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Cubflyer



Member Since: 25 Sep 2021
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 278

United Kingdom 1994 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Arles Blue
Mech Lock ... Any one have one or reports of it Good or Bad?
Hi all

Has anyone got or considered the "Mech Lock"?

Had it briefly described to me this morning as a facility that once operated disables clutch/ brake pressure to aid security/theft.

Comments welcomed

MTIA 2010 Defender 90 300Tdi CW (White/1994)
2021 Defender 90 300Tdi SW (Blue/1994)
Post #928670 5th Nov 2021 6:43pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3996

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
I’ve not seen it before, but it appears to be a locking hydraulic valve that prevents the clutch from being disengaged. My only question is where is the valve/lock mounted in the vehicle? If it under the bonnet it would be a pain to use. I guess you could extend the hydraulic lines to somewhere more convenient, but it would be a bit of a job.

Also, if you park you car in gear, they could potentially start it and drive it, if they had a straight run out, 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #928673 5th Nov 2021 7:02pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16858

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
I've had one fitted to a S1 for many years, it is a good product but not easy to fit. Mine's fitted to the brake line (single circuit on a S1 of course) which the Fun Police regularly tell me is illegal since it immobilises the vehicle but frankly I don't care, it will be close by.

Like all other devices it can be overcome fairly easily but it should slow the thieves down, especially since it is uncommon.

Also handy if you want to hold the brakes on whilst winching.
Post #928676 5th Nov 2021 7:09pm
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markb110



Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2520

England 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
Didn’t Mud Stuff once sell them?

If someone can confirm that, then it might be worth a call, even to ask why they don’t sell them anymore. Might be something as innocent that the supplier is no more.

Good luck.
Post #928680 5th Nov 2021 7:32pm
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Cubflyer



Member Since: 25 Sep 2021
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 278

United Kingdom 1994 Defender 90 300 Tdi SW Arles Blue
Thanks for your replies guys ... As always - appreciated!

I'm told the price could be £450+ so definitely need more info before considering it. Believe in making life hard for the rogues in this world but not going to throw money away. 2010 Defender 90 300Tdi CW (White/1994)
2021 Defender 90 300Tdi SW (Blue/1994)
Post #928699 5th Nov 2021 9:54pm
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Pacha



Member Since: 23 Feb 2020
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 771

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
I think LRD Security still sell these? Rgds.

Chris
Post #928702 5th Nov 2021 10:02pm
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kzycnn



Member Since: 24 Apr 2009
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 276

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Oslo Blue
I have one fitted to the clutch on my TD5. It is 'key' operated from within the car so very easy to use. No idea if they are still available and no insurer has offered any form of discount for it being fitted - in fact I've yet to find an insurer who even knows what they are Very Happy Were popular on plant equipment some years ago.

I didn't fit mine so can't comment on how hard a job it was, sorry.

Tony
Post #929059 8th Nov 2021 3:10pm
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markb110



Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2520

England 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
Taken from another forum, and out of date as Mud Stuff no longer sell but I thought that it might be of interest

——————————————————————————————
As featured in Land Rover World magazine and Land Rover Owner International magazines.

Mech Lock System® Defender kit 1983-1998 (Pre Td5): £420.00
Mech Lock System® Defender kit 1998-2007 (Td5): £420.00

Mech Lock System® Defender Tdci/Puma kit £520.00

Mech Lock System® protects by adopting the unique method of connecting to a vehicles hydraulic clutch circuit without altering any of the vehicle's original functions. By using a unidirectional valve activated by a security key, the passage of clutch fluid that operates the clutch mechanism can be securely immobilised. With the system activated, the clutch is locked in the open position securely isolating the drive between engine and gearbox.



MUD were the first company in the UK to realise the Mech Lock System had the potential to offer a genuinely effective method of combating the increasing frequency of Land Rover thefts. Working with Mech Lock in Italy and Mech Lock’s UK importers, MUD have created an off the shelf Mech Lock System® suitable for DIY fitting to all Land Rover Defenders. Unlike notoriously unreliable electronic devices, the Mech Lock System® contains no electronics. It relies instead upon 100% mechanical activation and immobilisation. The Mech Lock System® will therfore cope with the most severe off-road environments including dust and sand, the thickest mud, deep water wading and regular power washing. With a complete absence of fragile electronics to go wrong, this makes the Mech Lock System® the ideal choice of immobiliser for expedition vehicles or vehicles working in remote environments.

The Mech Lock System® is activated by a multi patented key, designed and produced by just one company in the world. Keys cannot be reproduced and have more than 20 million different combinations. The anti-drill lock cylinder is made of hardened steel and has withstood prolonged independent laboratory attack tests completely intact. Three keys are supplied with each unit.

Another advantage of the Mech Lock System® is that it allows you securely immobilise the vehicle even with the engine running. This feature will be of special interest to those owners who work some distance from their vehicle but rely on the engine as a power source to operate ancillary equipment. i.e. winches, cherry-pickers etc.

