80 Series 4" Lift Disaster Help...

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cripes that's scary.
Thank god for the nice folks on 'Mud, once again.
Keep lots of notes, but yeah, use @Tools R Us or go all the way up to @sleeoffroad and get it fixed right.

Geez, I feel sick, I want to drive over there and put my size 13 up that shops ass.

You need a Knuckle Rebuild kit,
Knuckle Stud kit
a real 4" lift kit (previously posted)
Get the Drive Shafts (pipes or tubes from axle to transfer case) rebalanced.(just a quick search, can't vouch, but they can't be as bad as the last guy)
Get all new Ujoints put into them also. Use the OEM toyota kind, not some "we carry a generic one that works on everything" type.

There's a very, very slim chance your calipers were cracked. He should have needed extended brake lines from frame to axle: and probably should have extended your breather tubes also. What pads did he put in? you can use the pads from a 100 series in the same caliper. That is the point of concern where he literally compromised your safety to an unknown. I'd pool 4 friends with AAA and get it flat bedded somewhere.

the butchery he did....I just can't...i've deleted six sentences and restarted...ugh.

I'm just throwing out links here to get you close and shorten your search time. There are a dozen shops that will set up an account and ship you what you need. I'm not saying one is better than others, but the guys that have been on this forum for 10 years plus are solid. I've used at least 12 different vendors on this site and have had great service each time.

god damn, you are probably sick of seeing everyone post their disgust with this one, but I'm only trying to help out at this point.
Sue that jackass, there HAS to be a lawyer on here that can help this guy out. I want to see a crater where that shop used to be.
 
djzimms said:
Well, Capital One has issued an immediate charge back, putting the ownership of dispute on him. It's quite possible I'll have to provide documentation of which I have a ton to dispute against him. US Bank seems to be a bit more so of proving the case prior to chargeback, so we'll see what happens there.
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FAWK YEAH!
 
djzimms said:
Well, Capital One has issued an immediate charge back, putting the ownership of dispute on him. It's quite possible I'll have to provide documentation of which I have a ton to dispute against him. US Bank seems to be a bit more so of proving the case prior to chargeback, so we'll see what happens there.
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Well, ANY reputable shop will provide you with EXTENSIVE documentation of what needs to be repaired. The good news is that what you've been refunded can immediately go toward fixing this abomination. You may end up a little more out of pocket, but the results will likely be better worth it. And remember, any documentation for the refund, if accepted as factual by the credit card review, will go A LONG way toward your secondary small claims lawsuit for gross negligence. That's where you recover the delta between refund and repair -- and perhaps a little extra for punitive damages. Go the distance and DON'T LET UP!
 
Glad you're starting to get some traction toward a fair (possible) outcome.

Really anymore you need an enthusiast forum (Mud, TundraForum, or the other marques) - you need to see member reviews / forum sponsors who have quality track records to get your playlist of contenders to work on your vehicle, whatever the brand.

We all may make a minor b*tch about some particular part cost, -whatever- but the greater concept to keep in mind is we take for granted the fact we trust any shop who touches / modifies any critical system like susp or brakes - to not kill us. 3tons is alot if the laws of physics have to be used to figure out why you hit dang near anything bigger than a possum or whatever.

We trust our "personal multi-directional / velocity machine" (phrased like that you don't mind spending a few extra $$$, right?) - to act predictable despite whatever mod we make to still be safe at 65mph where you're spinning a oversized tire / made suspension changes to fit those tires.

Add a panic brake or whatever to that & it's pretty amazing what we get away with compared to TUV standards in the EU.

IDK - I'm just glad I have the space & tools to do my own work, then I know every last bolt was turned in my O/C manner. And it saves a few $$ for mod funds.
 
Can he put a mechanics lean on it now in retaliation?
 
djzimms said:
Well, Capital One has issued an immediate charge back, putting the ownership of dispute on him. It's quite possible I'll have to provide documentation of which I have a ton to dispute against him. US Bank seems to be a bit more so of proving the case prior to chargeback, so we'll see what happens there.
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That is the ONLY good reason to pay for your purchases with a credit card. (As long as you have the cash to pay it off when statement comes!) Not enough people realize the protection that the big 3 CC's provide. People need to read the terms of their cards like it was a Hustler Forum! Lol
Anyways.... that is great news! If he takes you to court.... hammer him.... no way should he be in business! (I am a RETIRED Marine if you need testimony or help during any of this....... I need to use my free airfare benefit! Lol
 
GeoRoss said:
Can he put a mechanics lean on it now in retaliation?
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In our small town where just by virtue of long residency I know or was schooled with the children of the judges, prosecuting attorney, and a handful of defense attorneys --- your local law & legal community KNOWS who the dirtbags are if they are anything close to rooted in that community.

IDK the law of mechanic leins, but just from hearing "shop talk" from the legal crowd, they network who the "rotten apples" are & what stunt they tried lately - it may be anecdotal but the names stick before you hit the punchline. They generally seem to know the bottom line, esp since talking for a living means that's the background noise @ Superbowl parties, Christmas events, etc.
 
GeoRoss said:
Can he put a mechanics lean on it now in retaliation?
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I may be wrong (usually am according to !) but I believe they need possession to place a lein. Otherwise these shady places would be putting leins on everyone's vehicles. But, even if it were to happen.... as soon as it went to court it would be voided. There isn't a judge in the land that would rule on that idiot mechanics favor. Just bring documents from well known shops, and definitely from the Toyota dealership stating the safety concerns, and their recommended course of safe repair.
 
