Author Topic: 2002-2006 Avalanche-new lock system for hardtops (Read 2331 times)

sonny howard · « **on:** March 11, 2011, 06:54:20 PM »

Hello! Have you had your tops stolen? If not beware, they are a hot item for theft, I know, because mine were stolen, and I had the tailgate locked! In fact I have had nearly $10,000 in damages and stolen property in the last 90 days! I researched, and found nothing out there to remedy theft.
I got mad as hell, and have now invented a new lock system I will be putting on the market within the next 10 days, I am working on a lock system for the 2007-current models as well. I have installed the first proto-type on my personal vehicle, and I am excited and pleased with the finished product! Thanks for checking this out, I look forward to answering any questions you may have! I will post some pics in the next few days, stay in touch!

Sonny Howard

check below for responses to other members and further info

Enkei · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2011, 07:13:28 PM »

Ok I would like to see this....

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2011, 08:09:36 PM »

There seems to be a big rash of that in Tx. One member has a pretty creative system on his using a bed frame rail along with a couple of padlocks. It'll be interesting to see pix of this mod you've come up with.

Enkei · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2011, 06:32:25 AM »

Didit · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2011, 04:25:12 PM »

Maybe he was embarrassed when he seen mine! lol

Didit

BooomerX · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2011, 05:09:23 PM »

OK I'll step off the ledge and do it:

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2011, 06:04:46 PM »

Quote from: Didit on March 19, 2011, 04:25:12 PM

Maybe he was embarrassed when he seen mine! lol

Didit

Either that or he has something he wants to sell and not become a sponsor. I will me modding my #3 panels like you did this spring though once the foot heals. Both panels are sagging. Not leaking any but why let them get any worse.

Didit · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2011, 06:30:19 PM »

ask and you shall receive!

Didit

sonny howard · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2011, 11:10:34 AM »

Sorry for the delay guys, I am still in the process of putting the finishing touches on the AvaLock. Didit, yours looks fine, mine is much simpler and much cleaner looking, respectfully. I will not post an unfinished product, or one that is not truly effective! Please be patient and watch this site, I will post pics as soon as possible, thanks all,

Sonny Howard

Didit · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2011, 02:45:14 PM »

LOL thanks for the compliment! mine cost 12 dollars, two for the bed rail and ten for the padlocks, and trust me its totally effective, whats yours gonna cost?

Didit

sonny howard · « **Reply #10 on:** March 22, 2011, 07:50:01 AM »

Hey Didit! Your system is much less expensive than mine, but they are two different operations. I am not putting yours down when I say that! However,, your system only secures the tops, the contents are fair game for any thief to make their own! The Avalock secures the tops to the tailgate, and so even if the thief breaks in thru the tailgate(which takes about 8 seconds) they cannot gain access to the interior! I am a pro golfer, and so the clubs I keep in the back of my Av are very expensive, and in the last 90 days or so have had over $10k in damages and equipment stolen. These are crimes of opportunity, commited by thieves who know how to get in and out in seconds...the Avalock prevents that! In my opinion this tailgate issue is a design flaw by GM, but they will never agree to correct the problem, so I am. In order to get into the back they would have to totally destroy the tops, and would take an extensive amount of time. The engineering involves custom made parts, templates, and everything required to guide you thru installation. I am not trying to see how cheap I can do this, I am trying to make the Avalock the best it can be! Most people carry a $500 deductible, my system will cost less than half of that, and I am going to present to the insurance companys to try and get a discount if you have one on your Av! In addition to (once) being a Pro golfer, I am a licensed insurance claims adjuster, so I speak "insurance". Am I trying to sell this, you bet! Am I motivated by money on this, no! I hate thieves, and I wish that when we catch one we do what other cultures do, chop off a hand, it would seriously cut back on theft! The equipment stolen from me cannot be found just anywhere, and I had to do it three times with a lot of time searching the internet for replacements! I hope this explains better what I am trying to accomplish, I didn't mean to write a book tho! lol! Have a great day!

