Stolen 120s

[Awesome Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Awesome]

Re: Stolen 120s

Yes Davey I noticed the same thing in QLD,very few if any Prados at the wreckers.
WE have a few big 4x4 wreckers around South East QLD and the only place that seems to have any is one on the Gold Coast and one in Toowoomba.
I asked oldmate why and he said they were too expensive to purchase as wrecks.
I notice there is lots at wreckers in VIC though as seen in adverts in certian magazines

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

Re: Stolen 120s

Toyota service centres are a joke. I now do not trust them or their staff. I forgot to mention before that i also had my ali bar stolen 12months before the car and yes also just after a service. Spoils the prado experience that for sure.

I think that might be casting the net a bit wide!

Most organised criminal groups only have a single person from an organisation involved and they are normally not who you would expect.

Outlaw motorcycle gangs have used this to their advantage for years. The cute secretary/spare parts girl/accountant assistant who is associated with the OMG through her partner will often pass on the information that is required. No one else in the business has a clue.

Gambling debts are another pathway. The OMG will only make them pay back the principal amount, not the interest, on the proviso they do certain things for them.

Keep in mind that a number of police services in oz have had OMG moles working even in secret level areas.

A similar thing was happening in Sydney in the 90's with mazda astinas being stolen by lebanese car rebirthers.

There scumbags to quote Paul K.

[OFFDAZE Banned Find all posts View Profile Close OFFDAZE]

Re: Stolen 120s

Unless they have keys or a tilttray cannot hotwire or steal a late toyota with factory imobilizer....

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: Stolen 120s

Unless they have keys or a tilttray cannot hotwire or steal a late toyota with factory imobilizer....

What specific models are you talking about?

There are confirmed cases of theft using replacement ECU - it would be great if Toyota has closed that 'gotcha', but I am sceptical. For starters, how would Toyota be able to repair a vehicle with damaged ECU?

Basically, swapping the ECU means the thieves have their own working keys, and the vehicle will start and drive away - they just have to install it, jigger the steering lock and they're off with your car.

[OFFDAZE Banned Find all posts View Profile Close OFFDAZE]

Re: Stolen 120s

Unless they have keys or a tilttray cannot hotwire or steal a late toyota with factory imobilizer....

What specific models are you talking about?

There are confirmed cases of theft using replacement ECU - it would be great if Toyota has closed that 'gotcha', but I am sceptical. For starters, how would Toyota be able to repair a vehicle with damaged ECU?

Basically, swapping the ECU means the thieves have their own working keys, and the vehicle will start and drive away - they just have to install it, jigger the steering lock and they're off with your car.

Well we are in the 120 series post area.....90 series were easier with the seperate key imobilizer....120 series need main ecu with keys also need to break steering lock....not a five minute job

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Stolen 120s

Well we are in the 120 series post area.....90 series were easier with the seperate key imobilizer....120 series need main ecu with keys also need to break steering lock....not a five minute job

Well somebody has worked it and they can do it quietly and without a tilt tray.

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: Stolen 120s

Well we are in the 120 series post area.....90 series were easier with the seperate key imobilizer....120 series need main ecu with keys also need to break steering lock....not a five minute job

Clearly you have never had a car stolen.

Before the arrival of electronic keys, your car (steering lock and hotwire) could be gone in a minute or two, the ECU swap wouldn't add another minute for a pro.

Its been demonstrated as a piece of cake for someone with the ability and tools.

Michael

[Whitey Shockie Maker of the Month Award Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey]

Re: Stolen 120s

Hey everyone,

I have read this thread with sadness in my heart at hearing these stories of theft. I feel for all of you.

I have posted a separate thread in the electrical 120 section, "Kill switch and main fuse box", which may interest all of you.

I am planning on putting in an old fashioned kill switch into my petrol 06 120. In my old WB V8, I had a kill switch running off the coil, but it's not such a simple thing to do something similar in the modern engines, particularly with individual coil packs on the V6.

I am planning on putting a switch on the EFI fuse, which completely stops the engine being started, turn the key nothing. You can still get into the car, but you won't be able to start it. I know this won't stop somebody with a flatbed truck (gps tracker will sort that, but very expensive), but it will stop them starting the car while it's sitting around in carparks, parked outside your house etc.

