Remote Start: Revisited

[akcruzers]

Now that I have sold the 100 series for an 80 series I have discovered how much I miss the remote starter.

I did do a search but it was inconclusive except not to use Bulldog products. I don't really need an alarm system but do need good distance and a 2 way system. With that said what have you used? and which remote start is the best plug and play type system?

Also, Did the 1996 80 series have remote door lock key fobs?

Thanks,
G

PS The new Slee "I" beam forged front control arms are smokin'

 

[Sno bored]

I've been trying to find out the same thing, all i've been able to find out is that Bulldog sucks. I have a 1997 and it has the RS 3000 alarm with remote door locks. I think the 1996 may have had the RS 3000 as an option too. Look under your driver seat and see if there is and alarm ECU. If you have the RS 3000 you should also have a small light and microphone in your dash that says "toyota security". I didn't have a remote fob when I got my truck, so I picked up an aftermarket one and programmed it. It works great now. Hopefully more people will post up about their remote starters.

 

[firetruck41]

There was an optional security/keyless entry system available. If I were doing a remote start, I would get one with keyless entry as well, and disconnect the old system.

 

[Long Duck Dong]

Alright, I'll give my .02 Cents...

Bulldog makes a crap product and there is literally no technical support when you have problems.

DEI which is the largest alarm manufacture in the USA builds the best pound for pound units avaliable on the market today. Not to mention they are serviceable by any local car audio store as they are commonly carried by most car audio shops from city to city.

As for plug and play there is no such thing and I would HIGHLY reccomend taking the truck to a car audio shop to have it installed. These are fairly complicated units to install and as a car audio store owner I can tell you I have done a million of them and they still give me problems from time to time.

This is TOTALLY NOT a project for even skilled DIY'ers to attempt to do at home, at least I dont reccomend trying it yourself. At best you can install it and make it work, at worst you can burn up your electrical system or possibly your rig.......hmmmm with those options I'd take it into a car audio store and have them do it......

DEI Manufactures Viper, Hornet, Valet and Sidewinder brands of product. I run the Hornet system in my 97 LX450 and it runs flawlessly and I have had no troubles with it.

If you want a remote start system do it right and spend the money to have a professional do the work, believe me it will save you TONS of headaches and hassle.

 

[Long Duck Dong]

I forgot to mention if you have a DEI product installed it can be programmed to work and remote start off your factory key fob, assuming you dont want to change to the DEI key fob.

 

[Montana Cruiser]

The PO of my truck installed an alarm/remote start on my rig by a company called AstroStart. It's made by AstroFlex;

http://www.astroflex.com/index.php?module=AxialHomePageNews&newlang=eng

It seems it's a Canadian company. I'm not sure if it's tied into the factory system or if it's stand-alone. What I can say is that it works VERY well. Excellent distance, I can start it in downtown Seattle from many blocks away and around a corner. My fob can start the truck,stop the truck, unlock, lock, panic and there is one with a trunk icon that is unused. In any case, it's been flawless.

Remote start is very handy indeed.

 

[Grench]

My wife's truck has a bidirectional Audiovox system on it from the previous owner. I like it a lot. Great range, remote start, etc...

I'm thinking about getting one and installing it on my truck. Their new ones have some pretty cool features. One is to turn the truck on and run it for X minutes anytime the cabin temperature leaves a set range.

Her's works great. Has anyone else had any experiences with the Audiovox alarm/remote systems?

Fun stuff.

 

[akcruzers]

I forgot to mention if you have a DEI product installed it can be programmed to work and remote start off your factory key fob, assuming you dont want to change to the DEI key fob.

This was my second question. Did the 1996 80's come with door remotes/key fobs? None came with the vehicle when I picked it up from the PO, so I'm not sure if this was a factory standard or an option in 1996. I had the whole interior out last month due to a crapy windshield seal and water incursion, I looked and there was no security system controler under the drivers seat.

Ichecked in Anchorage and there are places that will do the Viper system, so I'm gonna go with that.

Thanks for the info,

G.

 

[Erratic]

Even if the truck did have factory remote locks, you wouldn't really want that remote anyway since the range would suck. Astroflex also makes some top notch stuff, but programming them is tricky if your not used to it. Definetly get it installed by someone who knows. But even finding one of them can be tricky. The clifford Matrix RSX 1.5 would do nicely for you. Its a DEI product. It also has an equivalent in viper, python, and a couple others. Think of it like the difference between an LX and a LC. Same basic thing. I just like the clifford remote. Avistart 4400 is also a nice unit.Still DEI, but is a combo alarm/starter. But it has a couple cool features like being able to read the temperature of your car from the remote. You can also add the GPS interface to both of these so you can track your vehicle, lock, unlock, arm, disarm, remote start, disable, etc from the internet or internet capable cell phone. Overkill, but pretty cool.

 

[firetruck41]

This was my second question. Did the 1996 80's come with door remotes/key fobs? None came with the vehicle when I picked it up from the PO, so I'm not sure if this was a factory standard or an option in 1996. I had the whole interior out last month due to a crapy windshield seal and water incursion, I looked and there was no security system controler under the drivers seat.

Ichecked in Anchorage and there are places that will do the Viper system, so I'm gonna go with that.

Thanks for the info,

G.

The keyless entry/alarm was an option, that you apparently don't have. You would want to disconnect it anyway. The range on the Toyota keyless entry is about 10-15' so you wouldn't want to use it, when the range on the remote start systems is advertised as several hundred feet+, depending on brand/model.

 

[PDoyle]

I have a Shelby car starter installed. Works perfect!

Found the unit online just now. Shelby CS-350-R remote starter.

 

[WaAkFJ]

I am not sure for 80 specific auto start.

I have AStro start on two of my rigs (GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax, and Yukon XL). I have been impressed with their products.

Being in Fairbanks, it was important to me to have a reliable system. This is the one I have http://www.astroflex.com/index.php?module=CMS&func=view&id=21&page=21

I have had it on since 2003 with no problems. I have the auto start has 2000' range and low temp activation.

They may have fancier high(er) tech stuff out there now, but this system is reliable and works for me.

I have the one without the alarm system.

 

[akcruzers]

I am not sure for 80 specific auto start.

I have AStro start on two of my rigs (GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax, and Yukon XL). I have been impressed with their products.

Being in Fairbanks, it was important to me to have a reliable system. This is the one I have http://www.astroflex.com/index.php?module=CMS&func=view&id=21&page=21

I have had it on since 2003 with no problems. I have the auto start has 2000' range and low temp activation.

They may have fancier high(er) tech stuff out there now, but this system is reliable and works for me.

I have the one without the alarm system.

Thanks for the imput guys. I'm going to have one installed when im in Anchorage.

later,
G.

 

[citadel]

I am running the DEI Python remote start/ alarm system w/ LCD 2 way remote pager. Cool product and works well.....

 

[BPMOU]

I also have the DEI Python remote start with alarm and it works great. I personally would not use any other product out side of DEI and as Long Duck Dong stated, they are the best in way of products and availabilty.