Any recommendations for a cruiser mechanic in St Louis

[Paul McGarrah]

I am in desperate need of a cruiser mechanic in St Louis. I checked the cruiser mechanic thread but there was nothing about Missouri. Just moved here from Dallas. I have an 85 FJ60 with 93,000 miles. Gift from my grand father, first car, and here I am with it twelve years later. Needs restored but I’m not financially ready yet. I’m planning on doing a frame off in the next two years. Right now I’m trying to minimize the amount of money I put into it until I restore it. I’m currently in the limbo of keeping it running. The engine makes good power and idles well, however it makes a high pitch whistle and more recently a sporadic engine knock which comes and goes. It’s painful to run and I want to take it to someone who knows these vehicles. If anyone could make a recommendation it would be much appreciated.

 

[cps432]

Park it and get a new vehicle until you can have it restored. Or.... start reading this forum and get yourself some tools....

 

[cps432]

And thank you for caring enough about these old trucks to seek help! I'm glad you're not going to just drive it into the ground.

 

[scrapdaddy]

As a last resort, take it to a dealer. I really don't know of anyone who knows Landcruisers in and around St. Louis. I posted it on Gateway Cruisers club thread, maybe someone knows something. Good Luck and stay out of the City, right up there with Chicago.

 

[Paul McGarrah]

I hear that, I have it garaged and my daily driver is a fj cruiser. Iv got tools the problem is lack of space. I wish I had the space to pull the motor and do a rebuild but I think I’d piss off the building manager lol. Its Been my grocery getter for the past few years. I had a great mechanic in Dallas. There’s a Japanese car specialist in STL but based off how they diagnosed a blower motor on my girlfriends carolla I’d hate to see how they would approach my 60. The engine knock I think is some sort of pre ignition from a combo of bad fuel and a dirty carb. I suspect the whine is from the emissions system. I appreciate your replies and I will definitely look into the gateway cruisers thread, and I hear you scrappdaddy I’m back and forth between STL and Chicago and they are some pretty rough towns lol

 

[hmcgimp]

I hear that, I have it garaged and my daily driver is a fj cruiser. Iv got tools the problem is lack of space. I wish I had the space to pull the motor and do a rebuild but I think I’d piss off the building manager lol. Its Been my grocery getter for the past few years. I had a great mechanic in Dallas. There’s a Japanese car specialist in STL but based off how they diagnosed a blower motor on my girlfriends carolla I’d hate to see how they would approach my 60. The engine knock I think is some sort of pre ignition from a combo of bad fuel and a dirty carb. I suspect the whine is from the emissions system. I appreciate your replies and I will definitely look into the gateway cruisers thread, and I hear you scrappdaddy I’m back and forth between STL and Chicago and they are some pretty rough towns lol

Did you ever find a mechanic you like? Just picked up an 80 series and live in STL. Pretty familiar with MT Schiele being decent with Toyotas, but hoping someone found some options.

Thanks!