Vehicle Security

After someone tried to jack my daughters Rubicon yesterday it got me thinking about my new 4R. The 4R has the engine immobilizer and if someone breaks a window and opens the door the horn will honk. Are you guys doing anything else these days? I do keep the keys in a Faraday box.

 

Well hidden kill switches are the best deterrent.

 

Doesn't the engine immobilizer basically do the same thing as long as the key fob is shielded?

 

I haven't added anything else but I do want to add a fuel pump kill switch.

 

I think it's a good idea to put a lock on OBD port, but can't find good lock for 4Runners.

 

If I'm in an area where I worry about potential theft, I leave the t-case in neutral and put the parking brake on. Nobody can drive stick anymore as it is so I'm doubting someone is gonna take the time to figure out how a transfer case works.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079JCFDYB?ie=UTF8

 

But thieves can pop the bumper and access CAN bus right?

 

Just make sure you have good insurance. If someone wants your stuff that bad, its gone.

 

I wouldn't do this because if the brake fails, off your Runner goes. A manual vehicle should always be in gear when parked. A buddy learned the hard way when the parking brake cable snapped and his 300Z rolled downhill into a Benz.

 

@hossler1788 This is the best advice!

You can try to deter thieves with kill switches, alarms, steering locks, etc. If they want it, they will take it. A tow truck will defeat all of the "theft deterrent" devices that you put on your 4Runner.

 

My daughter had the four prong club on the Rubicon and they took it off no problem. So much for that deterrent!

 

We do have Airtags hidden in all of our cars just in case.

 

True. Thankfully I live in a largely flat area and I can point the wheels at the curb. I also rarely need to do any of this in my area.

 

I can lock out the pedal using my Sprint Booster if need be. Takes a pin to gain access or unplugging the SB. Seeing how much of a pain in the ass that pedal plug was to get out, I doubt they would waste too much time on it.

Otherwise, I park in my garage and thankfully dont travel to shady areas.

 

I also have an air tag in my 4Runner, but they can only do so much. I also agree, proper insurance is the only way, and good karma.

A good thread on RDC about this same issue. A lot of racers head down to Mexico where cell coverage is spotty, at best.
https://www.race-dezert.com/forum/threads/gps-tracker-for-race-equipment.155215/

Spot Trace Trackers seems to be the best option for a legit tracker.
https://www.findmespot.com/en-us/products-services/spot-trace

 

Still, I wouldn't do that. Besides they will just tow your Runner if they really want it.

 

To be fair. You could park it in a vault and they will steal it if they want it so what's the point of doing anything.

 

I'm not 100% sure but I think that 4Runners don't have it, maybe somebody could say for sure if 4Runners have externally accessible CANBUS connector or not.

 

I have compustar remote start and security with the optional drone gps device. Shows you where it is and can even remote start it from anywhere. Now they could always take that out so hidden air tag is also there.

 

When I searched this topic in this forum I didn't find much. Google found a bunch of prior threads. I guess I'm still a forum noob, sorry about that. Now I have more to read through.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/cat-thefts-is-it-a-problem-for-us.20916/
https://www.4runners.com/threads/theft-prevention.19514/
https://www.4runners.com/threads/new-crime-wave-spreading.34199/
https://www.4runners.com/threads/dangers-of-4runners-being-stolen.17528/

 

I wrap my entire 4Runner in Asbestos & Lead Paint every night. If you want to steal it, you will die slowly.

 

I wish I could get a trunk monkey and a camera to record the beat down!

 

I vote that we all join together for a group buy. You know, so we get a discount:

 

Sounds crazy but my buddy started putting a bear trap in the seat of his truck in a bad neighborhood where he works. First truck was stolen so he resorted to the trap, nobody has touched this one in year. Amazing how something so old can scare the shizzo out of these tech like thieves. Take a bite out of crime.

 

Not necessarily a deterrent but I keep an airtag in my 4runner. Went to Canada last year and never took it out.

 

Unfortunately, these cars are very easy to steal and lack of physical key makes it possible for low-skill car thieves to do it with tools made by someone else. The two main methods car thieves use are: a) use antenna and a signal booster to amplify signal and get far-away key fob to open and start the car b) access the OBD port and add another key to start the car.

To defend against a) purchase signal blocking pouch or box and store your keys there OR always turn them off. It is harder to defend against b), but a club, hidden disconnect switch (for OBD port) and similar techniques would work.

 

Yes, but... This is like an armored front door next to an open window.

 

Yes and no. What happens here is Toyota engineers foolishly put a light control module that is connected to CAN bus in an easily accessible location. As far as I know, there is no such module on 4Runner, it just too ancient.

 

Yup, only thing one can do is either slow them down, or make them look for another vehicle. I like the idea of a hidden kill switch, and maybe something like a blinking red LED light inside. 'Course that won't stop a tow truck, but someone would have to be hard up to use a tow truck to steal my 4R!