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

At a loss

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Tacos&Racefuel, Jul 6, 2025 at 4:15 PM.

  1. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:15 PM
    #1
    Tacos&Racefuel

    Tacos&Racefuel [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Saturday
    Member:
    #473796
    Messages:
    10
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tacoma TRD SR5
    2JZGTE VVTI (in progress) 2 inch lift (for now) 31s 2011 front end (not installed yet) Skid plate Rock sliders Headache bar (not installed)
    So here's the back story on my taco. I acquired it when I bought my house last month because it was left on the property to rot when the previous owner moved out. I couldn't let a 2000 yoda with 38000 original miles just go to waste so my wife and I decided to start fixing it up to overland and camping trips. Well we have searched all over the property and we cannot find the keys to the truck and it is in Park. Obviously I need to get an ignition cylinder but I need a way to get the truck into neutral so I can move it to work on it. Any ideas?

    PXL_20250705_151625482.jpg
     
  2. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:20 PM
    #2
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2010
    Member:
    #42625
    Messages:
    21,115
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Deogee
    Vehicle:
    07' TRD Off-Road, Auto
    STOCK
    Unbolt the shift linkage (cable) from the side of the transmission and shift it there on the side of the transmission.
    Just be sure to block the wheels. That way the truck doesn't roll over you (if it's on a hill).
     
    ControlCar likes this.
  3. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:21 PM
    #3
    MGMDesertTaco

    MGMDesertTaco Come on, live a little...

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2021
    Member:
    #354573
    Messages:
    10,392
    Gender:
    Male
    locksmith. you sure it isn't stolen?
     
  4. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:23 PM
    #4
    Tacos&Racefuel

    Tacos&Racefuel [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Saturday
    Member:
    #473796
    Messages:
    10
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tacoma TRD SR5
    2JZGTE VVTI (in progress) 2 inch lift (for now) 31s 2011 front end (not installed yet) Skid plate Rock sliders Headache bar (not installed)
    Positive. All the paperwork when they bought it is here but the keys are MIA
     
  5. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
    #5
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2023
    Member:
    #429578
    Messages:
    3,376
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Sugar Land TX
    Vehicle:
    1996 Taco 2.4L 2wd Automatic
    Clock Volt meter/LSPV Delete/Hyundai 16’s/FP gauge/after 9months of wrenching ZERO oil leaks
    No shit!

    2 viable options imo
    -call locksmith
    -remove lock cylinder and “Hotwire” until you get to a place to wrench on
     
  6. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
    #6
    Empty_Lord

    Empty_Lord Toyotaholic

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2016
    Member:
    #181186
    Messages:
    28,297
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    66 Mercedes, 93 mr2, 95,98,01,02 Tacomas, 05 Tundra + others
    Too many trucks and mods to list.. check builds
    locksmith is the easiest answer
     
  7. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:28 PM
    #7
    Tacos&Racefuel

    Tacos&Racefuel [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Saturday
    Member:
    #473796
    Messages:
    10
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tacoma TRD SR5
    2JZGTE VVTI (in progress) 2 inch lift (for now) 31s 2011 front end (not installed yet) Skid plate Rock sliders Headache bar (not installed)
    Well I need to get a set of keys for it so I'll order the ignition but with it being a 2000 would I have to get a key programmed?
     
  8. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:29 PM
    #8
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2023
    Member:
    #429578
    Messages:
    3,376
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steven
    Sugar Land TX
    Vehicle:
    1996 Taco 2.4L 2wd Automatic
    Clock Volt meter/LSPV Delete/Hyundai 16’s/FP gauge/after 9months of wrenching ZERO oil leaks
    Besides what TN stated

    there is a “clip/cover” on the top of the upper steering column shroud.
    Take small cover out with flat head
    Then stick the same flat head in the hole to defeat the “no shifting without a key”
    U can manually move the tranny into N
    (Wrecker drivers use this all the time)
     
  9. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:31 PM
    #9
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2014
    Member:
    #140097
    Messages:
    24,655
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Billy
    Largo Florida
    Vehicle:
    '13 5 lug AC w/convenience package
    A few OE parts from fancy trucks
    Just get a locksmith on site. Buy the guy a nice lunch.
     
