NEED YOUR ADVICE on drop hitch and alarm system

[gonetocarolina]

I just bought a 4x4 FJ, and it arrives at the dealer end of the month! Can I get your advice on two options I am considering?

1) Drop Hitch Receiver $399: I don't expect to ever tow anything with the FJ, so I was going to have this option de-equiped from the vehicle.

But a friend of mine who is into off roading and biking says I absolutely should get the Drop Hitch, if even only for resale value later. His theory is that when I one day in the far in future sell the FJ, anyone who wants to buy a 4x4 will also want the Drop Hitch Receiver on the vehicle - he thinks that not having it will limit future resale.

What do you all think? If I never will tow anything with my FJ, should I de-equip the Drop Hitch Receiver and save the $399? Or should I keep the Drop Hitch Receiver anyway?

2) I am considering adding the optional VIP Security (R3200 Plus w/ Proximity Sensor), because I live in an urban area, and I don't have a garage at my home so it will be parked on the street. (I know, that sucks, but it is my reality. I also understand that any thief who really wants your car will get it, regardless of anti-theft system.)

Anyway, the Toyota website doesn't say a lot about the specs on this, just the following:

"Protects your vehicle against theft while providing a number of convenient features, including proximately sensor, rolling code, remote arm/disarm, remote lock/unlock, panic mode, and more."

Do any of you know if this is a good security system? Average? Or bad and I should get something else?

What is proximity sensor?
What is rolling code?

Thanks for any advice you can lend to this newbie!

GoneToCarolina

 

[beaufort-fj60]

a hitch is a generic add-on. i wouldn't waste my time unless you have a boat or something that you need to tow.

 

[76FJ40]

Don't get the hitch - if you wheel the FJ it will get in the way and you can always add it later.

 

[woody]

3rd vote, skip the hitch...

the alarm is likely worth it if you are needing an alarm anyways. (curious on cost tho)...3rd party alarms aren't normally as integrated into the vehicle and the install on those can be $$ and a PITA. Might be worth talking with a local install shop first tho, seeing what their opinions are of various systems...some of the small shops will actually give you honest answers (versus the big chains)

 

[CandyPants]

I agree, skip the hitch. I would have when I bought mine, but it was already on there.

Alarm...I would skip too and go with LoJack ($500). Like you said, if they want it, they will get it. I decided that the included security was enough, but if they did get it, I want it back!

 

[LandCruiserSteve]

Ummm . . . I don't know about skipping the hitch. Never say "never" when you think an opportunity to tow something will never pop up (helping a friend move with a utility trailer, trailering a boat, or even hanging a bike rack off the back). And like you say, it sure won't hurt the resale value any.

(I'm not sure, but does the FJC have a frame mounted rear tow hook?? If not, a hitch can accomodate a slide-in receiver shackle . . . virtually necessary for off-road ops.)

A proximity sensor usually detects the precense of someone getting "too close for comfort" to your truck before they're about to break in and puts out an audible alert. Might be a little annoying in an urban area where everyone inadvertantly gets close to everything anyway.

I believe a rolling code are transmitter/receiver frequencies on your alarm remote that perpetually change so no one can clone it to deactivate your alarm.

But like Woody says, check some reputable aarm shops for their opinions / prices. Congrats on your new truck and welcome to MUD.

 

[madams557]

Hitch - depends on your personal use. And you can easily add one later.

Alarm - Factory alarms are overly price with little upgrades. $400 would get you a reputable aftermarket alarm, with further remote distance, engine kill, shock sensors, breakage sensor, and remote start installed.

 

[John Smith]

You can always add the hitch as others have stated. I would NEVER go with an aftermarket alarm system. The problem is not the alarm itself as much as the idiots who install them and hack into your wiring harness probably voiding the warranty on the entire electrical system. The nightmare stories of vehicle problems due to aftermarket alarm installs are endless. If you don't believe me go ask a tech or manager at any good repair shop.

If you want an alarm system get the factory installed one or go with lojack.

