Is installing an alarm really that hard? I wanna get a basic Viper or DEI alarm and install it according to how I think is the best way to HIDE it and what not. I dont know anything about alarm installations so should I just leave this to the pro's?
Can I just follow the installation guide?
Thanks...


Indy

 

It's not that hard if you have experience w/ alarm installs. If you don't I would suggest you leave it to a professional certified installer, especially with Clifford alarms.

I suggest that you get a Clifford alarm instead of a Viper. I have a 900IQ and it kicks ***. Those models are no longer made, but it's replacement, the Clifford 600 works just as well. It retails for $695 installed.

As to where to mount the brain, I would recommend placing it in the top upper right or the top upper left handside of the dashboard.

 

i think youll be able to handle it. i istalled a clifford alarm into my integra, took forever but it worked. plus i think if you got any problems this board can help you through it.

 

hmmm such a risky venture... ..
Eminem, nothing fancy, basic alarm...
I just want to be able to hide it well enough that punks wont find it and cut it up. I think that most install shops do it all at the same place or could really care less how they install it.
Plus, I dont want them taking my car for a ride, you never know with those people....

How come Clifford over Viper? Can you explain why its better?
Thanks guys....

Indy

 

hey indy..if your looking for simple and easy then go with a viper 300esp. nice alarm...good features and easy to install...i worked at a few places and did 100's of alarms..and my favs are vipers and audiovox..yes audiovox. if you find a friendly dealer then they will hook you up with the alarm and a printout on the wiring colors and locations for your car..if not let me know and i'll get one and e-mail it to ya...any questions let me know..davidm825@aol.com

 

My friend who is a certified Clifford alarm installer explained the difference to me the other day. When a thief breaks into your car and finds the brain of the alarm system, Viper alarms are much easier to disable than Cliffords. With Viper, all the thief has to do is cut two wires, which are different colors, thereby making it easier to silence the alarm. However, w/ a Clifford, all of their wires are black, so if they cut the wrong one, they're not shutting off the alarm. Clifford's 900 IQ requires the thief to enter in a code even if they're successful in shutting off the alarm, or if the alarm goes off by itself after two minutes.

You can ask the shop who installs it to place it in a particular place in your car. Also, if you're scared that they're going to joy ride in it, tell them that you are going to wait for your car. That way, you can see whether or not they're going for a ride.

This all sounds quite confusing, but if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. If a thief really wants your car though, he will get it.

Cliffords are quite tricky alarms to install. If you do go with Clifford, go to a reputable dealer who has a technician who is certified and deals specifically with Clifford.

Good luck Indy.

 

I intsaled my alarm myself and it wasnt bad at all. Just be sure you buy the wireing harnesses that come with it for your specific car. In my case it cost a little more, but it made the install very easy, pretty much plug and play. I have a Crime Guard alarm not really sure how great it is, but it has keyless entry and starter disable and stuff. So I guess its better than nothing..

 

i got an alpine alarm installed for about $300 at circuit city. alpine's pretty good stuff and the install is warranted for as long as you own it. (alpine won't honor a warranty unless it was installed by an authorized alpine dealer). The alarm itself was over $230. to me, it was worth paying the install fee. good alarm too, starter diable, keyless entry, along with the standard dual stage shock senors, etc.

 

$300 isnt that bad and you got a couple good bells and whistles...
I am gonna try and do this myself but try to find someone that knows it to either guide me through it or just explain it well enough so I wont run into any issue's. Reason why I have such a big problem with dealers doing it is because of all the horror stories I have heard.
Plus when you install alarms for a living it gets so repetitive that you really dont put much effort into hiding it and what-not.
My last alarm was installed by the dealer and they put the alarm right out in the open with the wires hanging loose so easy to cut from the underneath. I should have done something myself to hide it more but the theives were quicker than me! They got to me car before I even attempted to reroute the wires....augh....


