WELL...That didn't take long! Help Identify Damages

[CaptainGizmo]

It's something I just can't grasp; after decades of awesome vehicles in our safe hood.
Right outta my driveway...gone in 2 minutes. Unreal!

CORRECTION THANKS TO MY WIFE: I've had the truck for only 3 weeks, and not even enough time to get up to speed and realize I need to do something to protect this truck. Life's been pretty stressful lately; argh.

They disabled the on-board GPS so the RAM app was a POS.
I was able to recover my '24 TRX with my hidden AirTags; yeah...multiple.
Got some LEO involved and they made the recovery.

The damage was "minimal" as they just left the poor baby sit at the curb, waiting for the next team of low-life douchebags to take it to the next leg.

I know I've gotta get a lot more safeguards installed as we get the truck repaired. But my questions are more of the Forensics in nature, to figure out what these asswipes physically do when the steal our TRXs. So, need a little help here please.

They came in through the rear slider. Never triggered the alarm...terrific. (RAM should take note of Raptor's sonic/motion detector system).

I found the 2 "AIRBAG" plugs taken out of the Headliner above the rear seats. Why?

Under the Driver's dash, see this plug hanging down. Is unplugged from a module? (danggit...horrible picture, sorry!)

I was under the impression these things are being jacked by accessing the OBDII port; so my obvious thought is why not a lock-box around it; like a chastity belt! But, if I'm wrong, and the douches are jacking through the above CAN-BUS connector...now I get it.

Finally, I see a really small locktab, but it was on the rear mat, right side. Weird. I did see the floor light hanging down, but that could have just be kicked loose (dumb dumb placement, RAM!)

Thanks for your help.

 

[Georgia TRX]

Sorry man. @Air’d outSRT is the resident security expert.

Did they cut the cables to the antenna? Check the sunroof for functionality as that could have been an effect of such cutting.

I needed a whole new body wiring harness due to such damage when mine was stolen.

 

[Me Badd]

I am very happy you got your baby back. Please get ready for all the fireworks you are going to hear today about all the security systems you need to install. The big hurt will be you wating on the dealership to repair it.
Got to love those
air- tags. Right! I wish you the best sir....

 

[Quietpeen]

Man that sucks, you got very lucky getting it back and so quickly. @Air’d outSRT will be able to explain the specifics of what they did better, but no they don’t use the obd port. They go in through the can bus and program a new key

 

[BadMonk]

Bought one of the most sought after trucks by thieves and did zero research. Congrats. If only there wasn't 5000 other posts from people who had the same thing happen to them to give you a warning ahead of time.

 

[916Ghost]

I am very happy you got your baby back. Please get ready for all the fireworks you are going to hear today about all the security systems you need to install. The big hurt will be you wating on the dealership to repair it.
Got to love those
air- tags. Right! I wish you the best sir....

Happy 4th bro! I will be calling soon!

 

[Exec_TRX]

It's something I just can't grasp; after decades of awesome vehicles in our safe hood.
Right outta my driveway...gone in 2 minutes. Unreal!
Not even enough time to get up to speed and realize I need to do something to protect this truck.

They disabled the on-board GPS so the RAM app was a POS.
I was able to recover my '24 TRX with my hidden AirTags; yeah...multiple.
Got some LEO involved and they made the recovery.

The damage was "minimal" as they just left the poor baby sit at the curb, waiting for the next team of low-life douchebags to take it to the next leg.

I know I've gotta get a lot more safeguards installed as we get the truck repaired. But my questions are more of the Forensics in nature, to figure out what these asswipes physically do when the steal our TRXs. So, need a little help here please.

They came in through the rear slider. Never triggered the alarm...terrific. (RAM should take note of Raptor's sonic/motion detector system).

I found the 2 "AIRBAG" plugs taken out of the Headliner above the rear seats. Why?
View attachment 132304

Under the Driver's dash, see this plug hanging down. Is unplugged from a module? (danggit...horrible picture, sorry!)
View attachment 132305View attachment 132307

I was under the impression these things are being jacked by accessing the OBDII port; so my obvious thought is why not a lock-box around it; like a chastity belt! But, if I'm wrong, and the douches are jacking through the above CAN-BUS connector...now I get it.

