5th Gen 4R stolen - how easy is it

I’m watching National Geographic and it’s about how cars are stolen in the US and end up in Ghana. Got me thinking. Is it easy to steal a 4R? I just ordered some Air Tags to put in the truck. I was just wondering if anyone knew if it was easy to steal a 5th Gen 4R

 

Easy? That depends on how motivated the thief is.

I have an AirTag in my 4Runner, if you need some ideas for hiding places feel free to reach out. Everyone has done the center console, under the seat(s), glovebox, etc... I found an odd place to hide it but still accessible.

 

Thank you. I would like to know but I’m not certain how to direct message a person. Can you direct message me your hiding spot? Thank you. I appreciate it. We leave for Moab Thursday and would love to have it in place before then.

 

Depends on key vs push start, technical abilities of thief/what is available and if any security measures have changed over the years.

Of course, none will beat a tow truck but of course that’s not exactly the usual route for many.

Not sure if push start 4Runner’s are as vulnerable as the RAV4 was to pulling panels off to get at the wiring?

 

What are the import costs for a 4runner bought out of Ghana is the real question?

 

I don’t think the 4Runners are high on the list for being stolen. Keyless cars are more susceptible with the new tech thieves are using

 

Relatively easy:
1. If you leave your fob close to the front door/window for thieves to pick up the signal with an antenna, a relay attack takes about 45 seconds to steal your 5th gen with zero damage to the vehicle, ripe for fencing. Many folks have learned to turn off the fob or put it in a faraday pouch or cookie tin because of this. If you're traveling and staying in a motel, easy way to shield the fob is to put it in the microwave (unplug it first to avoid accidents).

LX570 stolen in seconds at 03:04 in the video. How ancient is the 200-series Land Cruiser's technology relative to the 5th gen?

https://youtu.be/CGpMF_H0bUg?t=184

2. Next thing thieves are known to do is smash a rear window or sunroof, crawl in, and access the OBD2 port to make a key. This apparently takes 15-20 minutes and more susceptible to being interrupted. Rear window or sunroof doesn't trip the Toyota glass break sensor if you have it installed. There are regular reports of unsuccessful attempts posted in my local 4R FB group:



This one was stolen and recovered at the port before it could have been loaded onto a ship:

Depends on your region. Here the 4R owners were hit with $500-$1000 insurance premium increases the last couple of years because the 4R got on the high risk list. If your insurer hasn't done this yet, then the 4R isn't high risk in your region.

 

Moab is super safe. We left all our gear in the 4Runner during our stay and had zero issues. Now our stops in Abuquerque on the way there and Santa Fe on the way back were a slightly different story. Emptied everything from the 4Runner in those locations.

 

Do you really want a stolen vehicle returned? It will take hit in its value just like it was in an accident.

 

That’s pretty scary it’s just that easy to steal one. I noticed one day when I was washing my 4Runner the locks kept clicking like I was unlocking it. I did have my keys in my pocket so I thought that was the problem so I took my keys and put them on a table in my yard about 20ft from my runner and I heard the locks popping again, I never did find out why anyone have any ideas?

 

I have a physical key so it's different than most on here with the push start fobs that Are totally wireless. But that being said, I still followed @Borracho Loco 's lead and air tagged it in a spot that has to be found. And with the hopes that criminals, while not being smart, have androids lol.

 

Were you washing the doors? Specifically near the door handles. I've heard the same "clicking" when I wash with a soft bristle brush around the door handle area. Don't know what years have 'touch to lock systems on them', but that is why ours did it. As far as thieves in our area trying to intercept signals from our 4runner.... they're too lazy to operate a system like that. Don't believe there is a vehicle made that can't be stolen.

 

Yes, I have a physical key for mine to start with no push button start hopefully that makes it more difficult to steal? I had another key made for it at Batteries Plus because it only had one key when I got it. It took them about 5 minutes with a computer to program the new key. The tech said “ oh that was easy!”

 

Another trip to moab? Sweet, have fun!

Regarding the air tags, I think if it’s a stolen car exporter that gets it, you’re screwed either way. I’ve heard those things end up on ships pretty quick. Although, it would be kinda cool to see if a 4runner would end up as a technical with a chopped roof and air to ground rockets mounted to it. Lol

 

I wouldn't say easy, but depends on how motivated the thief is. The key is a deterring theft in the first place, Alarm, Cameras and where when you park. An air tag is cool but your vehicle is already stolen to use it, its best to decrease the risk to begin with.

I personally have a very sophisticated alarm and deterrence plan with layers of protection. So even is someone breaks in i am notified instantly of the break in, though of course nothing is 100% fool proof.

 

Please say you have a trunk monkey as part that plan.

 

I was wondering when trunk monkey was going to make an appearance.

Hmm. I go to a lot of fuss and bother to disable my DCM and then put an AirTag in my car. The concept boggles my mind.

 

Oh yeah I agree that Moab is totally safe. We are 1,000 miles away

thanks brother. Yeah Thursday we leave for a month. Heading to Moab, Colorado and Arizona. We will be camping about 10 of those days. We just got a roof top tent so we have to try it out.

 

100%, but I'm the monkey.

 

So true what you said about layered defense.

 

NA american market vehicles like the 4R and Tacos are too softly sprung to support that kind of weight. There is a reason those users favor the Hilux.

 

Nah, those technicals are “take what you can get and make it work until it doesn’t” type of deals. And anyway, you know how much those rear seats weigh!?!? Easy, they weigh as much as a pair of mounted Browning 50 cals

 

Until you have to carry six fellow fighters and all their gear. Those ammo cans are heavy.

I worked for a while on the road and about a decade ago came across some barebones Hiluxes in the gulf states that everyone knew was headed to the conflict zones. It's eye opening how over built they are and why they are so favored. Same goes for the Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi L200 to a lesser extent.

 

I have a Ravelco anti theft device installed. Not cheap but living in an Apt with no garage I feel worth it. Yes it can be defeated as all such devices can.

However
1. You have to know there is one
2. You have to bring the stuff to defeat it
3. You have to find its location
Not likely for the hit and run thief.

Even if a thief does the typical “jump” wiring thing or clones the key fob, it still will not start.

I also keep my key fobs off when not in use , even every time I park the vehicle while running errands.

Yes I have insurance but it is a pain in the arse to have to deal with a theft.

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0HkQMIRDk-/
Lack of rear-facing autocannon (through the roll-down tailgate window) is a missed opportunity.