88 FJ62 needs major differed maintenance repairs, recommended shops?

[TheElegantFox]

I just got the recommended service bill from Fred Anderson and they said I need most seals and gaskets along with rear shocks. The estimate totals around. $7500 for all the work, which is almost what I picked it up for.

I authorized the critical work, brakes, valve cover gasket, and alignment for $1.9k. Where would be a good place to get the rest of the seal work done? I’ll need the transfer case, rear main, and a few others done. It’ll be an engine out service.

While I’m getting this done, I might as well get some body work and paint priced out, any body shop recommendations?


Thanks for any help!

 

[fj40z]

Ah man. Unless they have already started I would start off fresh somewhere else. I’d be willing to wager that taken to a dealership for service half the cruisers on the road today older than a 100 series would get a $7500 quote.

Don’t sweat it too bad. Most first time Cruiser owners get scared to death exactly like this, I know I did. Its a Cruiser, keep your fluids checked, try to park on gravel in the meantime and take your time, find someone who knows these trucks.

 

[Green Hell Mustang]

@GLTHFJ60 will be your guy, or point you in the right direction. Most of this stuff can be done without having to go to a shop.

 

[TheElegantFox]

That sounds like a better idea, I’ll have to live with the $1.9k repair since it sounded Iike it was needed to get the truck home.

I’ll take things slow and stock up on oil for now.

 

[fj40z]

@Green Hell Mustang is right though.

 

[uzj100]

Did you buy the 62 from Raleigh craigslist?

I think FA quotes me 3500 to 7500 every time I take my 100 in there. They get mad because I ask them to do 1 specific thing.

I will say FA Parts are about as cheap as I have seen anywhere on the web and we can pick them up with no shipping.

 

[Green Hell Mustang]

@TheElegantFox if you are around on March 6th, we do the Triangle Monthly meeting at the Backyard Bistro. That would be a good time to ask about what to do and where to take the rig around here.

 

[TheElegantFox]

Did you buy the 62 from Raleigh craigslist?

I think FA quotes me 3500 to 7500 every time I take my 100 in there. They get mad because I ask them to do 1 specific thing.

I will say FA Parts are about as cheap as I have seen anywhere on the web and we can pick them up with no shipping.

Yeah, that’s the truck I bought. I tried Fred Anderson since I thought they could get replacement mirrors easier. Turns out they can’t.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Can you list out what they recommended replacement of?

 

[TheElegantFox]

@TheElegantFox if you are around on March 6th, we do the Triangle Monthly meeting at the Backyard Bistro. That would be a good time to ask about what to do and where to take the rig around here.

Sounds good to me, I’ll bring it out to that!

 

[fj40z]

How far is home? Did you drive it there? $1900 for brakes and a valve cover gasket is awfully steep in my opinion. Unless that valve cover gasket is hemorrhaging oil like crazy it shouldn’t interfere with you driving it. Brakes on the other hand.....

 

[TheElegantFox]

Can you list out what they recommended replacement of?

I’ll have to wait for the full list, but they docked me for most seals, including the rear main. Rear suspension also needs attention. I’ll post here when I have the full list.

 

[uzj100]

I test drove that truck for 30 minutes. Drove fine, no motor oil on the ground. Plenty of clean oil on the dip stick. No oil dripping anywhere around the guys house. I did notice the temp gauge did not work.

Did you take it yet? Ask them for at least the reduced price on parts based on the prices from the Fred Anderson parts site.

There were no funny sounds or smells.

I would get that temp gauge fixed asap.

From the test drive. PS pump was leaking.

 

[TheElegantFox]

It’s sitting at the shop now, I guess I’ll chalk this one up to inexperience. Feels bad. What’s the thing about reduced parts cost?

 

[uzj100]

Pics

 

[GLTHFJ60]

When doing your own work, you can use Fred Anderson Toyota Parts | Genuine Toyota Parts and Accessories to get a deep discount on parts.

Dealers will always quote you enough work to make the truck brand new again, not "what it needs".

 

[uzj100]

It’s sitting at the shop now, I guess I’ll chalk this one up to inexperience. Feels bad. What’s the thing about reduced parts cost?

I always ask because their prices are so good on parts when ordered through their website. Works sometimes and sometimes it does not.

 

[TheElegantFox]

I’ll have to see what’s on the list that I can tackle in my backyard.

 

[uzj100]

The 3FE is really easy to work on. Get some PB blaster and start spraying all the suspension nuts and bolts.

You may want a separate build thread on here.

This club/group is the best!

 

[lt1fire]

They charged you almost 2k for brakes, an alignment and a valve cover gasket??

Host a HAMOM and have some people in this club with knowledge look it over to find out what is wrong and fix the easy things that day. You can learn to replace all seals and gaskets yourself and this club can teach you.