Where to get a spare key?

[Aaron04]

I'm looking on a method to get a spare key cut, without dealing with the stealership.

My plan is to hide his key, deep under the truck in a small sealed container.

I currently only have 1 key, and that to me is really dangerous when traveling far from home.

Any advice is appreciated.

Its a 2003 LX470.

 

[philthyphil]

I would get two keys, at least. You can have a total of three chip keys at once linked to the flux capacitor. We keep a non chip key under the truck at all times to get you into the vehicle. Then we keep the spare chip key hidden within the vehicle. The non-chip key will not start the truck but it will get you in. My reasoning was that the elements may ruin the chip key with it being exposed to water, snow, dirt. Those thing can't hurt the non chip key, just a piece of metal that needs wiped on your jeans before use. There is a place that sells chip keys online much cheaper then the dealership and then you can just take the key to the hardware store to get cut. Sorry I don't remember the name of the joint I got mine but search it on here and you will find multiple.

 

[hoser]

Get the valet style key. Most weatherproof.

 

[duggy]

Is your 1 key a master or valet key? If master, you're in good shape and can get a key pretty easily. If valet key....you should make some dummy spares and tape this key to your ignition and use the other dummy keys as your main.

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

I bought 5 blanks from eBay a while back, had them all cut for $20 each (LX470 keys are tougher to cut than LC100 keys). Took me a few calls to find a key shop that could cut inside groove keys. Then reprogrammed using the instructions on this forum. I had a few extra button sets from an LX that I used to own, so I swapped the button sets, reprogrammed them all using the instructions on the link below, and now I can loose a ton of keys without worrying

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/key-programming.841910/

 

[ponytl]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321145611518?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

$13 for 2 that are "self programing "

I bought them but I have not tried to use or program them yet for about $40 you can get 2 with the door lock fuction

 

[marshotel]

We keep a non chip key under the truck at all times to get you into the vehicle. Then we keep the spare chip key hidden within the vehicle. The non-chip key will not start the truck but it will get you in. My reasoning was that the elements may ruin the chip key with it being exposed to water, snow, dirt. Those thing can't hurt the non chip key, just a piece of metal that needs wiped on your jeans before use.

I do the same thing as philthyphil. I have an a non-chip key taped to the bottom of the truck in a secret location. It will open the doors, but will not start the truck. I have a fully functioning chip key hidden safely inside the center console, out of the elements.

All the hand-wringing about master keys and valet keys and programming disappeared for me when I realized that my local locksmith could make as many copies as needed of any functioning chip key by "cloning" the existing key for about $50 per copy. The locksmith uses a machine like this.

For the key taped to the bottom of the truck, you dont need a chip, just get an old-fashioned metal key cut at Home Depot for $2. It will open the doors but will not start the engine and if it accidentally gets lost you will not be upset. Also the plain old metal key is flat, so it is easy to tape it to the chassis.

 

[Aaron04]

Good info! Thanks guys!

 

[WoodyCreature]

Use a strong zip tie for hiding the key under the truck....not tape.

 

[costalcat]

I do the same thing as philthyphil. I have an a non-chip key taped to the bottom of the truck in a secret location. It will open the doors, but will not start the truck. I have a fully functioning chip key hidden safely inside the center console, out of the elements.

All the hand-wringing about master keys and valet keys and programming disappeared for me when I realized that my local locksmith could make as many copies as needed of any functioning chip key by "cloning" the existing key for about $50 per copy. The locksmith uses a machine like this.

For the key taped to the bottom of the truck, you don't need a chip, just get an old-fashioned metal key cut at Home Depot for $2. It will open the doors but will not start the engine and if it accidentally gets lost you will not be upset. Also the plain old metal key is flat, so it is easy to tape it to the chassis.

I would only note that Cloning is ok but if you lose a real master and all you have left are clones you could be at a point where you can't add any more to the ECU. I had that problem in my 2003. The only key I had was a clone. It acted like a master vs Valet but when it came time to add more keys I had to get a lock smith involved. 03' you don't have to replace the ECU luckily but it could burn you on earlier models.
Now my clone is the one that just unlocks the car and I keep a master with remote in the center console....

 

[hoser]

I do the same thing as philthyphil. I have an a non-chip key taped to the bottom of the truck in a secret location.

I am not sure if there is a "non-chip" key for the LX470... but I've never looked for one either. The LX's use an inside cut key, not the same as the LC.