Jul 4, 2025 · 4,839 recorded views
This is a good example of why the hidden internal Stealth Shields with wrap around features can be more important than an external shield or deadlocks. The outside of the van can still be attacked and damaged, but if the latch remains protected the theft may be prevented.
Visible security can deter some attacks, but concealed protection also has a strategic advantage because the thief may not know it is present until the attack has already failed. That is why I eventually made the internal and external ranges independently available rather than forcing every customer into one combined set.
Visible security can deter some attacks, but concealed protection also has a strategic advantage because the thief may not know it is present until the attack has already failed.
The repair stage matters too. A tradesperson may have avoided losing the tools but still be left with a badly damaged working vehicle. Our external repair shields developed as a way to cover and stabilise attack damage while adding another layer around the vulnerable area.
Our internal latch shield stops determined thieves from breaking into this tradesman's Ford Custom Van! Great news that it stopped the thieves from getting in, but there is allot of damage that has been caused to the van. Can we fix the damage and get this tradesman back on the road?
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Chapters
00:00 Intro and problem showing damage to van caused by thieves
00:30 The internal shield stopped the thieves getting into the van
00:45 It's a London van and possibly lucky to not have a break in for 5 years
01:09 Two lots of good news they didn't get the tools and the damage is mostly limited to the door
01:50 We have a plan on how we can repair the damage to the bodywork around the deadlock
02:20 The damage lower down on the door will need our large size repair shield
02:32 We will fit some extra shields for barn doors of the van too
02:56 Straightening the bodywork out
03:08 Cutting away the damaged bodywork caused by thieves
03:59 Applying masking tape to the area where we will fit the shields
04:17 Measuring and marking where to fit the shield onto the door
04:21 Using the Sussex Installations gasket as a template where to drill the holes for the studs of the shield
04:29 We hold up the shield against the marked positions to check that we will drill the holes in the correct place
04:36 Drilling 3.5mm pilot holes for the shield studs
04:49 Opening up holes for shield studs to 9mm
04:56 Deburring holes using step drill
05:01 Checking stud holes are in the correct position so that shields will align correctly
05:07 removing masking tape
05:10 Drilling access holes inside the van for the deadlock escutcheon shield
05:20 Thorough clean down of all swarf and metal debris
05:27 Applying Wax oil anti-rust treatment to bare metal
05:32 Sticking gaskets to shield
05:42 Fitting a new deadlock barrel and hook lockcase after old one was damaged by thieves
05:55 A handy trick to fit the nuts to the escutcheon shield through the access holes
06:06 Tightening up the nuts
06:25 Fitting the large latch shield to cover the damage made by thieves
06:57 Are we ready for the reveal of our work
07:19 We reveal the finished job with the van now repaired from the damage caused by thieves
07:42 A recap on how the van was damaged by thieves, that our internal latch shield prevented the thieves from getting into the van and how we repaired the damage and added extra security to the van
08:55 Sign off and please don't forget to subscribe to the Sussex Installations YouTube channel in order to keep up with the latest in van security
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This customer had two lots of damage caused by thieves attacking his side load door of his Ford Custom van. We had to work hard to cover the damage near to the deadlock using our FOR3-NSL-EXT-901 deadlock escutcheon shield and fitting our large size latch shield FOR3-NSL-EXT-002 to cover the damage where they attacked factory latch / central locking system lower down on the door. We fitted a new deadlock barrel keyed alike to the match the deadlock already fitted on the rear door and we replaced the lock case for a new hooklock.
Find out more on our website at https://www.sussexinstallations.co.uk
Historical context: This video records the advice, products and attack methods relevant when it was published. Current recommendations may have changed as vehicles, products and criminal methods evolved.
Yes — despite heavy damage at the top and bottom of the side load door where thieves attacked the deadlock and the latch, the internal shield held and they did not get into the van or steal the customer's tools.
Jeff fitted the FOR3-NSL-EXT-901 deadlock escutcheon shield around the damaged deadlock area, bent the bodywork back in slightly to reduce the dent, and fitted the large size FOR3-NSL-EXT-002 latch shield lower down to cover the bigger cut, along with a new deadlock barrel and hook lock case.
Because there was no levering damage down the door pillar, meaning the repair could be done with bolt-on repair shields rather than needing a body shop to replace or repaint structural panels, keeping the van off the road for a much shorter time.
Transcript source: the YouTube transcript supplied for this project with minor corrections. Automated transcripts can contain recognition errors and should be checked against the original video.
