Stolen FJ40 - Seattle - Tips for the Future (2 Viewers)

[EmanC]

We really should start a thread on trackers if it hasn't been done all ready. I am into the AirTag thing but I can tell you, Apple cares more about stalkers than people getting stuff stolen.

Yeah the AirTag is an ok idea but has it flaws. Think it can be optimized though. Multiple ones, speakers cutout, apple and android versions.

However, I think something like a Pet GPS collar might be the best option. But those are monthly cost. But probably unique enough that someone wouldn't know what it is if they saw it.

Is your neighborhood up near the Woodland Park Zoo? My son goes up there every couple of weeks.

Yup, pretty much right next to it. I run thru Woodland almost every day. If he's in the area a lot, he's for sure seen it around. Pretty much my grocery/errand runner when the weather is nice.

 

[South Texas 97]

I had my 76 FJ40 sitting in a driveway in Shoreline, WA for 4 months!. This cuts close to home

Based on this thread (Threat?) I have ordered two of these , one for the 76 FJ40 and one for the 97 Series 80.
LandAirSea 54
looks like if I pay up front for 24 months I get it for 10/month.
Not much more than the price for a spare tire.

Will report how it goes.

 

[FJBen]

Really sucks.


As you’ve found AirTags are ok but have limitations. Kill switch will help with AirTag.

This thread has good ideas and the way I’m going is. DIY GPS with SIM card tracker.
Anti-Theft Solutions and Brainstorming - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/anti-theft-solutions-and-brainstorming.1262199/page-2


This one seems promising, cheap and step by step how to do it. Seems around $1-$2 a month in SIM charges for real time tracking.
Botletics™ SIM7000 LTE CAT-M1/NB-IoT + GPS Shield Kit — Botletics - https://www.botletics.com/products/sim7000-shield



When I leave my rig for awhile, it’s in a shed, tucked in back, other vehicles blocking it in, security cameras on property and other things to keep it safe. However it can be stolen from a store parking lot or somewhere.

Real-time gps seems with alerts seems to be the best way to find it. If they want it bad enough, they can get it physically.

 

[EmanC]

This one seems promising, cheap and step by step how to do it. Seems around $1-$2 a month in SIM charges for real time tracking.
Botletics™ SIM7000 LTE CAT-M1/NB-IoT + GPS Shield Kit — Botletics - https://www.botletics.com/products/sim7000-shield

This looks like a fun project. Found a few YT tutorials with similar ideas.
Could easily 3d print a case, or shove it in a gutted fuse box and no one would be wiser.

 

[cims1970fj40]

Pretty sure it drove it off. My neighbor heard it start up around 9pm at night. They had a hard time getting out of the driveway, hit our porch, the gate and car port all on the way out. So maybe a drunk, high, or kid?

Air Tag updated for about 2 hours after that and stopped tracking. Checked out that neighborhood (2 miles away) and asked around but no one remember seeing anything.

Sorry to hear this. Have you tried checking to see if anyone in that neighborhood has a ring camera or another sort of camera? Hell maybe local businesses as well

 

[whitey45]

Fj40’s are stupid easy to hot wire, so any kill switches, theft prevention is useless. Removing the dist rotor is way more effective and theives are unlikely to figure that out. Unfortunately this will likely get parted out or shipped to mexico? Dont give up, keep checking for sale ads, this is a big community with lots of eyes out there!

 

[FJ40Savvy]

Sorry to here about the theft.

I have an airtag and kill switch installed in my truck. Airtag is hidden under the dash and is not easily accessed. The kill switch is used when i leave the vehicle. It is not super complicated, however if they try and bypass the key in the column, a horn sounds inside the cabin. I try not to leave it unattended for very long.

Unfortunately, nowadays, locks are for honest people.

 

[devo]

@EmanC
Any news?