 

[madams557]

You can always add the hitch as others have stated. I would NEVER go with an aftermarket alarm system. The problem is not the alarm itself as much as the idiots who install them and hack into your wiring harness probably voiding the warranty on the entire electrical system. The nightmare stories of vehicle problems due to aftermarket alarm installs are endless. If you don't believe me go ask a tech or manager at any good repair shop.

If you want an alarm system get the factory installed one or go with lojack.

You can run into problems with aftermarket tires if you have an idiot put them on. I've had my aftermarke alarm since 98, and over 120,000 miles without any problems. Whereas, my wifes 95 Nissan Pathfinder was plagued with factory alarm problems.

If you're saving yourself $400 by not going with the factory one, then I DON'T advise going to Circuit City or Best Buy to get one of their free alarm install.

But of course, that is my opinion.

 

[thorvald]

skip the tow hitch.
go with lowjack like others have mentioned.

 

[Beowulf]

... he thinks that not having it will limit future resale.

Not true. Just look at the resale value of comparable vehicles with and without a hitch. I believe you will find that it has no impact on the resale value. However, it is a handy thing to have if you ever do need one. They also help if you are off-road in that you can use the frame mounted receiver for recovery and they will help protect the rear when dropping off ledges until you get a proper rear bumper.



-B-

 

[Trollhole]

Drop the hitch. If you ever sell it it looks bad. I stray away from used vehicles with towhitches on them. You never know what they towed.

 

[Beowulf]

Do any of you know if this is a good security system? Average? Or bad and I should get something else?

The RS3200 is an average security system. Depending on your insurance company, having it may lower your rates and it might pay for itself. I would get it if you can afford it; especially since you park outside. My Taco does not have an alarm and I have to use "The Club" which is a PITA.

-B-

 

[robinhood4x4]

An aftermarket hitch can be added for half the price.

 

[Voodoogirl]

Quote frome Steve...
(I'm not sure, but does the FJC have a frame mounted rear tow hook?? If not, a hitch can accomodate a slide-in receiver shackle . . . virtually necessary for off-road ops.)



Yep, there is one on the rear, frame mounted, and really far to the driver's side. About as far as the exhaust is to the other. Does that make a difference? Would one closer to the center be better?

 

[woody]

nope, that offset rear tow hook is perfect...means it's inline with the frame rails for the greatest strength

 

[FJCruiserOwnersGroup]

I just bought a 4x4 FJ, and it arrives at the dealer end of the month! Can I get your advice on two options I am considering?

1) Drop Hitch Receiver $399: I don't expect to ever tow anything with the FJ, so I was going to have this option de-equiped from the vehicle.

This is a fairly expensive option. It is available from reputable sources (trdsource for example, who is selling the same hitch for $242), and it's easily installed. I've got instructions from Toyota on how to do this HERE, and the wiring harness install instructions HERE.

It's not a difficult job to do yourself, and certainly not worth the extra $150 that the dealer wants to install it for you (although, to be fair, if the dealer DOES install it, it's covered under the factory warranty...supposedly).

2) I am considering adding the optional VIP Security (R3200 Plus w/ Proximity Sensor), because I live in an urban area, and I don't have a garage at my home so it will be parked on the street. (I know, that sucks, but it is my reality. I also understand that any thief who really wants your car will get it, regardless of anti-theft system.)

Like others have said, you can buy a nice aftermarket alarm for $400 or so. However, you can get the Toyota R3200+ alarm for $300 from the above source, and - again - I've got the install instructions - all 22 pages of them - if you need them. It's not all that hard to do if you've installed electronics before, but it's probably a job best left to a professional (it's almost totally plug 'n' play) if you're the kind of person who still has the '12:00' flashing on their VCR.

Again, the caveat here being that if Toyota installs the stuff when you buy the rig, it's supposedly covered under the factory warranty for the length of the factory warranty period.

 

[BC_FJC]

I'm going with the alarm system and hitch from the dealer... It was about the only thing I could get them to lower there price on. But if you are not going to use the Hitch don't get it, It's easy to add on in the future if you need it.