Dealership repairs

[Tim71FJ40]

I am down to the last few items on the cruiser for the 3 year project to be considered "finished". Cast your stones, but I am tire of being under it for now and just want to drive. So I have decided to send it out for a few minor things.

My question is whether a Toyota dealership is a good idea? I had it at a local shop that did the work I asked of them, but they were a pain to deal with, my turn signals didn't work when I got it back, etc.

I know Toyota will be professional and clean, obviously have access to parts, but just because it's a dealership are they necessarily experts on a 40 yr old truck?

Advice?

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Depends on the dealership.
For my 08 tacoma, I wouldn't think twice about taking it to the dealership.
For my 76 FJ40, I doubt that the dealership will have the necessary resources to work on the truck. I would be willing to bet that the tech would be getting on ih8mud to research fixing the truck.

If you can find a shop that specializes in Land Cruisers, that would be the best bet.

Here is a list of 'Cruiser shops in Texas

Texas

Land Cruiser specialist
LCS Austin's Land Cruiser Specialist!
5309 Jeff Davis
Austin, Tx
78756
512-420-0012
lcspec@sbcglobal.net

Dung Nguyen
835 Hopkins St.
Garland, TX 75040
(214) 534-0793

Javiers Autos Unlimited
9443 Clay Road
Houston, TX 77080-1445
(713) 461-5595

Bearden Automotive
12402 Technology Boulevard
Austin, TX 78727-6105
(512) 336-7010
Review: Jeff and All techs are Toyota certified and Jeff is scrupulously honest. He'll work on any Toyota or Lexus of any age, and there's usually a bunch of Cruisers there.
Note: Bearden has also received complaints from other LC owners for poor work so please use your best judgment.

Seery's Garage
1005 E Hwy 67
Alvarado, TX, 76009
(817) 783-3222

Bayside Services
Houston, TX
Jeff Davis
281-339-5487
Review: Jeff is the best mechanic I have ever known. He can diagnose and fix anything. He has been a factory certified Toyota mechanic for over 20 years. He knows Landcruisers backwards and forwards

Rick Cowherd
Alamo Auto Doctors
10614 IH 35 South
San Antonio, Texas 78233
Phone: 210-657-0911
Email: MR2TYT1@gmail.com

B & B muffler
3000 S. Lamar Blvd
Austin TX 78704
p: 512-447-5581
f: 512-447-4601

RT Customs
2700 W.Irving Blvd
TX,
www.rtcustoms.net [10]
Phone: 972-977-7524
Review: Randy is focused on 40/60 series and vortec conversions.

Butch Baker
Baker Tire & Alignment
513 w Sam Rayburn
Bonham Texas 75418
65m NE of Dallas
Phone: 903 227 6360

Referral notes: Spring-overs, Vortec v 8 conversions, ARB dealer and installer and a Metal Tech authorized installer.

Cruiser Shop
13595 Floyd Cir # 100,
Dallas, TX
75243-1473
(972) 241-9904

 

[Poser]

Good luck with the dealership plan.

I doubt there is a tech there that even knows that a Land Cruiser was made in the 70’s.


Call Butch Baker.

 

[DSRTRDR]

when ElHefe's truck blew the head gasket outside of Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge Toyota dealer didn't want to touch it - just sayin'

 

[Tim71FJ40]

Hmmm, ok plan B. Find a cruiser guy in Fort Worth. However, I haven't even mentioned what needs to be done for fear that you guys will ridicule me and potentially ban me from the forum forever...

Speedo cable
TC, transmission leaks
Change my electric fan....

I'm just ready to hand someone a list and a check and pick it up DONE.

 

[Tim71FJ40]

Poser - who is Butch Baker and where is he located?

 

[allan man]

Checked your light bulb lately?

 

[allan man]

Poser - who is Butch Baker and where is he located?

Butch Baker
Baker Tire & Alignment
513 w Sam Rayburn
Bonham Texas 75418
65m NE of Dallas
Phone: 903 227 6360

 

[Poser]

Hmmm, ok plan B. Find a cruiser guy in Fort Worth. However, I haven't even mentioned what needs to be done for fear that you guys will ridicule me and potentially ban me from the forum forever...

