Any Anti-Theft Ideas - Fuses?

GVL

GVL

New member
Hey guys, I will be keeping my Runner up at our little cabin during the week, but driving just about every weekend on the National Forest trails.

Of course I realize that it can always be stolen if someone really wants it, but criminal element in the mountain area isn't very sophisticated and would likely cower away if they couldn't get it started quickly by breaking the ignition.

What would you recommend for a fairly easy anti theft measure that wouldn't involve breaking out the toolbox every weekend? I did a quick Google search but couldn't find anything T4R-3 specific (if it matters). Some recommended removing the EFI or starter fuse, but others say it's not good to remove those fuses often?

Any suggestions for semi-effective anti theft measures for our rigs that would be easy enough disable for driving every weekend? Should I just take it to an alarm shop and have them install a hidden fuel pump kill switch?

Any advice much appreciated..
 
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Do a fuel pump cut...you can do it on your own and at home without paying a shop.
If your scared they'll bypass it with ease, add an alarm.
Put thumbtacks under the seat too, but make sure you remember its there before you drive off.



Of course the last one I'm kidding.


My main point is, due as much to it as you want.
One thing I've learned thru the pursuit of my degree, if a thief really wants it, they'll do anything they can to get it.
 
Get the Truck Club.

Great deterant for keeping away most aholes. Anyone who was a real criminal wouldn't bother stealing a 3rd gen anyways as they are worth very little money compared to other vehicles that can be stolen.
 
BrianSD_42 said:
Get the Truck Club.

Great deterant for keeping away most aholes. Anyone who was a real criminal wouldn't bother stealing a 3rd gen anyways as they are worth very little money compared to other vehicles that can be stolen.
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I disagree, i think thieves also target older vehicles , because they are typically less secure. I think the real key is to make it hard enough to steal your truck that it's not worth the theif's time, and they move on to the next target.
 
Well my point was just that anyone who would bother cutting through a truck club is probably not a joyrider, druggie or other general a-hole looking to steal an easy ride.

Besides if a car thief really wanted a 4Runner why would he steal the ONE 3rd Gen 4Runner with a Truck Club ..... when .... he could just walk 2 blocks and find another 4Runner. These trucks are so common in San Diego there is practically one on every other block.

Definitely worth the time and minor hassle to use a Truck Club.
 
While I was living in Vegas I had a friend of mine rigged his fuel pump to his seat belt sensor, if you notice there is a wire connected to the drivers seat belt, he some how made it so you have to have the seat belt on in order for his car to start, or you can do something simple and disconnect some spark plug wires????
 
he some how made it so you have to have the seat belt on in order for his car to start
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No offense to your buddy but that doesn't sound like a very good theft deterent. Its 2014, I'm sure there are plenty of theives who buckle up.
 
If it is a Limited, you really don't need to do anything but lock it because of the transponder key.

Otherwise. Chain it to a tree or keep theft insurance on it.
 
GVL said:
Hey guys, I will be keeping my Runner up at our little cabin during the week, but driving just about every weekend on the National Forest trails.

Of course I realize that it can always be stolen if someone really wants it, but criminal element in the mountain area isn't very sophisticated and would likely cower away if they couldn't get it started quickly by breaking the ignition.

What would you recommend for a fairly easy anti theft measure that wouldn't involve breaking out the toolbox every weekend? I did a quick Google search but couldn't find anything T4R-3 specific (if it matters). Some recommended removing the EFI or starter fuse, but others say it's not good to remove those fuses often?

Any suggestions for semi-effective anti theft measures for our rigs that would be easy enough disable for driving every weekend? Should I just take it to an alarm shop and have them install a hidden fuel pump kill switch?

Any advice much appreciated..
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Hey GVL, nice looking rig you ended up with! What did you have to pay for that?

I like the idea of taking out a relay or two, starter relay is easy. You could wire in all kinds of trick switches to kill the fuel pump or other vital circuit.

DONT take it to an alarm shop, those guys are butchers. If you need help, I'm 75 miles from Green Valley in Covina. And I LOOOOVE To make electrical repairs and modifications. :bluejump:
 
Singtoe said:
If it is a Limited, you really don't need to do anything but lock it because of the transponder key.

Otherwise. Chain it to a tree or keep theft insurance on it.
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X 2

I would run a cable lock through a wheel (you do have good wheel locks, right?) to a tree so it's obvious to the would-be thief and he won't bother breaking in. Example-

Products - Cable Locks - 8413KA - Master Lock®

Clubs are OK but anyone with half a brain would hacksaw through the steering wheel in 30 sec. to get rid of it (a casual thief probably won't be carrying a hacksaw with him). Pulling the EFI fuse will not hurt anything. Pulling the starter relay is another good idea. Just don't leave them lying under the hood. And I would put a blown fuse or gutted relay back in so it's not obvious why the vehicle won't start.
 
With a battery disconnect you have the problem with the ECMs memory loss.
Same with pulling some fuses.

Cutting power to the fuel pump is simple and effective.
 
BrianSD_42 said:
No offense to your buddy but that doesn't sound like a very good theft deterent. Its 2014, I'm sure there are plenty of theives who buckle up.
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True but tell me what theift is gunna buckle up first while he try's to brake the ignition open and try to start it up????
 
Thanks for all the great suggestions, I will definitely put them to use.

snow junky said:
Buy a gun
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Way ahead of ya buddy. I actually have been carrying my Sig (open carry) with me just about every time I head into the forest because of several lion sightings in my stomping grounds. Just about all my drives include a good hike at some point and would rather be safe than sorry.

NorthWestT4R said:
fuel pump kill switch and a club. i think you will be okay
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There seems to be a consensus that cutting the fuel is a safe bet. Maybe throw in a Truck Club for good measure.

IBallEngineer said:
Hey GVL, nice looking rig you ended up with! What did you have to pay for that?

If you need help, I'm 75 miles from Green Valley in Covina. And I LOOOOVE To make electrical repairs and modifications. :bluejump:
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Thanks IBall, the seller was pretty hesitant to let her go so I couldn't shoot too low but we agreed on $8K. He just put a ton of money into it last year with the lockers, armor, wheels & tires, all belts/hoses/LBJ's/tranny cooler, etc. and it drives like a champ so I'm am happy with the deal.

Are you getting out much? I would love to have a visitor up in GV and maybe go for a little drive. Perhaps you could show me an electrical thing or two and I'll buy ya dinner over at the Lakeside.

Thanks again everyone.
 
99 limited cannot be started or keys made without the key. Toyota does do a 1 time keys lost replacement ECU though. - experience
 
If it's just for weekend forest roads and you don't mind not having airbags, you could get a removable steering wheel.
 
JBurt said:
If it's just for weekend forest roads and you don't mind not having airbags, you could get a removable steering wheel.
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Great idea and I did consider this, but the Runner staying at the cabin while I'm down the hill midweek serves as a security measure for the cabin as well by making it appear that someone is home 7 days/wk. just like the wheel chains, I think the missing steering wheel would give the appearance the vehicle was in "lock-down" and nobody was around. That is why I like the hidden kill switch idea.

Perhaps I am over thinking this a bit though LOL.
 
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