The only issue is a) figuring out how to pull apart the main engine bay fuse box, so the wiring can be hidden from underneath the fuse box and the main harness, and b) finding a good location inside the cabin for the switch.

...another alternative is a high amp relay for the starter, and run the low power feed into the cabin and switch it....means you gotta hide the relay in the engine bay (perhaps even behind the fire wall in a safe spot) and re-route some heavy gauge wiring, but it could be done ! ...similarly for the fuel pump.

If any of you have any suggestions on how to pull apart the fuse box or where to stick a hidden switch inside the cabin, I'd love to hear your thoughts !

I'm sure that all the Pradopointers out there can knock heads and come up with some simple anti-theft options to stop these thieving lowlifes !

Look forward to hear your anti-theft thoughts !

Best

Whitey

[Whitey Shockie Maker of the Month Award Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey]

Re: Stolen 120s

Hey everyone,

I have read this thread with sadness in my heart at hearing these stories of theft. I feel for all of you.

I have posted a separate thread in the electrical 120 section, "Kill switch and main fuse box", which may interest all of you.

I am planning on putting in an old fashioned kill switch into my petrol 06 120. In my old WB V8, I had a kill switch running off the coil, but it's not such a simple thing to do something similar in the modern engines, particularly with individual coil packs on the V6.

I am planning on putting a switch on the EFI fuse, which completely stops the engine being started, turn the key nothing. You can still get into the car, but you won't be able to start it. I know this won't stop somebody with a flatbed truck (gps tracker will sort that, but very expensive), but it will stop them starting the car while it's sitting around in carparks, parked outside your house etc.

The only issue is a) figuring out how to pull apart the main engine bay fuse box, so the wiring can be hidden from underneath the fuse box and the main harness, and b) finding a good location inside the cabin for the switch.

...another alternative is a high amp relay for the starter, and run the low power feed into the cabin and switch it....means you gotta hide the relay in the engine bay (perhaps even behind the fire wall in a safe spot) and re-route some heavy gauge wiring, but it could be done ! ...similarly for the fuel pump.

If any of you have any suggestions on how to pull apart the fuse box or where to stick a hidden switch inside the cabin, I'd love to hear your thoughts !

I'm sure that all the Pradopointers out there can knock heads and come up with some simple anti-theft options to stop these thieving lowlifes !

Look forward to hear your anti-theft thoughts !

Best

Whitey

[Whitey Shockie Maker of the Month Award Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey]

Re: Stolen 120s

...woops, accidentally double posted my above reply.

I did just read something very interesting from the Sydney Morning Herald today, which may explain a lot !! Looks like the scum have been stripping down new Prados (explicitly mentioned in the article) to fix up cheap write offs.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/syndicate-sto ... 1dp22.html

Hopefully the coppers have smashed this ring of scum good and proper !

Best

Whitey

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Better late than never...

http://www.news.com.au/national/devi...-1226452922444

The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council knows of thieves overcoming Land Cruiser immobilisers in 12 seconds

[Sam B Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Sam B]

Do all the obvious alarm , kill switch , crook lock etc if they want your car they will take it . If you want any chance of recovering your vehicle try fitting a GPS tracking device it has its own built in back up battery will last up to 3 days if main battery is disconnected . If vehicle is moved after GPS is activated you will receive a text every five minutes , if vehicle is being driven its GPS position location speed etc can be tracked. If vehicle is stored in yard or shed as long as unit still has battery back up power , you should still be able to locate your pride & joy . I recommend trying this unit . WWW.GPS-TRACKER.COM.AU/

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Madkore]

Saw this article posted on ABC News and the picture was what grabbed my attention:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-3...hicles/4341990

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Wow

Police swooped on a house in Knutsford Avenue where they seized five Toyota Prados along with stolen parts, including engines, bumpers and wheels.

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

Saw this article posted on ABC News and the picture was what grabbed my attention:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-3...hicles/4341990

Just saw it on the afternoon news - shame about all those Prados.