Speedo cable
TC, transmission leaks
Change my electric fan....

I'm just ready to hand someone a list and a check and pick it up DONE.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with ‘being done’ with a project; having someone else complete it so you can enjoy it will prevent it from being pushed into a corner and ignored for a few years, only to be discovered again and paying for things again that you have already paid for.

 

[Tim71FJ40]

"checked your light bulb lately?".... Huh? Don't understand.

 

[Bret]

Do what you need to so you can drive it, but I would not take it to the dealer, unless there is a known tech familiar with old cruisers there.

Nice compiled list of shops.

 

[Tim71FJ40]

Other than exhaust and a few small leaks everything is new and it's perfectly driveable but this is where I worry that the final details will never get finished if I don't pay someone to do them all at once.

Last place I went made me go buy my own parts and bring them to him. Standard parts - like gaskets. I need something a little more "turn key" than that.

 

[allan man]

Quote:

checked your light bulb lately?".... Huh? Don't understand.


my turn signals didn't work when I got it back, etc.

I know Toyota will be professional and clean, obviously have access to parts, but just because it's a dealership are they necessarily experts on a 40 yr old truck?

Advice?[/QUOTE]

Tim simply take the lense of your lights and check the light bulb filament if there bad it wont flash....

 

[Tim71FJ40]

Ahhh. Now I get it.

I fixed 'em. While mucking around under my dash, the technician pulled a power wire loose from my hazard switch. It's the one that supplied the turns (through the flasher).

I appreciate the suggestion.

 

[allan man]

Tim my TC was leaking also no matter what i did mudrak fixed the problem i just sent him my speedo housing.....read up

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/351571-speedo-housing-double-seal.html


http://www.globalsoftware-inc.com/coolerman/fj40/34f.htm

 

[1911]

Good luck with the dealership plan.

I doubt there is a tech there that even knows that a Land Cruiser was made in the 70’s.

I drove my 40 to Toyota of Fort Worth (the O.P. is in Fort Worth) once, shopping for a car for one of my kids, so I parked in front of the show room. Salesperson comes out, walks all around the truck and exclaims "I didn't know Toyota made a jeep!".

Maybe the service techs are better, though personally I don't like their service department either - they denied a warranty claim on a truck I bought there and was still under an extended warranty. Took the truck to a different dealer and they fixed it under warranty no problem.

 

[Tim71FJ40]

Who would you recommend in fort worth?

 

[platypusREX]

Call Cowboy Toyota. They know what FJ40s are. They just finished restoring a mustard '79 six months ago. I will admit that some are morons ie. the hispanic guy built like Cotton Hill.

Other than that, they are A-OK

I am down to the last few items on the cruiser for the 3 year project to be considered "finished". Cast your stones, but I am tire of being under it for now and just want to drive. So I have decided to send it out for a few minor things.

My question is whether a Toyota dealership is a good idea? I had it at a local shop that did the work I asked of them, but they were a pain to deal with, my turn signals didn't work when I got it back, etc.

I know Toyota will be professional and clean, obviously have access to parts, but just because it's a dealership are they necessarily experts on a 40 yr old truck?

Advice?

 

[1911]

Who would you recommend in fort worth?

Sorry, I don't have any recommendations; except for the rare warranty repair I do all my own work on all my vehicles.

 

[zags]

I worked at Ford dealerships for many years and worked on several classic cars. I enjoyed them because they were a fun diversion and I am old enough to know how to work on them. But, I was the exception as far as technicians go. Most younger technicians will have no idea how to fix a carburetor, set timing, or adjust points and wouldn't have the tools to do so anyway. Most other technicians won't touch them because they would rather work on newer, easier warranty work and maintenance. They get paid by the job, so the faster they can get done with a car and on to the next, the more they make. The same goes with service advisors, they'll dodge you if they think the job will be a hassle. I would talk to the service manager at the dealership. He will know if he has a guy who can handle the job and can can do it well. Technicians are car guys, and If your lucky, you'll find a cruiser head will do a great job for you.