Skipjack Joe
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Good car spare key locations
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.
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WestyWanderer
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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.
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ehall
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Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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Magnetic key box siliconed to top of fender well in jeep. Thousands of dirt miles and still there when I sold it.
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bajaguy
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Running shoe wallet
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
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bkbend
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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...
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John Harper
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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
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TedZark
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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.
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Skipjack Joe
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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
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DanO
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| 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.
\"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.\" -- Frank Zappa
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AKgringo
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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!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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caj13
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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]
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Bob and Susan
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cant you just call "on star" ?
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JZ
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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.
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freediverbrian
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If you have a trailer hitch receiver they make combo lock box for the receiver. Good only if you can remember the code.
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Pacifico
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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...
"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
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Skipjack Joe
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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.
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thebajarunner
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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
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chuckie
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Duct tape it to the back of the licence plate
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thebajarunner
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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
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willardguy
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| Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner |
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
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