Stolen Leaper
#1
Stolen Leaper
Tonight someone decided they needed my leaper hood ornament more than I while it was parked in a fairly well lit and well traveled parking lot. I've owned the Vanden Plas for only about 4 months, but I've had paranoia about the hood ornament being stolen since I first brought it home.
No other damage to the car, but I sure feel like I'd like to break someones fingers.
I know this happens more often than it should; anyone have any ideas to either make it harder to steal or somehow rig an alarm?
No other damage to the car, but I sure feel like I'd like to break someones fingers.
I know this happens more often than it should; anyone have any ideas to either make it harder to steal or somehow rig an alarm?
#3
My sympathies.
When the honda badge was stolen off the hood of my spartan civic wagon parked in an upscale neighborhood, I knew then that the fall of modern civilization had begun. Seriously, a honda badge?
Plus one for wiring up a cattle prod to the leaper. I would love to see that happen.
When the honda badge was stolen off the hood of my spartan civic wagon parked in an upscale neighborhood, I knew then that the fall of modern civilization had begun. Seriously, a honda badge?
Plus one for wiring up a cattle prod to the leaper. I would love to see that happen.
#4
My sympathies.
When the honda badge was stolen off the hood of my spartan civic wagon parked in an upscale neighborhood, I knew then that the fall of modern civilization had begun. Seriously, a honda badge?
Plus one for wiring up a cattle prod to the leaper. I would love to see that happen.
When the honda badge was stolen off the hood of my spartan civic wagon parked in an upscale neighborhood, I knew then that the fall of modern civilization had begun. Seriously, a honda badge?
Plus one for wiring up a cattle prod to the leaper. I would love to see that happen.
Don't Tase Me Bro!
#5
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#8
I've seriously considered the shock factor option, but I am concerned that the weasel who is trying to take a leaper will instead now be angry enough to smash windows or key the car. Leaper replacement is a lot less expensive than body or window work.
I may instead rig up some sort of horn/siren to the leaper, though. If it works out, I'll take some pictures.
I may instead rig up some sort of horn/siren to the leaper, though. If it works out, I'll take some pictures.
#9
We've been very fortunate, we've had Jags over the past 7 years and have not had a leaper stolen yet, knock on wood.
I know some friends who have had the side of their brand new lexus kicked in when they let it sit overnight in a parking garage in down town boise.
Very good point!
Jaguar XJ6 95 97 98 '03 XJ8 XJR Hood Ornament Chrome | eBay
I know some friends who have had the side of their brand new lexus kicked in when they let it sit overnight in a parking garage in down town boise.
Leaper replacement is a lot less expensive than body or window work.
Jaguar XJ6 95 97 98 '03 XJ8 XJR Hood Ornament Chrome | eBay
#10
I had a Mercedes star stolen. That was not uncommon, when they were easier to steal, but a leaper is held on there pretty good. I had an alarm once that would go off if anybody jiggled the car. Trouble was a good breeze would set it off. If you could make the horns go off if the leaper was touched, or you could put some kind of switch that would sound the horns if someone just pulled on it maybe ...
#11
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#15
This has been discussed in several threads on this & other forums.
I've had mine stolen once & a few years later attempted theft, damaging it so I have replaced it twice in 12 years. Both times I looked into wiring the alarm to the leaper & it is not practical & no alarm place would do it. I forget the actual reason but, I think it would create too many false alarms going over bumps.
Some people have actually replaced the leaper with a flush badge! You can buy replacement leapers on eBay fairly cheaply, just make sure you get the correct one for your car & make sure you remove the old base & old glue. It is not that difficult. The dealer will charge quite a bit to do it for you.
I've had mine stolen once & a few years later attempted theft, damaging it so I have replaced it twice in 12 years. Both times I looked into wiring the alarm to the leaper & it is not practical & no alarm place would do it. I forget the actual reason but, I think it would create too many false alarms going over bumps.
Some people have actually replaced the leaper with a flush badge! You can buy replacement leapers on eBay fairly cheaply, just make sure you get the correct one for your car & make sure you remove the old base & old glue. It is not that difficult. The dealer will charge quite a bit to do it for you.
#17
The leaper is designed to come off w/o damage to the hood. Modifying it to make it harder to steal will defeat the safety measures so next thief would yank & rip the BASE off the hood, denting & scratching it, causing far more expense.
Do searches for “Leaper” & you can read many threads such as my last one:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-broken-78041/
Do searches for “Leaper” & you can read many threads such as my last one:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-broken-78041/
#20
I picked up a new leaper ($73) from ebay (seller canman9, seems to sell a large amount of leapers on ebay). I was a bit leery as I didn't want to buy someone elses stolen part, but this one is new.
I stared at the base of it for awhile, but don't see a great way to attach any sort of alarm. Couple that to the fact that the underside mount is recessed into the hood; and this is not an easy thing to alarm. It looks like I'll probably just take my chances and hope for the best.
I stared at the base of it for awhile, but don't see a great way to attach any sort of alarm. Couple that to the fact that the underside mount is recessed into the hood; and this is not an easy thing to alarm. It looks like I'll probably just take my chances and hope for the best.