Wisconsin Tacomas and bad financial advice

Update on operation: garage shop - let there be light!



5,000K temperature and one more will go over the work bench area. Stoked to see things coming together.

 

Well, in my case, I would be accessing it more frequently with a 5 wheel rotation. I'd also be sure to get a cable lock that had decent "weatherproof" protection like a rubber boot on the lock.

I'm not sure how you would use bolt cutters to cut the hanger chain. With the wheel up all the way I don't think there's any way to get in there to cut the chain. I'm more concerned about someone lowering the tire with either the jack handle tool or something improvised and just running with it. Sure, they may still have bolt cutters to cut a cable lock, but I would think it wouldn't be as likely, and it they saw a lock they would be more likely to move on.

 

I guess I assume if someone wants tires, they’ll jack it up and take the 4 nice ones as most spares are shitty anyway.

smash and grabs of stuff inside the cab or cats seems way more valuable than spares

 

That made me throw up a little in my mouth!

 

I went through the same exercise when I bought my first set of new wheels and tires. I didn't like the cable lock idea for reasons already mentioned that you could inadvertently cause yourself to be stranded if the lock froze or if you lost the key. I tried using an OEM Toyota "lock" device (see more here) but ultimately it fell off and was a waste of funds. Now I just leave it unlocked and nobody has taken it. As they say "your mileage may vary."

+1 for this. Usually thieves are going off opportunity. Can't run fast while carrying a big wheel/tire combo, and selling it ain't easy. Stealing 1 iPhone/iPad/laptop, 1 catalytic converter, 1 stereo are easier to run away with and sell for more $$$ at the pawn shop.

Looking good! I'm jelly, my lighting sucks ass and I always forget how bad it is until I start working in it. Having good light is a bigly underrated shop improvement.

 

Well, can't argue with that, but the point of my post was that I have a nearly $600 spare back there that anyone with the right shaped stick could lower and run off with. I have spline drive lug nuts on the other 4. Not theft proof, but a theft deterrent.

 

People have tires mounted on swingouts and rarely do I hear of those getting stolen. If it were me I'd take one of those before crawling under a truck. Hell I just have my spare in the bed held with ratchet strap.


In no way am I trying to talk you out of securing your stuff, but I feel effort is better spent elsewhere.

 

Speaking of a cute theft deterrent, I recently did my first tire rotation on my wife's VW Tiguan that we bought off of her lease. I looked at the lug nuts and said WTF? Yeah, fake covers. They provide a little removal hook with the tools near the spare in back.

 

Yeah, I suppose you're right, but sometimes I have to park in some pretty shady neighborhoods and I get paranoid about these things. I remember when I had my F150 I heard about people stealing tailgates and I started locking mine all the time. I never kept anything in the bed. I was actually concerned about the tailgate being stolen. It was a PITA and when I started hating the truck I kinda wanted somebody to steal the whole thing.

 

There should be a bar about 6in long in there that screws into the lug hole to line up the tyre when remounting.

 

Well that's interesting... I didn't check to see if the lug nuts were threaded in that outer hole. I'll have to check next time. Those silly Germans come up with some clever ideas, but I could do without the random triple-squares and 14 different kinds of hose clamps!

Edit: Wait, that was dumb of me... of course the lug nut is not what's threaded. I'll look for that bar next time.

 

Oh...and...Middleton. Need I say more?

 

Her vw has lug bolts correct?

 

I don't recall, but I know my old Audi has lug bolts. Remounting those wheels is a pain, so I'm wondering if that bar is in the tool kit for it. Now you're gonna make me go out there and check, dammit!

 

Looking good Pat! Garage is next on my list to organize. Actually got the go ahead from the CFO to purchase a new tool box to help organize.

With that @wi_taco how's that new US General box working out? Looking at the same one and also the matching hutch.

 

Sorry/not sorry!

 

Well, whatdayaknow... there is a threaded bar back there! Also, I found a small pool of water in the basin where the donut spare is. Quite glad I found that and soaked it up as I was planning to put the winter cover on it this week. Zero rust there now, but I'll need to find out where that water got in. Likely the old seal on the tailgate. Thanks for making me check!

 

Love the new Series 3 toolbox. Hard to beat if you can get it on sale with a 25% off coupon. Do it.

I want to pick up a side locker for each side but the new ones are $400 each which is a 200% increase from the past series. So far, spending money on taco parts has won out.

 

35's for the win. Too damn big to carry off.

 

Your welcome