Vehicle Security

Well guys, I strongly suggest kill switch, that probably want I'd do on my next 4Runner. My 2022 TRD Off-Road was stolen last week, I saw how it happen next morning on security camera. Thieves broke rear passenger door window, waited a little if somebody heard the sound (very quiet) and got inside with some sort of device. Couple minutes later thief get out and went probably for his car (out of camera view). Then he returned with another device looking like small tablet, get inside through broken window, and after another couple minutes he started the truck and drove off. All this took 10 minutes.

I always deactivate my keys, so it wasn't a relay attack. My VIN was covered too. Also I made ODB port lock so I'm pretty sure that is cannot be removed quick and without destroying ODB port. And I didn't see or hear (camera records sounds) any power tools. So I think they either cut wires from ODB port and used them directly with their device or maybe they just hack ignition chip, like put their device on start button and tried emulate chip in key.

Worst thing about it that in Canada there are almost no new 4Runners in stock, wait time 6-8 months. And when I get a new 4Runner I definitely going to either remove a relay for the night or install a kill switch. Blinking lights, cameras, ODB port locks and turned off keys don't stop thieves nowadays.

 

$73 Brake Pedal Lock, Car Anti Theft Device Clutch Lock, Retractable Car Lock Heavy Duty Vehicle Brake Lock for SUV, Auto, Van (5-15mm Brake Pedal Stem Width)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C69FNY6K

They either won’t be able to start it or they won’t be able to stop it.

Ensures ya don’t end up with a trashed theft recovery I guess. Can’t return a total loss.

 

Wow, that sucks...I've never given much thought to any of the vehicles in my family being stolen, but your experience gives me food for thought. I like the idea of a kill switch, but I'd put a blinking red light or some other indicator inside, so potential thieves see it. I also like the idea of a physical deterrent like that brake pedal lock. They should make those brake pedal locks available in high-vis colors though, again, so potential thieves will see it and move on.

 

I don't think it worth it, maybe thieves just come later with a drill if they don't have it in their tool box. Found this on youtube: (12) I Tested Car Anti theft Devices From Amazon! - YouTube , this device tested on 21:30

 

If someone really wants your vehicle, consider it gone. Physical things like this brake pedal lock won't stop a determined thief, but it'll at least slow down or maybe even stop the amateurs.

 

Yup. If they want it, it’s gone.
Buddy had a race car parked in front of his house. Club, 5 digit security PIN code kill switch in addition to a normal car alarm.

Flat bed tow truck came and got it. No one in his neighborhood gave it a second thought.

You’ll never stop a determined thief. The goal is to make it not worth the time.

That, or get a trunk monkey. Those seem effective.

 

Just need the bear trap on drivers seat with a towel over it, if they don’t see it oh well take a bite out of crime. Plus it’s low tech

 

then the thief will sue for entrapment, reckless endangerment, plus you caused them a PITA. LOL

 

Layers of protection and deterrence. Dash cam with cloud service can be a deterrent, or at the least help catch the thief. And above all an active alarm that will alarm and notify you right to the key fob of any tampering. If they want it bad enough they can meet my friend Smith & Wesson because i will know the second they mess with my 4R.

 

I am sorry to hear that happened to you. I installed and recommend Ravelco (https://www.ravelco.com/). It works like a kill switch, only there is no need to hide it. Bonus - it is fully analog, so no dead batteries or similar issues to deal with.

 

You are probably right but with the way the world is today I’ll take that risk. It’s time criminals stop getting pampered and let off the hook.

My buddy has been using this in his truck in some rough areas where he has to work in manufacturing plants. The truck next his got stolen and leaves this in plain site last year. I’d think if I were a crook I’d say hmm let’s not deal with this and find another.

They probably don’t want to spend time googling how to disengage a bear trap in the midst of a theft

 

my comment was in jest

 

I will assume you are well versed in the use of deadly force in your jurisdiction as I am in mine and have a good lawyer as I do with U. S. LawShield

 

Use of deadly force to defend property is frowned upon in lots of jurisdictions...just remember, "I was in fear for my life officer!"...

 

Maybe it's been said already, but is there a fuel pump fuse? If so pulling that would work. Not super convenient I admit.

 

Thanks, Ravelco look interesting. I wonder if anybody use is on 4Runners and how reliable it is. Not only to prevent truck being stolen but also I don't want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere if antitheft device malfunctioning for any reason.

