Hey everyone, nice to meet you. I'm hoping to be posting more on here now tht I had a reason to make an account ;)

So I've been re-painting my 86 4runner the last week and updating the interior. Somehow I have managed to permanently lose my keys whether they fell in the mud or were misplaced somewhere impossible for me to remember.

Now I'm pretty much desperate because the truck is parked on a hill on my property where I like to work on it, but with all the snow coming in i need to move it ASAP. I don't care at this point how its done, but I need to get it running so I can get her moved.

Taking a look at the manual is seems it'd be a good idea to switch out the ignition lock cylinder, and that's what I will be doing to it once I get it in a safe location. However, in order to do that you need to have the ignition turned to ACC... And I wouldn't know how to go about that without my key..

I saw a youtube tutorial on someone drilling out the ignition lock cylinder in order to turn, but that seems a bit extreme. Another simpler one with a guy using an Allen tool and a flat head screwdriver on an 86 Camry, I'm leaning toward that since it seems easy but I'm no car burglar, and might not be able to pull that one off, also don't even know if it would work on the Yota. The last thing I want to do is mess something up permanently. I'm more of a cosmetic guy... Not a mechanic.

Also definitely don't want to Hotwire, but I may have no other option, do not know how to do that one either. Any advice on how to start her up? Too worried about this hill....
Thanks

Try most any older Toyota key. The keys wear down, the ignition cylinders wear down, eventually they get to where about any key will work in any truck. Give it a shot, there's a good chance it'll work.

I read the thread title and had to laugh. Like Kev said, at this point the 80s Toyotas are started with most keys from the era.

For instance: Shortly after buying my '87 I bent the hell out of my key trying to open something. My friend has an '86, and we made a copy of his key for me to use. It works the ignition, both door locks, and the rear window flawlessly.

yup.

my brother lost his keys, and we made a copy of mine.

ive since replaced the ignition tumbler, it wasn't cheap, but im glad I did it.

I thought the key number was on the lock cylinder in the passenger door. Get the number, take a blank with you to the dealer(they may not have one) and theyn can cut one. I bought several blanks at walmart for less than 2 bucks and the dealer cut them for free for my 82 truck.

If all else fails you can pull the white plastic piece off the back of the ignition and turn it over with a flat head or a butter knife. I lost the keys to my carolla and thats what i had to do. I got hassled by the cops a few times but once i showed the my reg and pink slip everything was ok. It did end up getting stolen from me though...

possibly. but MY door key was different, even before I switched the ignition.

Id try to use another toyota key like stated. I can interchange my keys from the pickup with my 4runner and vise versa, I jsut cant unlock the doors with them, but the truck will start.

Not sure about vehicles that old, but IIRC a dealer can cut a new key from the VIN.
Worth a try.

The original key code is on the passenger side lock for sure. I have done this like 4 times over the course of the 17 80' to 88" toy p/u and 4runners I've had.

My 1 yr old nephew stole and hid the only key to my 86 4runner...I'm supposed to leave to IL this week. Any recommendations on where I can find another old Toyota key or is there someone in UT I can get a copy from??

see the post that was right above yours...
I hope your one year old nephew didn't swallow a lose key. That sucker could go down his throat easily.