1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Hide-a-key locations

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Veccster, Mar 2, 2009.

  1. Mar 2, 2009 at 9:21 AM
    #1
    Veccster

    Veccster [OP] bass turds

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2008
    Member:
    #8407
    Messages:
    2,181
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Pittsburgh - The City of Champions
    Vehicle:
    2020 Pro
    I don't have a need for the valet key, besides it being another spare, and would like to hide it somewhere on the truck.

    Anyone have a creative or unique hiding spot for an extra key?


    I am thinking about installing a keyless entry pad but am too paranoid that something will malfunction or the pad battery will die and I'll be locked out. I would like to know that I have a back-up, even if it's hard to get to. I just need to be sure its not falling off.
     
  2. Mar 2, 2009 at 9:23 AM
    #2
    Hotdog

    Hotdog My hair is all natural Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2007
    Member:
    #872
    Messages:
    10,245
    First Name:
    Hotdog
    Vehicle:
    2007 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab
    Wet Okole Underwear
    try locking your keys in the truck. It is very hard to do.

    I normally hide keys, but I didn't bother with the Tacoma, because I only lock the doors with the remote.
     
  3. Mar 2, 2009 at 9:30 AM
    #3
    Veccster

    Veccster [OP] bass turds

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2008
    Member:
    #8407
    Messages:
    2,181
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Pittsburgh - The City of Champions
    Vehicle:
    2020 Pro

    I agree. But, once I install a keyless entry pad, I will purposely be locking the keys in my truck. I hate having my keys when snowboarding or riding my dirt bike. I'll lock them in there and use the keyless pad to get in.

    In the rare instance that I lock them in there and the keyless entry doesn't work or has a dead battery, I'd like to have a hidden key to fall back on.

    Just for peace of mind, I guess :)
     
  4. Mar 2, 2009 at 9:39 AM
    #4
    Simon's Mom

    Simon's Mom Wag More Bark Less

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2007
    Member:
    #1297
    Messages:
    10,171
    Gender:
    Female
    First Name:
    Judy or Jude :)
    NEK Island Pond VT
    Vehicle:
    13 TRD OR DC MGM
    Stock for now
    My friend Jay idea was to take black hockey tape & taped a spare to the top of one of the storage bed boxes so it blends in for just the reason you said. Its super sticky even in the cold weather (what its made for I guess). We ride & have seen too many keys, cellphones, etc. fly out the trail. I worry about it too. Now you open the box & see nothing, but I know we have an extra key just in case (& all of the forum too :p)
     
  5. Mar 2, 2009 at 9:41 AM
    #5
    Hotdog

    Hotdog My hair is all natural Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2007
    Member:
    #872
    Messages:
    10,245
    First Name:
    Hotdog
    Vehicle:
    2007 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab
    Wet Okole Underwear
    here's an idea...how about an entry only key. Get a copy made that doesn't have a chip in it, that way if someone does find it, they won't be able to start the truck.
     
  6. Mar 2, 2009 at 9:43 AM
    #6
    TicTacOma

    TicTacOma UnderWater Monopoly Champion

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2007
    Member:
    #3840
    Messages:
    1,522
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anastatia Beaverhausen
    Columbia,SC
    Vehicle:
    I'm Thinking...Oh Yeah...An FJ
    It's all in my head at the moment...
    Got a hitch/receiver? http://www.hitchsafe.com/ The 2nd generation Tacomas need a longer pin but the maker provides them.

    This link explains it much better along with great photos. http://the-gadgeteer.com/2006/09/01/hitchsafe_key_vault/



    The video is funny to watch. I guess your dog has to be really, really good to unlock the doors when you ask it to do so.


    I hide my keys after I color them, this only happens once a year and then the neighbors kids usually find them before I do.
     
