Hello, guys! I recently got myself my dream car!! It's a 1988 4Runner (22RE, Manual). Lots to figure out, because she isn't driving right..... BUT daily, someone keeps entering and ****ing with my wiring, and now, loosening all the screws on the hard top!

I already have put a lot of money into trying to get mechanical things looked at and fixed, but now I'm wondering, is it worth it to do all these repairs? Is someone just gonna jack her after I put all this money in (needs a new/ rebuilt transmission, wiring/ power issues to the back gate window (can't open the back, currently), leaking a lot of oil (drains a lot within a night, so may need new tank, or just new seals).....

What can I do to protect my vehicle? Are any of you in major cities? Do you experience this? It's a daily headache and I don't know whether I can keep up, I have so much on my plate. They stole my license plate over the weekend!!

Thanks for your help! I haven't even gotten her down to the desert yetttt!!!!

I saw a suggestion for a Grant wheel... Would it be worth it to get this, if I am already going to need an alarm system for other parts people are trying to steal from me?...

Unfortunately, the only way to truly protect it is garaging it. Any key from that era will turn the locks and start it...I know, mine was stolen in 2010. I was lucky enough to get it back a week later, with not too much recon needed.
I work at a Toyota dealer; I'm a parts guy for the service shop counter. We put a VERY well hidden kill switch in my rig, and I made room in my garage to keep it safe. A kill switch can prevent outright theft, but if you can't garage it, sadly it's a sitting duck overnight as far as parts stripping goes.

You can help keep it from being driven away by removing the steering wheel, it's just one large nut that holds it onto the splined shaft. Or the kill switch.

As for getting in and trying to steal things inside, a good alarm system can't hurt.

Is there an alarm system you can recommend? I

I am super into countermeasures and security. Ideally you want to make your vehicle unappealing to thieves or do something that will deter them before they even try.

Ideally an alarm with 2 way confirmation is huge. Like a Compustar T13 will not only set an alarm off when someone bumps or tries to break in it will notify you on the key fob up to 3mi away and with the app it can notify thousands of miles away. It also doubles as a remote start. Caught people with bad intensions a few times with the key fob notification and was able to get to the vehicle before anything was done.

I also run cameras and have a sticker on my visor stating "Warning security cameras in use" that I flip down if needed as a warning/deterrent.

two way confirmation alarm is a great idea. Thank you, I'll install that along with a quick release wheel.

Hopefully this helps someone.

I'm in a similar situation with my new to me 86 Turbo. The sliding side window weather stripping is rotted badly, to the point that the passenger side window will not close and latch.

Anyone have a line on replacement weatherstripping for the sliding side windows?

My 2nd gen's starter relay has to be... fingered... to start cold. Have to put a hot hand on it for the first start if I'm out in the snow.
Not certain as to why but it's pretty nice knowing it basically has a natural kill switch