Vehicle Tracking Systems ???

Tacomake · 05-13-2009, 09:01 PM

I recently installed a cheap $10 i415 Boost Mobile phone in the dash of my Tacoma Double Cab TRD (Speedway Blue), so that I can track my Tacoma at all times. The install was pretty easy and it seems to work well. I'm using free software from GATR Systems (www.gatrsystems.com).

I can get online with my laptop or cell phone and basically see where my vehicle is at anytime. It also lets me set up geofences and speed alerts and the system notifies me by email or text messages when my truck enters or leaves an area or if the it exceeds the speed limit that I set.

They also offer some other features that I haven't used yet. I'm hoping this might allow me to monitor my boys a little bit, plus work as an inexpensive lo-jack. Also I might get a better idea of what is happening with my truck when I take it in for service.

Its $10/month for the Boost pay as you go web plan, which I think is pretty cheap. As long as you don't make any calls thats the cost. For me it would be too much trouble to dig it out of the dash. Just wondering if anyone else has used this particular system or if they've used something similar ???

I'll try and post some pictures if anyone is interested.

Vise4077 · 05-14-2009, 05:29 PM

<--- Interested

matt45648 · 05-14-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vise4077

<--- Interested

for awhile thats what my dept. Used in our cruisers...

tigerfan00 · 05-14-2009, 05:55 PM

interesting idea...

Tacomake · 06-03-2009, 08:28 PM

Finally got some time to take a few pictures of this installation. Hopefully this will all make sense.

I am not responsible for any damage you do to your vehicle.

This is a picture of the Boost Mobile i415 that I was first using. You can pick these up on ebay for < $10.

I ran across a good deal on an Boost Mobile i335, so I've been using that. The i335 doesn't support battery and signal strength, which you might want. If you use the i415, you can tell the state of the battery and signal strength on the www.gatrsystems.com website. Here's a picture of the i335. I purchased a $3 case (Big Lots) to store the phone and cables, while its installed under the dash.

I made a six foot cable with 2 wires (red and black from Walmart) for power. I took a drill, locked the wires, pulled it tight and ran the drill for few seconds to get the tight twist. I took a female cigarette light power adapter from (Walmart) and connected this to the six foot cable. I just used a regular car charger for the phone and plugged that into the female receptable. Here's another picture.

I also purchased a data cable to download the GATR software to the phone. Here's a picture of one I picked up on ebay.

I used an add-a-fuse device to connect to my six foot cable. Here's a picture of that.

Here's a picture of it installed.

I tie wrapped the six foot cable in the floorboard on the drivers side over to the center console. Here's a picture of the cable running behind the center console.

I lowered the glovebox and disconnected the arm on the side so that I could drop the glovebox down. Here's a picture of the arm on the right hand side. The upper part of the arm just pops off to the left from a little plastic connector. Here's a picture of the arm.

I brought the six foot cable from the center console and tie wrapped it up through the glovebox. Here's a picture of the glovebox dropped and the cable.

I found two places to place the phone. There is an opening above the glovebox that will easily hold the case with phone and cable or there's a spot to the right of the glovebox. I was able to get GPS at both spots, although I would think the area above the glovebox would be best. You want to make sure you keep only glass and plastic between the phone and sky for the best GPS fix. Here's a picture of the area to the right of the glove box.

Anyways, I hope that gives you a better idea of what I did.

Again, I am not responsible for any damage you do to your vehicle installing this.

Enjoy! If you have any questions let me know.

luk8272 · 06-03-2009, 08:39 PM

Thats how we did it in my 72 chevelle. Cheap cell phone with tracking, tore it apart and set it in the dash. Had power 24/7.

Good write up, thanks for pics.

Burgman · 06-03-2009, 08:40 PM

nice work, i like it

rep

09AFTacoma · 06-03-2009, 08:41 PM

7071.. Interessted..

colinb17 · 06-03-2009, 08:45 PM

i think this should be added to the cheap mods list...that's awesome, great writeup and pics

fletch aka · 06-03-2009, 08:49 PM

Clever idea, reps to ya.

bigyetti · 06-03-2009, 09:04 PM

great write up. i will be doing this next week. thanks

db67fm · 06-04-2009, 05:04 AM

I use a free program for Win Mobile 6 phones called TrackMe.

There are a lot of options, it will upload your location data to a google map which can be viewed on the internet in real time. You can also save the data on the phone and view it later. It tracks location, speed, altitude and time.

I have used it at work. I put my phone in the vehicle of one of the drivers that I supervise to see where he is going.

hotbrass · 06-04-2009, 08:34 AM

So you have to get a cell phone and activate another cell account that has tracking and subscribe to a service?

