STOLEN! Palo Alto, CA Green 4BT80

[Red Beard]

I don't know about you, I'd be really good at stealing a cruiser. I know every way to get into it, and where all the wires are for hotwiring for instance.
The thief could be among us.. (not really)
I'll look around for a really awesome cruiser in my parts of New York, which is rarely seen.

[jonb96150]

Well if I see (hear actually) any diesel 80 series at Lake Tahoe I will immediately call the cops. Hope the owner gets it back.

[FJason80]

Eyes open in the greater Reno area. Ya never know, they may want to gamble away there new found treasure.

[Skillet]

Originally Posted by FJason80

Eyes open in the greater Reno area. Ya never know, they may want to gamble away there new found treasure.

If you find it, don't drift it to the police station...

[cc93cruiser]

WoW!!!! that's all I got to say... I am the driver (ups) that spotted the cruiser yesterday and posted the thread on the cruiser... I am in shock after reading the news to say the least.. When I did my route I drove through the little town of La honda twice, once at around 12:00pm and the other at around 3:00pm.. The cruiser was parked in the same spot the whole time.. When I do my route up there, I drive between 120-160miles a day, that pretty much covers most of Skyline Blvd. and La Honda/Alpine Rd-also Portola Valley. I will keep my eyes peeled as I spot everything coming down the rd. and peoples driveways...Good luck, and sorry to hear the news...

[FJason80]

Originally Posted by Skillet

If you find it, don't drift it to the police station...

go back to chat.

[Skillet]

Originally Posted by FJason80

go back to chat.

Golly, that was harsh.

Can't a guy bring a little levity to a bunk situation?

How do you know I frequent chat?

[fzjconvert]

Originally Posted by cc93cruiser

WoW!!!! that's all I got to say... I am the driver (ups) that spotted the cruiser yesterday and posted the thread on the cruiser... I am in shock after reading the news to say the least.. When I did my route I drove through the little town of La honda twice, once at around 12:00pm and the other at around 3:00pm.. The cruiser was parked in the same spot the whole time.. When I do my route up there, I drive between 120-160miles a day, that pretty much covers most of Skyline Blvd. and La Honda/Alpine Rd-also Portola Valley. I will keep my eyes peeled as I spot everything coming down the rd. and peoples driveways...Good luck, and sorry to hear the news...

Hey if you know the location on your route that you saw the cruiser pm the owner. I mean you guys know down to the hundred block, proper or odd side of the street. It may be worth his time to drive that way or least get his cell & contact info if you haven't already. GO BIG BROWN... Really am thinking positive thoughts that he gets his truck back.

[e_parise]

Skillet, you know we all love you here

[Skillet]

Originally Posted by e_parise

Skillet, you know we all love you here

Quoted for truth...

Now, get to findin' that thar rig!

[sandcruiser]

the owner lives in La Honda, the truck was stolen from Palo Alto.... you almost certainly saw it before it was stolen, not after.

[gifu]

Yes. The owner, Eric, lives in La Honda...drove it down to the hardware store he owns in Palo Alto, parked it there around 6PM (so the mechanic next door could recharge the AC). It was no longer there the next morning. Super bummer. I'm personally pretty pissed, cause I just spent about 40+ hours redesigning the cooling system. Everything on that truck is custom; FJ60 transfercase with hubs on front axle, dual tanks with Veggie oil heater system, ricer front headlights, flares are removed but we didn't yet cover up the holes, Hanna Sliders....

oh man, i miss that truck almost as much as Eric does.

[JPHockerAZ]

keepin my eyes open here - you never know.

Was there broken glass where it was stolen?

[spencevans]

Originally Posted by gifu

Yes. The owner, Eric, lives in La Honda...drove it down to the hardware store he owns in Palo Alto, parked it there around 6PM (so the mechanic next door could recharge the AC). It was no longer there the next morning. Super bummer. I'm personally pretty pissed, cause I just spent about 40+ hours redesigning the cooling system. Everything on that truck is custom; FJ60 transfercase with hubs on front axle, dual tanks with Veggie oil heater system, ricer front headlights, flares are removed but we didn't yet cover up the holes, Hanna Sliders....

oh man, i miss that truck almost as much as Eric does.

I would check the AC shop. Could be an inside job.

[latoyota]

A big thanks to Brian for getting this info out so fast. It is my truck, and I am still reeling from the loss of it. It was in Palo Alto to get a couple minor things done, and my lovely mechanic did not secure it, at all. So there was no broken glass, and nothing preventing them from starting it right up. How much do I regret not getting lo-jack now. I appreciate everyone keeping your eyes and ears out for it, you will probably hear it before you see it, although it definately sticks out in a crowd.
Totally bummed.
Eric

[calstyl2]

Originally Posted by latoyota

A big thanks to Brian for getting this info out so fast. It is my truck, and I am still reeling from the loss of it. It was in Palo Alto to get a couple minor things done, and my lovely mechanic did not secure it, at all. So there was no broken glass, and nothing preventing them from starting it right up. How much do I regret not getting lo-jack now. I appreciate everyone keeping your eyes and ears out for it, you will probably hear it before you see it, although it definately sticks out in a crowd.
Totally bummed.
Eric