 

If a dealer makes a key without verifying that the person asking for it is the owner, that dealer should get sued. That's just common sense and due diligence on the dealer's part.

 

No association with Ravelco, I am just glad I found something like this in 2024 and did not had to manufacture a custom solution.

My criteria for picking Ravelco:

1. Convenience, extra steps to start the car could not be more than 30 seconds.
2. Low-tech. Do not require online connectivity, subscriptions, or apps of any kind.
3. No extra work. Do not require additional maintenance (e.g., battery replacements).
4. Durability. This has to work for 15 years I plan to own the car.

The way Ravelco works is that they install a mechanical circuit interruption (i.e., coded plug is used to complete circuits required to start the car, similar to a hidden kill switch). However, unlike a kill switch Ravelco does not rely on 'hidden' location to work as the plug internal pin-out is the secret/security component. As motivated and experienced thief could find a kill switch, there is very little chance they would have time to disassemble the dash and trace wires to undo Ravelco. Randomly jumping wires is also unlikely to work, as there are too many combinations to try.

Before getting Ravelco installed, I looked at other security solutions, but decided that most of them are hard fails for criteria 2. or 4. Especially various remote disable modules with app integration unlikely to be supported in a few years as everyone moves to 6G, IPhone 19, etc. More so, I did not like stories of getting stranded due to various internal battery issues.

While I can think of a few ways to defeat Ravelco in the lab, doing so requires bulky equipment (oscilloscope, digital signal generators) that car thieves do not normally use and would not have. At least not the kind of car thieves that would target 4Runner.

 

Re: Cover VIN Number

Covering VIN only protects mechanical keys.

My understanding that unlike mechanical key, dealers are not able duplicate your digital keys. What they do is take a blank key and add (required OBD access) it to the car's authorized keys list (which is stored internally in the car). This way, these keys act more like a password and less like a physical key.

If you have 2FA at work that requires you to use authentication app that generates time-limited random code, it is just like that but the key does all the work of generating and sending codes.

 

Friend in my off-road club has it too. Hopefully the pins can withstand the few thousand plugging/unplugging that happens over, say, 10 years. Now just park the vehicle in a location a tow truck can't get to (like over some tall curbs).

 

Just park next to a key-start Hyundai/Kia from the past decade and that ought to act as a Lightning rod!

 

Something else I was looking into for both the Runner and my GTO...basically a remove full pump kill plus tracker.

https://www.jordandistributors.com/collections/ghost-lock/products/ghost-lock-universal

For now I just have airtags in both even though my 12 volt remote start offers tracking.

 

One piece of advice: don't leave your valet key in the car, unlocked, in a nice neighborhood known to have methheads door checking for loose change.

I walked out to go to work one day about 4 years ago and 4R gone! I thought it was gone to Mexico. Car turned up 2 days later about 20 miles east in El Cajon. The person left behind what seemed like all their worldly possessions and some. Took about 3 hours to clean it and $400 at the tow yard.

Cops asked me if I gave the thief, her, permission:

"no, why?"

"Well, she had a key to the car"

"OH SHIT!, I completely forgot about the valet key in the car" I bring the valet key/spare keys with me when I go to Mexico in case I lose my keys and just forgot to pull it out of the center console (..and on this particular night, lock the car)).

Stupid, oh well. Got it back and I just laugh it off now.

 

Found another interesting thing - Perekhvat-Universal anti-theft system (sz-protection.com), can anybody take a look under the dash and see it it might work for 4Runners?

 

New (old?) fear unlocked

The thief was quite courteous and left the King coilovers untouched.

 

Time for better locks: https://advancedwheellocks.com/

 

^I don't trust it not to strip after a few winters. But at least there's a flat tip, so you can drill it out in a shop setting.

 

I installed Ravelco for the reasons stated above. Simple and easy to use.

 

I guess it thief prepared, Ravelco won't delay him for long - Ravelco disabled in less than 1 minute without anything special. At the plug. (youtube.com) But it's for sure better than steering wheel club from Amazon...

 

Most systems can be defeated and all of them if there is time. Which is why it's so important to have layers of protection. We buy a 50k 4Runner and expect just a simple circuit interruption to work. Definitely better off doing a top tier alarm with key fob notification so you can call the cops and catch them in the act, or handle yourself. My DEI/Python alarms worked for 15+ years even swapping into new cars. Cameras have even caught suspicious people snooping around so i could be even more proactive.