1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Ways to increase theft resistance on third gens

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by Trekker, Feb 26, 2021.

  1. Feb 26, 2021 at 11:49 AM
    #1
    Trekker

    #1
    Trekker [OP] Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2020
    Member:
    #15732
    Messages:
    991
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 3rz 5spd
    I am a little concerned about how easy my 4runner would be to steal if someone wanted to. I have no immobilizer or alarm on the vehicle, you could probably use a jiggler to bypass both the door and ignition locks, or hotwire it.

    I don't like aftermarket alarms, they always go haywire and completely disable the vehicle for no reason eventually. I also hate steering wheel locks because its not to difficult for someone to pick or cut the thing off.

    Are there other options? I've seen kill switches and pedal locks. Anyone know how well either of those solutions work?
     
    Trekker, Feb 26, 2021
    #1
  2. Feb 26, 2021 at 12:04 PM
    #2
    SR5 Limited

    #2
    SR5 Limited New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2018
    Member:
    #7180
    Messages:
    13,706
    Vehicle:
    1996 SR5 Limited
    Timber Rattlesnake?

    Put a couple fake ones in there most people will be terrified?
     
    SR5 Limited, Feb 26, 2021
    #2
    PhantomTweak likes this.
  3. Feb 27, 2021 at 8:58 AM
    #3
    SlvrSlug

    #3
    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2018
    Member:
    #6172
    Messages:
    7,855
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Ramona Ca.
    Vehicle:
    2017 4-Runner SR-5 P. Kings, Built Right uca’s, Durabumps, RSG sliders
    SlvrSlug, Feb 27, 2021
    #3
  4. Feb 27, 2021 at 11:02 AM
    #4
    Ahdofu

    #4
    Ahdofu New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2020
    Member:
    #18506
    Messages:
    310
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Vehicle:
    1997 4Runner SR5, V6, Auto, 4WD
    I use a steering wheel lock. Obviously a motivated thief can eventually cut through the steering wheel. However assuming that the thief is not really after my car, upon seeing the lock, he/she will be more inclined to find an easier target.
     
    Ahdofu, Feb 27, 2021
    #4
  5. Feb 27, 2021 at 4:20 PM
    #5
    trlhiker

    #5
    trlhiker Lazy Bum

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2019
    Member:
    #11913
    Messages:
    2,332
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1992 4Runner SR5 V6 4X4
    Kill switches are probably your best bet. Just hide it good.
     
    trlhiker, Feb 27, 2021
    #5
    Husky Driver and Trekker[OP] like this.
  6. Feb 28, 2021 at 9:35 PM
    #6
    Husky Driver

    #6
    Husky Driver Kyna's chauffeur

    Joined:
    May 21, 2014
    Member:
    #140
    Messages:
    79
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kipp
    40°35'09.0"N 105°04'38.3"W
    Vehicle:
    2k T4R3 SR5 Highlander Sport TRD
    Toytec Ultimate 3" lift susp w/ OME 891 rear coils, Bilstein 5100 shocks front & 5125 rear, ARB 'Roo Bar, Warn VR10k, 0.7, 2 & 11-meter 2 way radios FCC Lic KE0TDD, Nitrogen inflated 33" BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2s, FlexFuel E-85 conversion, AFe lifetime filter, Savage Offroad rock sliders, Ryno All Terrain 4.5mm skid plates, Line-X coatings on the armor, LifetimeLED & Rigid Industries LED headlights, UltraGauge 1.2, T3q 4.10 eLocker with armor from LROR, AmsOil lubricants used throughout. CBI plate rear bumper with swingaway, SPC Light Racing UCAs, ARB SS170HF Safari snorkel w/ Afrikaans centrifugal pre-cleaner, Tacoma antenna mod, TRD Supercharger w/ URD 7th inj. & URD pulleys, Anti-Dark engine bay lighting system. Having gone 250k, Aug 2016 was the time to replace the original clutch & get the driver's seat rebuilt/stuffed. Front & back Weathertech liners. '05 Tundra front disc brake swap. Full length Rocky Mountain Rack with 40" lightbar, Alternating strobe rear dust lights. I used a warm weekend in March 2022 to finally install my brand new from old stock 2000 4Runner driver's seat. $800 directly from the factory in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
    50% of the total US driving population can't drive manual transmissions. The % goes up dramatically the younger the driver. By just having a stick shift you've foiled almost all millennial generation drivers.
     
