Keyless entry/Remote start

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It can be a really difficult job to install something like that if you aren't an electrical engineer. Since you have to cut into the car's wiring you will need a really good and complete set of electrical schematics and lots of patience to figure out how to hook it up since the directions are usually just general guidelines but not specific for your vehicle. I'm an electronics technician and I wouldn't try it. My neighbor asked me to help him install a similar system he got from JC Whitney for his Isuzu but after looking at it I told him to send it back and just buy the stock remotes instead. They only cost $20 or so on ebay but were rather tricky to program since you have to open and close the doors and turn the ign. switch off and on in a long and complicated process while you stand on your head and squawk like a chicken. LOL
 
Ya the unlocking/ign are a PITA. I have heard from other T4R.org members that it was a great addition. Plus I'm not sure if I even have a stock system, so I don't know if I could use stock remotes.
 
I was thinking about doing this as well. Looking at this one "http://www.viper.com/SmartStart/" since you can use your iPhone with it too (since I'm a nerd). I would really like to wire it myself cause I don't want the job half-assed with quick connects, but I've never taken on such an extensive wiring project before. We'll see what happens if the wife ever wants to save up for something like this though.

I guess I haven't heard bad things about Vipers before...

Good luck!
 
Ya I saw that one too. Kinda out of my price range, plus I think I'd rather spend that on a lift or something. But if you've got the money go for it.
 
I have a Viper remote start/keyless entry that was installed in my 99 4R 12 years ago. Still works. Have a car audio place install it.
 
To each their own as they say but I don't think remote starts are that great of an idea.

In the /audio & electronics/ section we see a fair amount of threads from people where the previous owner installed a remote start and now they are having ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS with the electrical and charging systems of the car.

What is the real benefit here anyways? $500+ could be better spent on something else.
 
Look in to Avital remote starts. They're made by the same as Viper, and are relatively cheap. I love mine, especially being able to start it and warm it up on really cold mornings (which you may not get as frequently out in Cali). I actually got mine through Groupon, an only spent $150 total. I think it's normally $300 and some change installed.
 
I put a used Viper 791XV in my 4Runner years ago when I got it. I've had a couple of times where low battery has caused the alarm to act funky, but what electronics do work w/ out proper power?

I really wasn't a huge fan of the DEI products, but w/ Clifford/Avital being bought out so many years ago it doesn't leave a lot of choice. DEI owns pretty much everyone. I put another used Viper in my MR2 recently, and its been working great as well. So I'll say you can't really go wrong w/ them.

As far as installation, you get what you pay for. I did professional car audio installation for years and the price that they get paid to do an alarm is for a lot of splices, crimps, and t-taps. Scotch locks if you are really unlucky. I spend my time on my own cars and do it right, and it shows by not having problems with the units later on. Both alarms that I have were removed from "race cars" at my previous job because they did nothing but continually go off and have problems, and they were suppose to be thrown away lol.

You can check out my MR2 install Most Designs &raquo content … there, sorry the 4Runner install was long before I had the blog going so it didn't get many pictures or more than a quick mention in my build thread.
 
brianemc2_42 said:
To each their own as they say but I don't think remote starts are that great of an idea.

In the /audio & electronics/ section we see a fair amount of threads from people where the previous owner installed a remote start and now they are having ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS with the electrical and charging systems of the car.

What is the real benefit here anyways? $500+ could be better spent on something else.
Click to expand...

For sure thanks guys. Im gonna see if I already have a factory system
 
My 4Runner came with the Valet 561R remote start and I love it.

If it died tomorrow morning I would have another one installed that afternoon.
Don't know how I lived without one of these for so long.

Great in the summer to start the car before you go out in 100+ degree heat and have it nice and cool when you get into the truck.
Or same for like leaving the grocery store or Costco etc. while standing in the check out line I just hit the remote start and truck is nice and cool when I get out to it.
Visa versa in the winter, truck is nice and warm and windows defrosted, I get in and go.
No more having to scrape ice off the windows in winter, I just make sure the defroster is on before I get out.
Start the truck about 5 minutes or so before I go out and everything is fully defrosted and ready to go when I walk out to the truck.

Seems to work from about 300-400 yards away.
I have not had one single problem of any kind whatsoever with it.
 
I have the Prestige APS 997C and for the most part I have been really happy with it. Not overly happy with the install (I'm and Engineer but not a EE) but I wasn't going to take it on so I took it somewhere. Viper is good along with several others too.
 
bootown said:
How is the range on your Avital?
Click to expand...

Pretty good. I can sit in my office in the basement (where I don't get cell reception) and start it from there. Its a good 100 yards. I've also just kind of tested it out, and got probably 200 yards away and it started right up.
 
I LOVE my Viper. It has a good 1/4 mile range and a great display indicator on the remote to let me know what's going on with the truck if the alarm is going off.
 
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