Finally, I see a really small locktab, but it was on the rear mat, right side. Weird. I did see the floor light hanging down, but that could have just be kicked loose (dumb dumb placement, RAM!)
View attachment 132308View attachment 132309

Thanks for your help.

Sorry to hear. Get yourself some actual security please asap. They’ll be back. Ex cop here, no neighborhood is “safe” even the most rural, neighbor watch friendly places are open to have shit bags driving through canvassing it, there’s just a higher likelihood they’ll be shot by one of the homeowners if they F around they’ll find out. You are responsible for you.

Compustar alarm with the T13 remote kit, shock and window break sensors (DASII Module) and upgrade the drone to the X1 Max so it has a backup battery inside it. That’s your remote telematics app/monitor.

AND an IGLA. The IGLA is your PIN code to start system that acts as a firewall for the canbus. No more key programming or theft. The compustar is preventative theft protection and the IGLA is your “once inside” theft prevention. The compustar system is great. They seem to be tapping the windows these days to see if they are alarmed before they strike it.

To your questions:

1. No OBD access. They simply unplug the GPS/Uconnect system from the star connector canbus module which is behind the headlight switch. They plug in their device, program a key and off they go. Takes about 1min if they aren’t morons.

2. The back window, not laminated and easy to pop. The truck has no stock shock or window break sensors. Only the front windows are laminated and are harder to break, so the bed window is a nice entry point for them. The alarm would only. Go off if they opened one of the doors from inside after they weasel themselves in. This becomes irrelevant after a key is programmed.

3. The airbag plastic covers they likely were just looking for the gps antenna cable to cut it. These guys don’t seem like pros from all the mess they left.

 

[k3ith99]

Sorry about the truck, but at least you got it back. Get the security systems mentioned above installed asap. Unfortunately, they will return. They tried to get mine twice within a two month period. I have full security on it but now moved it to a hopefully very secure location.

Can I ask where in So Cal you are?

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Bought one of the most sought after trucks by thieves and did zero research. Congrats. If only there wasn't 5000 other posts from people who had the same thing happen to them to give you a warning ahead of time.

Ha…wow…guilty and thanks for the kind words to let me know. Please forgive how stupid and naive you must think I am after all my years. Having Raptors and all sort of other cars, I did a TON of research on them all…including the TRX. Funny how you sometimes don’t find out about the “real” problems until AFTER you get something.

That’s the way life is; no matter what you do or buy. Put a Revolver Bak cover on…yup…before an IGLA. Had to return it, cuz it was terrible…didn’t know until afterward.

Got the TRX and THEN found this forum…and then the all the chatter about Ravelco, IGLA, CompuStar, etc. I’ve had the truck less than 2 months; guess that was too long to do the research and make a decision.

And finally, if that doesn’t beg you for a bit of understanding…please consider that our family life is a bit upside-down having a 9mo baby grand-daughter who hasn’t left the hospital in over 6 months, with my daughter and son-in-law “living” in a hospital room; wondering if she will live to see her 1st birthday.

So, yeah…perhaps this event was traumatic enough without having a bunch “you’re an idiot for being ignorant” comments. I’ve already burned out my ass-kicking machine plenty.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Sorry to hear. Get yourself some actual security please asap. They’ll be back. Ex cop here, no neighborhood is “safe” even the most rural, neighbor watch friendly places are open to have shit bags driving through canvassing it, there’s just a higher likelihood they’ll be shot by one of the homeowners if they F around they’ll find out. You are responsible for you.

Compustar alarm with the T13 remote kit, shock and window break sensors (DASII Module) and upgrade the drone to the X1 Max so it has a backup battery inside it. That’s your remote telematics app/monitor.

AND an IGLA. The IGLA is your PIN code to start system that acts as a firewall for the canbus. No more key programming or theft. The compustar is preventative theft protection and the IGLA is your “once inside” theft prevention. The compustar system is great. They seem to be tapping the windows these days to see if they are alarmed before they strike it.

To your questions:

1. No OBD access. They simply unplug the GPS/Uconnect system from the star connector canbus module which is behind the headlight switch. They plug in their device, program a key and off they go. Takes about 1min if they aren’t morons.

