Stolen - My 4runner (RECOVERED)

[DenverAirport]

I was taking a long road trip up to Montana and was going to be without a garage to park my 4Runner in, so without doing a kill switch, I made this thingamadoodad. It clamps around the brake arm. Cost about $20 in total (most of which is the locks) for all you see. The L bracket I had laying around, as well as the bolts / nuts. Yes, I used two bolts and nuts and need to get them welded, but haven’t done it yet. The L part of this sits on the floor board. CAN’T push the brake pedal in at all. The locks are not in the corrects holes, so ignore their placement, but basically the arm of the brake pedal sits between the two locks in the two holes that are close to each other.

Damn this is clever

 

[RandyBobandy]

I’d like to rig up a system where if a chip of some sort attached to the key fob isn’t detected the vehicle uses one of those exhaust butterfly valves to redirect the exhaust gas into the passenger compartment

 

[Endlessblockades]

Are you going to put your life on the line? Are you going to threaten someone else's life? Over a hunk of metal, plastic and glass?

I'm afraid the answer is yes. I have and I would again. Also, cops will stand by during a self-recovery. The whole LEO/enforcement dynamic post-BLM/Defund/Covid has changed a bit so you have to play your cards right if you want backup.

 

[DenverAirport]

But what happens when you go looking and approach someone with your vehicle? LEO's won't deal with that, they do Reactive work, not Proactive (meaning they clean up after things are done, don't prevent or intervene in the middle). Are you going to put your life on the line? Are you going to threaten someone else's life? Over a hunk of metal, plastic and glass?

I'm definitely not going to put my or anyone else's life on the line -- just my belief. Even with everything sentimental about my truck. Hell I don't even want harm to come to the dude who just stole my truck, something that's my prized possession and basically my life. I'm in a really shitty situation financially because of this / and not having a car short term (and no money to buy another car) is a nightmare I'm not sure I'm going to figure out immediately but I'd still never want to resort to any sort of violence over this. That's just me though -- not to sound like a fkin hippy but I'm more of a what would Jesus do or whatever type of guy.

No matter the hardship I'm experiencing I value life significantly above property. But hey, some people are definitely down to shoot a guy over a missing car whatever lol just not me. That said, if someone tried to rob me or my family at knife point or something they would likely being seeing a CZ-75. Protection of people vs protection of property is extremely different.

 

[Brian.]

I’d like to rig up a system where if a chip of some sort attached to the key fob isn’t detected the vehicle uses one of those exhaust butterfly valves to redirect the exhaust gas into the passenger compartment

That'd be considered "boobytrapping"... Booby Traps Law and Legal Definition | USLegal, Inc. which is pretty much illegal everywhere.

I know, it feels good to talk about harming someone who would harm you, but it's really the wrong sort of path to take as a human being. At that point are you Really any better than they are? I mean, both stealing a car and installing a "trap" for that thief are intentional intent to harm another. Even joking about it online can bite you in the backside (remember, everything you post is "forever") should something even Remotely similar happen in your presence at any point in the future, you can guarantee any discussion about it will be brought against you.

Make your vehicle less desirable (nothing high value in/on it, or all but inaccessible by Anyone other than you), be ready, willing and able to absorb the loss, or insure it for the actual value so you don't have to absorb the financial loss all in one go. Or do a combination.

You want an alarm? How about an External loudspeaker that blares "THIS VEHICLE IS BEING STOLEN, CALL 911" when an RFID keyfob is missing. Everyone ignores the typical car alarm, but I bet That would grab the attention of everyone (including the thief who's trying to be inconspicuous). Run it off a 2nd battery that's mounted in an extremely hard to access space (speaker too, armored box under the vehicle) so it Can't be disabled easily.

 

[Brian.]

No matter the hardship I'm experiencing I value life significantly above property. That said, if someone tried to rob me or my family at knife point or something they would likely being seeing a CZ-75. Protection of people vs protection of property is extremely different.

Trust me, I feel for you in a way that only someone who's experienced the same thing themselves, can feel. As sucky as it is, the world will keep on moving, with you in it, and eventually this will just be a miserable experience in your history that molds you on your path through life. And I'm right there with you on the protection of health and life, those are the only 2 things worth aggression (Walther PPQ for me though). "Stuff" just isn't worth aggression, I've been There before too and my life is absolutely better now for not being on that path.

 

[4x3Lander]

Damn this is clever

Thanks, I appreciate it. It can be a bit of a pain to set up and there are probably better ways to do this, but it was quick, cheap and worked for what I needed. I will eventually improve all of it.

Anyway, good luck on your search. Really hope you get it back. I would be devastated if mine was stolen.