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 22, 2011, 07:54:08 AM »

but it it secures the tops to the tailgate, How do you get the tailgate lowered with the locks engaged??

sonny howard · « **Reply #12 on:** March 22, 2011, 08:15:04 AM »

The Avalock is installed thru the back panel, you can lock it or leave it unlocked, your choice! You can lock the factory tailgate lock if you wish, but it literally takes only seconds for thieves to break in, therefore I don't even lock it, I only lock the Avalock. In order to access the back you must unlock it, but if you wish you can leave it open if you feel safe doing so or if you are in a secure area. I will post some pics as soon as I have all the issues/designs resolved, hopefully this week...designing is a pain!!!

Sonny

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #13 on:** March 22, 2011, 08:33:34 AM »

Sounds interesting. Keep in mind that if it's something you want to sell on here, there's site sponsorships involved. If it's something that's a mod that you're willing to share, then by all means post up some pix.

sonny howard · « **Reply #14 on:** March 22, 2011, 08:39:57 AM »

Please advise as to the sponsorship fees, I am all ears! Also, if I was unclear, the Avalock is a single lock, seperate of the factory lock.

Sonny

Intimidatoruag · « **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2011, 09:54:11 AM »

I've heard of someone that is using a pipe inside of a pipe to go from a handle on the left to the handle on the right with a hole in it for the lock ..... don't remember the member but I think it kept his covers from being stolen ....

John

Didit · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2011, 03:34:19 PM »

Understood Sonny, but to be honest I"m more concerned about the covers being stolen, they are a hot item as I'm sure you know. Getting into the tailgate is a breeze as you mentioned, thats why I leave nothing of value in the back! Even with the tailgate locked the panels are vulnerable without ever touching the taigate handle as I'm also sure you know. Thats where mine works best, least thats the way I saw it, and you know as well as I that if someone wants it bad enough they are going to get it, period! We just try and make it a little tougher on em. Oh and don't forget mine was initially for a third panel sag, lol. The padlocks were a mod to the mod!

Didit

sonny howard · « **Reply #17 on:** March 22, 2011, 05:10:16 PM »

Hi there!

I like your design, as you say, its strong, and no one short of having bolt cutters are going to get your tops! I on the other hand, I carry a lot of equipment in the back, especially when I am working a hurricane, so I must devise a way to secure both, which is what I have done. When the Avalock is operational you cannot get into the back...period!! I am making some design changes right now, but I will post pics as soon as possible. I will truly look forward to feedback when I do post them!

Sonny

ARMYtango · « **Reply #18 on:** December 05, 2011, 01:37:16 PM »

So? What ever happened to this design?

Didit-
I like your method. I have the 3rd panel sag also. Can you tell me exactly what you did so I may do the same with mine? I have never heard of the panels being a hot commodity, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Thanks so much!

MonstaMonsta · « **Reply #19 on:** December 05, 2011, 02:41:01 PM »

Quote from: ARMYtango on December 05, 2011, 01:37:16 PM

So? What ever happened to this design?

Didit-
I like your method. I have the 3rd panel sag also. Can you tell me exactly what you did so I may do the same with mine? I have never heard of the panels being a hot commodity, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Thanks so much!

I always thought my trunk was safe. Never thought they were easy to get into...

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #20 on:** December 05, 2011, 06:27:31 PM »

Quote from: ARMYtango on December 05, 2011, 01:37:16 PM

So? What ever happened to this design?

Didit-
I like your method. I have the 3rd panel sag also. Can you tell me exactly what you did so I may do the same with mine? I have never heard of the panels being a hot commodity, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Thanks so much!

Stay out of Texas then. Seems like 95% of post I read about panels getting stolen happen down there.

trainedsnypa · « **Reply #21 on:** December 31, 2011, 09:54:07 PM »

Quote from: Didit on March 22, 2011, 03:34:19 PM

Understood Sonny, but to be honest I"m more concerned about the covers being stolen, they are a hot item as I'm sure you know. Getting into the tailgate is a breeze as you mentioned, thats why I leave nothing of value in the back! Even with the tailgate locked the panels are vulnerable without ever touching the taigate handle as I'm also sure you know. Thats where mine works best, least thats the way I saw it, and you know as well as I that if someone wants it bad enough they are going to get it, period! We just try and make it a little tougher on em. Oh and don't forget mine was initially for a third panel sag, lol. The padlocks were a mod to the mod!

Didit

Where is the thread that u have posted ur mod too? This is the first I've heard of them being a hot commodity and I'm. Texas but I don't want to out the hard way either. Thanks in advance!!!!!!!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk instead of doing something constructive