Tacomake · 06-04-2009, 07:45 PM

GATR Systems has the same features as well. You can download data in KML (Google Earth) or CVS (comma delimited). You can also setup geofences and speed alerts. GATR Systems will send you an email or message when a geofence is entered and/or exited and if the maximum speed has been exceeded. You can also send email to someone from the phone with your current location and send messages to the server to mark locations.

Tacomake · 06-04-2009, 07:53 PM

Hotbrass,

You can purchase the phones for under $10. As far as phone service all you need for the tracking is the Boost Mobile pay-as-you-go plan. When you sign up get the Web (data) plan. The web (data) pklan is $10/month. If you refrain from making any calls then you'll only pay $10/month. You can recharge at 7-11's, on the web site, or through the phone.

Free Ham · 06-04-2009, 07:57 PM

dont tell my dad

JHAirForce05 · 06-23-2009, 06:18 PM

Great idea. I need to look into that!

MiikeyD · 07-20-2009, 08:23 PM

very interesting... does it only work with boost?

Tacomake · 10-22-2009, 07:21 AM

Boost uses Nextel, so Nextel will work as well. I think they have software for Windows Mobile, Google Android (HTC G1), and possibly some others.

Just learned a friend of mine is using his to keep track of his elderly mother, since she wanders off sometimes.

seareef · 10-24-2009, 01:52 PM

great idea i will never buy another low jack again i have one on my taco and my Hog

05-13-2009, 09:01 PM	#1
Tacomake Junior Member Joined: May 2009, #17195 Gender: Male Posts: 13 07 Double Cab TRD - Speedway Blue 2007 Double Cab Automatic GATR Systems Tracking (www.gatrsystems.com) Access Limited Edition Toneau Electric Pop N Lock for Tailgate	Vehicle Tracking Systems ??? I recently installed a cheap $10 i415 Boost Mobile phone in the dash of my Tacoma Double Cab TRD (Speedway Blue), so that I can track my Tacoma at all times. The install was pretty easy and it seems to work well. I'm using free software from GATR Systems (www.gatrsystems.com). I can get online with my laptop or cell phone and basically see where my vehicle is at anytime. It also lets me set up geofences and speed alerts and the system notifies me by email or text messages when my truck enters or leaves an area or if the it exceeds the speed limit that I set. They also offer some other features that I haven't used yet. I'm hoping this might allow me to monitor my boys a little bit, plus work as an inexpensive lo-jack. Also I might get a better idea of what is happening with my truck when I take it in for service. Its $10/month for the Boost pay as you go web plan, which I think is pretty cheap. As long as you don't make any calls thats the cost. For me it would be too much trouble to dig it out of the dash. Just wondering if anyone else has used this particular system or if they've used something similar ??? I'll try and post some pictures if anyone is interested.

05-14-2009, 05:55 PM	#4
tigerfan00 . Name: Buzz Killington Joined: Apr 2008, #5966 Age: 27 Gender: Male Posts: 17,949 02 Skankyota 4x4 2002 Xtra Cab Automatic 3.4 V6 completely bone-ass stock grocery getter	interesting idea... __________________ Click Me! I was born...a shotgun in my hands Behind the gun...I'll make my final stand And that's why they call me..bad company --proud to own a problem free 1st gen--

06-03-2009, 08:39 PM	#6
luk8272 Super Bowl Champs Name: Lucas Joined: Feb 2008, #4929 Location: Kaplan, Louisiana Age: 27 Gender: Guy Posts: 3,986 07 Silver4dr. 4x4, V6 Shortbed 2007 Double Cab Automatic 4.0 5% Tint, Bug flector, vent Visors, Removed secondary air filter, Rear Spring TSB w/ Bilstein shocks, Toytec 3" lift, Debadged, Billet Grille, 17x9 Pro comp 6001 rims, BFG 285/70/17, Fog light anytime mod, Tailgate hose clamp mod, Prodry AFE filter. Extended Differential Breather, ABS on/off, 6000k HID heads/fogs, ScanguageII, Devil horns, Devil horns on third brake light, Mounted 60" Highlift, Mounted Tool Box, Wet Okole Front Seat Covers, TW sticker, Midland Handheld CB,Painted engine cover, Revenge Fab Sliders Painted in shed. Bed Cover or Cap? and Exhaust!	Thats how we did it in my 72 chevelle. Cheap cell phone with tracking, tore it apart and set it in the dash. Had power 24/7. Good write up, thanks for pics. __________________ Arkansas Superlift Park 4/10/09 Big Easley Run 5/17/09 Windrock Coal Creek OHV 6/20/09 Louisiana members

