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Meck Lock

Aloof Defender

Aloof Defender

Shifting Up
Hi all,

As a relatively new Land Rover Defender owner, I was somewhat alarmed to find out:

a) How easy the Defender is to nick.
b) How many Defenders are nicked!

So I read most of the 'Security' threads on the forum, of which there are many and bought a 'Clutch Claw'. It's OK, but because the Clutch and Brake Pedals on the Defenders (mine only?) aren't level it doesn't 'sit' as it should, so I'm slightly disappointed. May be the 'Full Metal Jacket' is better? Also as another forum member has pointed out its not beyond the slightly determined thief to drive a short distance without using the clutch and the handbrake!

So my question is…. What about the Meck Lock?

This is looking like the preferred option.

I am well aware that its expensive and it will not stop a gang with a Low Loader or Lorry/Crane combo, but is it any good.
Can anybody see any flaws in it?
Does anybody have one? Would you recommend one?

Tell me now before I shell out £380 and am again disappointed….
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi,

Obviously the Mechlock is a good system. Pricey too.

For me, I'd just have as many visual quality deterrants as possible.

A look through the window to see a wheel lock combo'd with a highly visible bright orange Full metal Jacket would lead me to not even break into the vehicle.

I'd find another EASIER prey.

==== The loader ============

If someone did want to steal our 90's that bad, yes, they could come with a loader and away, MECHLOCK, FMJ, WHEEL LOCKS, regardless.

Over time with lots of noise from the help from a powertool, yes, the FMJ would be overcome.

As for the mechlock....? You need a key to de-activate it...which they wouldnt have, obviously.

For the £380 Id get the FMJ for £98 and put the rest of the money (if you really wanted) towards a tracker system....?

PS: I dont think any ways in which a theif could steal a 90 with protection devices should be posted here. Any ways in which you think the mechlock is flawed I'd send them via private message to Aloof Defender :)

T
 
I wouldn't waste anyones money on putting a tracker for a Defender. They are far to easy to find and disable.

As you say apart from a low loader, the only way to get around the Meck Lock is to either cut hydraulics and drive without the clutch or re-plumb the piping around the lock, refill the system and bleed. Not something even the most prepared car thief is likely to do.

The MecKLock is the best option imho. On a manual 90, I would buy the 4 port version. That way you can plumb it into clutch and brake circuits. May be overkill, but for the extra money and install effort I think it's worth it.

For an auto you can plumb it into the brakes. I did this on the V8 auto hybrid I had and it works very well. Depending on system with a two port you can bring all four brakes on or if front and rear are independent then again you can use the 4 port.

It's a lot of money to spend on something that you get no visible benefit, but if it stops one attempted break in it pays for itself. Even if you get the money back if your Defender is like mine you don't get the amount of effort you have put in back and the hassle of getting a replacement. So it's worth the money in my opinion.

Not guranteed bight it goes the furthest imho.

Cheers

Steve
 
A quick question...
I presume you 'dip' the clutch and then take the key out, the clutch then stays 'on the floor' as it were?
If this is the case, is the vehicle now only on the handbrake when parked? Not ideal when on hills?
Oh what to do...
 
I haven't got one, but I think you just leave it in gear like normal with the clutch out so the engine is still braking if the handbrake failed. If someone tries to nick it, the first time they put the clutch in, it stays in.
 
I'd hope so. Apart from the handbrake issues, I wouldn't want to but the (notoriously weak) clutch release lever under unecessary strain for any length of time.

I used to think a tracker was the ultimate, but I'm currently working on a customer site that is involved in the security industry and I'm hearing all sorts of tricks used by the more organised thief. Not only is a tracker easy to find and remove (especially on a Defender), its also very easy to render it useless for a period and then search and disable the device at a time and place that suits the crook. I'm not saying how its done, but beleive me, its not very sophisticated and makes a tracker worthless against a planned theft.

I use nothing more than a big lock on the steering wheel, and haven't had any bother yet (there's tempting fate). nterestingly I used to have an old VW Polo. It was absoluely worthless and didn't even have a stereo, but it got broken into every Thursday night. VW parts prices were out of the question so I moved the passenger lock to the drivers door. When this got mullered by a screwdriver I gave up and fitted a hasp and staple with a brass padlock. It was never touched again. I reckcon the scumbags knew how to do cars but hadn't got a clue when it come to robbing sheds (of either the wooden, garden variety or the 4-wheeled basket-case kind).
 
In South Africam "High Value" vehicles have to be fitted with a tracker if you want to insure them.

I've done a lot of research into these things as I unfortunately have them on more than one vehicle and just want to say that they aren't exactly brilliant, can easily be disabled and don't work everywhere.

I have a manual cut out switch on the primary battery with a fused bypass to keep the tracker, alarm, central locking and clock going. I've been thinking of getting a Meck Lock next time I'm in the UK, but now there's talk of the FMJ.

One thing I can recommend is putting film on the windows. It saved my life the week before Christmas.

Please excuse my ignorance, but what's a FMJ?

Thank you.
 
Hello,

We have a pretty good security arrangement on the wolf, including the mech lock.

You take the key out, and if at any point while the key is out, the clutch is pressed, it stays down, when the key is put back in, the cluch goes back up again. I have been reassured that there is no problem with leaving the truck parked with the clutch engaged for long periods of time. (We also have an x-brake so rolling downhill is not a major concern)

We also have coachbolts on the doors, which provide a very obvious visual deterrant, and would be resistant to a direct attack. To compliment this, we also have strengthened film on the windows, which would slow down any thief trying to break into the vehicle.

A brief description of the security on the wolf is described on our website:

www.lonewolftransglobal.com


Lone Wolf


PS. FMJ - Full Metal Jacket, its like a bigger clutch claw thing, which covers all the pedals.
 
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