Cruiser shops/mechanics in Boston area?

[odessit]

I am looking for advice on good mechanic in Boston area who knows how to work on the cruisers (LC 100 and GX 470). I will need to replace front disks/pads and, maybe caliper(s) and 90K service on LC100 will be due late spring early summer.
Unfortunately, I am not as good as many of you, guys, on the board so professional help is needed.
I do not mind driving up to 40-50 miles so Southern NH is an option.

 

[spaber05]

Bringing this back from the dead....I'm actually looking for the same thing. I've heard of Cruiser Solutions up in NH, but that's about it and I've read some bad stories. Can anybody else chime in? Don't like paying dealership prices for stuff I can't do myself.

 

[RND1]

Unfortunately there does not seem to be a cruiser specialist in our area. The guys up at Cruiser Solutions are great, but they seem to specialize in 40 and 60 series restorations. I'm sure they will do routine maintenance on a 100, but I didn't get the sense it would be any less than the dealer.

My LC needs rear brakes before winter and timing belt / 90k service in the spring. I'm going to try a local indy with good reviews and see if he will let me provide OEM toyota parts. I'm going to call tomorrow to schedule the brake job.

FYI, I was quoted $950 for timing belt / water pump and $650 for 90k service from dealer. $750 to replace CV boots.

 

[spaber05]

Yeah that's what I was afraid of, I just thought it was worth asking again.

I looked up Cruiser Solutions and probably wouldn't mind the drive, but I read a couple threads on really bad experiences there so I'm hesitating a bit. I found something called "SuperCruisers" down in Rhode Island as well but their website was lacking and I couldn't find any reviews.

We should do a roll call on Boston area Cruisers, I bet we could actually do some of the basics ourselves and save some money. Let me know how the indy shop works out. I might reach out to a few shops I trusted with my old car and see if they know anyone that is familiar with cruisers.

 

[RND1]

^Will do on the local mechanic. Like the idea of a Boston area roll call.

 

[RND1]

Also, spaber check out Yankee Toys here on Mud. There's a pretty active forum with mostly 80's and older. They seem to be recommending Wellesley Toyota as they give 25% off parts to YT members.

 

[Schwein]

I Live in Boston and while he's not a cruiser mechanic by trade, he did once race Lancer Evolution rally cars and is a complete gear head. I have been going to him since 2000 when i started college in Boston and he maintained my 80 series, my former X5 and my current 100 series. always charges reasonable rates and is quite good at problem solving. he specializes in cars that are not completely computer driven.

Vinny Autosport
196 Monsignor Obrien Hwy
Cambridge, MA 02141
(617) 547-6169
Right at Lechmere Station 1 block up

http://www.yelp.com/biz/vinnies-auto-sport-cambridge

 

[spaber05]

^^ Good to know, sounds like a guy who knows what he's doing. I'm not holding out for a guy that specializes in Cruisers as I know those guys are few and far between, rather a guy like you described who knows what he's doing, is reasonable, and can have customers vouch for him.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[RND1]

I just went over my needs with my local indie who came highly recommended. Unfortunately, he uses NAPA parts and was working on a 4.7L Tundra as I walked in. He said he knows the Toyota 4.7L well. I started with the rear brake quote. He said labor to replace rotors, pads, and service the calipers would be $200. He also warned that the calipers do commonly seize on these vehicles and that he may not be able to service them. I paid $250 for OEM Toyota rotors and pads so total job would be $450, which seems in the ballpark to me.

I then asked about timing belt and water pump and he said he could get OEM Toyota parts and do the job for about $600. That's $350 cheaper than the dealer, but I suspect he isn't aware of what the actual Toyota parts will cost. Seemed like a very honest guy and been in business for 27 years. 5 star reviews on Yelp. Still on the fence with the brakes - I might just do them myself and let him do the timing belt / water pump job.

 

[spaber05]

Those prices do sound pretty reasonable, and the fact that there was a Tundra in the shop is encouraging. However, NAPA parts aren't something I'd put in my LC so I guess as long as we can source our own and have him put them in it'll be ok.

Keep us posted on how things work out. If you end up doing your own brakes let me know if you'd like a hand, I'm always looking to get my hands dirty.

 

[NorthShoreLC]

I have had great luck with Wellesley Toyota, though they discontinued their club discount about a year ago and they are pricey without it. Excellent service though.

A place like Cruiser Solutions is overkill (negative reviews aside) for the work you need.

I have had the best luck calling around to several dealers. IRA in Danvers is always the most expensive. While not close by, Hyannis Toyota on the Cape and 802 Toyota in Berlin, VT are the cheapest and have both provided good service. The Cape and VT are occasionally convenient for me so it makes sense for big jobs.

Try some of the southern NH guys. It pays to call around.

 

[RND1]

^^ I've been using Nashua Toyota and their service has been great. Couple times I've been there, the same guy has worked on my LC which is nice from a consistency standpoint. The two service reps I worked with are Truck guys and love the build quality of the Land Cruiser. But they also said it's rare for them to see one.

 

[spaber05]

All good info guys, thanks. I think I'll be giving Wellesley Toyota a shot next time something comes up, 2nd choice will be Nashua simply because of the drive.

I might start a Boston area thread and see how many of us there are floating around here.

 

[91whitefj80]

Bump for this thread - any 2018 Boston recommendations for independent shops or dealers that people like for working on Land Cruisers?

 

[SLVRSCRN]

Wexford Street Auto in Needham. Took my 100 there for a brake overhaul and a few oil changes when the weather outside turned bitter cold.

Will the owner is honest, competent, reliable, and I recommend his business without reservation.

Good luck.

 

[spaber05]

@91whitefj80

Vinnie's Auto Sport in Somerville. He's a one man show and knows his stuff. No BS, straight shooter type and he won't make you pay for anything you don't need. One of the few independent shops around here that I'd trust.

No first hand experience, but a friend with a 4th gen 4Runner V8 used Volsar Automotive Services up in Medford and had great things to say about them. Said there were a bunch of old cruisers in the lot so that's a good sign.

If you have to use a dealership, Wellesley Toyota is very familiar with Cruisers and is usually my plan B if I can't get Vinnie to do the work.

 

[MaKiMo]

Just got ‘72 FJ40 and needs fair amount of work. Read above threads and wondering if any updates using the shops/mechanics listed above? My goal is not cosmetic restoration at this point but engine and electrical work to get it on the road. Thanks for any input!

 

[4Beast]

Just got ‘72 FJ40 and needs fair amount of work. Read above threads and wondering if any updates using the shops/mechanics listed above? My goal is not cosmetic restoration at this point but engine and electrical work to get it on the road. Thanks for any input!

I usually recommend Volsar in Medford. They have done a fair amount of things for me, including a full lift, winch installation, timing belt, heater T's, dual battery, and other stuff. They aren't really cheap, because they take their time and do it right, but they actually seem to like doing the work, and the owner Gus has a FJ Cruiser himself and they were doing extensive work on a 40 last time I was there.

 

[MaKiMo]

I usually recommend Volsar in Medford. They have done a fair amount of things for me, including a full lift, winch installation, timing belt, heater T's, dual battery, and other stuff. They aren't really cheap, because they take their time and do it right, but they actually seem to like doing the work, and the owner Gus has a FJ Cruiser himself and they were doing extensive work on a 40 last time I was there.

Thank you very much!

 

[4Beast]

Thank you very much!

No worries, tell them Isaac sent you, if you want (not sure that will actually get either of us anything, but I want them to know Cruiser people value their work).