BajaNomad

Good car spare key locations

Skipjack Joe - 10-17-2018 at 09:31 PM

I have lost several spare keys in Baja due to washboard roads. The magnets don’t attach strongly enough to withstand the shaking.

Are there better alternatives than magnets. Are there spots on the car that prevent detachment.

WestyWanderer - 10-17-2018 at 09:46 PM

On my last two Tacoma’s I have always found a hole in the frame and zip tied a spare key up into the hole, hasn’t failed me yet. Usually use a zip tie through the key hole to the frame and then zip tie the other end of the key to the frame as well so it’s not dangling.

ehall - 10-18-2018 at 04:47 AM

Magnetic key box siliconed to top of fender well in jeep. Thousands of dirt miles and still there when I sold it.

Running shoe wallet

bajaguy - 10-18-2018 at 07:01 AM

I use these on all of my vehicles. Have never had one come loose or fall off. Can be found at sporting goods or running stores.

Attached to bumper supports or tucked up under the front/rear bumper. Could also be attached under the hood

https://www.gizmosocks.com/Gizmo_Shoe_Pocket_p/09-001.htm

bkbend - 10-18-2018 at 07:04 AM

Quote: Originally posted by WestyWanderer  
On my last two Tacoma’s I have always found a hole in the frame and zip tied a spare key up into the hole, hasn’t failed me yet. Usually use a zip tie through the key hole to the frame and then zip tie the other end of the key to the frame as well so it’s not dangling.


I do the same but with wire. I've has zip ties get brittle and break in other applications after a few years although they were under more stress and that could be a contributing factor. Zip ties on my wiring seem to last forever...

John Harper - 10-18-2018 at 07:39 AM

I had a "non-chip" door only key made. I figured if someone found it, all they could do was get inside the cab, not steal the truck. Stashed the real key somewhere inside where it likely could not be found (hopefully).

John

TedZark - 10-18-2018 at 08:19 AM

I use duct tape to tape the key to a bumper strut. Not easy to undo, but so far have only had to do that once. Simple. Cheap. Easy.

Skipjack Joe - 10-18-2018 at 12:03 PM

Thanks fellas. Lots of great ideas being offered here.

Now that I think about it some more I can think of 2 scenarios:

1) you’ve locked yourself out with the key still in the ignition
2) you’ve locked yourself out and lost the entire key ring

DanO - 10-18-2018 at 01:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe  
Thanks fellas. Lots of great ideas being offered here.

Now that I think about it some more I can think of 2 scenarios:

1) you’ve locked yourself out with the key still in the ignition
2) you’ve locked yourself out and lost the entire key ring


#2 happened to a good friend of mine who visiting us at La Bocana de Santo Tomas. He gave his 9-year old son his keys to hold while they were playing around in the sand dunes at the south end of the beach. Their brand new 4Runner was parked up on the bluff at the north end. Not surprisingly, the 9-year old lost the keys in the sand. Of course, the spare key was in the glove box inside the locked truck, and my buddy had to roll out to make an appointment stateside, so there was no possibility of waiting until we could get a locksmith out there. No amount of coat hangering could get a door open, so I provided my buddy with Plan B -- a ball peen hammer, a piece of cardboard and a roll of duct tape. He wasn't happy about doing the deed, but it had to be done. Now when he visits, he brings an extra set of keys and leaves them in my house.

AKgringo - 10-18-2018 at 02:01 PM

If I (or my dog) should happen to lock the door with my keys in the car, I have the option of unzipping my plastic window and reaching in to unlock the door!

caj13 - 10-18-2018 at 02:24 PM

I also just use wire to wire it to the frame, often in the bumper support tubes rr inside the front end of the receiver hitch. wire can be untwisted, while a zip tie if new, hard to break, or if old prone to breakage.

also, make sure you show your co-pilot where you hid the key, that way he can leave you stranded way out in the middle of no where!

[Edited on 10-18-2018 by caj13]

Bob and Susan - 10-18-2018 at 02:35 PM

cant you just call "on star" ?

JZ - 10-18-2018 at 02:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan  
cant you just call "on star" ?


I have On Star. Doesn't work at a certain point South. Tried it in Loreto and it was a no-go. Plus you need cell or internet access.

I put a key in a magnet box. Checked it a year later after about 3-4 big off road trips. Box stuck on, but it opened and the key fell out. Dammit.

freediverbrian - 10-18-2018 at 03:36 PM

If you have a trailer hitch receiver they make combo lock box for the receiver. Good only if you can remember the code.

Pacifico - 10-18-2018 at 09:02 PM

I used to put a key in a small Ziplock bag (To keep it clean) and then I would duct tape it on the inside of the bumper. It was difficult to see and lasted there for years. Now I have keyless entry...

Skipjack Joe - 10-19-2018 at 12:39 AM

Theoretically it shouldn’t be possible to lock yourself out in my Tacoma with the Ivey still in the ignition. With the key in whenever I press the lock switch the doors lock and unlock right back. And you can’t push the individual lock buttons, they don’t stay down. Yet I’ve called triple A twice this year to open a locked door. Somehow the lock engaged when I closed the door. To quote the King “Is a puzzlement”. That’s when I climbed under and felt for it .... pero no hay keys. They’re probably somewhere half way to Agua Verde.

thebajarunner - 10-19-2018 at 08:17 AM

Put key in ziplock sandwich bag and roll it tight
Handy location on my F150 is a thin L rail just in front of the license plate
Wire it tight
Then wrap it with duct tape

Last time I had to dig it out was in the Oracle Arena parking lot after a Warriors game
Guess I was in a hurry before the game

Takes two minutes to retrieve and it is clean and never going to leave you

And be very sure that all of your traveling compadres know when it is before you depart

chuckie - 10-19-2018 at 08:21 AM

Duct tape it to the back of the licence plate

thebajarunner - 10-19-2018 at 10:00 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chuckie  
Duct tape it to the back of the licence plate


Bad people steal license plates

I once lost a plate when I hit a dog that ran out in front of me

Frame rails don’t depart so easily

willardguy - 10-19-2018 at 10:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Quote: Originally posted by chuckie  
Duct tape it to the back of the licence plate


Bad people steal license plates

I once lost a plate when I hit a dog that ran out in front of me

Frame rails don’t depart so easily


good point...I just zip tie one to a ac line that runs between the radiator and the grill