  7. Mar 2, 2009 at 9:46 AM
    #7
    higherlux

    higherlux Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2008
    Member:
    #11307
    Messages:
    6,927
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Blake
    middle of S.C.
    Vehicle:
    1998 tacoma 2.7l 4wd/1986 POS
    Mall crawler status
    on the inside of the frame rail up under the drivers seat
     
  8. Mar 2, 2009 at 9:48 AM
    #8
    MyToyTaco

    MyToyTaco ╒╪╕

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Member:
    #9417
    Messages:
    4,386
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    wenatchee, wa
    Vehicle:
    09 DCLB 4x4
    this thing is pretty cool..
     
  9. Mar 2, 2009 at 9:51 AM
    #9
    Hardcorehehaw

    Hardcorehehaw 1 man wolf pack

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2009
    Member:
    #13262
    Messages:
    478
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Evan
    Vehicle:
    09 Magnetic Gray PreRunner
    Debadged, 20" Liquid Metal Magmas, Yokohama Parada Spec x 285/50/20, Llumar clear bra, Fold-A-Cover G4, Weathertech liners, Wet Okole seat covers, JBS technologies keyless entry keypad.
    I'm sure you can find a spot on the frame rails to hide it. Since you won't be accessing it very often, just crawl out under your truck and find a good spot and duct tape the crap out of it.
    Also might be a good idea to get a entry only key like Isocoee said. You won't have to worry about theft when the keys aren't locked in or water/moisture getting inside the valet key and messing up the chip.

    IMO the hitch safe isn't necessary if you're getting a keypad.
     
  10. Mar 2, 2009 at 11:09 AM
    #10
    Veccster

    Veccster [OP] bass turds

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2008
    Member:
    #8407
    Messages:
    2,181
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Pittsburgh - The City of Champions
    Vehicle:
    2020 Pro
    That is a great idea. I like putting it in the bed because, if the tape fails, the key is not going far. Plus, it's easy to make sure its still there. If I put it up under a frame rail and it falls out, I'll never know it unless I check or lock myself out.

    I do like this idea and will look into the cost for an entry-only key.

    That is a very cool idea. But I wouldn't be able to use my Steeler hitch cover :D. Plus, I may eventually have a trailer for my bikes and will need the hitch for its intended purpose.
     
  11. Mar 2, 2009 at 11:15 AM
    #11
    T@co_Pr3runn3r

    T@co_Pr3runn3r XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2009
    Member:
    #12767
    Messages:
    14,566
    Gender:
    Male
    <----------------->
    Vehicle:
    08 RC Prerunner SR5
    The best ones aren't disclosed on a forum.;)
     
  12. Mar 2, 2009 at 11:25 AM
    #12
    Hardcorehehaw

    Hardcorehehaw 1 man wolf pack

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2009
    Member:
    #13262
    Messages:
    478
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Evan
    Vehicle:
    09 Magnetic Gray PreRunner
    Debadged, 20" Liquid Metal Magmas, Yokohama Parada Spec x 285/50/20, Llumar clear bra, Fold-A-Cover G4, Weathertech liners, Wet Okole seat covers, JBS technologies keyless entry keypad.
    If you put it on top of a frame rail and properly secure it with a zip tie, it's not gonna go anywhere. Personally, I think a spare key would be easy to spot in the bed and wouldn't want to take that chance.
     
  13. Mar 2, 2009 at 12:08 PM
    #13
    JTech

    JTech Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2009
    Member:
    #13951
    Messages:
    120
    Gender:
    Male
    Phoenix, Arizona
    Vehicle:
    Silver 09 Double Cab 4x4 Sr5 Off-Road
    Locking Bed Boxes, built in air compressor, Husky Liners(not really a mod but I love them)
    ^ x2

    I ziptied an entry only key on the frame. works great, can't see it and it won't go anywhere
     
  14. Mar 2, 2009 at 12:12 PM
    #14
    Hotdog

    Hotdog My hair is all natural Moderator

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2007
    Member:
    #872
    Messages:
    10,245
    First Name:
    Hotdog
    Vehicle:
    2007 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab
    Wet Okole Underwear
    An entry only key should just be a hardware store copy of your existing key (~$5)
     
  15. Mar 2, 2009 at 12:50 PM
    #15
    Veccster

    Veccster [OP] bass turds

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2008
    Member:
    #8407
    Messages:
    2,181
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Pittsburgh - The City of Champions
    Vehicle:
    2020 Pro
    Guess I didn't think about zip tying it somewhere. I was thinking about tape and figured that wouldn't stay on very long. I don't trust those magnets either.

