TRD without smart key?

Hello, I'm looking at getting a Tacoma since my 2000 Silverado is on it's death bed and probably won't survive through winter. I really like the TRD OR since it has everything I'm looking for. Except for one fatal flaw, the smart key. I do not want a smart key or push button start, it's not a luxury but a liability.

I highly doubt Toyota will help me out with this to I thought I'd ask here. Has anyone modified their truck to start with a real physical key that you have to insert and turn? Would it be possible to take the ignition from a SR/SR5 and install it in a TRD?

This could be a make-or-break issue for me. I've wanted a Tacoma for well over a decade and really don't want to go back to GM, but at least the Colorado comes with a key.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

The Manual Trans comes with a standard key. If you want an Auto, unfortunately your only option is a SR or SR5 if you want a physical key. I wanted the Sport because of the smart key.

 

That's and easy one. MT all the way!

I didn't want PTS either for your reasons and more.

 

I think I saw a thread the other day that says it’s about a $1k to convert to a hard key.

How come you don’t want the smart key? I had it for 4 years in my 2014 Focus ST and now again with my OR. I’m just curious, not being a hater or anything

 

I would be curious to see how many people has had issues with the Toyota Smart Key. Its been around for years now on other Toyota and Lexus models.

 

Unfortunately, I have no interest in the manual trans.

I don't see myself gaining anything. I rarely go to the driver door first and will still need to use the remote to unlock the passenger door. I work on a farm and I worry I will lose the stupid fob or it will get wet or break. If the car battery is low isn't there a greater chance of the engine not turning over with a push button start? Finally, as dumb as it sounds I like the simple pleasure of turn over the engine to go home after a long day.

Edit: Also, in winter I like to warm my truck up early in the morning and having to get in and put your foot on the brake is dumb. Why can't I just open the passenger day and lean over to start the truck?

 

How often do you lose your keys now? You have the ability to remove the physical key from the fob. You could just carry that.
Also if the battery won't start by pushing a button to complete an electrical circuit, I can't see turning a key making any difference.

 

While it doesn't solve the other issues you list, integrating a remote start onto the keyless start system is apparently quite easy on these trucks. It's one small bonus, I suppose.

 

One reason I'm considering a 3rd gen is because of the smart key option. This may be consider more of a luxury option and not for trucks but it sure is nice. Pop the key in your pocket and keep on trucking.

 

I lost my keys two weeks ago for the first time in ~15 years. Lucky I had a spare in my wallet (yes I know it won't work for modern brick sized keys).

Am I able to start the truck with the key from the fob? If not, then what's the point of just carrying that?

That's actually a good idea. Do you know how much a remote start will cost?

 

You can leave the fob in the vehicle in a RFID bag and not have to worry about losing it or getting it wet.

 

Just get an sr5. Sounds like you're a working man, and that's a working man's truck. Its easy enough to add the things you want later, you might even save money

 

As much as you may WANT a Tacoma TRD OR I recommend the SR5 Double Cab Long bed with AT, with the nicer rims/tires for around $3-4K less for the price of a Tacoma TRD OR. Better yet, you can get a Tundra SR5 Access Cab 6.5 foot bed AT & the Tundra will give you a physical key and a shifter on the column for the equivalent cost of the TRD.

 

2018 Toyota Tundra 4WDSR5 Double Cab 6.5' Bed 5.7L

https://www.bochtoyotasouth.com/veh...-6-5-Bed-5-7L-Regular-Unleaded-V-8-5-7-L-346/

 

This might be the route for you. I went with an OR because it has the tires and suspension upgrades compared to the SR5 and I’m not going to upgrade them any further

 

If you're not worried about theft the fob is fairly convenient. I just leave it my truck 95% of the time. Pretty sure it's in there right now. Plus there's the keyless entry which is really nice since I've figured it out.

All you have to do is touch the inside of the drivers handle and it unlocks the truck. Touch three ribs on the top and it locks. It's been fairly handy at the hardware store with arms full of stuff to just touch the handle rather than dig my keys out.

Also I just jump in, punch the button and put my seatbelt on while the truck starts itself.

And yeah, there's a wireless start kit that starts yhe truck by hitting the lock button three times only costs like 30$

 

$30? I’ve only seen the $100 ones!

 

I will keep that in mind if I decide to go with the Tacoma. How much do extra fobs cost and can they give me like a handful of spare fob keys?

I've been going back and forth between the SR5 and OR. I really have no interests in upgrading beyond what the OR comes with.

That's the same reason I was leading more to the OR than the SR5.

To all those suggesting the Tundra. I'd take it any day over the Tacoma. However, I have to pass because of the horrific mileage, hell my 20 year old beater Silverado gets better mileage than a brand new Tundra.

 

You can add a smart handle to the passenger side, so don’t worry about only being able to open the driver’s side.
Like mentioned the remote start can be added
And if the fob battery dies you can still start the truck by pressing the start button with the fob instead of your fingers.

Won’t be long before no manufacturers offer traditional keys anymore.

 

Come on now lol, you know they wont. They can be found much cheaper online than from the dealer though. I have a lexus key card as my other fob as I lost a set of my original keys, so I get where you are coming from.