1st GEN OWNERS---BEWARE!!!

[supkar]

Our vehicles are getting rarer and therefore, more valuable, so take some anti-theft measures. A fuel cut-off switch or something.

Fact: any 80's Jap. key will open just about any other 80's jap car or truck The locks get worn and a worn key will help matters.
Last week, a minty white runner was stolen in Aptos and a few weeks prior, a red runner was stolen in Capitola---both cities in Santa Cruz county.
When parting my 87 in Jan. I got a call from some guy asking a few questions but mostly wanting to know the location and not so much about specific parts. A women also called me about parts on some "uncles" behalf and also did not seem very real. So, you've been fair-warned----these 1st gens are classics and have come under the radar of organized thieves.
My auto tranny is shot on my 88, so it's a hidden blessing. Rather hard to steel, I would presume. BTW, still looking for a good auto trans, 88-92.
Omkar

 

[Quatre Coureur]

What u say is TRUE! I had my 4RNR stolen by a guy who used a key. Just walked right up, unlocked it, fired it up, and drove off. Luckily I got it back the same night. For now I pull the coil wire. Its easy and will stop most thieves since time is of the essence. U can go so far as to rig up a phony wire in its place using some vacuum line and a couple of old spark plug boots.

 

[Whitey13]

I was totally with you, up until the "more valuable" part.

 

[rbuchmann]

I wonder if they make a switch that runs on a remote so that as you walk to the car you can hit the remote and start the vehicle without anyone being the wiser. Hmmmmm Gonna have to net search this.

 

[Saved]

Another way is to have one like mine. It is so ugly that no self respecting thief would think of taking it and be seen driving it around. :biggrin1:

 

[rbuchmann]

LOL Good point

 

[JA_gonzalez]

I have a lock on my clutch peddle that wraps around all the way to my break so you cant press the clutch down at all lol since I could turn my truck with a penny I need to raise the security on it hahah

 

[Quatre Coureur]

I have a lock on my clutch peddle that wraps around all the way to my break so you cant press the clutch down at all lol since I could turn my truck with a penny I need to raise the security on it hahah

That might work except for the clutch interrupt button and u can shift gears without the clutch.

 

[thatoneguy]

I'm getting the vibe I need to start taking protective measures on my 4runner. It's getting built soon, and I wonder if that makes it a bigger target.

 

[mikebontoft]

just the fact that it's a Toyota truck makes it highly desirable to steal and part out.

by the way, I'd be careful replacing your coil wire with a piece of vacuum hose. that stuff conducts electricity well enough to substitute for the wire

 

[ToyoTech]

replace you ignition cylinder
install kill switch (s)
install a CLUB
install alarm system with pager system (no one cares for sirens anymore)

 

[KidVermicious]

and I wonder if that makes it a bigger target.

Yes. Especially on your side of town.

I'm not worried about right now, but eventually my truck isn't going to look like crap. When it gets there, I'm going to have a Grant removable steering wheel, fuel/spark cutoff switch, and a Lojack.

 

[DrewL]

I have a non-running '88 4Runner in my front yard with a For Sale sign in it that my wife wishes somebody would "steal".

 

[crutchy]

I'm not too worried about my 4runner, since it doesn't have a diesel engine and 42" tires no one in north Florida want it... Seriously though if it's that much of a problem in your area, most nice alarms have a starter or fuel system kill with a back up battery. Add a nice 2-way remote and you're good to go.

 

[RAD4Runner]

...most nice alarms have a starter or fuel system kill with a back up battery. Add a nice 2-way remote and you're good to go.

Mine also looks like a gardener's truck so that's a theft deterrent by itself.

You don't need a fancy alarm. That is simply An ignition kill-switch with a remote control. I would not trust others complicating, or possibly butchering the simple wiring of a classic with fancy remotes (seen how many wiring complaints on the forum?). Besides, thieves have already figured those out.

I have kill-switches for three separate systems (that's more than what a $500 alarm system has), without a need for a remote. When parked in a less desirable area, all 3 are enabled.

Of course, some thieves bring a flat-bed truck to just haul vehicles away

 

[crutchy]

Mine also looks like a gardener's truck so that's a theft deterrent by itself.

You don't need a fancy alarm. That is simply An ignition kill-switch with a remote control. I would not trust others complicating, or possibly butchering the simple wiring of a classic with fancy remotes (seen how many wiring complaints on the forum?). Besides, thieves have already figured those out.

I have kill-switches for three separate systems (that's more than what a $500 alarm system has), without a need for a remote. When parked in a less desirable area, all 3 are enabled.

Of course, some thieves bring a flat-bed truck to just haul vehicles away

You are probably right, damn the technology monster! I did like all of the colors and what not though.

 

[Night_Wolf84]

replace you ignition cylinder
install kill switch (s)
install a CLUB
install alarm system with pager system (no one cares for sirens anymore)

I agree.

I got a club that goes around the clutch pedal and steering wheel right now. Going to install a hidden kill switch when the weather corporates.

 

[thatoneguy]

Yes. Especially on your side of town.

I'm not worried about right now, but eventually my truck isn't going to look like crap. When it gets there, I'm going to have a Grant removable steering wheel, fuel/spark cutoff switch, and a Lojack.

I was thinking about going with a quick fuel pump switch soon for peace of mind. Although it doesn't get parked in high-risk-no-visibility-from-me areas very often; it also gets garaged every night.

 

[mikebontoft]

Just hire an armed guard to protect it all times.

 

[RAD4Runner]

... it also gets garaged every night.

There you go. One of the best theft deterrents