number 1 car starter only for 07 Toyo FJ
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Security and Convenience
Forum Discription: Car Alarms, Keyless Entries, Remote Starters, Immobilizer Bypasses, Sensors, Door Locks, Window Modules, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=84641
Printed Date: June 01, 2024 at 5:52 PM
Topic: number 1 car starter only for 07 Toyo FJ
Posted By: fjcruzr
Subject: number 1 car starter only for 07 Toyo FJ
Date Posted: October 25, 2006 at 7:37 PM
I plan on keeping this FJ Cruiser for life and (ab)using it just as hard as the original FJ models around since '58. Is there one manufacturer and model out there head and shoulders above the rest in both electronic quality and obviously holding up to the elements in off-road applications? We've already have some kind of "V.I.P" alarm factory installed and simply need a good cold weather starter with really no other bells or whistles (unless there is something additional that you guys/gals suggest). Not really concerned as much with cost as I am with quality; as having this system fail out in the bush is not an option. You folks have built a great forum here and it shows; thank you very much for your opinions in advance. John
Replies:
Posted By: Mike M2
Date Posted: October 25, 2006 at 7:44 PM
Man, that's like asking whether blondes or redheads have more fun....
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Mike M2
Tech Manager
CS Dealer Services
Posted By: fjcruzr
Date Posted: October 25, 2006 at 8:19 PM
I'm guessing redheads; as every one of them sure drove me half-crazy as a rule. I suppose I could rephrase the above to something like: "if money were no object and you didn't need anything but a car starter...." (thanks again)
Posted By: fjcruzr
Date Posted: October 26, 2006 at 2:31 AM
....then again, maybe I am not understanding the install business properly. Do you guys mainly operate around the pride involved in your troublehooting and install skills as opposed to what is a quality product in the first place or what works good enough to at least get past any warranty obligation? Again, maybe these starters are more of a 'commodity item' than I first realized; where price is the only consideration and a good technician the only differentation.
Posted By: Mike M2
Date Posted: October 26, 2006 at 6:24 AM
In honesty, most guys will tell you the majority of problems stem from the installation rather than the product. There are lots of them on the market and most work fine. Any good name brand unit should give you years of service....
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Mike M2
Tech Manager
CS Dealer Services
Posted By: SoundAudio
Date Posted: October 26, 2006 at 8:47 AM
Compustar makes a stand-alone remote start unit now. I have been very pleased with their products. I would it is the install that will make the unit last. The model is CM-1000-S. The range is only 800 feet so that is a little bit of a set back, but any of their other remote starts will give you more range. They will be a little more expensive, but since money is not an option go for it. Here is the link to their site: https://www.compustar.com/remote_start.htm. ------------- Good Luck!
-Thad
Posted By: kgerry
Date Posted: October 26, 2006 at 1:11 PM
it's always going to be personal preference.... i prefer the DEI products.. Viper, Clifford, etc etc.... another guy may tell you to look at Astro (now a DEI product) or Compustar..... you will have to do a little research to chose for yourself, but i would definately look at any of the brands listed above.... you'll probably want to remove that "VIP" alarm and put in one unit that will do everything......to eliminate potential conflicts between different products... Clifford G5 series would be my choice, or any of the new SST units.....but you'll obviously have to make your own.... ------------- Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer
Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: October 26, 2006 at 1:22 PM
I've always had exceptional quality from the Compustar line up wether it's the full alarm/remote starter or the entry level remote starter system. In the end though it doesn't matter if you have the Mercedes of remote starter's, if the installation is poop, so is the unit you installed.
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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: techfiftyfive
Date Posted: October 26, 2006 at 2:15 PM
If cost really is no issue, I'd get the V.I.P. remote starter system. I work at a Toyota dealership, and Im not too sure if the cruiser's come with V.I.P remote starters, but Im sure the new Camry, Prius, and Avalon all do, perhaps the new Solara but I'll look into it later
Posted By: fjcruzr
Date Posted: October 26, 2006 at 6:40 PM
You people are great and we really do thank you. If this isn't a classic example of what makes our country great; then I'm not sure what the word community is all about. Priceless and appreciated, John
Posted By: JWorm
Date Posted: October 27, 2006 at 12:42 AM
I also agree with the above people that said to remove the VIP unit and install a unit that does both.
DEI makes very reliable units if you get one of the 1-way systems. Their older 2-way system remotes can be a little fragile. Their SST systems just came out so we can't really evaluate their long term durabilty.
Compustar also makes very good units. Their 2-way remotes are a lot more durable than DEI's.
Lots of companies make good units. I have installed a lot of different brands over the years, and the above are the best of what I have used.
Posted By: kgerry
Date Posted: October 27, 2006 at 9:27 AM
John, this forum is what makes our group of contributors great, not just yourcountry.... keep in mind many of the contributors here are from Canada (like myself), the UK, etc. etc this forum in my eyes is a guys bunch of guys and gals with an unsurpassed industry pool of knowledge.... border lines on a map mean nothing here.... ------------- Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer
Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979
Posted By: green6767
Date Posted: October 28, 2006 at 7:09 AM
Well, I guess I will contribute my experience and opinion to this one too. My opinion would be the 5204 Two-Way Alarm/Starter Combo or the 4204 Two-Way Starter from AstroStart. Great range, reliability, and again, like every installer knows, the quality of the install is what matters most. Been installing now for 8 years and have dealt with most of the DEI brands, and they each have their own pros and cons, aswell with Astro. Astro is now a DEI brand, I think somebody mentioned that earlier, but Astro still manufactures them, DEI just markets thems. I like Astro because of the reliability, range, durability, user friendly, and TONS of options.
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Shaun, we are the same height, that is neat!
12V Installation Technician for Honda, Dodge, Chrysler, Toyota and Jeep.
Posted By: xtremej
Date Posted: October 28, 2006 at 10:54 AM
Look in to ultra starts I have done a lot of their 2 way pagers range is awesome, reliabilty, and very user friendly.... -------------
Posted By: dieselbreath
Date Posted: October 31, 2006 at 7:06 AM
I bought an Omega RS-4LX Remote Start. Their Tech Support is non-existent. It ties into the factory keyless remote and uses the keyless remote fob. It's signal wire (pink) is supposed to go to the keyless remote control module's auxiliary output. Does anyone know which wire that is and where it's located? Also, I will likey need to hook up the Omega unit's Yellow wire, which is 12V + output whenever the Ignition switch is ON but the Omega unit is not energizing the ignition circuit. This has to do with being able to operate the door locks while the remote start is running. It says to connect it to the host unit's (keyless control module) ignition input wire. Any idea what wire that is and where it's located? I'm not a dummy; I'm a CMTT but the instructions with this Omega unit are kind of sketchy. Thanx.
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