Spare tire anti theft device?

[dreamcarowner]

I recently bought my 4runner - my dream car! Went in to get the tires rotated, and as I was leaving, the guy handed me a little metal thing and said "here's your spare tire anti theft thing" (that's what I heard, I swear) and I simply said thanks, like I knew what he was talking about. I'd rather ask the infinite interwebs full of people I don't really have to meet rather than lose my new found pride in my vehicle, if that makes any sense.

My question: What is this little metal part of a wrench looking thing, and how does it prevent someone from stealing me spare?

Thanks!

 

[08T4R]

Have a pic of it? Might just be part of the tool kit that goes with the jack in the back corner.

 

[SubyGuy]

You might have one lug nut on each rim that requires an adaptor to be removed. Does one of your lug nuts look different from the rest? This is the keep someone from being able to easily steal your rims. Or like the other poster said it might be the crank to lower your spare if their doing a 5 tire rotation.

 

[vitamin]

I added a spare tire anti-theft device to my 4Runner when it was new 7 years ago. It's a rod mounted to the chassis, the rod goes through one of the 5 lug stud holes in the spare and a locking device then goes on the rod. Takes a round key like you see on a coke machine.

From what I can tell this device left the market 4 or 5 years ago. Without this a crook can quickly cut the cable that holds the spare to the car and he's got it.

 

[CAN-03runner]

I added a spare tire anti-theft device to my 4Runner when it was new 7 years ago. It's a rod mounted to the chassis, the rod goes through one of the 5 lug stud holes in the spare and a locking device then goes on the rod. Takes a round key like you see on a coke machine.

From what I can tell this device left the market 4 or 5 years ago. Without this a crook can quickly cut the cable that holds the spare to the car and he's got it.

Maybe I'm not crooked enough....:wink2: but when I wasn't able to bring down my seized up spare tire winch, I cut the cable, drilled out the winch bolts. I don't remember it being that quick to do. The rusting mechanism is protection enough.:lol:

 

[vitamin]

Years ago it was a common 4Runner theft event. But I think the crooks have moved to more powerful portable cutters and go for the Cat Cvtr now. Those spare tires are heavy and probably fall on you when you cut the cable given that your arm is way out of position to help stop the falling tire.