Category 1 Thatcham approved immobilisers appear to offer little or no deterrent to the determined car thief. Likewise expensive Tracking devices A) won’t stop them taking your car in the first place and B) if you know how, can be very easily beaten. Fit the Mech Lock System® to your vehicle and leave it unattended safe in the knowledge that it’s protected by the most effective anti-theft device on the market.

A Land Rover Defender can be Mech Lock System® protected in around two hours and requires no specialist tools or training to carry out a home installation. Each kit comes with full instructions and everything needed to carry out a discrete and professional installation to your vehicle.

All of our DIY kits include made-to-measure pipework and fittings specific to the year and model of your Defender. When ordering, please remember to state which engine is fitted to your Defender.

Mech Lock System® Defender kit 1983-1998 (Pre Td5): £420.00
Mech Lock System® Defender kit 1998-2007 (Td5): £420.00

Mech Lock System® Defender Tdci/Puma kit £520.00



Because of the lack of available room on the bulkhead and lack of access to the rear of the dashboard on PUMA models, we can supply 2 x 1.5m lengths of stainless steel braided hose. The flexible hose makes routing the pipework easier and the braided outer covering adds a layer of heavy-duty protection. Hoses are supplied with the correct fittings for the PUMA models..

If you wish to install the Mech Lock System® in an alternative location to the recommended mounting position, we can supply the Mech Lock System® without the made-to-measure pipework we normally supply with all our Defender kits.

Mech Lock System® Valve Only: £400.00 (Inc VAT)

We are able to offer a fitting service on this product at our workshop. Call for details.

Mech Lock System® FAQ

Where does the Mech Lock System® fit?

You can install the Mech Lock System® valve anywhere on your vehicle, however we recommend using the portion of the bulkhead behind the engine.
On the majority of Land Rover Defenders, there is already a hole in the bulkhead, therefore no drilling is required.


This recommended mounting position offers a discreet, yet convenient location for the Mech Lock System® to be installed and operated from within the vehicle.
Each system comes supplied with three keys.


How does it work?
By preventing the flow of hydraulic fluid to operate the clutch system, as soon as the thief attempts to drive away with your vehicle, the Mech Lock System® activates leaving the clutch system inoperative. When a thief attempts to drive off with the vehicle, they will suddenly find themselves with a 'dead' clutch pedal.. With the clutch system immobilised it is now impossible to drive the car away.

Can the device be bypassed?
The only way to beat the Mech Lock System® is for the would-be thief to bypass the Mech Lock System® under the bonnet. To do this, they would first have to arrive with a length of pipework, a selection of tools, a tin of clutch fluid and be prepared to waste valuable time bleeding the vehicles clutch system. That’s assuming they know your vehicle is protected by the Mech Lock System® in the first place. The stealth element of the Mech Lock System® means it's not until the thief attempts to drive the car away that they will realise something is wrong.

Can I fit the Mech Lock System® to another vehicle?
YES. Providing the vehicle is fitted with a hydraulically operated clutch system.

When I sell my vehicle can I remove the Mech Lock System®?
YES. We recommend you hang onto to the pipework you remove when fitting the device so that at a later date, should you wish, you easily can revert your vehicle back to standard using the original pipework.

How do I operate the Mech Lock System?
When parking your Land Rover, all you have to do is remove the security key. Removing the key from the lock, activates the device leaving your vehicle Mech Lock System® protected.

How much is it?
The Mech Lock System® fitting kit for the Land Rover Defender costs £410.00.

Can I fit the Mech Lock System® to the brakes?
NO… & YES!

EU law states that: "Devices to prevent unauthorised use preventing release of the brakes of the vehicles shall not be permitted." We are therefore unable to advertise or supply the Mech Lock System® for use as a brake immobiliser.

In Italy, fitting the Mech Lock System® to the brakes is commonplace. The Italians get around the EU ruling by claiming the system does not interfere with the braking system when in normal driving conditions. Only when the system is activated by the owner and the vehicle is at a standstill does it prevent the release of the brakes and these are not 'normal driving conditions.' Providing the braking system has not first been pressurised by the application of the brake pedal, then in a passive situation, the Mech Lock System® is not "preventing the release of the brakes". If a thief was to start a vehicle with the system activated they could theoretically drive away perfectly normally… until the first time they have to apply the brakes. As soon the brakes are applied, the Mech Lock System® would activate. When the vehicle had reached a standstill the brakes would not release making the vehicle impossible to drive away.

Although we go along with the Italians literal interpretation of the EU rule, we feel this is still a grey area and one that could be open to legal scrutiny. Therefore, MUD UK has agreed with Mech Lock System UK that we will not supply an off-the-shelf kit for fitting the device into the brake system. If we supply a Mech Lock System® to operate as a clutch lock and you plumb the device into your braking system, the purchaser does so entirely at their own risk. All warranties and guarantees will automatically become void.

MUD Online Store now open. Click here
You can place your order by telephoning MUD-UK, Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am & 5pm (GMT) on +44 (0) 1422 881951.

Payment details
We accept Mastercard, Switch, Maestro, Visa Electron, Solo, Visa and JCB.
Post #929095 8th Nov 2021 6:17pm
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