Uneek
Super Moderator
I know '06 and '07 have five matching wheels.
Stolen spare tire....
- Thread starter krosno3
- Start date
I know '06 and '07 have five matching wheels.
dieselman8
New member
Add one more Chicago victim. My spare was probably stolen about 4 weeks ago. I live around Diversey and Sheffield. The tire pressure warning went off 3 weeks ago and it wasn't until today I got around to checking the pressure in the spare. That's when I found out that it was missing, which explains why the tire-pressure light kept going off.
All I see is strands of the metal cable where they cut off the tire.
Based on what I'm reading, there is definitely someone who's discovered a nice little niche steeling spares off of 4runners / tacomas around Chicago.
Question is, do I report this to insurance or do I front the costs myself? How much will my insurance increase?
Uneek
Super Moderator
It depends on whether or not you have comprehensive coverage and how much is the comprehensive deductible. If it's a lower number like under $250 or 500, making the insurance claim would probably be cheaper. Recently, I had to check for a replacement alloy on a Scion tC (the rim was $380, $110 for the TPMS valve stem, and the tire and tax isn't even included yet). Making a comprehensive claim should not increase your insurance premium. Typically, "at-fault" accidents do, but they could get you by lowering your premium during renewal.
2k54RUNNIN
New member
well I am a victim of this too. But I live in St. Paul, MN. My cable is not a clean cut, but looked serrated, so I assume maybe a smallish hacksaw type. I don't know. But it came out to be $1200 at the dealership replace and install everything. Well I am piecing all the stuff myself and it is costing me close to $350 for everything, (used wheel off ebay and use tires from local shop). My deductible is $500, so it made more sense for me.
Ebay used OEM 4runner 17" wheel w/TPMS $137 shipping included.
New carrier assembly for spare and fitting kit $102 plus shipping $11
Used Dunflop tire $50 plus $15 for mounting
(I am planning on replacing all 5 tires to BFGs or TerraGrapplers when the dunflops wear out so no bother buying new spare)
grand total of $315
Ebay used OEM 4runner 17" wheel w/TPMS $137 shipping included.
New carrier assembly for spare and fitting kit $102 plus shipping $11
Used Dunflop tire $50 plus $15 for mounting
(I am planning on replacing all 5 tires to BFGs or TerraGrapplers when the dunflops wear out so no bother buying new spare)
grand total of $315
V8Limited4wd
New member
this spare tire theft in chicago is getting out of hand! the police needs to do something about this because someone is making a lot of money selling all these stolen spare tires from just one city. Maybe have a decoy 4runner and watch it just like that show Jacked(filmed in Newark, NJ) on A&E.
aeathb
New member
So, I am stopping in Chicago this summer, and this thread has successfully scared me into using a spare tire lock. The only thing I am confused on, is if any company sell locks anymore? All of the earlier links (in 2004+5) have been expired or discontinued. I might have to end up making one, but I think a real non-homemade lock would withstand thieves better. My local dealer does not seem to carry any either. Thanks
eace:
eace:
8V5
New member
My 2010 has a chain instead of a cable. Is my spare tire secure? Should I install a lock? Should I move to Oklahoma?
The chain links are about 1/8" in diameter. The part of the chain holding up the spare is under tension and accesible through the remaining hole in the whee, about 3" in. An 8" reciprocating saw blade will reach it; will it cut?
The chain links are about 1/8" in diameter. The part of the chain holding up the spare is under tension and accesible through the remaining hole in the whee, about 3" in. An 8" reciprocating saw blade will reach it; will it cut?
Ron Helmuth
Senior Member
best avatar on the forum and likely soon to disappear
2k54RUNNIN
is that your sister/gf/wife?
I give it about a week but it made me laugh -thank goodness the mod goons have not spotted it...
sorry to hear about your spares guys, that is right up there with the cat thieves... scum suckers
2k54RUNNIN
is that your sister/gf/wife?
I give it about a week but it made me laugh -thank goodness the mod goons have not spotted it...
sorry to hear about your spares guys, that is right up there with the cat thieves... scum suckers
I see this thread every few months and the thought continually pops into my head that it is sad that guys have this happen first and foremost. But then we see that they all have to go to eBay to replace the spares. Then of course I start thinking "Hmmmm.... where are the eBay guys getting the wheels to sell?" It is obviously just one big circle and mess. Guys need wheels because they are getting stolen so the value is up on eBay because their are always multiple bidders or it is a high demand product. That in turn entices thieves into stealing more of them because they are in demand.
