Damn near free starter disable - MT only - tell me what you think

So, I did this to my '98 Taco before I traded her in and planning on getting it done on my new rig once I have time... Which should be in about 18 mos..... Let me know what y'all think before I go tearing into the Taco for this one.

BLUF: You remove the switch on the clutch pedal bracket and move the clutch cancel switch to a hidden location but leave everything looking stock.

1. Locate the button by your clutch pedal (tells the truck the clutch is depressed), remove it from the bracket and/or disconnect it from the wires using your method of choice. Secure wire or switch with zip ties somewhere under there.

2. Find a secret spot (in my '98 reg cab I put it in under the seat on the left side, opposite the reclining handle where I could reach when sitting but wasn't obvious) and mount a switch of your choice (I used a rocker on-off-momentary on iirc).

3. Remove the wires from the back of your clutch cancel switch and extend them, routing them under the kick panel, carpet, center console, etc. to where you mounted your switch.

4. Wire everything up, make sure it all works, and put truck back together.

What I liked about this set-up
- I could keep the switch "on" in case I needed to bring it to a dealer or valet or whatever
- I could do momentary on for trips and it would switch to off automatically.
- If you keep the clutch switch connected but zip-tied out of the way you can still start the truck that way in case of problems with the switch or wiring.
- Anyone who tried to start it and couldn't may decide to push the clutch cancel but since that switch is disconnected truck won't go anywhere.
- Easily reversible depending on your method of removing stock wires/switches.
- Could use stock a Taco switch (ie. ATRAC, rear locker, etc) placed in a stock location to make it COMPLETELY hidden - who would think you had to activate the locker or turn on the bed outlet to start the truck????

What I didn't like
- Got lazy and started leaving the switch on
- won't stop someone from breaking into the truck
- Going to install viper alarm/remote start taken off my Acura: should still work but the unknown factor is present.
- I didnt have it on my 1998 Taco so I'm not sure how it would have fared in the long term.

So, do the mod or skip it? Pro's/Con's anyone can think of? Anything that I haven't thought of? I did see the clutch switch but haven't taken the dash or anything apart to look at the wiring for the clutch cancel and stuff.

 

Sounds like a lot of work. With the chipped keys...Seems like it'd be a lot of work for limited gain.

 

Better than nothing, but I would want something that kills the fuel or spark. Easy enough to roll the truck out of a parking spot and roll start it. Plus, if you leave the starter working, the thief is making noise and you can go outside to meet him.

If you wanted to add a twist to it, you could wire it up so that turning the key to start would activate the horn and lock the horn on until you reset it with a hidden switch.

 

I opted for a switch in line with the fuel pump power. Works great.

I was seriously considering this though.

 

I had a similar trick with my old 91 VW GTI. They car had a lot of engine work into it and I was into street racing (dumb). My worry was that someone may want to steal the car. Whenever I left it parked for an extended period of time I would pull the fuel pump relay from the fuse panel under the dash. Took about 3 seconds and the relay fit in my pocket. Someone could easily break into and hotwire the car and it would start. But after about 100' the fuel in the lines would run out and the car would die.

 

Didn't think about this one...

Yeah. Brunes got me thinking about whether or not my 98 had chipped keys. 2011 has em so this mod is most likely not the best option. Just suffice to go with the viper and call it done.

 

I considered something more elaborate but just wanted something relatively quick and easy that I could do in the parking lot of my apt complex adn return to stock or bypass if something in the system went bad. I figured if they want it bad enough they'll show up with a full size and trailer it out.

 

If you have cruise control, removing the clutch switch will not allow the cruise control to shut down when you step on the clutch.

 

He has a 2011....

 

Would this make it easier or cheaper to have remote start?

 

I think there's two switches in there. One activates when the clutch is all the way down (starter), one activates before the clutch is all the way down (cruise). Too lazy to go look, maybe someone's got the time.

 

Mine won't even start with the switch off. It kinda tries to but then dies right away.

 

Someone posted earlier about the viper. Basically the little box is programmed as an auto or manual and can be changed back and forth between the 2 - no clutch involvement necessary.http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...manual-transmission-safety-viper-starter.html