Try going to the bureau of automotive repair. They'll get you taken care of quick without giving him the opportunity to lien your vehicle. That's the worst hack job I've ever seen on any vehicle home brew lifts included.
 
Kenny Rogers said it best,

"...You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run..."

My opinion is you sue the guy, push for him to buy back the vehicle or get insurance to total it, and buy yourself another cruiser with the proceeds. This thing is a mess, changing axle housings and stuff won't be cheap unless you are willing to do it yourself. You can buy a decently built 80 series in decent condition for $10k-12k. It's just easier to walk away sometimes, it's hard to admit but save yourself the headache.
 
Well, this is the very thing I talk about in my seminars. Well, not suspension lifts, common sense.

This is NOT to bash anyone but to put this into perspective. Common sense is based on what you have experienced through your life. What may be common sense to me, as it pertains to my given profession, may not be so apparent to another person because they do not possess my knowledge or experience ON THAT SUBJECT. It does not mean that person is an abject fool, an idiot or can't find their butt with both hands. There is NOTHING inherently wrong with not knowing something.

Which brings us back to your unfortunate situation. Many, if not most of us here on MUD, are not just 4 wheelers who drive Land Cruisers, we are tech junkies. IE, we want to know as much about our rigs as possible. We all, more than likely, have buggered up something on our rigs and learned the hard way, what we had done was wrong. So we spend hours, even days, on MUD researching topics, before we start working on our vehicles. It is part of the enjoyment of owning one of these rigs.

As previously stated, these rigs are unique and limited. Any of us who has wrenched on one of these, if serviced by someone else, has found botched work and poor, if not disgustingly poor, workmanship, even if done by dealers! Use MUD and trust most of what is said. When they refer you to someone like Tools, it IS because they know what they are doing and have a vast knowledge base.

So I would not look upon this as a failure, it is an awakening. Trust those who KNOW what they are doing but don't trust the ones who SAY they know what they are doing without doing a background check. Here on MUD, for Land Cruisers anyway, that is easy. Face it, if you need an attorney, doctor or an electrician, someone who you will be placing your and your family lives in their hands, you just don't drive down the street and say, what a pretty sign, I bet they do good work. You check with other experts, your trusted friends, and family first. Then, hopefully, you research them before pulling the trigger.

Experience, we all gain it one way or another. Experience is not given, it is earned. It is always costly, either in time or money but once earned, it cannot be taken from you. It is one of the great investments in life.

Look at this situation this way, it is something that you can look back upon, tell war stories, and share what you have earned with others.

Welcome to MUD and good luck!
 
GeoRoss said:
Can he put a mechanics lean on it now in retaliation?
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Short answer: No. A mechanics lien would only apply if he didn't pay for the items/work. He paid for the items/work but then disputed the quality/validity of the items/work.

The shop could sue him but I would think this would be unlikely. The cost of suing and then his shoddy work being public record is usually prohibitive. Instead he will just motherfawk him behind his back.

I would be proactive and go after him. It is much better to be on the offensive than having to prove your innocence...

CapitalOne deemed his case valid enough to give him a refund and go after the shop. US Bank has been less cooperative. That doesn't mean much other than US Bank is difficult to work with. Ironically I have accounts with both and have experienced the same service (or lack there of). Any major purchase always goes on the Capital One card and then gets paid off.
 
Haven't checked in in a couple pages... glad to see you might get some help from the credit card company. Still shaking my head at those pictures :doh:
 
Quote [Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want]

Sorry you got hosed, This well probable go down as the worst Christmas for you.
If you would like to keep your Cruiser, now is the time to start learning, pick up that set of axles from your friend, get some basic hand tools, some jack stands from harbor freight, do a lot of research, ask a lot of questions on MUD and change out the axles your self, It's pretty straight forward & the lift kit go's on when your putting it back together. We all started some were, now is the time for you to start, You have more helpful people with Knowledge on MUD then any other Forum out there. IMHO

JUST GO FOR IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Broski said:
Quote [Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want]


If you would like to keep your Cruiser, now is the time to start learning, pick up that set of axles from your friend, get some basic hand tools, some jack stands from harbor freight, do a lot of research, ask a lot of questions on MUD and change out the axles your self, It's pretty straight forward & the lift kit go's on when your putting it back together. We all started some were, now is the time for you to start, You have more helpful people with Knowledge on MUD then any other Forum out there. IMHO

JUST GO FOR IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I kind of agree.

Putting a stock, unbutchered set of axles back under it would be the quickest, cheapest option. If you go this way, you need to know if yours has e-lockers in it, you want to keep these for sure, and axle housings are slightly different.
Depending on your mechanical aptitude, you could take it on yourself, or find someone to help.
Then you need to figure out what else was butchered, an experienced eye will help to spot anything that looks amiss.

I would take it on myself without question, but as @Azca points out, I'm one of those people who will read heaps, research, talk to people with "skills or knowledge" decide if what they say fits what I've read, then figure out my own plan of attack.
I'm also someone who has been tinkering with all kinds of projects for 35+ years. Experience is cumulative, after a while you just know how stuff should go together and things come together easier.
 
so how's this working out? Did you get any work done to the rig over the holiday?
what's the latest?
 
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