 

[Unner]

Sorry to hear about this. I hope you get it back, it looks nice and you've put a lot of work into it.

Have you posted this on Tacomaworld? That forum reaches a lot more people. You could get a good bit of exposure over there.

 

[Devbot]

Don't automotive locksmiths exist? I feel like simply getting all the locks redone would outright solve the problem, if the threat are shaved/jiggle keys

Are you going to put your life on the line? Are you going to threaten someone else's life? Over a hunk of metal, plastic and glass?

Yes, gladly :hippie: They would do the same to you.

 

[JZiggy]

Saw an idea a long time back where someone welded on chain links to the trans and tcase shifters. Shift into 4LO Reverse and padlock together. Good luck, ya bum!

Of course it could be backed into a flatbed…

 

[DenverAirport]

Sorry to hear about this. I hope you get it back, it looks nice and you've put a lot of work into it.

Have you posted this on Tacomaworld? That forum reaches a lot more people. You could get a good bit of exposure over there.

No, that's a good idea though -- I've gotten a lot of traction across social media so far. Someone posted about likely having seen it in Washington late last night so I'm following some leads at the moment. Had an acquaintance get their truck stolen a day after mine (there's was in socal) ..

 

[Endlessblockades]

While we're on the topic - does anyone know what the Toyota anti-theft system (I believe mine has an 'immobilizer' function of some kind) actually does? I believe it came stock on Limited trim rigs.

 

[Devbot]

No, that's a good idea though -- I've gotten a lot of traction across social media so far. Someone posted about likely having seen it in Washington late last night so I'm following some leads at the moment. Had an acquaintance get their truck stolen a day after mine (there's was in socal) ..

Where about in WA? I'd keep an eye out myself but 3rd gens are about as common as rain up here so it can be a needle in a haystack

 

[FD7683]

Where about in WA? I'd keep an eye out myself but 3rd gens are about as common as rain up here so it can be a needle in a haystack

It's the complete opposite here in Ohio - they are pretty much extinct due to rust. I hope DenverAirport can find his truck back in one piece.

 

[T4topher]

I was taking a long road trip up to Montana and was going to be without a garage to park my 4Runner in, so without doing a kill switch, I made this thingamadoodad. It clamps around the brake arm. Cost about $20 in total (most of which is the locks) for all you see. The L bracket I had laying around, as well as the bolts / nuts. Yes, I used two bolts and nuts and need to get them welded, but haven’t done it yet. The L part of this sits on the floor board. CAN’T push the brake pedal in at all. The locks are not in the corrects holes, so ignore their placement, but basically the arm of the brake pedal sits between the two locks in the two holes that are close to each other.

I have the official version of this, it’s like a steering wheel club but goes under your brake pedal so it can’t be pushed down. I’ll see if I can find it and snap a picture.

 

[4x3Lander]

I have the official version of this, it’s like a steering wheel club but goes under your brake pedal so it can’t be pushed down. I’ll see if I can find it and snap a picture.

Thanks! I honestly can’t remember where I got the idea for this. It certainly wasn’t my brain engineering anything. I had looked at official “club” style products, but just didn’t want to fork out that kind of money AND having something big / clunky laying around when not in use.

Definitely interested in seeing what you have.

 

[DenverAirport]

While we're on the topic - does anyone know what the Toyota anti-theft system (I believe mine has an 'immobilizer' function of some kind) actually does? I believe it came stock on Limited trim rigs.

Tbh I'm not sure I know what it does considering my truck was locked and this dude slim jimmed his way into my Limited with anti-theft system lol

 

[DenverAirport]

Where about in WA? I'd keep an eye out myself but 3rd gens are about as common as rain up here so it can be a needle in a haystack

Near Vancouver, so still fairly close to Portland. And yeah there are so many, luckily my color combination makes it stick out a bit. That said there are two trucks with my same trim / color combination for sale in the area lol

 

[thezentree]

Don't automotive locksmiths exist? I feel like simply getting all the locks redone would outright solve the problem, if the threat are shaved/jiggle keys


Yes, gladly :hippie: They would do the same to you.

This. Thieves should be shot like the feral animals they are and dumped in shallow holes.

Hope you find your truck OP.

 

[T4topher]

Thanks! I honestly can’t remember where I got the idea for this. It certainly wasn’t my brain engineering anything. I had looked at official “club” style products, but just didn’t want to fork out that kind of money AND having something big / clunky laying around when not in use.

Definitely interested in seeing what you have.

I bought it when I was going to trade school in Sacramento, someone broke into my Tacoma in my motel parking lot and stole a north face jacket a back pack with some school books and my spare key lol…

Unlocked

Locked

Installed