 

[bhsdriller]

Doesn't work for day to day but for stuff sitting outside even just for a long weekend i'd put it on jackstands and remove the tires. Even just the front or back would work. Only takes 10 minutes

Would at least keep someone from hotwiring and taking away or even quickly loading on a trailer

 

[rainingagain]

Damn sorry to hear about this. I’ll keep my feelers out.

My best theft prevention technique is to pull the coil plug wire and take it with me.

 

[cims1970fj40]

I think I’m going to invest in a tracker when I get mine going.

 

[EmanC]

No major updates on the truck itself. Strong candidate for who stole it. Cameras have him roaming around my property and he was in possession of the FJ40 AirTag (dumped it at a grocery store and was caught on camera). Have a clear photo of his face and clear photos of his bike and license plates.

According to the cops, the motorcycle he rides has the wrong plates on it. He rides a Honda, but the plates are for a BMW. Cops have put a alert out for the bike/him. But no luck on the truck.

 

[EmanC]

Those wanting to go the AirTag route. I recommend doing this to remove the speaker. Will make it very hard to find. AirTags beep if they haven't seen their paired account in 3 days. So the airtag in the 40 would have been constantly going off. Easy to pinpoint when they do that.



Using a case like this and burying it deep inside the dash, gas tank area, heater area, or in the seats.
Can print yourself or the guy sells them for $6 on Etsy.

Apple Airtag Magnetic Case by kirkendsley

This is a simple magnetic case for the Apple Airtag. Just glue in a couple of magnets and pop the tracker in. I used these magnets: https://amzn.to/3JZ7boa Rather just buy it? Get it here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1088838233/apple-airtag-magnetic-case

www.thingiverse.com

Apple AirTag Magnetic Case - Etsy

This Gadgets item by KirkMakesThings has 1051 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Beverly Hills, FL. Listed on Apr 26, 2024

www.etsy.com

 

[EWheeler]

No major updates on the truck itself. Strong candidate for who stole it. He is seen roaming around my property and was in possession of the FJ40 AirTag (dumped it at a grocery store and was caught on camera). Have a clear photo of his face and clear photos of his bike and license plates.

According to the cops, the motorcycle he rides has the wrong plates on it. He rides a Honda, but the plates are for a BMW. Cops have put a alert out for the bike/him. But no luck on the truck.

I would highly suggest hiring a private investigator to find the dude and shake him down hard. The cops will be NO help, other than to call you if they find it abandoned.

 

[cims1970fj40]

I would highly suggest hiring a private investigator to find the dude and shake him down hard. The cops will be NO help, other than to call you if they find it abandoned.

And beat the living s*** out of him. Man that s*** really pisses me off. I hope you get it back soon with minimal damage or none.

 

[EWheeler]

I would highly suggest hiring a private investigator to find the dude and shake him down hard. The cops will be NO help, other than to call you if they find it abandoned.

I’ll add, we recently recovered a stolen work truck with the assistance of a GPS tracker (we use Verizon trackers as its a bunddeled package with our work ticket program theough verizon). They do work. The cops were no help at all, even with real time tracking watching the truck travel away on the tracking software. Its funny how they showed up real quick when they were called back and are told the perps were being held at gunpoint in the stolen vehicle. Its a sad state of affairs we’ve allowed our society to deteriorate to. I hope you get your truck back @EmanC

 

[Pitter Patter]

Any forum rules against posting his photo?

 

[cims1970fj40]

Any forum rules against posting his photo?

I doubt it.

 

[sogncab]

No major updates on the truck itself. Strong candidate for who stole it. Cameras have him roaming around my property and he was in possession of the FJ40 AirTag (dumped it at a grocery store and was caught on camera). Have a clear photo of his face and clear photos of his bike and license plates.

According to the cops, the motorcycle he rides has the wrong plates on it. He rides a Honda, but the plates are for a BMW. Cops have put a alert out for the bike/him. But no luck on the truck.

Time to find a cop, and bribe him for an address

 

[red66toy]

@EmanC has been awesome in his pursuit of this individual I must say. He stole from the wrong dude.