Someone just stole my 4runner

[APhelps]

Anything on it that will make it stand out? I hate to be a negative nancy but a 3rd gen 4runner is going to be hard to spot in So Cal, these things are a dime a dozen.

 

[Bumbo]

Ouch… that really sucks.

Not that this helps you in your current situation, the thought of leaving my keys in the car never sat well with me when listening to the radio when at public places like the beach or if doing some tailgating type action. I hate leaving my keys in the ignition, even if it was family or kids messing around.

I installed a 2 position (on-on) mini toggle switch on the radio on trigger wire. So I can selection if I want the radio to be ignition controlled, or I can manually just turn it on. Truthfully it’s turned out to be one of my favorite weekends mods. When they find your 4Runner unharmed, you can throw that in there.

 

[BoomerBob]

basic liability is cheap but it doesn't cover you. Comprehensive is the expensive part;


Comprehensive coverage pays to repair or replace a covered vehicle that's stolen or damaged by something other than collision or rolling over. For example, damage caused by fire, wind, hail, flood, theft, vandalism, falling objects, and hitting an animal is covered.

I think we're saying the same thing. Liability is mandatory. Comprehensive is cheap compared to collision insurance. Well, I just checked, and it's actually very close in price with a $1k deductible on collision for my vehicles. Obviously with a zero deductible the collision will be quite a bit more.

If you disagree; check with your insurance company. Living in certain parts of the country where a lot of people illegally don't have insurance makes it a real good idea to also have Uninsured Motorist coverage. The goal is to never use it but if you get in an accident and the other party has no insurance; you can be stuck with a $100k medical bill for you or your passenger(s). It doesn't take much to get to $100k these days.

In SoCal, for many reasons, it would be good to have both plus uninsured motorist coverage.

 

[4gambler]

America gives rights to criminals. Gonna get worse if a blue suit wins the election.


2 TERMS BABY !!!

 

[Bumbo]

As much as I hate paying my insurance premiums… I am pretty sure I would hate paying a claim even more without the correct insurance.

I have had my car broken into once… it’s a terrible feeling. I feel for the OP because of all the time/work that probably went into it. Insurance cant always replace that time spent, can’t fix the loss of a forever car, but it can help get you going in the right direction.

Some people are brazen as hell with this stuff. My car was burgled in broad daylight in a movie theater parking lot with other people in the parking lot. They just casually took a bunch of audio equipment. When the cops questioned some of the witnesses, they basically reported it just looked like they were leisurely working on the car lol. They probably knew they had about 2 hours to do the job, as I just went into a movie theater, to watch Gone in 60 Seconds.

True Story

Luckily, I did have all my aftermarket stuff insured. Insurance replaced everything correctly with equal or better, and had a professional installer do all the work even though I installed everything myself. They put the car back in working order, which was great, but it wasn’t my installation, which was nice to be able to say before.

 

[jgue467]

Wrong. Illegal immigrants can't contribute.

"Legals" steal more in the USA, just think of your current politicians yet the list could go on and on!

OP, hopefully you'll enjoy a Runner again very soon, but yeah lock her up, mine locks with the engine running from the outside - great for leaving the a/c on for my dog for a few mins, does everyone else's do that too? :cowboy:

 

[stuckinthemud]

There's really nothing that stands out, it looks stock. the tires were reddish brown dirt covered, (unless she washed it) the dent in the right rear tail gate. There is a 30" light bar set back in above the front bumper. The front tow hitch is trying to stick through the front crumpled licence plate. Other than that it looks like a whole lot of other black 4runners around so-cal.

 

[Berg cup]

bump

 

[sean.turner.1238]

Idk if it will come around here by chance but you've got my eyes and ears in East LA. That sucks to hear man, I'm so sorry.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[stuckinthemud]

Thanks again for keeping an eye out. I been locking for another 4runner, but that may take some time to find the right one. I bought a well maintained 1998 Isuzu trooper 4x4 for $2000. It will get me back and forth to work and weekend side trips.

