Anti-Theft Solutions and Brainstorming (1 Viewer)

[ChaserFJ60]

Any regular on the forum surely has seen the slight uprising in FJ60 Thefts. I wanted to start a thread for Ideas/Solutions that any at home mechanical newbie can do to prevent FJ60 theft. If the thief has a tow truck then your pretty much outta luck for most of these.

Please don't post tutorials on how you made your FJ60 theft proof. We don't want a how-to tutorial on how to steal our trucks out on the open web. ​

Don't share what theft devices you use, only suggestions and general information.​

1. The Basics - Steering Wheel / Brake locks.
These are probably the most user friendly locks one could get. Easy to use and cheap to buy at most auto parts stores.
Pros: Easy to use, Cheap to buy.
Cons: A thief can hacksaw these off, cut your steering wheel to get these off, Damage your car trying to get these off, And increased wear on the brake system if you use the brake system.

2. Kill Switch
Probably one of the cheapest and most effective is the kill switch. The Idea of a kill switch is to disengage vital engine functions with a (You guessed it) switch. The kill switch should be in a hidden location and be kept a secret. I would give out more information on how to install a kill switch but that should be left off the internet. IMO, We don't want the dumb bad guys doing a simple google search on how to steal our tucks.

3. GPS / Fleet Trackers
Not all GPS products will prevent theft but you can possibly get your rig back afterwards! Alot of these GPS kits require a monthly subscription so they can be quite costly. I would avoid the trackers that plug into your OBD 2 outlet (If your rig has it) as they can be simply unplugged.
IF your thief gets your rig under a metal roof then the GPS might not even work but for the sake of argument lets pretend that car thiefs are all a buncha angry hobo's who don't have metal garages. I would link a GPS kit but there's just so many with so many different uses.

4. RFID Ignition
This solution requires 2 keys, It works much like a kill switch except its tied into your starting system. You must hold up the first key (RFID tag) to the antenna in which then you have a set time to turn the ignition on with your main vehicle key.
Even if a thief gets your main set of keys they wont be able to start your vehicle unless they know that they first must disengage the RFID starter lockout.

Below is a link to a kit which I have not tried but should work. You DONT want a push button RFID system, an FJ60 should never have a push button start.

RFID Reader RFID Key Access Control with relay | eBay

The kit consists of an RFID reader coupled with a 125KHz antenna. These are being used to prevent theft of autos, provide increase security in buildings, to operate electronic gates, garage doors, computers,etc.

www.ebay.com

These are just some basic ideas that are easy enough for most anyone to do. Nothing will deter a determined thief, but these can help stop the dumb ones.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

It is easy unfortunately to get into and start old Toyota trucks one of the main issues of this problem.

 

[kevin in okinawa]

So why not just pull a fuse required for starting?

your welcome.

 

[kirvesmies]

900lbs of underfed canine, anger issues, a strong dislike for stupid people,



























and a loaded shotgun

 

[cruiserpilot]

As stupid fast as people answer, the CLUB is really effective deterent as over 95% of thieves are opportunistic
and will not even bother. Reallistically most don't carry bolt cutters. From the majority of recovery stories I've seen
thieves also don't actually chop or part out the trucks, they just use them for ongoing criminal activities and abandon.
Of course will little or no care to damages incurred.
High visibility devices are most effective. Sneaky electronic/electric disablers should stop most 'hotwire' specialists, so shutdown
systems should be post key/ignition so they can pound a screwdriver or old key all night and get no where.
Very small fuel reserve with switch, so vehicle can be driven for as long as a pint of fuel lasts then engine dies of fuel starvation.
At this point, thieves aren't going to stand on the side of the road trying to fix it, they will abandon the vehicle. If you are lucky
its in the middle of traffic/intersection.
A hydraulic line lock ( like drag racers use ) would be my preferred hidden device, as they won't know or understand why it won't
roll, causing engine to stall - hopefully they will abandon efforts at that point.

Dogs and guns are fine, if you are close by and within legal 'occupation' of vehicle. Don't get sued by some smuck you mangled with
your toy poodle and air rifle. ( read Pitbull & 00 buck although I prefer Sabot Slugs myself )

If I lived in a high pop urban area and had real concern, then a GPS cellphone tracing system would be worth it. Lots out there, I wouldn't
get too complicated with it. But I usually don't get too far from my truck, parked or not.

 

[gbogh]

an FJ60 should never have a push button start.

For why?

Another solution I've seen is this:

+++ Solex Top Security Locks +++ High Quality Products +++

While these aren't perfect, it will slow down/deter folks with a worn down Toyota key

 

[LCnAZ]

Certainly a bit cumbersome to haul around, but I would think that a well-designed/proven parking boot device would be effective.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

How about this....

 

[cheeese]

I'm using an airtag for potential assistance in a recovery, but considering how Portland has become recently I think a kill switch and a pedal or steering lock is in order.

 

[Spike Strip]

I have a couple of these pedal-jacks. One for the clutch, one for the brake. Plus I leave the 4wd lever in N. They're heavy and clunky, so can double as a weapon (allegedly) when under the passenger seat...

I've been meaning to install a kill switch, but... I think doubling up on them is a reasonable deterrent . All these measures are easy to defeat and are just meant to persuade the meth-heads to move on to easier pickings.

 

[John McVicker]

It a good idea to have more than one deterrent in each vehicle. Here is a good kill switch…WITH a padlock.

 

[cheeese]

Question about that though, if a thief sees a locked switch in the vehicle, what stops them from yanking it out to then connect the leads behind it? I understand that locks only keep out the honest, and a determined enough thief will bypass any security measures given enough motivation and time, but my thinking is that a kill switch needs to be hidden or obscure while things like steering and pedal locks should be visual deterrents.

 

[SteveH]

I was playing around with my Club this AM and discovered this. I might get another one at a thrift store and cut it down to fit here. Just another annoyance to slow me, er, the thief down.

 

[SteveH]

Ok, so I did a couple things tonight I will explain with photos. I have used a Club for years, but decide to go further:

1. Since Paul's stolen truck was found with a worn out key inside, I took my well-worn OEM 1978 FJ40 key and tried it in my FJ62 door locks - nada. But, I tried it in the ignition and with minimal jiggling, the cylinder turned. Ouch! This adds a data point that 'yes, a worn out old, different Toyota key will work in a Land Cruiser ignition'. Notice how the FJ40 key (left) and FJ62 key (right) are cut differently.
   
   
2. Being a cheapskate, I went to Goodwill and bought a used Truck Club for $6.99. Seemed to fit the shifter/brake area pretty well, so I chop-sawed off 10" and refit the grab-handle sleeve. Now, it's lighter in weight, clears the console and seat mounting points, and securely locks the shifter against the actuated parking brake. Pretty slick. Not too time-consuming to deploy. I hope it makes my truck appear unappealing to loser criminals.
   
   So, I think 'Winner International' (the Club people) should be sending me a Christmas card pretty soon for pimping their products. I called a local locksmith and he can make me extra keys for my new shortened Club, since I only got a single key with it at Goodwill.

 

[John McVicker]

Good job @SteveH I like it!

 

[cruiserpilot]

These are good answers, highly visible deterents are first best choice. Not to mention, these are also highly effective
mechanical deterents.

 

[ChaserFJ60]

 

[cheeese]

I would say tweakers are likely to carry a drill, bolt cutters, and possibly an angle grinder, at least around here. Which doesn't mean deterrents aren't still valuable.

 

[Rob Faucett]

I have a terrific gear shift lock. Not installed and I'm not near it but Kevin Rowland posted ssome pices of his. Works great.

 

[ToyotaMatt]