Wow............unless this is a good buddy, Id be making a claim on his insurance

[landtank]

Originally Posted by latoyota

A big thanks to Brian for getting this info out so fast. It is my truck, and I am still reeling from the loss of it. It was in Palo Alto to get a couple minor things done, and my lovely mechanic did not secure it, at all. So there was no broken glass, and nothing preventing them from starting it right up. How much do I regret not getting lo-jack now. I appreciate everyone keeping your eyes and ears out for it, you will probably hear it before you see it, although it definately sticks out in a crowd.
Totally bummed.
Eric

Am I off base here? Since it had a Diesel in it wouldn't the normal car thief be thrown off by that. I mean, all the expected wiring isn't there and since he obviously didn't have a wiring diagram how quickly would he get it started.

So maybe he had a tow truck or ramp truck. That's one damn prepared thief if that's the case.

Something seems a little off here.

[barCruiser]

Actually I would venture to say a decent amount of car thefts occur by people with tow trucks, or tow setups. My buddies mustang was stolen that way. It was stolen at night, and there would have been no way for someone to start it up without anyone hearing (loud exhaust , modded out 5.0.

[latoyota]

Doesn't take much wiring know how to start the car with the keys, which the mechanic cleverly hid on the floor mat of the truck. Not sure whether yelling, suing, or beating the mechanic will bring the most relief in this difficult time. Probably a little of all 3. Insurance wants to wait 20 more days, but then my company will be going after him. Hopefully this means that it is just some joyriding punks that took it and not some professional car dismantlers.

[Proven]

My peepers in atlanta, ga are open...I've only seen one cruiser here with a snork...and none with an oil smasher.

I am with Landtank though...I have a hard enough time starting diesels when I have the keys. I would bet that someone had a flatbed. If the door was unlocked, they hopped in it and pushed the shift lock to get it into neutral...drug it up the ramp.

That would lead me to believe that someone in this dudes shop KNEW it was there, KNEW it was unsecure and (here is my Law and Order version) tipped off the guy that took it to settle a gambling bet or some such...

Man...I hate not being able to trust shops security these days!!!!

To the OP and his buddy, very sorry for your loss. That's one tough cruiser to replace and I would be seeking replacement and damages from the shops insurance company. Anything you have had to do outside the norm is a "Pain and suffering" in my book to include rental cars, friends driving you places, and the time spent trying to get it back. Be sure to have all the modifications costs, import costs, and the like ready.

[calstyl2]

Originally Posted by latoyota

Doesn't take much wiring know how to start the car with the keys, which the mechanic cleverly hid on the floor mat of the truck. Not sure whether yelling, suing, or beating the mechanic will bring the most relief in this difficult time. Probably a little of all 3. Insurance wants to wait 20 more days, but then my company will be going after him. Hopefully this means that it is just some joyriding punks that took it and not some professional car dismantlers.

Get some quotes from TLC, Proffits and Mudrak for conversions for insurance quotes or your gonna get burned for a simple, but Im usre you are thinking that already.

[Skillet]

ALERT

I am almost positive this vehicle just drove past me 45 minutes ago south of Moss Landing on Highway 1 headed south.

I was headed north and flipped a bitch as quick as I could but there was a lot of traffic so I lost sight of him.

Hauled ass all the way back down to Marina and saw nothing. Went back up and cruised up and down through Castroville and still nothing.

There was a CHP parked back by Highway 1 so I alerted her to the whole situation.

Described the truck and it fits this one to a T.

She said she would get on the horn to let the officers in the vicinity know.

I could not see the plate but it fit this vehicle very, very closely and after driving up and down that highway a million times at that time of day, I have never seen it in the area before.

Pretty shady looking cat behind the wheel too.

Anyone south of Castroville in the Salinas / Monterey area needs to keep their eyes open.

[Firedog]

Originally Posted by landtank

Am I off base here? Since it had a Diesel in it wouldn't the normal car thief be thrown off by that. I mean, all the expected wiring isn't there and since he obviously didn't have a wiring diagram how quickly would he get it started.

So maybe he had a tow truck or ramp truck. That's one damn prepared thief if that's the case.

Something seems a little off here.

On a toyota (or most vehicles) you don't need to know anything about the wiring to get it started.

[calstyl2]

Originally Posted by Firedog

On a toyota (or most vehicles) you don't need to know anything about the wiring to get it started.

In this case the keys left on the floorboard made it very easy.

[Skillet]

Originally Posted by Firedog

On a toyota (or most vehicles) you don't need to know anything about the wiring to get it started.

Originally Posted by calstyl2

In this case the keys left on the floorboard made it very easy.

Quit your goddamn jibber jabber and look at post #52.

[calstyl2]

Saw it, call 911 on your cell and report it to CHP dispatch even though you talked to the patrol officer, gotta wonder where it went from, Castrohell......South to Salinas or Monterey.

[pint]

Sorry to hear about you truck. Hopefully someone will catch the SOB and bring it back in one piece. Good eyes Skillet! Whoever catches them, make sure you cut their sack off with a hot dull knife... I'll keep my eyes peeled in the Rocky Mountains.