Parking boots are being replaced by this yellow monstrosity

FoxNews.com ^ | 10-20-2016 | New York Post

[servo1969]

If you haven’t paid your parking tickets you may soon have a face-to-face with “the Barnacle.”

The yellow monstrosity, which latches on to the windshield and blocks the driver’s view, rendering the car undriveable, has already begun replacing the parking boot in cities like Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as part of a 60-day trial that began Sept. 23.

The peculiar device is more effective than the boot at immobilizing cars and is easier to install, Kevin Dougherty, president of the New York-based Barnacle Parking Enforcement, told Philly.com.

The Barnacle — an opaque piece of plastic held in place by two suction cups and 750 pounds of force — makes it nearly impossible for a driver to drive away, even if they think they can cleverly stick their head out of the window.

“If you ever actually try to drive that way, it’s physically very difficult,” Dougherty said.

The tech-savvy device is also sensitive to movement and will sound an alarm if it detects that a car is in use while it’s attached.

[ltc8k6]

The suction cups are fairly small and in the center, so a drill bit is what is required. You can’t get to the suction cups with a feeler gauge or anything like that.

You will need to drill a small hole near the center, through the area where the suction cups are. One hole for each side. And there may be some hardened metal protecting the suction cups, so drilling the hole may not be that easy.

[tumblindice]

And running the defroster full blast might pop it. Then throw the thing on the sidewalk.
Back when we had laws this would be wrong, but the little people are restless.

[cicero2k]

But you can always drill a teeny tiny hole from the inside of the windshield and then patch it with a drop of epoxy.

Thinking the same.

Similar if you lock your keys inside a newer car.

You're looking at hours and hundreds of dollars if you involve the dealer with programmed keys.

So often, immediate gratification and similar costs to break a door window, replace later.

[Clay Moore]

The most epic “boot” thread EVAH!

Guy gets his Audi booted in his driveway, so he puts it on wheel dollies and puts it in the garage and tells them they can have their boot now or when he is done restoring the car.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3880087

[Blueflag]

How many tickets do they have to issue to recoup the costs?

It’s all about the Benjamins.

[hanamizu]

Plus there’ll be a huge fine for “destruction of government property”. What are you, an anarchist? Parking laws are important and must be respected!

[Clay Moore]

I’m pretty sure a butter knife would be the proper tool to get this off. A hacksaw blade would be even better.

[servo1969]

8, 11, 12

Here you go!

[farming pharmer]

But you can always drill a teeny tiny hole from the inside of the windshield and then patch it with a drop of epoxy.

You need a diamond tipped drill bit, but those aren't hard to find.

I wonder if a titanium (or cobalt) nitride coated bit would do the trick?

[Buckeye McFrog]

My grandfather used to tell me tales of driving the Catholic School basketball team to away games in his Model T.

Apparently they did not have heat or window defrosters.
Said he drove them all the way to Johnstown, PA with his
head out the window.

[VTenigma]

A cordless drill will make quick work of that.

[wally_bert]

I have a 65 Willys jeep that I need to replace the windshield frame though.

Same with the 82 cj7.

[Delta 21]

Not gonna reap much if they put it on my car it will be the last time it operates properly. Even if i have to pay the fine to have it digitally removed, when it releases itself I will then casually throw it under the next delivery truck coming down the street.

[Organic Panic]

So... Are meter maids going to now be washing all windows to ensure proper suction? I’d love to see this on my car. We live in volcano country. Lots of cinder and sandblasted windshields.

[wardaddy]

FJ40?

I’ve owned several FJs from 1970s to our current 2001 my wife adores which we’ve had for 11 years

70,000 miles and I paid 18,000 for it

Deal of my lifetime

I’m looking for a decent 60 to fix up

Colombian Cartel Cadillac

I lived down there a bit in the 80

If you saw three or four FJ60s in a caravan rolling down an old winding Bogota brick street you gave them berth

[Hogblog]

Piano wire Garrote....easy cheesy.....

[RegulatorCountry]

Diesel BJ60’s are being imported from South America and restored, bringing fairly high dollars.

[V_TWIN]

I find all these ideas about how to get around and defeat this technology interesting. What about just paying attention to where and when to park and not get into the situation of having one of these things attached to your car in the first place........that too difficult? or I guess that would take all the fun out of the thread I guess. : )

[SkyDancer]

Slick windshield with lots of RainX?

[Buckeye McFrog]

Frankly I’m amazed the boots have lasted this long, given the number of unemployed welders and machinists in this town.