Top 8 Anti-Theft Mods For 3rd Gen Tacoma

We have all heard the stories of someone coming out to their rig with the window smashed, tailgate missing, or a stolen catalytic converter. This is the unfortunate reality that many of us face.

Speaking from personal experience, when spending a lot of time on the road you often don’t exactly know how a place is until you are there. And if you absolutely need to stop you have to leave you fully loaded vehicle in the parking lot and it is completely obvious you are not from around there.

In this article, I am going to cover mods that I believe will deter a thief. Furthermore, providing you with an added peace of mind when you park your vehicle.

1. Catalytic Converter Shield

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• Cali Raised Catalytic Converter Shield: Check Price

With the prices of precious metals on the rise, catalytic converter theft is also growing. We have all heard the stories where someone has gone to bed and the next morning, started up their truck only to realize that someone has stolen their cats.

This mod can save you thousands of dollars in replacement parts, installation fees, and even fines if you live in an area with strict EPA regulations. This modification can be easily installed in less than an hour and will give you peace of mind, knowing that it won’t get stolen during date night.

2. Bed Vault

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• Pop & Lock Bed Vault: Check Price

The Pop & Lock Bed Vault is a straightforward replacement bed vault door designed to replace the OEM door on the passenger side of the bed. It features a three-digit combination dial lock made from 14-gauge steel. This modification takes less than a minute to install and is excellent for safeguarding your wallet, keys, phone, and other valuables from theft. It is particularly useful when you are at the lake or beach where you can’t necessarily carry these items into the water. Additionally, it is subtle enough to avoid drawing attention. They also have an XL version.

3. Gate Defender

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• Pop & Lock Tailgate Defender: Check Price

Tailgates are often popular targets for thieves due to their easy removability, pre-painted finish, lack of auto-locking features, and housing valuable components. The Pop & Lock Tailgate Defender features a clamp-like design that securely locks in place with a key and position holder. Priced at around $30, this is one of my favorite anti-theft modifications. Such an investment can prevent future headaches and potentially save hundreds of dollars.

4. Locking Gas Cap

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• MotoRad Fuel Cap: Check Price

Gas siphoning is a common occurrence, as well as fuel tampering, due to factors such as gas prices and vandalism. Installing locking gas caps can serve as a cheap insurance policy against these incidents. These caps are readily available at most auto parts stores and are easily accessible. Installation is straightforward – simply remove the OEM gas cap and replace it with the locking one.

5. Center Console Safe

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• Tuffy Console Security Safe: Check Price

Sometimes, locking the truck is just not enough. The center console is a thief’s go-to area in the event of a break-in. Often, there are a few valuables stored in this area that can be accessed quickly. Luckily for us, there are several center console safe options to help protect against this.

If you are like me, I store everything from my flashlight, jump box, knives, and change in this location. The center console safe is a must-have theft deterrent that only takes a few minutes to install.

6. Headrest Safe

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• Headrest Safe Co. Safe: Check Price

Available in a variety of colors and materials, the headrest safe offers an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach. With a safe cavity of a decent size, there is plenty of space to store small valuables. Furthermore, it locks into place on your seat so you are the only one who can remove it.

These headrest safes are also made to OEM standards. This product is sold for the passenger side, but there is a companion driver’s side option available.

7. Power Tailgate Lock

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• Pop & Lock Powered Tailgate Lock: Check Price
• R4T Tailgate Lock: Check Price

Like the other products, this one also protects the tailgate by turning your manual tailgate into a power-locking one. This modification plugs into your OEM wire harness and is installed inside the tailgate. As this mod is plug-and-play, it will work with your factory key fob. That means when you lock your truck, the tailgate locks too.

This modification should take around 45 minutes to a little over an hour to install. That being said, it is worth it for the extra security and added convenience of not needing to manually lock the bed.

8. Center Console Hidden Storage

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• YotaVerse Center Console Hidden Storage Box: Check Price

Similar to a center console safe, this product adds a hidden storage box and takes just minutes to install. The center console storage does not hold as much as the center console safe. However, thieves will often look inside the center console but skip over the lid, giving a chance for your items to be saved.

Final Thoughts

Being a hardworking person who values my possessions, I always seek ways to protect them. Unfortunately, there are individuals in this world who prefer to take what is not theirs. I firmly believe that these anti-theft modifications not only serve as deterrents but also act as a cost-effective insurance policy. They provide us with peace of mind, knowing that our valuables are safeguarded.

I have always believed in being prepared for various scenarios. I prefer to invest in these items upfront rather than regret not having them after an incident. If you have any additional suggestions to add to this list, please feel free to share them in the comments below.