car broken into

[theliman]

My 2008 4Runner was broken into a few nights ago. They broke the front window and attempted to steal my Kenwood DNX 7140 head unit. I assume they got scared by something because I'm not sure why they wouldn't have succeeded. Anyway, as much as it sucks, it could have been a lot worse.

My comprehensive deductible is $1,000 so I'm wondering how to go about repairing the damage. The dealer told me over the phone it was around $380 for the dash part alone. Should I try a junkyard? Is there anywhere else I can order it for cheaper? Seems ridiculous. Also, the unit is working fine but some of the brackets around it, the A/C vent on the left, and other little parts in there may be broken (you can see the stereo is slightly slanted down to the right). I am wondering if Toyota can handle that area or if I should take it to my installer. Unfortunately I am not back home where I had the work done for another month so I may wait until then.

I wish this unit had a detachable faceplate! Can anyone recommend a decent alarm system? One that activates when glass is broken would be nice... and maybe an alert sent to a phone or something also.

 

[subst4nce]

Wow, people are pathetic, you can't have anything nice in this world without it getting ruined.

I would definitely get a two way alarm which alerts you on your remote if your car alarm is going off, I got one installed by Toyota, I don't worry anymore about my car in the middle of the night.

 

[liqourish]

i kept my stereo stock....knowing that most people love fancy radios! if i had something fancy in my car, it would be ruined few weeks later especially in this crappy economy. For a peice of plastic for 380$... the dealer ship aint helping you much and are just as bad as those people on the streets.

Tints usually help if dark enough. Hopelly you will find a cheaper solution to your problem. cheers:beer:

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I am guessing that they forgot their ratchet set and when they realized that they bolted before people started coming over.

That's ****ed up though, why do people have to be jackasses!?

 

[Ian]

OP: sorry for your misfortune. Here's what I'd suggest:

New Parts: check Conicelli Partznet | Used dealership in , (Conicelli) they give a near wholesale discount.

Used Parts: I try to find a local you-pull-them usually, but I did buy a roof rack trim piece from: Toyota Used Parts, Toyota Salvage Parts, Nissan Used Parts, Nissan Salvage Parts- Toyota Salvage Yard

Prevention: Like others, I kept my radio stock to avoid drawing attention to it. I also keep *anything* of value out of sight (including change). Finally, in a prior car I had a nice radio and some other eye candy, which led me to install an alarm that had a proximity warning. If someone came within about five feet of it it would chirp and flash a red light inside the car and continue to do that until they left the area. I would just park it out in the open (under a street light in my apartment complex to keep from annoying people. I know it saved me one night. A neighbor heard the chirps and went out in time to see them breaking into *his* car...apparently the alarm on mine sent them in search of an easier target.

Hope this helps and I hope you're able to fixup your t4r as good as new!

 

[kugzgt]

wow sorry to hear about your luck man. the same exact thing happend to me a couple of years ago, i still have some pics too. they smashed out the passenger side window and ripped apart my entire dash just for a double din pioneer. it didnt even have a screen or anything, just played cds, and they even cut all the wire harnesses. that same day i went out and bought a smith and wesson .45. i still have the bill from the shop. it was like 6k. all i have to say is thank god for insurance!

 

[theliman]

thanks to everyone for the advice!! definitely thinking i will get a two-way alarm. as long as it goes off when the glass is broken, i am ok paying a couple hundred bucks for that. i just don't want them to take another shot at the dash. i will check out all of those links for parts. cheapest i've seen for the piece is around $270. who knows what else is messed up under there though..