 

[4Runner4Leon]

I'll be driving from Santa Barbara to LA tomorrow, I'll keep an eye out. Obviously very low odds of seeing it, but you never know.

 

[stuckinthemud]

Anyone want to buy a Isuzu Trooper?

 

[stuckinthemud]

I recovered my 4runner in Ojia today! About a 45 min drive from home. The only thing missing was a couple of cheap knives and my keys. All my tools and everything else was still there. I had to tear apart my ignition assembly, but I got it started and drove it home. Thank for all the well wishes, I'm a t4f owner again/still.

 

[brian_d]

Glad you found it, any details on how you found it?

Happy it all ended well!

 

[BoomerBob]

I recovered my 4runner in Ojia today! About a 45 min drive from home. The only thing missing was a couple of cheap knives and my keys. All my tools and everything else was still there. I had to tear apart my ignition assembly, but I got it started and drove it home. Thank for all the well wishes, I'm a t4f owner again/still.

That's great news! Safe to say you're one of the lucky ones; if anyone can say that after getting your rig stolen.

Did a cop spot it or was it reported abandoned? Inquiring minds would like to hear how this story ended.

 

[jgue467]

Anyone want to buy a Isuzu Trooper?

They're POS, why offer to a 4Runner crowd????

Hey did you check if you can lock the doors from the outside WITH the engine running? Mine does that, not sure if it's aFluke or a Feature. I lock my dog in with A/C on when I run into a store real quick. Might work for you too. Luck and yeah enjoy the Runner even more now! :cowboy:

 

[stuckinthemud]

She dropped it off at an apartment RV parking lot. The apartment manager marked illegally parked on the 21st. On the 22nd he called the police to have it towed. The responding officer called me when he realized it was stolen, and gave me a call to take possession or he would have it towed. I left work immediately.
I spent a little more than an hour tearing the ignition apart trying hammer and punch, drills and screwdrivers with vise grips. ended up braking internal parts in the unit when I drilled it out and had to pulled out the whole unit. removed the ignition switch, twisted it with a screwdriver and it started. drove it home.
Now I need new ignition internals. And re-key all the locks. Right now it in my driveway with no way to lock the doors. I took the battery out so nobody can start it.

 

[cahaight]

Glad you got your truck back,never had to deal with a stolen vehicle before gotta suck,but I have had a problem
with missing keys a few times,many years ago spending the night at a girlfriends house (parents were out of town)She gets a call that there headed home early,I'm not suppose to be there and jump into my car (VW) in the middle of a snow storm and promptly snap the key off in the ignition,luckily I could pull the broken part out with my fingers and had just recently put a spare key hidden in my engine compartment and made my escape.After that experience I have zip tied a spare key in a remote spot on ever vehicle I've owned,and it saved me many calls to a locksmith,anyway just my 2$,got me thinking about doing the hidden kill switch this weekend...

 

[Js'00imited4runner]

She dropped it off at an apartment RV parking lot. The apartment manager marked illegally parked on the 21st. On the 22nd he called the police to have it towed. The responding officer called me when he realized it was stolen, and gave me a call to take possession or he would have it towed. I left work immediately.
I spent a little more than an hour tearing the ignition apart trying hammer and punch, drills and screwdrivers with vise grips. ended up braking internal parts in the unit when I drilled it out and had to pulled out the whole unit. removed the ignition switch, twisted it with a screwdriver and it started. drove it home.
Now I need new ignition internals. And re-key all the locks. Right now it in my driveway with no way to lock the doors. I took the battery out so nobody can start it.

While you're at it pull the EFI relays or disconnect the fuel pump then for sure it wont go anywhere. Glad you got it recovered! Good luck.

 

[BoomerBob]

When I bought the 1998 T4R the previous owner handed me one key. I asked where the others were because I'd never have just one key for any vehicle. He said that was it. Too bad you didn't bring your spare key to pick it up but all's well that ends well.