    I don't really understand how these chipped keys work and figured they couldn't reproduce them at a hardware store. I take it you are saying they can make an "entry-only" key that does not start the engine becuase it does not have the chip in it.

    Makes sense.
     
  16. Mar 2, 2009 at 12:52 PM
    #16
    TicTacOma

    TicTacOma UnderWater Monopoly Champion

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2007
    Member:
    #3840
    Messages:
    1,522
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Anastatia Beaverhausen
    Columbia,SC
    Vehicle:
    I'm Thinking...Oh Yeah...An FJ
    It's all in my head at the moment...
    Lowe's did mine with the understanding that it is NOT a chip key. Cheap nickels.
     
  17. Mar 2, 2009 at 1:37 PM
    #17
    Simon's Mom

    Simon's Mom Wag More Bark Less

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2007
    Member:
    #1297
    Messages:
    10,171
    Gender:
    Female
    First Name:
    Judy or Jude :)
    NEK Island Pond VT
    Vehicle:
    13 TRD OR DC MGM
    Stock for now
    My key cannot be seen for its inside the storage box taped to the top with black tape. I guess the thief could open the tailgate, reach under the tonneau & open the box & feel around in there. 2 yrs it hasn't fallen off the top.

    The zip tie is a good idea too :thumbsup:
    How do you keep it from being exposed to the salt & such?
    I'll probably do this next, thanks
     
  18. Mar 2, 2009 at 2:03 PM
    #18
    Munkey

    Munkey Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2007
    Member:
    #1806
    Messages:
    78
    Paducah, KY
    Vehicle:
    2008 Radiant Red 4X4 Double Cab Sport
    OEM Tube Steps, Bed Extender, Pioneer Avic D3 with Bluetooth and XM Radio modules
    So, how close does a chipped key need to be to the ignition switch/dash for the truck to start with a none chipped/entry only key?

    My point being. If you hide/lock the key in the truck so you don't have to carry it with you, and someone finds the entry only key that you have hidden. Will they be able to use the none chipped entry only key to drive away even if they don't find the chipped key?
     
  19. Mar 2, 2009 at 2:30 PM
    #19
    Hardcorehehaw

    Hardcorehehaw 1 man wolf pack

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2009
    Member:
    #13262
    Messages:
    478
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Evan
    Vehicle:
    09 Magnetic Gray PreRunner
    Debadged, 20" Liquid Metal Magmas, Yokohama Parada Spec x 285/50/20, Llumar clear bra, Fold-A-Cover G4, Weathertech liners, Wet Okole seat covers, JBS technologies keyless entry keypad.
    Live in Florida where the roads don't get salted :)
    If you're just using a cheap non-chipped key it doesn't really matter what it's exposed to.

    I'm unable to store a key anywhere in the bed because I have a locking tonneau cover (on the way).
     
  20. Mar 2, 2009 at 2:55 PM
    #20
    JTech

    JTech Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2009
    Member:
    #13951
    Messages:
    120
    Gender:
    Male
    Phoenix, Arizona
    Vehicle:
    Silver 09 Double Cab 4x4 Sr5 Off-Road
    Locking Bed Boxes, built in air compressor, Husky Liners(not really a mod but I love them)
    Yeah I live in Arizona...We don't really do the whole salt thing! :woot:
     

Products Discussed in

To Top