06-03-2009, 08:41 PM	#8
09AFTacoma Text USA to 3825 335 Name: "Butters" Joined: Sep 2008, #9113 Location: Pope, AFB / Home: Frisco, TX Age: 25 Gender: Dude Posts: 8,493 2009 Double Cab Short Bed 4X4, TRD-Sport 2009 Double Cab Automatic 4.0L V6 Stock Options: TRD Sport w/6 Disc CD, V6 Towing Package, (Mods: Sock Decals, Extang Trifecta, 3" OME Lift w/ AAL, Hide the iPod Mod! )	7071.. Interessted.. __________________ Sig by CMack

06-03-2009, 08:49 PM	#10
fletch aka So far the change sucks. Name: Gary Joined: Jan 2009, #12223 Location: Left Coast Gender: Male Posts: 3,684 09 Magnetic Gray TRD OffRoad 2009 Double Cab Automatic 4.0 tick-tick-tick-tick... TRD cat back exhaust, vintage Hurst T-handle shifter from the 60's, Sock's bedside decals, 20% front tinted windows, Auto Page alarm, ScanGauge II, Luminics JDM Yellow Krypton fog lights, Laminex yellow tint on fogs, de-mud flapped, de-badged, extra D-rings under bed bolts, WeatherTech ED floor mats, Toyota bed mat, tailgate theft deterrent device.	Clever idea, reps to ya. __________________ Check out my photography web site; http://www.pbase.com/fletchaka

05-14-2009, 05:29 PM	#2
Vise4077 Junior Member Joined: Dec 2008, #11925 Gender: Male Posts: 11	<--- Interested

06-03-2009, 08:28 PM	#5
Tacomake Junior Member Joined: May 2009, #17195 Gender: Male Posts: 13 07 Double Cab TRD - Speedway Blue 2007 Double Cab Automatic GATR Systems Tracking (www.gatrsystems.com) Access Limited Edition Toneau Electric Pop N Lock for Tailgate	Finally got some time to take a few pictures of this installation. Hopefully this will all make sense. I am not responsible for any damage you do to your vehicle. This is a picture of the Boost Mobile i415 that I was first using. You can pick these up on ebay for < $10. I ran across a good deal on an Boost Mobile i335, so I've been using that. The i335 doesn't support battery and signal strength, which you might want. If you use the i415, you can tell the state of the battery and signal strength on the www.gatrsystems.com website. Here's a picture of the i335. I purchased a $3 case (Big Lots) to store the phone and cables, while its installed under the dash. I made a six foot cable with 2 wires (red and black from Walmart) for power. I took a drill, locked the wires, pulled it tight and ran the drill for few seconds to get the tight twist. I took a female cigarette light power adapter from (Walmart) and connected this to the six foot cable. I just used a regular car charger for the phone and plugged that into the female receptable. Here's another picture. I also purchased a data cable to download the GATR software to the phone. Here's a picture of one I picked up on ebay. I used an add-a-fuse device to connect to my six foot cable. Here's a picture of that. Here's a picture of it installed. I tie wrapped the six foot cable in the floorboard on the drivers side over to the center console. Here's a picture of the cable running behind the center console. I lowered the glovebox and disconnected the arm on the side so that I could drop the glovebox down. Here's a picture of the arm on the right hand side. The upper part of the arm just pops off to the left from a little plastic connector. Here's a picture of the arm. I brought the six foot cable from the center console and tie wrapped it up through the glovebox. Here's a picture of the glovebox dropped and the cable. I found two places to place the phone. There is an opening above the glovebox that will easily hold the case with phone and cable or there's a spot to the right of the glovebox. I was able to get GPS at both spots, although I would think the area above the glovebox would be best. You want to make sure you keep only glass and plastic between the phone and sky for the best GPS fix. Here's a picture of the area to the right of the glove box. Anyways, I hope that gives you a better idea of what I did. Again, I am not responsible for any damage you do to your vehicle installing this. Enjoy! If you have any questions let me know.

