$30K in Anti-Theft Modifications? This Ram TRX Owner Ensured His Truck Stays Put.

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      I've heard quite a few exaggerated tales about how much car enthusiasts have invested in their beloved vehicles. Depending on the context, I often find it hard to believe them. It’s nothing personal; I just find it difficult to accept each upgrade comes with some elaborate backstory. If you're claiming to have six figures' worth of modifications on your dyno-verified, 1,000-horsepower Chevy small-block, I start tuning out, like a radio with poor reception.

      However, the situation changes with Jay and his Ram TRX. While he does have some performance parts and cosmetic upgrades, what truly distinguishes his truck is its extensive anti-theft measures. He informed me over the phone that he has invested about $30,000 in additional security features for his Hellcat pickup, and honestly, I believe him.

      Learning that Jay co-hosts the Truck Show Podcast makes him seem less eccentric. This has been a running joke on the show, with companies sending him parts to test, resulting in arguably the most secure truck on this side of Brinks.

      This all began shortly after Jay had an IGLA immobilizer installed on his TRX. This clever device blocks signals from the truck's CAN bus, preventing the engine from starting unless the correct PIN code is entered using the steering wheel buttons. He mentioned that he wasn’t permitted to see where the installer placed the IGLA device due to company policy.

      The timing was perfect, as just about a week later, someone attempted to steal his truck.

      "It was a Saturday morning at 6 a.m.," Jay recounted. "My wife went out to walk the dog. I have a custom car cover for my truck and her vehicle. When she went outside, she noticed that the car cover had been lifted, and my tailgate was facing the street. She thought maybe the wind had done that, but wasn’t certain. Then she saw some glass on the tonneau cover. Uh-oh."

      Jay then stepped outside and looked into his neighbor's yard, around 30 feet away. There, he found his window, easily popped out.

      Jay believes that without the IGLA device, he would have lost his truck. He explained that this method is a common tactic among thieves targeting Ram pickups to steal them. "You can use a small hammer or a center punch on the back window, and it shatters easily. If the truck has window tint, you can push it through in one piece, and the thieves slip right in," he described.

      He had heard about this problem before it happened to him, but he was unaware of how widespread the issue was until his dealer told him he'd have to wait 90 days for a replacement back glass. They wouldn’t confirm if theft was the cause, but a quick glance at internet forums and owners’ groups reveals a pattern.

      Determining the total number of TRX thefts would require extensive data from insurance companies, law enforcement, and other sources. While it's not accurate to say TRXs are stolen more than Ford F-150s or Chevy Silverados, the production volume is much lower. Ram manufactured around 15,000 TRXs each year from 2021 until its final run in 2024, including 4,000 Final Edition models, making the theft rate significant enough to raise eyebrows.

      Jay speculates that thieves and chop shops highly covet the Hellcat engine. "You never hear about a Ford [Raptor] swap," he said jokingly. He’s right; Dodge Charger Hellcats were the most stolen cars for several years, as the Highway Loss Data Institute reported these muscle sedans were 61.28 times more likely to be stolen than the average vehicle. Recently, the Louisville PD crushed a Dodge Durango Hellcat, noting many of its parts had been stolen from other vehicles, including the engine.

      Given these circumstances, Jay felt it was the right time to enhance his truck's security. He then installed a Compustar alarm system featuring GPS and motion detection, which includes a blinking light to deter thieves. Additionally, he added 3M shatterproof window film over his tint.

      Even after these precautions, Jay sought out Feniex Industries, a company that creates emergency lights and public address systems. Since the factory alarm horn on the TRX is easy to disable by cutting a wire behind the grille, he opted for twin 100-watt police sirens that emit the highway patrol "move over" sound until they are disarmed. This should convince thieves to flee quickly (or make Jay cover his ears if he forgets to turn them off before getting into the truck).

      As another measure of protection, in case someone clever enough attempts to quietly roll the truck away, Jay disabled the neutral override. This feature usually allows owners to flat-tow their TRX behind an RV