2. The back window, not laminated and easy to pop. The truck has no stock shock or window break sensors. Only the front windows are laminated and are harder to break, so the bed window is a nice entry point for them. The alarm would only. Go off if they opened one of the doors from inside after they weasel themselves in. This becomes irrelevant after a key is programmed.

3. The airbag plastic covers they likely were just looking for the gps antenna cable to cut it. These guys don’t seem like pros from all the mess they left.

Thank you; I appreciate the insight.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Sorry about the truck, but at least you got it back. Get the security systems mentioned above installed asap. Unfortunately, they will return. They tried to get mine twice within a two month period. I have full security on it but now moved it to a hopefully very secure location.

Can I ask where in So Cal you are?

East end of San Gabriel Valley

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Sorry to hear. Get yourself some actual security please asap. They’ll be back. Ex cop here, no neighborhood is “safe” even the most rural, neighbor watch friendly places are open to have shit bags driving through canvassing it,

Ex Fire, here, thank you partner. Yeah, my buddy cop taking the report said it’s kinda what they do.

2. The back window, not laminated and easy to pop. The truck has no stock shock or window break sensors. Only the front windows are laminated and are harder to break, so the bed window is a nice entry point for them. The alarm would only. Go off if they opened one of the doors from inside after they weasel themselves in. This becomes irrelevant after a key is programmed.

Of course, after a friend had her CRV stolen via “Relay Fob Theft”, I started using a Faraday pouch…but I’m getting the feeling if they break in and yank the can-bus…they’re able to dupe a key anyways. Jeez.

Coming from a Raptor, which had shock, sonic, and motion sensors as part of the factory alarm, I must admit I’m blown away at how anemic the RAM’s alarm system is. I mean, it’s not like it’s a $100k vehicle or anything.

3. The airbag plastic covers they likely were just looking for the gps antenna cable to cut it. These guys don’t seem like pros from all the mess they left.

I’m bummed you think these guys left a mess and weren’t Pros. I kinda thought it would have been much worse and was hoping for “minimal” repairs.

Certainly, I have thoughts that it might have been better to NOT recover it and just have the insurance write me a full check.

 

[TReX-RAM]

I had two attempts on my truck in my “safe” neighborhood in LBC.
Per LBPD there is an organized local ring that has scouts, thieves and sellers. The scouts get paid a couple of hundred bucks by cruising neighborhoods and providing addresses to the thieves. The thieves show up and take the truck to a cool down location. Probably what happened in your case as well. The thieves get a couple/few thousand for their efforts. After the trucks cools down, sellers get whatever $ they can get. If anybody gets caught in the process, they get their obligatory slap on the hands and rinse/repeat. CA regulators .

 

[CaptainGizmo]

I had two attempts on my truck in my “safe” neighborhood in LBC.
Per LBPD there is an organized local ring that has scouts, thieves and sellers. The scouts get paid a couple of hundred bucks by cruising neighborhoods and providing addresses to the thieves. The thieves show up and take the truck to a cool down location. Probably what happened in your case as well. The thieves get a couple/few thousand for their efforts. After the trucks cools down, sellers get whatever $ they can get. If anybody gets caught in the process, they get their obligatory slap on the hands and rinse/repeat. CA regulators .

Ah ha…that’s great info and helps me to process what happened. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!
My truck was parked of the 91 in Bellflower and the LASD dpty said, “unfortunately, this seems to be the staging spot; I’ve seen lots of cars left here.”
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could empower and enhance these LEO guys ability to actually be able to do some good police work that they need to do and start putting these asswipes on the execution row for all I care!

 

[Mmack911]

Every week.

Sorry to hear you lost it, but also surprised you didnt have IGLA and compustar installed. I had mine done AT the dealership by an IGLA installer before i even left.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Every week.

Sorry to hear you lost it, but also surprised you didnt have IGLA and compustar installed. I had mine done AT the dealership by an IGLA installer before i even left.

Don't be surprised...I was still working through all the banter, here, on which system to get...and what it does...and how it affects day to day operation. It's a little "obvious", now, that hindsight is 20/20...so yeah.

Guys, just so you know...in most of the "dealer lots" of SoCal, EVERY one of the "Dealer installed" theft systems were nothing but "snake oil" junk. So, of course, I said "no, I don't want that one".