06-03-2009, 08:45 PM	#9
colinb17 Senior Member Name: Colin Joined: Jan 2008, #4127 Location: Northern Virginia/Melbourne Florida Age: 20 Gender: Dude Posts: 431 07 TRD Sport 4x4 2007 Double Cab Automatic V6 westin bullbar, offroad lights for bar, taillight guards, window visors, tow shackle, ipod/mp3 jack, flowmaster 40 series, thule roof rack, lighs on the roof rack, rear spring tsb, pace edwards tonneau, painted calipers/drums/skidplate, painted sterio/dash/engine cover, K&N drop-in filter, sparco mud flaps, functional hood scoop. 265/70/17 terra grapplers, hell bent steel 2.5 in fron lift. rear 1in AAL and UCAs coming soon	i think this should be added to the cheap mods list...that's awesome, great writeup and pics

06-03-2009, 09:04 PM	#11
bigyetti Senior Member Name: mike Joined: Apr 2009, #15880 Location: asheville, nc Gender: Male Posts: 325 08 taco dc 4x4 2008 Double Cab Manual 4.0 sirius satilite radio, more on the way when i get more money. oh ya removed the secondary filter	great write up. i will be doing this next week. thanks

06-04-2009, 05:04 AM	#12
db67fm lowlife Name: Derek Joined: Mar 2009, #14416 Location: Southern California Gender: Male Posts: 1,013 06 DC 4x4 TRD Off-Road 2006 Double Cab Automatic V6 5100s set at 1.75", Toytec 1.5" AAL, custom On-Board Air & air horn, Custom Mounted Cobra 29 CB Radio & Lil Wil antenna, fog light anytime mod, locker anytime mod, extra d rings in bed, ScanGauge II, Sirius Satelite Radio, Optima Red Top, ooh and an air freshner.	I use a free program for Win Mobile 6 phones called TrackMe. There are a lot of options, it will upload your location data to a google map which can be viewed on the internet in real time. You can also save the data on the phone and view it later. It tracks location, speed, altitude and time. I have used it at work. I put my phone in the vehicle of one of the drivers that I supervise to see where he is going.

06-04-2009, 08:34 AM	#13
hotbrass Member Joined: Apr 2008, #5962 Location: Cowtown Posts: 46 2005 Tacoma 2005 Access Cab Automatic	So you have to get a cell phone and activate another cell account that has tracking and subscribe to a service?

06-04-2009, 07:45 PM	#14
Tacomake Junior Member Joined: May 2009, #17195 Gender: Male Posts: 13 07 Double Cab TRD - Speedway Blue 2007 Double Cab Automatic GATR Systems Tracking (www.gatrsystems.com) Access Limited Edition Toneau Electric Pop N Lock for Tailgate	GATR Systems has the same features as well. You can download data in KML (Google Earth) or CVS (comma delimited). You can also setup geofences and speed alerts. GATR Systems will send you an email or message when a geofence is entered and/or exited and if the maximum speed has been exceeded. You can also send email to someone from the phone with your current location and send messages to the server to mark locations.

06-04-2009, 07:53 PM	#15
Tacomake Junior Member Joined: May 2009, #17195 Gender: Male Posts: 13 07 Double Cab TRD - Speedway Blue 2007 Double Cab Automatic GATR Systems Tracking (www.gatrsystems.com) Access Limited Edition Toneau Electric Pop N Lock for Tailgate	Hotbrass, You can purchase the phones for under $10. As far as phone service all you need for the tracking is the Boost Mobile pay-as-you-go plan. When you sign up get the Web (data) plan. The web (data) pklan is $10/month. If you refrain from making any calls then you'll only pay $10/month. You can recharge at 7-11's, on the web site, or through the phone.

06-04-2009, 07:57 PM	#16
Free Ham Formerly ClemsonTacoma Name: Cam Joined: Apr 2009, #16193 Location: Bluffton, South Carolina Gender: Dude Posts: 4,250 2050 Tacoma Flying Edition Automatic	dont tell my dad __________________

06-23-2009, 06:18 PM	#17
JHAirForce05 Member Joined: Jun 2009, #18780 Location: Charleston, SC Age: 24 Gender: Dude Posts: 77 09 DC LB SP 2009 Double Cab Automatic 4.0L Kenwood DDX712 with Nav and rear view cam, Viper 5901 Security System, Kobalt Slim Line Compact Truck Tool Box	Great idea. I need to look into that!

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Tacomake Junior Member Joined: May 2009, #17195 Gender: Male Posts: 13 07 Double Cab TRD - Speedway Blue 2007 Double Cab Automatic GATR Systems Tracking (www.gatrsystems.com) Access Limited Edition Toneau Electric Pop N Lock for Tailgate	Boost uses Nextel, so Nextel will work as well. I think they have software for Windows Mobile, Google Android (HTC G1), and possibly some others. Just learned a friend of mine is using his to keep track of his elderly mother, since she wanders off sometimes.

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seareef Member Name: Ron Joined: Oct 2009, #24189 Location: Lake Elsinore CA Gender: Male Posts: 90 Bitch Magnet 2007 Double Cab Automatic	great idea i will never buy another low jack again i have one on my taco and my Hog