Thinking of taking a trip out West in the near future and taking some hikes... Wondered what some ideas would be to completely disable your vehicle (without distroying it... lol) to just keep someone from breaking in, hot wiring and taking off with it along with my lifeline of supplies & gadgets. Possibly a kill switch somewhere hidden? I realize one could remove a coil wire or something similar but wondering if a switch to something that no one would know would be just a simple fail safe since vehicle will be possibly in far off BLM areas at times... ideas?
How would you disable your 4Runner?
- Thread starter Brian1973
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MtnT4R
New member
Just my .02, when parking your vehicle for longish periods of time out in the boonies, its much more likely that someone will come along and steal things off your rig and/or vandalize it, not steal the vehicle itself. Might be a good idea to just leave a note in the windshield announcing that you are out on a hike and the car isnt abandoned. stranded vehicles tend to accumulate bullet holes and other damage pretty quickly...
maverickhawk
Member
Like the note idea. Just don't forget have them wave to the trail cameras.
Darwinian_Crusader
New member
Mine has a key blade that when taken out disables the starter.
I have a criminal mind at times. ;-) Always expect the unexpected!!! I would hate someone stealing stuff so I will take proactive measures, and a note is obvious to me with a phone # for anyone inquiring if the vehicle is abandoned, (if have cell service) BUT, it would be 10x worse if they decide, why try to take a few things when we can just wire it up with an hour of unabated access and no one around and drive it away... if my food and shelter is taken, next option is pulling the trigger on the PLB (personal locating beacon) if cell service doesn't work.... but still doesn't help me after the search chopper comes! Just thinking of some simple PROACTIVE ideas that just gives me a slightly more restful mind while I'm away from my temporary home... I like pulling a fuse even better than an obvious coil wire missing... a switch to the ignition like some people do for a neat push button start would be defeated easily I think because someone pulling apart the steering column to wire up before the key start would either see it or splice before it.. just not what I'm looking for... pulling a fuse so vehicle can not run in any way without it seems more sensible for my situation.
Something that would lock the wheels and keep it from getting on a flatbed would even be better... haha If I can think of it, others can too.... It doesn't have to be Compton, it just has to be a criminal mind that hunts for opportunities due to a strong desire to fulfill a drug habit or something similar... Expect the unexpected! ;-)
Something that would lock the wheels and keep it from getting on a flatbed would even be better... haha If I can think of it, others can too.... It doesn't have to be Compton, it just has to be a criminal mind that hunts for opportunities due to a strong desire to fulfill a drug habit or something similar... Expect the unexpected! ;-)
I've had a car stolen before. I haven't done anything in the 4runner, but in my Z i have a toggle on a relay for things like the fuel pumps, and i also put a push button start in a recessed area on the console that isn't obvious. The key has to be on, and then the toggle flipped and button pressed to start the car.
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gamefreakgc
Elite Member
Basically this. Except you don't necessarily need a toggle switch too. Just interrupt the fuel pump at the COR or similar location and hide a button. Did it on my truck for the same reasons you are thinking, just in case. They can still steal everything in your 4Runner, but at least not your 4Runner!
The club is great as my way of stopping some idiot whom might think a running 4Runner in a rest stop is an easy steal... problem is, first if he gets in, he's going to realize in under a second - the club... Next, still under a second will be TWO 100lb German Shepherds 
:boxer:
I think I've seen videos where the club can essentially be beaten with some refrigerant cooling the metal to a fragile brittle condition... then broken... If away from vehicle for the day, it might slow em, but I'm not convinced it stops em... For my use while in vehicle, it's a deterrent, although I've gotten to where I put foam insulation boards cut out for the windows to seal out cold and make my 4Runner private inside when I want... (CO detector to stay alive) With two heaters/dogs and a 10 deg mummy bag, usually only use that for frigid extremes or when lazy
:boxer:I think I've seen videos where the club can essentially be beaten with some refrigerant cooling the metal to a fragile brittle condition... then broken... If away from vehicle for the day, it might slow em, but I'm not convinced it stops em... For my use while in vehicle, it's a deterrent, although I've gotten to where I put foam insulation boards cut out for the windows to seal out cold and make my 4Runner private inside when I want...
(CO detector to stay alive) With two heaters/dogs and a 10 deg mummy bag, usually only use that for frigid extremes or when lazy 
Herculean T4R
New member
How do I go about wiring a kill switch that disables fuel pump? I searched but couldn't find any instructions specific to 3rd gen T4R.
BlackCat914
New member
Every time I'm hiking in the back country with weapons, I always check to see if somebody left a note before I shoot random shit. "I'm out on a hike" means it's clearly off limits.
One time I saw an old 50's Plymouth with no tires, windows, or paint and a tree growing through the floorboard. I thought to myself, "better not shoot at this, the owner might be back any second!!!"
MtnT4R
New member
BlackCat914
New member
Other than a little bit of light hearted fun. And technically, you didn't either. Leave a note? Come on man, lol.
MtnT4R
New member
haha yeah, tone gets lost in text. I knew what you were up to and replied the same :cheers:
But yeah, a note can help, especially when there aren't really any other options. What are you going to do, booby trap your truck?
"Hey, I busted my CV and didn't have a replacement. will be back next week to recover." I've had to do that once. Did it help? Maybe, but it also didn't hurt. So why not? Like there's some real agro dude out there: "aagh, this guy left a note on his dash. what a d*ck."
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