But...where I ended up buying mine was in MO...and out there, and theft isn't on there radar at all, so it was a breath of fresh air to not be jammed with a stupid product to make THEM the money. Besides, out there, the just shoot anyone who tries to steal their stuff! Good "anti-thief" device, huh? LOL

 

[BadMonk]

Ha…wow…guilty and thanks for the kind words to let me know. Please forgive how stupid and naive you must think I am after all my years. Having Raptors and all sort of other cars, I did a TON of research on them all…including the TRX. Funny how you sometimes don’t find out about the “real” problems until AFTER you get something.

That’s the way life is; no matter what you do or buy. Put a Revolver Bak cover on…yup…before an IGLA. Had to return it, cuz it was terrible…didn’t know until afterward.

Got the TRX and THEN found this forum…and then the all the chatter about Ravelco, IGLA, CompuStar, etc. I’ve had the truck less than 2 months; guess that was too long to do the research and make a decision.

And finally, if that doesn’t beg you for a bit of understanding…please consider that our family life is a bit upside-down having a 9mo baby grand-daughter who hasn’t left the hospital in over 6 months, with my daughter and son-in-law “living” in a hospital room; wondering if she will live to see her 1st birthday.

So, yeah…perhaps this event was traumatic enough without having a bunch “you’re an idiot for being ignorant” comments. I’ve already burned out my ass-kicking machine plenty.

Yes. You found the forum and then sat for 2 months without proper security. The pity party just doesn't happen anymore. You live in a shitty state that doesn't prosecute so don't be shocked when criminals do criminal shit.

 

[Quietpeen]

this is the fireworks Me Badd was talking about that you will hear today. Don’t let it get to you. You will get past this and see this is a really helpful forum.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Yes. You found the forum and then sat for 2 months without proper security. The pity party just doesn't happen anymore. You live in a shitty state that doesn't prosecute so don't be shocked when criminals do criminal shit.

I'm not shocked, and not looking for a pity party, nor listen to someone who just wants to sling rocks. So, come on...just go elsewhere to pick a fight.

And, fact is...you're pretty naive if you expect to go to the ER and find people with nothing but good health and happiness when, in fact, others outside are just fine.

So, I'm also a realist that knows there are a TON of vehicles stolen out there, and I'm not alone. Also, a ton of TRXs out there not being stolen.

The fact I "sat" for 2 months, in your world is eternity, is merely 20/20 criticism that's just not called for nor productive other than making you feel exalted to a supreme level above the rest of us.

 

[JTs TRX]

It's something I just can't grasp; after decades of awesome vehicles in our safe hood.
Right outta my driveway...gone in 2 minutes. Unreal!
Not even enough time to get up to speed and realize I need to do something to protect this truck.

They disabled the on-board GPS so the RAM app was a POS.
I was able to recover my '24 TRX with my hidden AirTags; yeah...multiple.
Got some LEO involved and they made the recovery.

The damage was "minimal" as they just left the poor baby sit at the curb, waiting for the next team of low-life douchebags to take it to the next leg.

I know I've gotta get a lot more safeguards installed as we get the truck repaired. But my questions are more of the Forensics in nature, to figure out what these asswipes physically do when the steal our TRXs. So, need a little help here please.

They came in through the rear slider. Never triggered the alarm...terrific. (RAM should take note of Raptor's sonic/motion detector system).

I found the 2 "AIRBAG" plugs taken out of the Headliner above the rear seats. Why?
View attachment 132304

Under the Driver's dash, see this plug hanging down. Is unplugged from a module? (danggit...horrible picture, sorry!)
View attachment 132305View attachment 132307

I was under the impression these things are being jacked by accessing the OBDII port; so my obvious thought is why not a lock-box around it; like a chastity belt! But, if I'm wrong, and the douches are jacking through the above CAN-BUS connector...now I get it.

Finally, I see a really small locktab, but it was on the rear mat, right side. Weird. I did see the floor light hanging down, but that could have just be kicked loose (dumb dumb placement, RAM!)
View attachment 132308View attachment 132309

Thanks for your help.

Where in SoCal? Had mine taken from a golf course in Mission Viejo in the middle of the day before I knew about IGLA. Straight to Mexico according to my GPS before I even realized it was gone. Got a new Lunar edition and equipped it with IGLA/Compustar the first week and haven't worried since.