Good Dana Point mechanic?
- Thread starter Dan2722
- Start date
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Oh, I was thinking you wanted someone to wrench on your cruiser while you surfed!!!
Sorry I am of no help as usual.
Sorry I am of no help as usual.
What does he need done?
Have tools, will travel for $
Have tools, will travel for $
- Thread starter
- #4
Mark that is my dream to be paid to surf while a Toyota master tech works on my Cruiser and the Reef calendar girls wash and wax it....
Then I wake up only to find that I just hit my thumb instead of the brass drift with a hammer, my surfing is mediocre and salt water really does wonders to open wounds caused by wrenching
Slomo
It's Complicated
and salt water really does wonders to open wounds caused by wrenching
Don't forget how well it cleans your sinuses and releases at the most inopportune times.
That is a pretty sweet dream though.The only one I know nearby is Laguna Viejo Auto that Brent has used with great success and the guys there are Cruiser fans. I think the owner even owns an 80 on OMEs and ARB'd.
Welcome to Laguna Viejo Auto Services
Get with Harry at Laguna Viejo Auto. He's got a lifted '94 with ARB bumpers in front. Great guy. When I first bought my truck from the dealer the engine light came on. Took it to Harry and he diagnosed it for free. Usually cost $90. Took it back to dealer (it was the cat converter) and had them put a new one. Engine light came on, took to Harry, diagnosed it for free again, took a look at the converter, and found that the dealer installed an illegal one.
I've had good and not so good experiences with Harry which is why I've not responded to this thread to date. I had them do my last 'major' service at 180K on the clock (30K service at the dealer). Was told there was a small crack in the large rubber intake hose after the MAF sensor. All the way home after the tune up the engine wanted to stall and did several times! WTF!!! Since I'd picked it up right at closing I couldn't go back. Took a look at it and the entire intake was hanging on by one small piece of rubber! No wonder the engine was stalling. Way to much oxygen!! Yes it's old rubber, but a small crack, NOT! I've been reluctant to go back. Their head mechanic, Mark, is a former Toyota Master Mechanic and they've been great up to this point. I can take parts sourced from Cdan and they'll just charge labor. Harry is a cruiser fanatic and Mark love everything Yota truck, but I was flat out lied to regarding this.
End of this particular story is that I ordered the new intake from Dan, slapped it on in about 5 minutes and all is fine.
End of this particular story is that I ordered the new intake from Dan, slapped it on in about 5 minutes and all is fine.
Dana Point Mechanic
Have you been to his shop lately? Whose blue 40 is he working on you know?
Have you been to his shop lately? Whose blue 40 is he working on you know?
Slomo
It's Complicated
That rig had me fooled for awhile, I thought it was Rich's (rpfzj80) 80 getting worked on, looks just like it. I guess I should say old 80 since he sold it.
Just to play devils advocate Brent it is possible that they only saw a a crack when they were working near it if they did not remove it as part of the service. When they break down in one of the accordian ridges it is very hard to see unless it is removed.
My intake hose was broken circumfrentially into two pieces as well from the time I bought it I think untill some lady drove into my Cruiser while it was parked without hitting the brakes. It took that much of an impact to jar it loose and throw the CE, stall etc. the on the drive back home. You know how meticulous and anal I am and I missed as well. It is possible it was just missed. My .02
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well so far Harry's been really good to me. I took my wife's sienna over to goodyear in SJC for a brake inspection and possible brake job. they said it cost over $600 for all front/rear brake job. guys at goodyear said the rear drums, I say again, rear drums needed to be rotated. rotated! what kind of BS they trying to pull? anyways, so far he's been good. i think i'd rather take my 80 to Harry than any other shop near by.
Good Dana Point Mechanic
What's your number just in case i need you??
What does he need done?
Have tools, will travel for $
What's your number just in case i need you??
Nope - they said the removed it to take the cover off to access the plugs and cracked it. Said the went searching all up and down looking for duct tape to give it a temporary patch to no avail. Admitedly, it's 13 year old rubber and getting a little brittle, but it was no small crack. The damn thing was almost completely broken off at the accordian.
I haven't been by the shop lately. I know Harry owns more than one cruiser, so it could be one of his for all I know. Despite the issue with the intake, I'll probably go back. They helped me out in a big jam right befor my DV trip a couple of years ago. The guys at MAF pinched both my airbag hoses installing my OME springs. I was able to free and fix the DS, but couldn't get the PS done w/o completely lifting the cruiser. I literally saw Harry's cruiser sitting outside the shop driving home and stopped on a lark. They threw the beast on their lift and in 2 minutes I had the hose fixed. I've been going there ever since. Didn't charge me a dime for that.
Aside from all this is there anybody in the area that can help me put a lift on my truck? I'm getting OME 3" lift kit from MAF.
I'd go to Harry for that. I don't know if they've got a press for the castor correction bushings tho. Outside of a lift, that's the piece of equipment really needed. The rest guys have done on jack stands in their driveways from everything I've read here.
bluto
More questions than answers.
rj - Aside from the Castor Corrections, you can actually do this yourself with a socket set with extensions and a minimum 3 ton hydraulic jack and jack stands. Only problem areas are loosening the front shocks (Id recommend another person holding the shock) and the bottom bolts holding the rear shocks.
As a very green mechanical newb, I used Slees site for install instructions and asked the knowledgeable members of MUD especially here in SC80s (You know who you are!
) As the saying goes, If I can do it...
Try Amato Tire & Brake
I have used Amato (ROB) for many issues with all cars. A lift install should be no problem 949-348-8473
I have used Amato (ROB) for many issues with all cars. A lift install should be no problem 949-348-8473
I used to take my LX to Laguna Viejo Auto and during that time, Harry did quote me to put a lift on. I think the whole job was quoted at 6 hours labor @ $94/hr. We talked about a variety of options for work split between me/them to get the cost down. I ended up having them install the shocks (2 hours labor), since I thought the bolts were pretty stuck, and I did the springs/castor correction bushings. They (Harry & Co.) do not have a press large enough so I ended taking my arms to the local machine shop around the corned they use and got new bushings installed for $30.
Also, Harry used to be an ARB rep, so he may be able to order parts for you as well. I don't really know any more since I have since moved on to another shop for my repairs.
Hope this helps!
Harry says he still sells for ARB however I asked him one time for a price on lift and installation. $2000 was what he gave me and that's too much for me. MAF is selling for almost $800 for an entire 3" lift kit and $1270 for installation. $2000 is a lot.