Leave it in, or cut it out

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Jim113

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Well, after doing the AC evaporator this weekend I found a GPS tracker that was probably put in this former fleet truck as soon as it was delivered.
View attachment 518617
This one is a pretty simple one, only has a power wire and a ground, nothing more invasive than a wire tap and a hole drilled to screw in the ground.
View attachment 518618
I can easily just remove the splice and tape it up.

My conundrum is, as my wife likes to say that I can be a cheep-a$$ at times . Looks like a free LoJack to me. If the truck that I love ever gets stolen, they can look it up and find it. I only have liability and no-fault, because it was paid for when I brought it home.

I haven't been tailed by the cops since my early 20s and keep myself outta trouble most days.

The only downside I see, is that if someone is looking for my smart-a$$ or wants to track my every move in the truck they can...

Thoughts? Cut it out or keep it?
As a former LEO I would suggest you cut it out and toss it ... Not knowing who has access to the tracker should be considered ...
 
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metalchewy

metalchewy

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As a former LEO I would suggest you cut it out and toss it ... Not knowing who has access to the tracker should be considered ...
Agreed.

I cut it out on Saturday morning before doing my chores that had to be done over the weekend.
 

Ratman6161

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As a former LEO I would suggest you cut it out and toss it ... Not knowing who has access to the tracker should be considered ...
The device is tied to the specific vehical. If you can figure out what it is you should be able to transfer the account to the new owner.
 
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metalchewy

metalchewy

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The device is tied to the specific vehical. If you can figure out what it is you should be able to transfer the account to the new owner.
I think some dealers used to sell subscription service on these instead of removing.

If someone wants it, they can have it. Pm me and I will send it to you.
 

Ratman6161

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Ive
I think some dealers used to sell subscription service on these instead of removing.

If someone wants it, they can have it. Pm me and I will send it to you.
I've been reading about these devices a bit. From what I read, if it's a LoJack, they don't have a subscription fee ands it's just an up front price...li,e $2k. It's also tied to the VIN number it was originally registered to and ca t be transferred to a different vehical. If that's the n case with this one it would explain why the previous owner didn't remove it.
 
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metalchewy

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This truck started out as a fleet purchase as a rental, and afterwards spent a good portion of its time in Wyoming as a farm truck before I bought it. With the dirt that was on it, which matched the dirt on the firewall insulator ( see pic), I suspect it was added by the rental car agency when they added it to their fleet. Based on what you are saying, they left it knowing it couldn't be transferred.

20230420_132655.jpg
 

express2014

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The problem with this type of device is that they have their own battery which requires periodically replacement. Apple claims 1 year for its product which is good but makes it very easy to forget. I've got a Cube tracker on my truck's key ring, which is bluetooth so it wouldn't work as an anti theft device on the truck...but it's fine for keys. But wouldn't you know it, when I really needed it, it didn't work. I finally found the keys without it and when I did I figured out that its battery was dead. With LoJack, and similar devices powered from the vehical, they should work as long as the trucks battery isn't dead.
airtags send you a message when the battery is low.
 

Digitus78

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Dealerships like Ken Garff and Larry H are starting to put those gps trackers in their vehicles and then charge for it as a upgrade when you buy the vehicle. When i bought my truck i told them take all that out and i dont want their 3k worth of aftermarket BS. He assured me they didnt have time to put it in that truck. I got home and started looking under the dash and one kinda like that one but piggy backed the power from the obd2 connector. They plug the obd into it and then the obd pigtail from it where the original was. Only had 2 wires also and uses a sim card. About 2 weeks ago i got a email saying the gps company started my service.
 

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GTyankee

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Apple Air Tag
Tile Pro, etc.
Samsung Galaxy SmartTag

can all be used as a car tracker

BUT the way each product is tracked may surprise you
Apple Air Tag is located by other Apple device owners

When youʼve left something far behind, like at the beach or the gym, the Find My network — hundreds of millions of iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices around the world — helps track down your AirTag. And itʼs designed to protect your privacy every step of the way.

So if your car thief is also an Apple User & has the Find My Network APP, they might know that to look for an Airtag, by seeing if there is an Airtag shadowing his Apple device
 

SmokeWagon13

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Found and removed New Limited brought in from another dealer 300 miles away. Think they added it.
 

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