How Safe is it to Arc Weld on a D4

[BMKal]

OK - so a while back down in Perth some thieving mongrel knocked off the LED light bar that I had mounted up under the roofrack.

The replacement arrived today, and I am looking at ways to make it more difficult to be removed by light fingered arseholes in the future. I'm making up a couple of steel boxes that mount to the underside of the roofrack, with the light bar mounting hardware to be contained inside these boxes.

The plan is to mount and adjust the bar, and then when all is correctly adjusted and secure, place the last "panel" of the steel box in position and either weld or pop-rivet the box closed.

I have stick welder and Mig in the shed - would probably use the Mig for this as it's only fairy thin walled steel boxes. I'm just a bit wary about welding on the D4 given the known issues with electrical spikes etc.

Obviously, the battery would be completely disconnected (both terminals) and possibly even removed from the vehicle and on the charger while I have the opportunity.

Anything else I need to think about ..................... or is it just too risky and should I stick with the rivet gun.

Can't wait to get the light bar back up and running. A couple of recent trips up here with only the headlights and spotties when there have been plenty of roos about have really made me realize what I have been missing. ;)

Cheers ............... BM

[Tombie]

Too much work mate...
Just get lock nuts and bolts..

[Tombie]

http://www.stedi.com.au/anti-theft-anti-tamper-bolt-security-screws-for-led-light-bars.html

http://www.stedi.com.au/universal-anti-theft-anti-tamper-security-nuts-and-key-6mm-8mm-10mm.html

[BMKal]

Thanks for that Tombie.

The nuts would be the go for what I need. I was thinking about something like the No-Go enclosures below.

Sentinel Group: NO-GO Security EnclosuresSecurity & Architectural Fasteners Australia (http://www.sentinelgrp.com.au/category/no-go-security-enclosures/)

[Graeme]

The drawback with anti-theft bolts and tools is that they cost a lot less than a light bar so thieves will just return another night once they have bought the tools.

[ADMIRAL]

You could always look at filling cavities with epoxy. It will slow them down. ( might make adjustments difficult though )

[jonesy63]

Or take the rack off and weld what you need while it is off the Disco.

[AndyG]

The drawback with anti-theft bolts and tools is that they cost a lot less than a light bar so thieves will just return another night once they have bought the tools.

How would they determine the right one, as there are multiple patterns, I am thinking of mine where the P/N is hidden once on.

[Tombie]

Often these thefts are opportunity - they're walking around with a shifter looking to flog a set of lights..

Making things just complex enough often stops them.

Showing huge effort to prevent them has often resulted in acts of frustration.. When my vehicle was stolen they tried removing several items - when they couldn't - they just smashed each part they couldn't remove with a hammer.

[PeterOZ]

I like baseball bat personally ...

[MR LR]

Locks only keep the honest people out...

My solution is to be careful where I park!

i.e. My cars don't stay in Wollongong overnight :p