Uggggggh. Maybe Toyota needs to start VIN stamping factory wheels and eBay needs to start requiring the VIN to be included in the listing and shown in a picture. It may not work, but it's a start. This has been going on for too long. I am scared to take my 4Runner to Los Angeles because there is such a rash of thefts with the wheels and catalytic converters. Every time we go to visit my brother we have to take the Honda. :sniper:
Uggggggh. Maybe Toyota needs to start VIN stamping factory wheels and eBay needs to start requiring the VIN to be included in the listing and shown in a picture. It may not work, but it's a start. This has been going on for too long. I am scared to take my 4Runner to Los Angeles because there is such a rash of thefts with the wheels and catalytic converters. Every time we go to visit my brother we have to take the Honda. :sniper:
hondafmx1000
New member
If the cable is old and is all rusted up it could have easily broken off, my dad says it has happened to some of the trucks in his fleet for work. i mean over time it could have happened just a thought. i kinda think it would be a little more difficult than need be to remove the tire from under the vehicle and then like cart it off without anybody noticing, i am no expert or anything though, just my 2 cents, ive heard of spares coming off on the highway and stuff because of bumps and not being properly secured.
Spare Tire Stolen
Well this happen to me about a month ago and I am about to put everything back together again. But it looks like Winch Lock is no longer in Business anymore. I need to buy something to lock my spare because apperently there are some Fing ass holes who like steal. This happened to my truck at the train station.
P.S. After reading the thread it seems that this Happens in Chicago very often. I also live in Chicago and this happen to at Western and Grand.
Well this happen to me about a month ago and I am about to put everything back together again. But it looks like Winch Lock is no longer in Business anymore. I need to buy something to lock my spare because apperently there are some Fing ass holes who like steal. This happened to my truck at the train station.
P.S. After reading the thread it seems that this Happens in Chicago very often. I also live in Chicago and this happen to at Western and Grand.
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this thread has got me worried now since i will be buying a 4runner in the next 6 months or so.anyway,, if I remove the spare tire and just store it in my garage, will that warning light still turn on ???
I know some of you will think my idea is retarded ,but FYI, the spare tire on my 1998 tacoma got stolen in 1998 also and i never replaced it. However, I bought one of those cheap small cigarette light-powered tire inflators and put it in the backseat of my tacoma.
this cheap inflator has saved me many many times giving me enough time to go to the tire shop. the one or two times where the deflated tire hole was too big , I just called a tow truck.
so now its 2013, and I still drive around without a spare tire
true story.
note though that my tacoma has no spare tire warning light.
I know some of you will think my idea is retarded ,but FYI, the spare tire on my 1998 tacoma got stolen in 1998 also and i never replaced it. However, I bought one of those cheap small cigarette light-powered tire inflators and put it in the backseat of my tacoma.
this cheap inflator has saved me many many times giving me enough time to go to the tire shop. the one or two times where the deflated tire hole was too big , I just called a tow truck.
so now its 2013, and I still drive around without a spare tire
true story. note though that my tacoma has no spare tire warning light.
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dieselman8
New member
not to resurrect this thread from the grave, but some questions for you folks.
My spare was stolen a few years ago on my 2008 4runner sr5 (all that's left is a dangling cut steel cable), and I've lived with a constant TPMS alert on the dash since.
I'm finally getting around to replacing my tires and I thought I'd take a crack at replacing the spare at the same time. My goal is to do it "right" and get rid of the TPMS alert once and for all...hopefully I can pick up all of the parts on ebay but could use some help with what I need. From what I can tell, I'll need to get:
1. spare tire carrier (like this one).
2. a 17" wheel to match my existing OEM wheels (like this one)
3. a TMPS sensor (like this one)
4. spare tire
Is there anything else I'm missing? Can I use any wheel? Again, goal here is to a) have a spare, and b) get rid of the TPMS light. I'm okay with getting a non-matching wheel if that's possible.
My spare was stolen a few years ago on my 2008 4runner sr5 (all that's left is a dangling cut steel cable), and I've lived with a constant TPMS alert on the dash since.
I'm finally getting around to replacing my tires and I thought I'd take a crack at replacing the spare at the same time. My goal is to do it "right" and get rid of the TPMS alert once and for all...hopefully I can pick up all of the parts on ebay but could use some help with what I need. From what I can tell, I'll need to get:
1. spare tire carrier (like this one).
2. a 17" wheel to match my existing OEM wheels (like this one)
3. a TMPS sensor (like this one)
4. spare tire
Is there anything else I'm missing? Can I use any wheel? Again, goal here is to a) have a spare, and b) get rid of the TPMS light. I'm okay with getting a non-matching wheel if that's possible.
