I was looking through old alarm posts and noticed that no one every said who installed their alarms. I am getting ready to buy one for my car and was not sure howdifficult it was to install, with all those sensors and wiring. I am just getting a basic alarm, no keyless entry or remote start.So my question is,should i do it my self oruse circuit city,best buy or even a mustang install/repair place. Thanks.

 

Smith & Wesson is the only alarm you'll ever need. Well, maybe a pit bull too .....

 

I would only use an independent shop that had references from people I actually know or I would do it myself. That goes for any car I own not just a classic stang.

 

That depends upon what type of alarm, your confidence level and skill with wire cutters, crimpers, etc. I've done a few and the most challenging was the Clifford Matrix with remote start. I did the add on one in my 07 Mustang and just tonight figured out my last little problem with the door lock switches disabling the alarm. My problem with shops is that the car they are installing the alarm in may not get the TLC that you would give it. Also you give them your keys, they know where the alarm is located and how to disable it. Too much info in the wrong hands leads to missing car. Maybe I'm just paranoid but if you are driving a classic, you don't want it to go missing. If you are installing it in your classic Mustang, then it should be pretty simple because there is no computer controling the door locks, ignition switch, etc.

That's my .02

 

Who was it that once said, "Holy old thread, Batman!" ??

 

If you can install a car stereo or anything remotely resembling a couple wires, then you can install your own alarm. I just installed mine last week and I also installed power door locks. I used to own a car stereo shop, and have installed hundreds of them. On these Mustangs, they are extremely easy. About ten wires and you're good. I would suggest getting the wiring diagram sheet that usually sells for about five dollars so you can find the wires easier.

The only thing that is kind of tricky is that you will probably need to diode isolate the parking light wire, because the front and rear parking lights are on different circuits.
I would also try to get a 12V main wire from the battery if you can.

I install alarms for the convience, ie. power door locks and keeping away casual thiefs, BUT if a thief wants your stuff then they will get it regardless!

Decent alarms should go for about thirty to forty dollars, and remote paging ones should be about $100.00. Let me know if you need help finding one. I wouldn't spent too much more because that would be overkill on our cars. People(thieves) can disable 99.99 percent of all alarms within a couple seconds if they know what they're doing. There are only so many places you can hide things under the dash.

 

Care to make a recomendation for alarm systems to purchase and reliable sellers for self install? I want to install one with remote keyless entry on my 65 and want it compltelyhidden. I'll need the alarm itself and the door lock actuators so suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks!

 

I've had very good luck with Excaliber alarms. (the one you need is about thirty dollars) Very inexpensive, have rolling codes, and I've never had one fail. Of course the DEI products are great but cost more(Clifford, Viper, Sidewinder, etc), the Prestige are good as well. And the door lock actuators should run about six dollars a door. As for it being hidden, it will be completely hidden. I installed my LED blinking light inside the top dash speaker grill, so you don't see the actual bulb, just the light from it when it blinks at night. Everything else is tucked away.

 

Can you recommend a vendor to purchase the Excallber system and actuators from? Sounds like exactly what I am looking for.

Looking around the web a bit, I find the Excalibur AL500 system starts at about $50. I also see the Omega Freedom 150 units for about $30 which seem to be from the same manufacturer. Would you consider the Omega Freedom line any good and reliable?

I have no difficulty installing any of these but do not know the brands and thier track records. I want to do this right and do it once but do not need to buy a bunch of electronic features I will never use on a 65 Mustang. Do appreciate your help.

 

Come to think of it, I just checked and I have the Omega Freedom-550 in the Mustang. They are nearly identical to the Excaliburs, and I highly recommend them. You get a lot a features for for a complete set-up of under $50.00. I'm looking to use the third channel to add the electronic trunk release. And I really like the look and feel of the remotes. Compact and they have that metal pad on the side, looks really cool.

A couple of tips and reminders:
You will need to use a couple of relays for the door locks - Let me know if you need help with wiring up relays
Always mount the siren open end face down! (It happens more often then you would think!)
You will need to diode isolate the parking lamp wire if you want both front and rear lamps to blink.
You will use the positive door trigger off the alarm, instead of the usual negative of most cars.
I usually don't hook up the starter kill to any of my cars. The reason is because they only usually stop one person from starting the car, and that's YOU! Most competent thieves can bypass this feature within five seconds anyway by simply pulling out the brain or jumping the wires. Plus, if ever your alarm does act up, it won't affect the drivability of your car, other than maybe some blinking lights.

If you need help finding it and can't get it on ebay or somewhere, let me know because I can get wholesale on the alarms and accessories. I think the whole kit Freedom-550 with door lock actuators and relay plugin is about $50.00. If I have time, I wouldn't have a problem going to pick up the alarms and sending them out for what I can get them for, of course you would have to pay for shipping.