Boulder/Denver LX470 Trusted Mechanic (1 Viewer)

[tyrepierce]

Hi All,

I recently purchased a 2002 LX470 with 185K miles on it. I live in Boulder (my GF lives in Denver), so I am looking for a local recommendation on a fair/knowledgeable mechanic or shop that can change the timing belt and a perform a few other routine fixes.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[JunkCrzr89]

I think @2001LC is close by. Would definitely be worth contacting him to see if his schedule is open.

 

[suprarx7nut]

I think @2001LC is close by. Would definitely be worth contacting him to see if his schedule is open.

@2001LC or Slee would be my preference. Both know their stuff and will be more thorough than any other shop I know in the area. And that's exactly what you want when doing that job. I'd avoid any shop that's looking to do it quick and get in and out with the least amount of components touched. There's a lot to be checked and it pays to have someone that knows what they're looking at do that work. Slee has a long list of items in their 90k service that go well beyond the timing belt and it's a great way to baseline a 100.

 

[VinylSeats]

I also recommend @2001LC . Paul is extremely thorough, very generous with his knowledge (just look at his contributions to this forum), and overall an excellent resource. Paul has worked on my 99 numerous times and I learn from him every time we interact.

Honestly, I would count yourself lucky that you are in the Denver area and have him as an option.

 

[CORunner]

+one on all posts above. Both do amazing work.

A good one for run of the mill stuff at a great price is ATLR. They did my 180K timing belt and I was happy with the detail they went through with the inspection and the work performed. They are very realistic on telling you what needs to be replaced right now and what can last another year or 12K miles.

Another random bonus point, I needed to replace my exhaust manifold due to the dreaded "tick". I told them I was looking to replace with DT headers with full cat back and asked them for a quote. They straight up told me.... "we could take your business, but we just farm it out since we don't have the tube bending equipment or the welders. These are the guys we use. Tell them you know the ATLR gang and they will give you a discount"

Arvada Toyota and Lexus Specialists - ATLR - Affordable Toyota & Lexus Repair

 

[tyrepierce]

Thanks for the responses everyone! Really appreciate the input.

I just talked with Paul on the phone and as stated above, he is quite knowledgeable. Looking forward to having him get under the hood.

 

[skiwpk]

Charlie’s Garage in north Boulder did my timing belt and water pump. He books a few weeks out FYI.

 

[Connorham]

Foreign Automotive Specialists in Broomfield has done good for me. Steve the owner, is an 80 series guy.

 

[2001LC]

Thanks for the vote of confidence guys!

I'm sure doing a lot of timing belts this year

Some may recall the first one this year, back in January. It was after someone else botched the job. It was then towed to me, to determine if it need an engine replacement needed. Very interesting job:

Timing belt job just done. Blown engine or savable? This is interesting guys!

Happy 2020 all. Well, I spent last day of 2019, inspecting a 2005 LC w/~200K, that was towed to me. That had a Timing Belt installed a few days before coming to me Let me know your thoughts: Blown engine from interference or is there hope? Also what do you think happened? Skip story and go...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Thanks for the vote of confidence guys!

I'm sure doing a lot of timing belts this year

Some may recall the first one this year, back in January. It was after someone else botched the job. It was then towed to me, to determine if it need an engine replacement needed. Very interesting job:

Timing belt job just done. Blown engine or savable? This is interesting guys!

Happy 2020 all. Well, I spent last day of 2019, inspecting a 2005 LC w/~200K, that was towed to me. That had a Timing Belt installed a few days before coming to me Let me know your thoughts: Blown engine from interference or is there hope? Also what do you think happened? Skip story and go...

forum.ih8mud.com

I remember the cam knock pin debacle from a shade tree guy not torquing bolts! Shame he deleted his comment owning up to it.

 

[loeky]

Slee is great. I've been told multiple times they do not do maintenance work for focus on build outs. So, Slee is great - but not a viable option unless that has been recently reversed.

 

[g1701gst]

Sounds like you are in good hands already. The shop I use is Japanese Auto Service in Wheatridge/Arvada JAPANESE AUTO SERVICE

 

[suprarx7nut]

Slee is great. I've been told multiple times they do not do maintenance work for focus on build outs. So, Slee is great - but not a viable option unless that has been recently reversed.

They still did 90k service work as of a year or two ago. That's a $2-3k bill. I didn't think that had changed. If you wanted an oil change, brake pads or an alignment I think they'd turn it down, but I think they still take the big jobs. I could be wrong though. Last time I called for an ARB air locker install they had a lengthy wait time. I think they were scheduling basic work a solid 2-3 months out.

 

[2001LC]

Slee is great. I've been told multiple times they do not do maintenance work for focus on build outs. So, Slee is great - but not a viable option unless that has been recently reversed.

They still did 90k service work as of a year or two ago. That's a $2-3k bill. I didn't think that had changed. If you wanted an oil change, brake pads or an alignment I think they'd turn it down, but I think they still take the big jobs. I could be wrong though. Last time I called for an ARB air locker install they had a lengthy wait time. I think they were scheduling basic work a solid 2-3 months out.

I too have been hearing; That Slee only takes on 100 series service work, if in for build (add-ons)!
Maybe @sleeoffroad can set us straight!

 

[sleeoffroad]

We still do maintenance and repairs on all 80's, 100's and 200's as well as 4Runners, Tacoma's and Tundra's. However we are 2-3 months booked out currently so for some people that does not work schedule wise. Also for general repair when a diagnoses is first needed, it is a little difficult to work with a schedule that far out since we don't know how much time and what parts to allocate. So these days it tends to be more fixed maintenance jobs fitted in between vehicle builds.

 

[2001LC]

I emailed Ben at Slee OFFroad and asked.
Response:

Hi Paul,


No, this is not exactly correct. We are happy to perform service on 80’s 100’s 200’s etc. We have been fairly booked due to demand which has been amplified with the pandemic. If the request can be properly scheduled, we will do so. If a customer has a pressing repair, especially safety related we may currently recommend another repair shop if we can’t fit it in in a timely manner.

That said, we are making some long term changes to eventually add an additional service bay to our existing installation department along with a dedicated service advisor.

Ben Swain
Sales Manager

Slee Off-Road

 

[Dparo]

I was just at Slee for skids and sliders, nothing but good things to say, amazing facility.

Now if they could just move that new rear bumper into production...

 

[suprarx7nut]

I was just at Slee for skids and sliders, nothing but good things to say, amazing facility.

Now if they could just move that new rear bumper into production...

For sure. Top notch building without question.

Slee's showroom is amazing. I've made a couple extraneous trips there that weren't entirely necessary - I just wanted to stop in and check out the showroom again. It's worth going out of your way to stop in if anyone hasn't been and is in the area.

 

[AlpineAccess]

Good to hear Slee is adding a service bay. When I called last month I was pleased to hear they were so busy, looking forward to being able to get in for service down the road.

Service advisor noted that if I could drop it off for around a week they'd work me in. I'm too far north to make that work with my schedule but if I was in Golden or Denver it wouldn't have been an issue and is a good solution for those in the area.

 

[loeky]

Appreciate the more current clarification @sleeoffroad - and the good news on building out the service offering. Do let us know when this all comes online.