    MGMDesertTaco likes this.
  10. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:31 PM
    #10
    MGMDesertTaco

    MGMDesertTaco Come on, live a little...

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2021
    Member:
    #354573
    Messages:
    10,392
    Gender:
    Male
    I don't think the key needs to be programmed. A locksmith could solve your problem in less than 30 minutes.
     
  11. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:37 PM
    #11
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2010
    Member:
    #42625
    Messages:
    21,115
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Deogee
    Vehicle:
    07' TRD Off-Road, Auto
    STOCK
    1st gens don't have programmed keys.
    Depending on the locksmith, you will likely need the title or the registration in your name.

    Cash on the down low can work. But we shouldn't talk about that either......:cool:
     
    TACOTU3 likes this.
  12. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:38 PM
    #12
    Steves104x4

    Steves104x4 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2010
    Member:
    #35468
    Messages:
    17,214
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Buffalo NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 RC 2.7 4x4
    BUCKLE UP! It makes it harder for Aliens to pull you out of your Truck.
    They duct taped a key to the leaf springs. Maybe.
     
  13. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:41 PM
    #13
    545

    545 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2019
    Member:
    #287482
    Messages:
    1,270
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Vehicle:
    2015 Access Cab
    Well you will still need to get a title in your name if you want to put it on the street
    So follow your states procedure to do so and then when you have the title, go down to the Toyota dealership and have them cut a key by vin
     
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2025 at 4:50 PM
  14. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:43 PM
    #14
    Dalandser

    Dalandser ¡Me Gustan Las Tacos-mas!

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2015
    Member:
    #149090
    Messages:
    17,620
    First Name:
    Anthony
    Downey
    Vehicle:
    08 PreRunner Regular Cab / 98 4x4 Extra Cab
    Empty Wallet Mod
    There’s a switch at the front of the shifter panel that allows the shifter to go into park on my wife’s 4runner. They have the same trans as Tacomas.

    Comment on this video said he drilled out the pin that locks it when he didn’t have a key / key wouldn’t turn the cylinder.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c1WCjxc6lJA
     
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2025 at 4:49 PM
  15. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:43 PM
    #15
    Tacos&Racefuel

    Tacos&Racefuel [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Saturday
    Member:
    #473796
    Messages:
    10
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tacoma TRD SR5
    2JZGTE VVTI (in progress) 2 inch lift (for now) 31s 2011 front end (not installed yet) Skid plate Rock sliders Headache bar (not installed)
    Well the elderly woman that owned the truck ended up in the nursing home and couldn't afford to pay the mortgage on the house so the state (ky) took over on the house and I bought it from the state.
     
  16. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:44 PM
    #16
    Tacos&Racefuel

    Tacos&Racefuel [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Saturday
    Member:
    #473796
    Messages:
    10
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tacoma TRD SR5
    2JZGTE VVTI (in progress) 2 inch lift (for now) 31s 2011 front end (not installed yet) Skid plate Rock sliders Headache bar (not installed)
    I have filed for a list title...I just have to figure out what I need to do because it's not tied up in probate
     
  17. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:46 PM
    #17
    Pbfender15

    Pbfender15 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2024
    Member:
    #441181
    Messages:
    376
    Vehicle:
    multiple 1st gens
    How’s the frame?
    How are the rodents?
    awesome low mileage.
     
  18. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:47 PM
    #18
    Tacos&Racefuel

    Tacos&Racefuel [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Saturday
    Member:
    #473796
    Messages:
    10
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Vehicle:
    2000 Tacoma TRD SR5
    2JZGTE VVTI (in progress) 2 inch lift (for now) 31s 2011 front end (not installed yet) Skid plate Rock sliders Headache bar (not installed)
    No rodents and the interior just needs deep cleaned where it's sat for a bit....no rust at all
     
  19. Jul 6, 2025 at 4:52 PM
    #19
    545

    545 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2019
    Member:
    #287482
    Messages:
    1,270
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Vehicle:
    2015 Access Cab
    I don’t think you want to file for a lost title
    The title will come in someone else’s name
    You need to file for a new title for an abandoned vehicle
     
  20. Jul 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
    #20
    Pbfender15

    Pbfender15 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2024
    Member:
    #441181
    Messages:
    376
    Vehicle:
    multiple 1st gens

Products Discussed in

To Top