    Husky Driver, Feb 28, 2021
    #6
    Doubleduty and PhantomTweak like this.
  7. Feb 28, 2021 at 10:08 PM
    #7
    Trekker

    #7
    Trekker [OP] Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2020
    Member:
    #15732
    Messages:
    991
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 3rz 5spd
    Well I'm that .25% of gen z who can drive a manual
     
    Trekker, Feb 28, 2021
    #7
  8. Feb 28, 2021 at 10:14 PM
    #8
    Husky Driver

    #8
    Husky Driver Kyna's chauffeur

    Joined:
    May 21, 2014
    Member:
    #140
    Messages:
    79
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kipp
    40°35'09.0"N 105°04'38.3"W
    Vehicle:
    2k T4R3 SR5 Highlander Sport TRD
    Toytec Ultimate 3" lift susp w/ OME 891 rear coils, Bilstein 5100 shocks front & 5125 rear, ARB 'Roo Bar, Warn VR10k, 0.7, 2 & 11-meter 2 way radios FCC Lic KE0TDD, Nitrogen inflated 33" BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2s, FlexFuel E-85 conversion, AFe lifetime filter, Savage Offroad rock sliders, Ryno All Terrain 4.5mm skid plates, Line-X coatings on the armor, LifetimeLED & Rigid Industries LED headlights, UltraGauge 1.2, T3q 4.10 eLocker with armor from LROR, AmsOil lubricants used throughout. CBI plate rear bumper with swingaway, SPC Light Racing UCAs, ARB SS170HF Safari snorkel w/ Afrikaans centrifugal pre-cleaner, Tacoma antenna mod, TRD Supercharger w/ URD 7th inj. & URD pulleys, Anti-Dark engine bay lighting system. Having gone 250k, Aug 2016 was the time to replace the original clutch & get the driver's seat rebuilt/stuffed. Front & back Weathertech liners. '05 Tundra front disc brake swap. Full length Rocky Mountain Rack with 40" lightbar, Alternating strobe rear dust lights. I used a warm weekend in March 2022 to finally install my brand new from old stock 2000 4Runner driver's seat. $800 directly from the factory in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
    you probably dont have to worry about it. Kill switch or just pull the coil wire completely out.
     
    Husky Driver, Feb 28, 2021
    #8
  9. Jun 7, 2021 at 1:13 PM
    #9
    mousemeat

    #9
    mousemeat New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2020
    Member:
    #17209
    Messages:
    1,183
    Gender:
    Male
    Memphis, TN.
    Vehicle:
    1997 4 runner limited
    upgraded suspension, large all terrain tires
    yeah, funny how majority of younger drivers, cannot drive a manual....myself, in 50 + yrs of owning cars/trucks...my '97 4runner is the only automatic, I've ever owned...and it took me a long time to get used to not shifting / clutch / etc...
     
    mousemeat, Jun 7, 2021
    #9
  10. Jun 7, 2021 at 1:57 PM
    #10
    PhantomTweak

    #10
    PhantomTweak New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2019
    Member:
    #12402
    Messages:
    1,226
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Patrick
    OREGON
    Vehicle:
    1999 4Runner, bone stock
    None. Bone Stock. EXCEPT: Brushguard, tow hitch, both welded to the frame. It's good to have friends and a fully equipped garage!
    My biggest trouble with an auto trans is that when I need to stop, I try to hit the clutch, just out of habit. I've been driving a manual since I learned, back in '76. Invariably wind up slamming that big, wiiiiide brake pedal by accident, and giving my wife a seat belt bruise. Not to mention a really bad attitude the rest of the day.

    I'll stick to the manuals every time.

    When I had my Chevy Luv, I replaced almost every switch with toggle switches. Including the ignition switch, and the clutch safety switch. I didn't LABEL any of them. I put them in, I knew what they were all for.
    I went to a mall in Yuma to pick up some stuff I needed, and when I came out, there was some weenie sitting in my truck looking around, trying to figure out how to start it. At least until I stuck my gun in his ear, and politely inquired just what the F&^% he thought he was doing in MY truck.
    The cop a passerby was kind enough to call for me, this was before the cell phones became widespread, thought it was hilarious that the crook couldn't figure out how to start it. Not only did the crook get arrested, a number of people were laughing at him. I think that was a worse punishment than almost anything. Although I did press charges so he went to jail for a couple years for attempted auto theft.
    The poor crook, the cop couldn't help laughing at him in court, too. Even his LAWYER laughed at him. The judge managed to hold it in until court was recessed for a while.

    Best anti-theft set up I've ever had in a truck :D
    Pat☺
     
    PhantomTweak, Jun 7, 2021
    #10
    Ahdofu, Doubleduty and ElectroBoy like this.
  11. Jun 12, 2021 at 11:43 AM
    #11
    Ahdofu

    #11
    Ahdofu New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2020
    Member:
    #18506
    Messages:
    310
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Vehicle:
    1997 4Runner SR5, V6, Auto, 4WD
    Hi Pat,
    This is quite an amusing tale that you've shared. I had a huge chuckle.
    Matt
     
    Ahdofu, Jun 12, 2021
    #11
Register FREE to Reply!
To Top