Best way to add Kill Switch for when Top is Off

[89FourRunner]

Can someone provide me this information?

I have a few unique ideas but it seems through some searching that there is a really good way of doing it - yet - no one shares it publicly, its always PM'ed, which is a great idea.

Can someone share this info? My runner is going to be parked on a public street with the top off and I'd like to make it a little more theft proof.

Thanks.

 

[KidVermicious]

Nothing is theft proof.

A) get a good alarm system, or LoJack, or both
B) screw the club, get a removable steering wheel with a locking cap
C) put hidden kill switches on the fuel pump circuit AND the ignition circuit. Do this by tying each of those circuits to relays (hidden), and then putting hidden switches on the relays. Wiring a relay and a switch is basic stuff that does not need to be PMd, but you should obviously not say anything to anyone about where exactly those switches are.

D) DON'T PARK YOUR 4RUNNER ON A PUBLIC STREET WITH THE TOP OFF. Find somewhere else to put it. Even with all of the above, if it's worth stealing, they'll get it. Parking it where nobody can see it is your best bet.

 

[beaver_scott]

I've wanted to add kill switches as well but I am not a wiz with electrical stuff and the last thing I want to do is screw up my 4runner...

 

[rusty904]

I'm in the same boat. In a pretty safe neighborhood but my quadplex apartment only has street parking. The building next to mine has a security camera and flood light that points right at where I park the truck but since it has a soft top now it's obviously a bit vulnerable. Why do people have to be
a-holes?

I need some security ideas as well.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

Get a decent alarm system with 2 way remote, have the alarm shop install one of these:

Amazon.com: Directed Install essentials Dual Zone Motion Sensor 508d: Car Electronics

I used to install these in softop vehicles quite often back in the 80's/90's, they will sense people walking by the vehicle and set off a warning chirp (as long as the alarm has warn-away feature). You can set it to be as sensitive as you like.

If you just wanna do a kill switch, then pull your fuse block down, cut the wire that controls either the ecu or the fuel, then put a toggle switch inline with it. Make sure the switch can handle the current rating of that fuse. If it doesn't, you'll need to wire in a relay too. Not hard, but you'll need a few more connections to complete the circuit.

Personally, I'd rather have an alarm system installed with 2 way transmitter, that way I know when the alarm is going off and can personally check my vehicle! I'd also set it up to not only have ignition kill, but set it up to kill the fuel pump along with the starter disable. Not that hard to do with the newer alarms out there, but its definitely not for the electrically-scared folks to install themselves! You're probably around 40-50 wires that you'll be working with, and they can get very unruly!

I'd suggest researching the following brands for alarms (not in any order):

Python
Directed
Avital
Clifford
Autopage

I have both the Python and Autopage in my vehicles and they work very well. Had a Clifford in another car, but did not care for the way it worked, although they are still a quality brand, just think the others are a bit better. The Python's range is crazy too! I can receive signal from my truck from several blocks away in a busy city (Portland, OR)! The autopage isn't as strong, but still plenty enough for line-of-sight. Basically, if you can see your truck, you'll be able to receive the signal.

I've installed Autopage alarms since 1985 (when the remotes were IR and not RF, and you had to point it directly at a suction cup on your windshield, or you couldn't turn the alarm on or off!), and that's what's in my truck today, but the battery dies much faster than the Python alarm. I think Directed (which owns Python and about a dozen other brands!) has perfected auto security over the past 10-15 years.

 

[rusty904]

Thanks for the input, just want to make sure I don't get something that will be overly sensitive and piss off the neighbors!

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

LOL!

Yeah, that sensor I linked to can be sensitive to all sorts of things if its not tuned correctly! It will also sense when cats climb on top of the vehicle, since that's what its supposed to do--sense objects moving past the vehicle's windows/roof!

I know my rodeo was a bit sensitive when it rained really hard, so I turned it down and changed the location I had that sensor. If you have a shop install it, they should know exactly where to install it and at what angle it should be at. You should be able to walk past the vehicle without setting it off, but as soon as you try to look into a window it should immediately set off the chirps. Because its a fabric top, it should do the same thing where the canvas is too, and not just the windows. That way people can't reach inside or try to unzip the cover to gain entry without getting chirped at.

If you really wanna make it fun, get one of those talking sirens!

516L Recordable Voice Add-On

Use your best deathmetal rocker's voice and record your own messages when someone gets too close to your 4 runner!

 

[Blamalam]

You could also...

Run a length of chain (in a loop) from the brake pedal to the steering wheel. Make sure it's good and snug, and lock it with a good padlock.

OR

Pull the rotor off when you park it.