Indy

 

ok..this may be a stupid statement..but if a thief finds your alarm under the dash...then he/she aint cuttin just 2 wires...there pulling the brain out. and i've seen clifford alarms...never seen it with ALL black wires..that would be kinda retarded ...how would you know which one goes where? plus not to mention clifford IS MADE BY DEI!!! aslong as the place that installs the alarm does a good job wiring it and securing it..then your all set...most of the time unless the thief REALY wants your car they wont spend the time it takes to disarm the alarm...they come along and use a wrecker/flatbed and tow the car away.

 

Just to clarify the Clifford/DEI issue......around this time last year, Clifford went out-of-business and as a result, DEI purchased Clifford's assets (i.e. patents, current inventory, etc..). DEI also brought over some of Clifford's key personnel at the time. The current G4 Clifford stuff that's on the market are still genuine Clifford products. However, the next generation of Clifford alarms will be a collaborative effort between Clifford technology and DEI technology.

Also, Clifford uses black looming to hide the colors of the wires (anyone can do this with any alarm). Using the same color wire isn't retarded if you know what you're doing. Simple labels can be used during the install process to distinguish which wires are which. In addition, dots or other markings on the wires can be used in the same manner.

 

Clifford alarms are not technically more difficult to install compared to DEI (Viper, Python, Sidewinder) alarms. Clifford alarms might require more wires to connect which results in a longer install time. The basic procedures for connecting wires (solder, crimping, etc.), mounting sensors and sirens are still the same. Also, hiding the wires and placement of the brain is key - brand name has no effect on this, just installer skill. In the past, Clifford alarms were not as easy to program vs. DEI products but now the G4 units can be programmed via a PC.

The reason why Viper has a reputation of being easy to disable is directly related how it is installed. A majority of the Viper units out there are pretty much installed the same way. Viper only supplies 1 relay for starter or ignition disable. Most Clifford models can disable both. Also, Viper relays and install instructions are setup for normally-closed operation. With a normally-closed relay, the contacts that interrupt the starter or ignition normally stay closed (so that the car can start) unless the brain sends a signal or pulse to the relay to open (disable the starter or ignition). A signal is sent when the alarm is armed or going off. The downside to this setup is that a thief can just unplug the brain and start the car by hot-wiring or using the key. Once the relay stops receiving a signal from the brain, it closes its contacts. A savvy thief won't even have to cut any of the alarm wires - just the car's starter wires. Clifford uses built-in relays instead of external ones. If a thief unplugs a Clifford brain, he or she won't be able to start the car because the relays are inside the brain. This is a more secure method of starter and/or ignition disable. The downside is that if something happens to your alarm brain, you might be left stranded (you can use fused-link as a failsafe measure).

 

that's what I meant to explain.. HondaDriver4Life summed it up best. I'm not that great w/ my alarm lingo but that is how my friend explained it to me. it's true that the placement of the brain and the installer of the alarm have a great impact on the effectiveness of the alarm.

jdmotorsports - review what you wrote..some of it doesnt make sense to me. esp. the part about any thief can just cut the brain off of the Clifford and drive away. Obviously you havnt seen the older models of Clifford alarms.

 

This is exactly why I want to do it myself or work with someone experienced with it because I know I will be getting jack if I take it to the shop. Besides, a lot of the guys that do it at the shop will come over your place and take your car anyways since they know how its setup....


Indy

 

Besides, a lot of the guys that do it at the shop will come over your place and take your car anyways since they know how its setup....

Very true..you need to go to someone who you can trust and that you know.

 

Any names come to mind of reputable shops when having quality alarms such as Clifford installed by certified technicians in tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT)?

 

Make sure you also get a mechanical hood lock and an extra siren hidden elsewhere, either inside or outside. Most sirens are mounted visibly under the hood. When some scumbags tried to steal my car a couple of months, ago, they pulled the siren wire. DEI makes a mechanical hoodlock, part number 566T. It's about $50 and requires you to use a key to unlock the hood from under the steering column.

 

Perfect!! I was looking for a part number for a hood lock...
thanks!!


Indy