Local Spare Tire Thefts

Every 4runner from 2010 to 2024 can have the tpms in the spare, only the Limited comes programmed . I added a matching wheel and tire for the spare and rotate 5.

 

If you spare IS stolen. You can buy a replacement for cheap. Its a steel wheel and a pos tire.

 

My spare tire hoist underneath is broken, so my tire lives in the trunk for now. I'll have to look at fixing the hoist on mine

 

Just putting this here...

 

..and that sir, is why you're the coolest guy in the school drop off line!

 

I have a 2022 SR5P with a spare TPMS. An exercise for the student, YOU, on how that is possible.

 

Yesterday I drove the 4R around to the shop and checked the tires because of a Low Pressure dash light. one was down to 28psi.
Probably just from the cold weather. Brought them back to 33 psi and dropped the spare to check on it and still at 40 psi.
While I was under it, I sprayed some dry lube on the crank mechanism and cranked the spare back up and took a nap.

 

If they are stealing the spares. There must be a market for it somewhere

 

Somewhere out there a Taco or Tundra owner is driving around on 4 spares steel wheel and tires from 4 5th gens.

 

I don’t think I would put a lock on it unless you inspect it a lot. Seems like a cheap lock will rust quickly and then cause you and issue if and when you need it.

If you’re that concerned remove it and put in the back and cover it with a sheet

 

Or maybe someone has a shitbox car with big motor mods and just needs tires to let some smoke out.

 

Mine comes out after off-roading trips while I pressure wash the mud off the bottom of the 4Runner.



I'd recommend dropping it a few times per either way, just to make sure the hoist isn't seized. I haven't had this happen, but somehow I always worry about it.

 

What next, a spare tire shield?

 

I would like to see what kind of shitbox car the spare wheel and tire from a 4RUnner bolts onto that isn't better served by Civic wheels and tires.

 

Something like this?



Edit: Better yet:

 

I was thinking of just the tires only. Some people more luckier than me and might have a tire machine and just scrap the wheels.

 

Thieves only take things they can sell for cash. There’s a small tire shop somewhere paying for these, taking them off the wheel, and selling the tire for a profit. If they can’t sell the wheel for use as a wheel, they sell them to a metal recycling place. Probably in bulk. Criminals gonna criminal.

 

The thing with owning fictional vehicles, is that you never have to buy winter tires for them

OEM steel wheel in good condition can usually fetch ~$50 or so on FB Marketplace. They're commonly purchased for mounting winter tires.

Here's a shitbox 5th gen with Civic Nokians randomly found by Google:



"Period" builds prefer them too. Here's another shitbox that sold for Civic money on Bring A Trailer: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1994-toyota-land-cruiser-fj80-47/

 

You know, now that I think about it.....

If spare tires were in danger, the thieves would target the spare tires mounted on the BACK of SUV's.

 

^Yep, and it's easier to steal the whole hitch-mounted tire carrier. Locking hitch pin heads are easily snapped off in seconds with a pipe, with minimal noise:

 

I definitely agree!

 

I remember a guy who had 67 Shelby I think that’s the year like the Eleanor Mustang from Gone in 60 seconds. This dude had his car in a small local downtown lot where and his wife were having dinner. He paid two guys to sit on stools on each side of the car and guard it all night.

The car attracted tons of people and these guys guarding it enjoyed talking about it and the owner.


I can’t imagine owning something like that and having to worry about it. It’s just not worth it to me anyway.

 

The Shelby and a Vintage Bronco are about the only Fords that I wouldn't mind owning.
Meh, on anything newer.

 

I wouldn't mind a 6.7 F350!

 

How dare you! Only Toyota for me. Lol, kidding, just kidding. I honestly wouldn't mind one either

 

No Toyota out there will pull 19 round bales on the interstate.

 

Sadly, thats the truth. Toyota SO needs a heavy duty pickup. I'm sure it would do so well. Anything over 12,000 lbs (the latest gen Tundra tow rating) the Tundra can't handle, making it useless for heavy loads and big camping trailers.

 

Hopefully if they do it has an I Force Max badge and a rattly tin can sounding turbo something engine that would be great.

 

Toyota should focus on making a full size truck engine that doesn’t seize up first.