Who here has a car alarm installed?

[kpinthebay]

Just got my 2002 4Runner Sport recently and was debating the merits on having a security system installed. On one hand, the truck is 13+ years old with 130k miles on it. On the other hand, the truck looks amazing for its age (think Jennifer Aniston, or Brooke Burke, or Martha Stewart <- i kid i kid) and is probably an easier target with high demand for thieves.

It's bone stock for now but might not be that way for long.

I just ordered a basic system with starter kill for peace of mind. But was just wondering.

 

[Unner]

The most commonly stolen cars are usually older cars that have a large market for parts because more than likely once they get the car it's getting stripped and sold for parts. I'm pretty sure the last few years lists had 90's accords at the top of the list just fyi.

I've debated ordering one, not really for security, but so I can get a better range on the fob because I always forget/forget if I locked my 4Runner and I really want remote start so I can have the heat/AC going before I get in.

 

[Road Bull]

I have a Clifford 2-way alarm. Besides a car alarm and ignition kill, it has an auto lock/unlock feature. It is hard to overate piece of mind. Personally, I hate car alarms. However, I hate replacing broken windows, broken locks, locked contents, or whole damned vehicle itself.

Get your vehicle broken into once and you will quickly see that you will easily pay for a good car alarm by the time you get done replacing parts and making your vehicle whole again.

 

[baja1]

down here in mex toyota four wheel drives are like gold, I've got a fuel shut off and use a club but am thinking an alarm would be a great investment! they sure can't hurt!

 

[YouInTheShirt]

alarm

I put a 2-way Viper remote start in.
insurance discount is more than worth it, especially if your agents check.
Remote start in Texas is great and wired the back window to still go down as well as up with remote.

 

[T4R2014]

Aftermarket alarms...

They all become more trouble than they are worth over time. All they really do is hack up your wiring. I just got done removing an old school Clifford from my other 1996 after it started acting up.

If they want to steal it, they will find a way. Best bet would be to park it where you can see it if you feel it is that valuable. And if you catch a thief... well... :ak472:

 

[gamefreakgc]

One word:

Garage.

Enough said.

 

[alexbuoy]

Aftermarket alarms...

They all become more trouble than they are worth over time. All they really do is hack up your wiring. I just got done removing an old school Clifford from my other 1996 after it started acting up.

If they want to steal it, they will find a way. Best bet would be to park it where you can see it if you feel it is that valuable. And if you catch a thief... well... :ak472:

Agreed. My aftermarket alarm always goes off while i'm driving. It pissed me off so bad I just turned it off.
I park in sketchy areas of LA all the time and never had anything happen to my 4runner, and my friends civic got stolen in a safe area! I only hear of older toyota and honda cars getting stolen, rarely 3rd gen 4runners.

 

[KainDrag]

I have the factory alarm but i dont know anything about it, I would like to have remote start though.

 

[wc11]

Had an Alpine alarm installed back when I bought the truck new in '98.
Still works great with no issues.

 

[scottfj40]

Aftermarket alarms...

They all become more trouble than they are worth over time. All they really do is hack up your wiring. I just got done removing an old school Clifford from my other 1996 after it started acting up.

If they want to steal it, they will find a way. Best bet would be to park it where you can see it if you feel it is that valuable. And if you catch a thief... well... :ak472:

I have an old school Clifford in my 96. It acts goofy and I have no remotes.
Any advice on removing?

 

[T4R2014]

I have an old school Clifford in my 96. It acts goofy and I have no remotes.
Any advice on removing?

Since its aftermarket, there is never any consistency in installation. The model I uninstalled was the "Supernova 2". The brain for mine was tucked in the dash behind the panel that is under the steering wheel. There was a separate glass breakage sensor close to it as well. You've basically got to start tracing the hacker wiring and removing any of the taps. Cover what you remove with electrical tape of course. I hope this is common sense but disconnect your battery before doing anything electrical

 

[calimobber]

Hands down I think its a waste. I know of more alarms that malfunction than do good. Also screw all the wiring up.

plus they wont know it has an alarm till after your window has been broken.

Ive never had a break in or any of my friends but scum bags are still out there I guess.

 

[scottfj40]

Since its aftermarket, there is never any consistency in installation. The model I uninstalled was the "Supernova 2". The brain for mine was tucked in the dash behind the panel that is under the steering wheel. There was a separate glass breakage sensor close to it as well. You've basically got to start tracing the hacker wiring and removing any of the taps. Cover what you remove with electrical tape of course. I hope this is common sense but disconnect your battery before doing anything electrical

Thanks. My luck it won't start when I'm done.

 

[4bangr]

I have an old school Clifford in my 96. It acts goofy and I have no remotes.
Any advice on removing?

I started down this path of removing a Clifford alarm from my 97 and was all proud of myself for yanking out all the stuff under the hood. Your right, it was just the goofiest piece of junk; i just always hated it.

Anyway, last week i had my driver kick panel off and couldn't believe all the alarm crap that was stuffed in down there. it looks like it's spliced into the harness going to the rear of the truck. which might explain why my rear window doesn't work since i yanked the stuff under the hood. anyway, it looks like it's going to be a long term process to get all that crap out. I hope somebody tells me i'm wrong.

 

[scottfj40]

I started down this path of removing a Clifford alarm from my 97 and was all proud of myself for yanking out all the stuff under the hood. Your right, it was just the goofiest piece of junk; i just always hated it.

Anyway, last week i had my driver kick panel off and couldn't believe all the alarm crap that was stuffed in down there. it looks like it's spliced into the harness going to the rear of the truck. which might explain why my rear window doesn't work since i yanked the stuff under the hood. anyway, it looks like it's going to be a long term process to get all that crap out. I hope somebody tells me i'm wrong.

That sucks!

 

[trovergraywilson]

Get your vehicle broken into once and you will quickly see that you will easily pay for a good car alarm by the time you get done replacing parts and making your vehicle whole again.

This. One of the major reasons I went for the Limited trim level was the alarm and immobilizer. Have a garage @ home but park on the street in a busy area of Chicago for work every day. Older T4Rs are in high demand here and my girl is in good condition. Last car was smash-n-grabbed a couple of times, and paying for a window replacement is so much better. YT has some good threads as well on better alarm choices.

 

[sogoood]

im sry for you guys that have crap installs. i cleanly installed mine with positaps. remote start and 1 mile range. i can remove it whenever i want and my wires arent butchered.