Any Great TLC Mechanics in SF Bay Area?

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Ugly Dwarf

Ugly Dwarf

SILVER Star
10 Year
Joined
Apr 13, 2012
Threads
22
Messages
198
Location
East Bay - San Francisco Bay Area
Hello,

I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but I couldn't think of a better place and couldn't find an answer with a cursory search.

I'm considering taking the plunge and buying an 80 series in the coming weeks / months. That said, I'm a newbie on these and would rather spend $100-$150 extra and avoid buying a bucket of problems (or at least have a good idea of what I'm getting into).

That said, does anyone here have a knowledgable / ethical mechanic in the San Francisco Bay Area, who is very familiar with TLC's in general and the 80 series specifically?

I'm in central Contra Costa Co, so someone in that region of the East Bay would be ideal, but I'd rather burn gas getting the 'the right guy' over saving $20 in gas by taking it to someone who 'worked on one of these once.'

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks
 
This guy is a MUDDER: http://www.aplusjapaneseautorepair.com/

But he's in San Carlos, and I haven't had any experience with him.

I would like to know too if there is a TLC specialist in the east bay.
 
For a purchase inspection (if that's what you're looking for), i would just take it to a stealership.
 
SIZZLE said:
For a purchase inspection (if that's what you're looking for), i would just take it to a stealership.
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I had been having similar thoughts in the event I was looking at a relatively stock truck. I was thinking a 4wd or TLC shop might be a better choice if I stumbled upon a mildly built version in my price range.

Besides the normal "Retail + 20%" you can expect at any car dealer, can you think of a reason they wouldn't be a good choice?
 
tirewater said:
All I know of is Mudrak in Sonoma. Not exactly close though.
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Their website doesn't give much info on who they are / what they do. I'd heard there was a good shop up in Sonoma for these (and possibly another one out in Stockton?), and I'm guessing this is probably the place.

Depending on how flexible the theoretical seller is about me taking the rig on a long range test drive to the mechanic (and where they live), I may be able to take it up there.

tirewater said:
Depending on what you want or need to do, don't discount your own abilities as a mechanic.
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Good advice. I'm not brand new to wheeling (though I've been out of it since my wife and I started our family), and do simple wrenching on our current list of cars, but I don't have a deep bench of knowledge on this platform and would like to have someone who knows them look for the obvious (or not so obvious) signs of trouble.

I figured to do a blended approach to building whatever I get... do the things that can easily be done in my driveway with the limited free time I have, or save up for and pay for the things that would take me days/weeks to complete or that are best left to the professionals.
 
Thanks Terrax and Landchrusher. I'll give those guys a call if I'll be looking at a rig in their geography.
 
Be prepared to refinance your house after going to Mudrak. They are not cheap even though they do good work.

I found a better mechanic in Monterey that I go to and is half the $. Mudrak in my view is for specialty cruiser stuff, not for your usuall mechanic stuff. Quoted me $3500 for a HG job a while back. Also be prepared to pay more than the quote as this was my experience the two times I was there.

My advice is to find a good Toyota guy by talking and finding out if they are familiar with differentials, birfs, awd, and cruisers, then see if they can do a tune up before letting them "dig in" to your car for a major repair.
 
Gary Kardum, aka Mudrak, is a Land Cruiser specialist and does great work. I've taken my 80 there to have work done when it was something critical I did not want to chance to just any mechanic. True he is not the cheapest but definitely knows Land Cruisers.

California80 is one of the owners A+Japanese Auto Repair. He and his brother both own 80's that they have modded and wheel. Never had work done by them but met them and they are good people.

You may want to hit up some of the Mud 80 series owners on here that live in the Bay Area for advice or help looking at a rig, as some are extremely knowlegeable and helpful when seeking advice. For instance, Cyclosteve lives somewhere in Contra Costa county, I believe, and a great resource for 80 information as he has built up a great rig. BugsNBikes is in Marin County, djsixbillion in Sac, etc..... I am sure some of them will chime in later.
 
isn't Georg "ornagefj45" in Stockton ? Valley Hybrids
 
Hi,

I have a 93 FZJ80 that I've rebuilt significantly and have spent much time working with the great 'PowderPig' aka Robbie out of CO.

I think I know my way 'round these trucks and would be happy to give you a second opinion or look over your shoulder if that helps ?

Rgds...jonathan
 
All names posted on here are good guys and know their way around these trucks. I'm still laughing at the"spend $20 on gas" comment. Today that will get these trucks down the street and around the corner - that's about it.

When I talked to Georg at Valley and Mudrak last year they answered my questions but weren't too interested to replace my HG at that time so I did everything myself. This forum is a great source of info. Read the Slee newbie guide under the stickies, find a muddier in the East bay to look at it and a good Indy Toyota truck shop for a PPI and you should be good.
 
Adam and eric of A plus are great guys. Had major electrical problems for years and tried over 4 shops without any luck. Drove by and saw 2 80s tricked out in the driveway and said lets give them a try. Glad I did. They did a ton of research on Mud and found probable cause, a short. Long story short, fixed problem and been running great for years. Now when I go in, with minor stuff, they tell me to go home and learn to do it myself. Best advice you can get. When my wifes lexus got a bad alignment from a shop they outsource with, they covered the tires and alignment. Can you sa y integrity.
 
Thanks for the input on Mudrak and A+. Both are a long haul from my house, but I know that some problems just need a specialist. Perhaps too much to hope to find one in Co Co.

Seller seems a bit flakey and I haven't been able to nail down a time to go see the truck, but I'll ping Jonathan on the side to see if / when he'd be available to look at it with me.

Appreciate the help everyone.
 
I am jere in the eastbay. Just sent you a PM about my locked and lifted 94 for sale.
 
The people in the thread should still be good contacts. I know the OP. He and I both tend to use Toyota Pro for simple repairs. The shop generally has Landcruisers in the yard for appointments, and I think one of the mechanics drives an 80.
 
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