No longer a 4 Runner owner

J.F. Sebastian said:
[MENTION=266619]thennen[/MENTION], wouldn't stuff like this be recorded by the given dealership onto the VIN of the vehicle permanently or into Toyota's records? Just curious because needless to say it is a security issue and easy enough to do with the right "access"?


I doubt they'd even need a blank to drive the thing away. Punching an ignition switch is as easy as slapping yourself in the forehead for a thief. I stopped following issues like this years ago after Daimler radio hacks, etc... If someone really wants something...
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Perhaps you're right - I didn't ask the dealership about that. If there's a centralized database with that kind of info, that would narrow it down quickly I think. But I believe a properly-equipped locksmith can also do this. I don't know what records he would be required to keep or submit.

I know nothing about punching ignition switches. If that's something that could be done to a 5th Gen 4Runner, maybe that's what happened.
 
thennen said:
But I believe a properly-equipped locksmith can also do this. I don't know what records he would be required to keep or submit.
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I can only imagine that if a locksmith is equipped to do something like this and doesn't keep records, he's now an accessory as well as a locksmith...
 
If it was a limited they are very easy to break into and steal. They can simply build a device for around 100 dollars which steals the RIFD signal from the key fob and use that for the device to drive off. This can happen to any push button vehicle. If you were to get another one I would suggest to get some kind of RIFD key pouch which you can use the block the signal. You can google it and I'm sure you can find a few videos of high end Mercedes being lifted that way.
 
Ocon07 said:
If it was a limited they are very easy to break into and steal. They can simply build a device for around 100 dollars which steals the RIFD signal from the key fob and use that for the device to drive off. This can happen to any push button vehicle. If you were to get another one I would suggest to get some kind of RIFD key pouch which you can use the block the signal. You can google it and I'm sure you can find a few videos of high end Mercedes being lifted that way.
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This. Most thieves will park in the victim's work parking lot with an RF antenna attached to a laptop. When you open the door with the remote, they intercept the signal. Then it's just a matter of figuring out where you live and transmitting the signal.

Car remotes need to move to rolling access codes (like garage door openers) instead of static codes.
 
Ocon07 said:
If it was a limited they are very easy to break into and steal. They can simply build a device for around 100 dollars which steals the RIFD signal from the key fob and use that for the device to drive off. This can happen to any push button vehicle. If you were to get another one I would suggest to get some kind of RIFD key pouch which you can use the block the signal. You can google it and I'm sure you can find a few videos of high end Mercedes being lifted that way.
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His was a Off Road, not a limited, but yeah, a Limited would be much easier to steal.
 
flyrv9 said:
You can defeat the club in about 1 minute with a hacksaw. Sorry this happened to you. Instead, I would install a hidden interlock or disable switch.
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This seems pretty full proof.

46724539_10157911723123154_8031745231869181952_n.jpg
 
billnourse said:
While visiting my son in Aurora, Co. over Thanksgiving some dick decided he wanted my 4 Runner more than I did. Sunday morning at 1:30 AM my daughter-in-law saw it parked in front of the house. When I got up at 5:30 it was gone. In addition to the vehicle, I lost a ton of belongings including all of my photography lights, all the survival equipment and recovery equipment that was in the vehicle.

Not sure how they got it. I still have the keys in my possession. From the tracks in the snow it looks like a vehicle drove up to the driver's side, one person got out and got into my locked vehicle and left with it.

20 day wait before insurance will act. I know that in the future I will add a club to all our vehicles. Don't know if that will completely solve the problem, but surely it will help.

If anyone sees a Silver 2017 Off Road premium with a lift and SSO front bumper with winch in the Denver area, please contact the police.

Bill
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Is it possible the keys were borrowed during the night and returned before you got up? Not saying your family but sometimes there is someone in the house looking to help a not so friendly friend. Also where is the valet key? Mine stays un the truck not smart I know
 
Jimbo said:
This. Most thieves will park in the victim's work parking lot with an RF antenna attached to a laptop. When you open the door with the remote, they intercept the signal. Then it's just a matter of figuring out where you live and transmitting the signal.

Car remotes need to move to rolling access codes (like garage door openers) instead of static codes.
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My wife saw this on tv and stopped locking her limited with the fob. She only uses the door button. Now, I do the same, even though I have a key. I don't know if unlock does the same thing.
 
Wow, that really sucks, icing on the cake is having all the stuff in it.

This is a bit odd, any cops or experts in here? It stands out that you were visiting, not a resident, and that it was a 4runner, and just how (as someone mentioned) calmly and almost as if they had a key just took it.

This was not a joy ride thing, and seems they specifically wanted the 4runner, but strange about it that it was not your house, usually they scope those things out for a period of time, then make their move.

Chop shop? 4runners are not really high on the list, or am I wrong? An enthusiast in the class of car certainly does not fit the profile.

I know nothing about this incident of course, but just playing some questions in my head. My first thought when I read it was "inside job" not meaning just family or something, but someone familiar with you. It just does not seem random.
 
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4FL said:
Wow, that really sucks, icing on the cake is having all the stuff in it.

This is a bit odd, any cops or experts in here? It stands out that you were visiting, not a resident, and that it was a 4runner, and just how (as someone mentioned) calmly and almost as if they had a key just took it.

This was not a joy ride thing, and seems they specifically wanted the 4runner, but strange about it that it was not your house, usually they scope those things out for a period of time, then make their move.

Chop shop? 4runners are not really high on the list, or am I wrong? An enthusiast in the class of car certainly does not fit the profile.

I know nothing about this incident of course, but just playing some questions in my head. My first thought when I read it was "inside job" not meaning just family or something, but someone familiar with you. It just does not seem random.
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Chop shop,, nope. On it's way to Middle East or Africa in a shipping container.


.
 
Or they have access to a tow truck/ something to hook the vehicle up to, to steal. [emoji848] All are possible but either way this person must be skilled.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 
A neighbor of mine lost his 4Runner in a similar fashion. It was eventually recovered, after being used as a mobile bong parlor, with minor damage.

The local police agency thought that they used a valet key that was left in the car and they found it while rummaging through it.

(Usually in the owner's manual pouch)

I'm not sure if this will apply in your case.
 
Unfortunately, it is a guessing game to why or how they took it until it is recovered. I’m in the south and most chop shop vehicles we see are Acura, Honda’s and F250s, well at least it was a couple of years ago. The majority of stolen cars here are used to commit other crimes in, joy ride or traded for dope.

I hope they recover it quickly and without damage.
 
I think a thief with access to a tow truck took it. Even with a key there’s an imobilizer that acts as a middleman between the key transponder and Engine control module. It converts RF signal from the transponder to serial data used by the ECM to enable engine start. Hope you get it back, some people need to be :gun6:
 
I have racked my brain about this and am still not sleeping. I am constantly wondering how it happened and feeling guilty that I did something wrong. I have never had such a major loss in my 72 years, so it is really eating me up.

Bill
 
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