Where to hide a key on the outside of the truck?

[kingmetal]

Strongly considering getting something like this: http://www.selectlocks.com/9013245 and mounting it on the truck somewhere. No real shortage of places, but where would you put it on a [2004] Ranger?

Reason: not only could it save my butt if I ever lock my keys in the truck at the local supermarket, more importantly this truck is going to do a lot of camping and I sure don't want to be in a situation where my keys get lost or locked in the truck when I'm in the middle of NOWHERE.

Plus, if I fall off a cliff with my keys in my pocket, if I've got a traveling companion they could potentially drive the truck to the local bar to mourn my death or whatever

Thoughts in general on this topic? Seems like these boxes would be hard enough to compromise even if you knew it was there.

 

[97RangerXLT]

I have seen locking gas caps that have a key compartment in them that you can open with a combination. With a 2004 you want it to be weather tight as those keys have a transponder in them.

Or keep an ignition key in the glovebox and a door lock only key in a magnetic box on the inside of the frame somewhere.

AJ

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[Doofy]

I used black heat-shrink and totally shrunk the key in. I then wire tied it to the top of rear leaf spring. Totally sealed and totally hidden.

 

[sblake01]

I have seen locking gas caps that have a key compartment in them that you can open with a combination. With a 2004 you want it to be weather tight as those keys have a transponder in them.

Or keep an ignition key in the glovebox and a door lock only key in a magnetic box on the inside of the frame somewhere.

AJ

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Isn't the assumption that the key with the transponder would be locked in the truck? If that's the case, you wouldn't need another one in the glovebox nor would you need to worry about the box being weather tight.

 

[don4331]

That lock box says: "Something important stored here; reach in and grab me" Then take me someplace quiet; hit with BFH and remove what is inside....

I prefer a more subtle solution ala Doofy's. Even if you know where to look, it is well camouflaged.

 

[drsvox]

The second time I locked myself out I from then on forced myself to do a 5 second check before getting out of the truck: lights , keys, etc...

It takes only 21 days to make or break a habit.

When you're camping, give the spare to your traveling companion.

 

[adsm08]

Put it on top of the spare. Won't fall out.

 

[jackssurvival]

I always keep a spare in my wallet and i give my wife a spare no worries about her driving it she cant drive a stick and i prefer it that way she can have her durango

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[adsm08]

Oh, a MOPAR with an auto.

 

[Dune Runner]

Wrap the keys in a heavy duty freezer zip lock bag. Duct tape them to the fuel filler neck. Wrap the tape completely over them. They will be there when you need them. And for someone just looking at it they will think that you just patched a leaking filler hose.

Or you could just be more careful with your keys. I put a spare door key on my Wife's key ring. She doesn't drive.

 

[alexpmcmurphy]

i got one of these http://www.hitchsafe.com/ and keep my key (in a ziploc bag) and a couple of buck in case of emergencies. with the cap on it just looks like any other hitch cover.

 

[jackssurvival]

Oh, a MOPAR with an auto.

Its all i could find affordable to seat the whole family

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[Mark_88]

All good ideas...I never thought of most of them...I had mine hidden on my dash in one of those magnetic key holders for years and...that never made it to the inside frame rail as planned...

For some reason nobody bothered to check that out...I even left the doors unlocked and often left the windows open...

Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but nobody seems to want to even try to steal my truck...

 

[don4331]

Hiding in spare tire would be great idea; if I didn't have to lock the spare tire as it is the most likely item to be ripped off.

 

[oldcrowalki]

My truck bed came with the plastic bed-liner and I added a camper shell that I never lock but have keys for. Plastic liner at front of bed almost obscures the big eyelet tie offs --and that's where I found a thin wire tied to the eyelet with a door key (not transponder) attached--left by the original owner. Made sure it worked and it's still there.