Cheap Mod: Secure Locking Gas Cap

Like many, I was disappointed that Toyota did not provide a locking fuel door so... I went in search of a locking gas cap. Using the invaluable info that this board has provided I was able to find and purchase what I needed. Only one problem... I was used to hanging my old gas cap by the lanyard on the fuel door lock jaws so it didn't bang against the side of the truck. As they say...necessity is the mother of invention...hence the info below. I hope this helps someone else.

Requires:
STANT Locking Gas Cap: 10509, fits 2008 - no problems
Approx 18" of 30lb test monofilament fishing line
(2) Stainless Steel Swivels, Size 3
(5) Double Sleeves, 1.3mm,
Dremel Tool (or equivalent) with a 5/64" drill bit
Wire cutters to cut fishing line; pliers to crimp sleeves

1) Drill a hole straight through the locking gas cap handle - approx 3/4" back from the lock and a quarter inch below the top of the handle - handle is hollow
2) Cut off about 4" of fishing line. Feed line through the gas cap handle - slide on a dbl sleeve and swivel. Make a loop a tad smaller than a US quarter and crimp the sleeve. Trim off excess fishing line.
3) Repeat step 2 on fuel tank door where the old gas cap lanyard attached

The following steps require some experimentation with length to ensure the gas cap does not come in contact with the fuel door

4) Cut off about 12" of fishing line.
a) Slide on a dbl sleeve
b) Loop fishing line through the swivel on the gas cap, crimp sleeve and trim excess fishing line

5) Slide a dbl sleeve on the unattached end of the 12" piece of fishing line
a) Make a loop about the size of a US half dollar approx. 1-1/2" from the gas cap by feeding the fishing line the opposite direction through the dbl sleeve - DO NOT crimp, yet.
b) While gently holding pressure on the sleeve/fishing line, hang the loop around the fuel door lock jaws to determine approxamitely where the gas cap will hang. GOAL: Gas cap should hang just below the fuel door. See photo
c) Adjust the distance and size of the loop as necessary
d) Crimp the sleeve

6) Hang the gas cap on the fuel door lock jaws
a) Slide another dbl sleeve on the unattached end of the 12" piece of fishing line
b) Loop the line through the swivel attached to the fuel door
c) Tighten up the slack in the line between the gas cap loop and the fuel door loop
d) Crimp the sleeve and trim off excess line

Done!

In one of the attached photos you'll see the supplies I used. At the bottom you'll notice a piece of shrink tubing. I used it to cover the sleeves; if I ever have to do this again I'll probably use colored tape instead. It was a pain trying to shrink the tubing without melting the fishing line.

 

Great Idea, thats one of the things I thought our trucks were missing.

 

awesome mod!! definitely should be added to the cheap mods page!!

 

Great thing about this one...I had most of this stuff laying around the garage. Can't get much cheaper than that.

 

Thanks for the idea yota. I did a simpler one.

I just used leftover string for debadging. Drill a hole on the cap, then loose the screw and just loop the string around it and tighten it back.

 

Added to the TOC!

 

Have any of you guys used the cable that was on the original gas cap? thats what i did works fine for me.

 

Gas answer: .45 A.C.P.

 

Thats definately a great idea! Thanks!

 

Make your move.

 

How's that gas cap holding up? I had a similar looking one for my Dodge. I hated it. It was cheap and felt cheap. If I could find a good metal one - I'd spend the money on it for sure.

Nice write-up. I just hate those plastic locking gas caps.

 

Same question.

 

I have the same gas cap and yes, it is cheap. Kragen says thats the only one they have that will fit my Taco.

 

I am new to the forum and am catching up on some interesting post.

I just bought a locking gas cap for my 08 prerunner V6 SR5. NAPA part number 703-1647 works just fine; list for $26.30 and I bought wholesale for $13.88.

 

is he back from the dead?!

 

Does anyone know what's the Stant model # for the locking gas cap that fits the 2011 Tacoma? Thanks.

 

This is what I use for my 2010 :

Stant Regular Locking Fuel Cap, black

http://www.amazon.com/Stant-10504-Locking-Fuel-Cap/dp/B000B8JUAW/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Works fine and no problems

 

That and a locking tailgate...and a locking glove box.

 

Thanks.