Hopeless Diamond
New member
Could always pull the EFI relay
The DIY AntiTheft methods to save your beloved rig from the hands of thieves
- Thread starter pavelvoivoda
- Start date
Could always pull the EFI relay
I installed a kill switch to the fuel pump for use when I'm out running around and leaving the truck in parking lots for a short period of time. When the truck is left overnight in the driveway or for long periods of time in a parking lot such as concerts or ball games, I'll also pull the ignition fuse from behind the cover on the dash and put it in my pocket. Takes only a couple of seconds using the little fuse puller clip that I normally just leave on the leather boot next to the J-shifter when not in use. I figure if they want it bad enough, they'll have to tow it before figuring out why it's not starting.
yep my grandk dids think a manual tranny is strange....and roll down windows ...that really put a giant question mark on their face...had to show one how to use it.A manual transmission is an increasingly effective theft deterrent
Thebeastlives
New member
Never had a car stolen in 30 years of owning a crap load of different vehicles. I wouldn't be upset or pissed if 1 of my 4 runners were stolen but if my Tundra stolen that would piss me off.
1) Always park in my garage
2) Always have big aggressive dogs that protect my property like it is theirs. Biting an intruder in the home or car is what I train them for.
3) Leave my cars with the valet and not on the street.
1) Always park in my garage
2) Always have big aggressive dogs that protect my property like it is theirs. Biting an intruder in the home or car is what I train them for.
3) Leave my cars with the valet and not on the street.
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i never got around to do the fuel pump kill switch, so one day parked at a trailhead overnight...I pulled my EFI relay....been doing that ever since when needed... have a old spare hidden in car and carry one in my backpack. kind of overkill. Thinking if some creep is hiding in the woods, sees me pull it and put it in the car then they would know where it is. This way put it in my pack and walk off. I was at a trailhead and saw a tacoma,,,busted window and hood up.
I also have a steering wheel club...I think a lot of people will walk up and see that and then look for an easier target
dogtail
New member
My shift handle doesn't have a shift pattern printed on it, maybe they'll reach for the T-case knob.A manual transmission is an increasingly effective theft deterrent
I just went to get an inspection sticker the other day, drove up to the bay. The inspection guy in his 20's went to jump in to drive it inside, he jumps back out, he said "Can you drive it in for me?"
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JZiggy
Senior Member
There was an old trick to weld a chain link to your tcase and tranny shifter near the bottom. Shift into R and 4LO and padlock them together. Especially effective with super lower tcase gearsets.
Joelzy
New member
when in a sketchy area i unplug the clutch switch so the only way to start it is the clutch cancel button. most wouldn't know about that bypass id imagine.
Also probably going to do a fuel cutoff eventually, not that i live in a bad area but im just putting too much time and money into this thing to have someone drive off in it.
Also probably going to do a fuel cutoff eventually, not that i live in a bad area but im just putting too much time and money into this thing to have someone drive off in it.
pavelvoivoda
Member
Since all gen 3 runners are with relatively unsofisticated tech in them, they are not complex to start. Here in eastern Europe, where it's basically a third world, tech is even less sofisticated, and the 3rd gen Runner I drive is a mech pump diesel that has exactly one wire that must be energized, then you just need to push the car, depress the clutch in 2nd gear and it starts. So I have to resort to mechanical disarming.
Removing a fuse or a relay is not hard to overpass. Just use a jack wire to bridge the pins together and you"re gone in sixty seconds.
The idea of a successful disarming of your 4runner is based on the unknown. Theives know the cars inside out which make them excelent diagnostics technicians.
It wouldnt take them too long to diagnose a missing relay or a fuse.
What they wouldnt be able to quickly find is something that is not standard...and multiples of it. If you change one thing on the car, it will slow them down. Change two and it slows them exponentially
So if everyone did only three random things to a recent car, the only options left would be push, pull or lift!
Removing a fuse or a relay is not hard to overpass. Just use a jack wire to bridge the pins together and you"re gone in sixty seconds.
The idea of a successful disarming of your 4runner is based on the unknown. Theives know the cars inside out which make them excelent diagnostics technicians.
It wouldnt take them too long to diagnose a missing relay or a fuse.
What they wouldnt be able to quickly find is something that is not standard...and multiples of it. If you change one thing on the car, it will slow them down. Change two and it slows them exponentially
So if everyone did only three random things to a recent car, the only options left would be push, pull or lift!
Endlessblockades
Senior Member
duplicate post
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Endlessblockades
Senior Member
Thanks for the ideas - some good stuff. The problem I have is that my T4R is homeless - it sleeps on the streets. No garage or driveway, no guard dogs or guns, (well we won't talk about that) but I try to keep it out front when the streetsweeper isn't on our side (M, W, F, Sat 2AM - 6AM). City life can suck - glad I've only got a couple years left on my sentence. I'm a little more concerned at remote trail heads in the mountains when I have to leave it for a 4 hour MTB ride or at a race or event (if those return). There are a lot of tweekers and hilljackers out there. I don't keep anytihng in it at night in the city and as littler as possible in the woods. I do use one of those flat bars that goes from the top of the steering wheel and rests on the dash to impede steering. Easily defeatable, but it's more of a message - if this guy thinks about security this much, there may well be other impediments to theft. I'm thinking I need to really secure the hood and install a kill mod or 2 in there....
steering wheel removal
Has anyone ever contemplated some sort of quick-release steering wheel? I have no idea how complicated that would be but seems to me it could be extremely effective.
Also, I have a 2000 limited that won't start without the chipped key. Any thoughts on how effective those actually are?
Has anyone ever contemplated some sort of quick-release steering wheel? I have no idea how complicated that would be but seems to me it could be extremely effective.
Also, I have a 2000 limited that won't start without the chipped key. Any thoughts on how effective those actually are?
5VZ-FE
Member
People put them in drift/racecars all the time, and they're relatively cheap. However, I believe that the steering can still be operated somewhat even when the wheel is removed.
Ripper238
Senior Member
So many old school options i forgot about. lol
I have found that having a good alarm and camera system is all that's needed.
I currently run a Compustar t13 that utilizes LTE and an app to provide the status of your vehicle from anywhere. But the big reason I went with the T13 is the long range it has on the fob, it can notify me up to 3mi away even without cell service.
The cameras and camera warning stickers I use work as a good deterrent as well.
I have found that having a good alarm and camera system is all that's needed.
I currently run a Compustar t13 that utilizes LTE and an app to provide the status of your vehicle from anywhere. But the big reason I went with the T13 is the long range it has on the fob, it can notify me up to 3mi away even without cell service.
The cameras and camera warning stickers I use work as a good deterrent as well.
Seems to me it would be extremely difficult and beyond dangerous to try.
96RedRunner
Senior Member
For a doper stealing it yes it would be. large vise-grip pliers on steering shaft no problem go two pair one at 3 o'clock one at 9 o'clock easier still.
5VZ-FE
Member
I think you can even do it on some with a screwdriver inserted in the right place. Their primary design goal isn't security, it's being able to get in and out of the car easier. However, for the thief who is only interested in actually stealing the car, not just breaking a window in search of valuables, having a removed steering wheel would probably be pretty discouraging. My personal opinion is that a well-hidden fuel pump shutoff is the way to go to avoid the truck being stolen.
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02_SE_Runner_DAD
New member
I just take all my wheels off and put it on jack stands every night:guitar3:
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