(FOUND!)Aurora/Denver, Colorado Stolen 1996 Tacoma light blue

With proof of ownership your local dealer can cut you a key from the key number Toyota has on file. About ten bucks, as I recall.

(I like those keys ‘cause they’re cut to number rather than copied from another. Sorta like an original print versus a xerox copy.)

 

I'm sure a locksmith can tell you what to do. They probably have seen this type of situation before and know what to do besides having a new key made at the dealer just to remove the old cylinder

locksmiths have a few tricks up their sleeves

 

Lock Picking Lawyer: "Little click on one, two is binding, three is loose, nice click on the four and slight move on the core..."

 

the thief maybe has the original key or so i thought?

 

yes, this is the case, but since the thief has kept the keys, OP wants to replace the ignition cylinder. But in order to be able to remove it, he must have the key, which he doesn't

He could go to the dealer and have a new key made from scratch, but I'm sure a locksmith can tell him of a way to remove the cylinder without the key and spare him a trip to the dealer and some $$

 

Thanks everyone, I’ll call a locksmith tomorrow and if I’m sol there I’ll head to the Toyota dealer. I’m hoping they can do it because the current ignition already isnt the original, but I did buy it from the dealer so I’m sure they will be able to help me out if a lock smith can’t.

I spent all day trying to get it out without Messing it up and I’ll tell you what, Toyotas anti theft is pretty legit, idk how hard they are to hot wire but damn.

Also I got a kill switch installed in the 85 4rnr, I think I picked a pretty good spot. It pretty cool when it’s setup, and it just won’t start.

 

That’s trickier. The dealer might have a record of what key number is associated with the replacement ignition lock, but I doubt it. I’m sure a locksmith can take care of it about the same way the dealer would have to.

BTW, how could you sleep knowing you had only one key to a vehicle? I have three keys for every vehicle (at least) and all their key numbers filed separately. I don’t lose keys (knock wood) but I probably over-plan for that eventuality.

 

Well, I had two until the recent move, but I can’t find my spare now. It’s probably hiding in a box, i’m sure the day I get my ignition replaced I’ll come across that spare.. I should have more, 3 like you say, just never got around to it like I had planned on. I’m kicking myself for that right now. Would have taken 3 minutes to change it.

 

I always take 2 keys with me. One to use in the car and one in my pocket in case I lock the first one in. I keep the extra car keys on a ring with the house key in my pocket and have a single car key to use on a separate key ring.

 

You don't have a house key with your truck key that was stolen do you?

 

No, the house keys are separate fro me my other keys that got stolen.

 

Well I’ve got a new ignition and my truck back on the road.

Unfortunately, seems like the thief really didn’t know how to drive a stick. I probably replaced my clutch less than 10,000 miles ago, and my clutch is now slipping if i give her too much throttle to quick after being stolen. Feels like they put 40,000 miles worth of wear on my clutch in 1.5 miles of driving.

 

Turns out not so much on driving the stick. I think they put 40,000 miles of wear on my clutch in 1.5 miles

Which is frustrating, I’m a “millennial” and I’ve Only ever driven a stick, not like it’s rocket science

 

So you did get the truck back? That’s great!

 

Yes I did!!! I found it driving around.
I edited my OP with the finding story

 

I'm sorry to hear that your truck was stolen, but am glad to hear that you were able to locate & recover the truck yourself. Did the police ever come out to inspect & do any forensics like dust for fingerprints or did you just take the truck back home?

 

Why do all of that? Why not get this and a regular car alarm?: https://www.ravelco.com/
Far better than having to do all of those tricks and the Ravelco is a proven anti-theft device.

 

I just picture my tachometer sword fighting while he just br

I called the cops when I found it, waited for them while I watched my truck. The officer pretty much just filed the report so it was no longer in the books as stolen. And he did wait there with my truck while I went to look for my spare, to no avail. That was appreciated.

I heard dispatch or whoever ask if it was still intact and he said yes it and that it has been abandoned.

No kind of forensics. There is anywhere from 5 to 20 cars stolen per day in the police district I’m in. Most are recovered. I think if it had been found chopped up, they may have done something like that, or at least I would have insisted on it.

 

I’ve begun the first layers already hahaha

 

Probably will look into an alarm. I like the battery disconnect because I am regularly backpacking and disconnect different things while I’m gone to prevent theft, that would just make that part much easier. Alarm won’t do much if there’s no one around and I’m 10 miles up a trail. But, for in front of my house, yes. Layers.