an anti-theft system...

Best!
Ben.

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Ben Cannon
88 Formula, T-top, Metalic Red. (2:13.138 at Sears Point) "Every Man Dies, not every man really Lives"
88 Formula, Northstar, Silver, In-Progreess. -Mel Gibson, "Braveheart"

A big hairy dude named Bubba with a 20-06 shotgun and a Rambo knife in his teeth will probably do the trick, too.

quote Originally posted by artherd: If you are going to park in an area where you're thinking "Gee, I should remove the steering wheel here" Then you should *PROBALLY NOT PARK YOUR CAR THERE AT ALL!*

you ever been to louisville? that would almost mean i couldn't go home.

actually it's not quite that bad. i really don't go out much so it's usually if i drive to a big event where my car is in a sea of cars (like the fairgrounds or a big mall parking lot during holiday season) that i worry.

My friend put on on his jeep (Detachable wheel) the nice thing, was that once you take the wheel off, a "chapman lock" (Circular hole) lock goes over the column, so a thief can't just put another wheel on and drive off...

I would suggest a Viper Alarm. A blinking LED and a siren will attrack more attention. They barely ever false. Much improved from years ago. They come with a Lifetime warranty, Starter interupt, and the most important Keyless Entry and Trunk Pop. (if you have power locks, if not places can add them)That also saves on the paint. This system will de under $300.00 and are extremely reliable. Any questions let me know, I have been installing and using them for over 10 years.

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Member MN Fieros Forever 1986 GT self installed SC3800/getrag almost everything performance wise is modified/upgraded, inside and out.

quote Originally posted by LZeitgeist: A removable steering wheel will deter joyriders and such, but wouldn't even slow down a determined, high-level car thief.

And a determined, high-level car thief would be looking at a convertible Fiero why?

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Rusty: '85 GT 4sp, blown motor, rusty chassis...parting out.
Eve: '84 Perfect California chassis, stripped, recieving all Rusty's usable parts and 3.4 DOHC swap!

Hmm, I wouldn't do it. Sounds awfully expensive for an unnecessary security measure.
I agree with everyone else that if someone REALLY wants to steal your car, they will do it anyway.
Although most car thieves do it because of opportunity, and I don't really think that any really good, experienced theif would be interested in a Fiero anyway.
i don't know...
I guess if I had the cash to blow I would maybe almost consider it, but ultimately most likely would not buy one.
~sophia

I don't have tilt on my 88 coupe...and I'm considering doing something like this as a "cool" factor and to make it easier to get in and out of the car. Will the quick release hub from summit Part# SUM-G7851 do the trick...with a new steering wheel of course? or is there something special that needs to be done to the steering column in order to get a quick release steering wheel to work? Also, how fast is quick release? I see race car drivers pull theirs off pretty quick, but is it the same speed for something like that part from Summit?

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88 4Cyl ... Rebuilding 81 Vette Engine for it now.
Check progress at http://higher.thoughtprocess.net/fiero/

I think it's an alright idea, not only as a security measure but also for the coolness factor of it. If it is only a security feature, I think you'd be better off making an immobilzer. As for the removable face plate stereos - I use mine every time I park somewhere. Even here in nearly crime free calgary. I figure that if a thief looks inside and doesn't see a nice shiny face plate, they won't go through the trouble of breaking in and looking for it.

bumpity bump

quote Originally posted by Philphine: it's kind of true that i probaly wouldn't pull it off very often. if i use it like my detatchable radio face it may not be more than a few times a year. i'm just thinking for the "opportunist" type thief it might be more tempting since getting into the car is as easy as having a halfway sharp knife.

well, as i posted this weekend, someone with a halfway sharp knife tried to steal my car or something off it (i think maybe they were after something, then decided to try and take the whole thing).

the guy at the upholstry shop said he always recommends that people with convertibles not even lock their doors. you have to decide if what's in the car is worth more than a top repair.

so i just ordered one. the whole deal (snap off system, and momo hub adapter for my momo wheel) is about $190 with shipping. i'll probaly use it more often than i originally said.

edit. guess i'll add the site addy: www.tekniqauto.com

[This message has been edited by Philphine (edited 08-27-2002).]

Well, Yes, I use one on my Koenig Ferrari! And, I might add, that I feel quite comfortable having it. No, I don't park in 'bad' neighbourhoods, but, do thiefs just stay there? Chances are, it's a joy-rider. My 'quick-release' hub is compatible with Sparco, Momo, Grant, etc., but the bonus' are: it's not 'welded' as most disconnects are, and I have my horn usage as well. Check out http://www.smartracing.net/
click on 'Performance Parts; Driver Comforts.'
There are decent pics of this adapter there!
I carry the wheel in a laptop bag. While nothing will stop a pro, I'm a strong believer in deterrents... it's hard to explain to the cop why your driving around with vicegrips on the steering column!!!! There is one downside to this... the steering wheel is 2" closer to you, if you have long arms like myself, it took some getting use to. Yes , My Ferrari is alarmed up the 'ying-yang' as well. Lack of a steering wheel deters my 16 yr old while I'm up at the cottage....
Sandy

Philiphine,
I was going to say that Speedway offers several systems for way less (page 460, 50th catalogue), but I saw what you mean by the no-weld convienence, I guess.

Be sure to keep us up to date on this addition. I'm putting one kind or another on my wife's Lambo.

got the parts today. a quick pic to keep this from being archived till i put them on...

from left to right they are the momo hub this company sells. i got it 'cause they said it was a little thinner to compensate for the detatchable parts. added about $45? (kind of forgot) to the price. next is the piece that bolts to the hub to lock the wheel on. last is the ring that bolts to the steering wheel. i'll try to get it set up before too long.

went on pretty easy. had to do some matching up of wire connections bettween the car, adapter/lockhub, and wheel since they were from different places. just got some new crimp ons to match everything up.
locking mechanism works well and horn works right.

the one thing i don't like, it sticks out too far. not real bad but enough that i'd pay for another adapter if it fit the car and locking hub and was at least an inch shallower. plus since i went with a small dia. wheel it looks like it's sticking out even further.

that being said, i like it though. kinda tricky and helps with security too. guess i'll start looking for a bag to carry it in like cowans. maybe something to hold the radio face also when i change it, and any other security stuff, like those bags airforce pilots carry any time they fly.

so that's it. hope it works or better, hope i don't have to find out it dose.