Best dealer for key programming in Denver? (2005LC)

[Oakleyguy]

Hi all,

I've been enjoying my cruiser since I picked it up in Oct. Unfortunately after going round and round with the previous owner I couldn't obtain the broken Master keys.

So I'm at the mercy of having one of the local dealerships program one for me.

My Questions are:

1. Which dealer is best recommended for this?
2. Thoughts on having the Valet reprogramed as a master?
3. Any thoughts on if they'll give me trouble if I bring in my own blank, remote, and shell?
4. Anyone ran through this gauntlet locally?

I'm under the impression that the 2005 can be reprogrammed by a Toyota master tech and avoids the nightmares of the earlier cruiser models. So if I'm hoping maybe I can have the Valet switched to a master, and then program new keys myself.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
-Nate

 

[marshotel]

My advice is take it to a locksmith, not a Toyota dealer.

Get the 5-digit key code from the dealer, then get a good locksmith with an RF-cloning machine to make you some new keys.

Yes, it can be done.

The locksmith will charge you much much much less than the dealer would, and the keys will work just as well.

Do not mess with programming new keys into your ECU, just have the locksmith copy the chip in your existing key and cut new metal based on the key code from the dealer.

also use the search function for related information in similar threads.

good luck

 

[KuroCruiser]

Seconded: a good locksmith will give you the same results for far less money.

If you are out in the East Aurora area then there's a locksmith on the SW corner of Chambers & Iliff (next to the Village Inn) that I've used before with good results. I don't know if they can do a master re-program from a valet key, but they've been able to duplicate all of the chipped keys I've brought them, including LC keys.

 

[Oakleyguy]

Thanks for the input thus far, I have searched on this but have not found the particular info I was looking for yet.

It sounds like some lock smiths can clone my valet keys chip, which should be good for having plain spares made. But I imagine I wouldn't be able to have the remote programmed without the master?

 

[Oakleyguy]

Any input on which Dealerships are recommended out here?

I know there are a bunch of locals floating around.