Multiple issues - Do I keep it or dump it (1 Viewer)

[Four and a half]

So, I was hearing a clunking noise when accelerating, and my engine performance wasn't quite top notch. Figured hell, take it to the Toyota dealership and get the real assessment of where we are. Well, the news isn't great.

Drive Shaft U joints are the source of the noise, and it looks like both catalytic converters are shot and will need to be replaced, which seems like basically a fully exhaust replacement.

I love my 80, LOVE HER! But . . . I don't know if I'm in for another 3-5k worth of repairs. I could almost get another one if I got lucky on price for that much. But that's 3-5k at dealership standards and dealership prices.

Anyone got any advice on these issues and the true cost of their repair? I've got some buddies who do car work including a Toyota certified tech, so I can lean on some manpower if the repairs can be made in a driveway.

Anyway, thanks in advance for your input, love the knowledge on this site.

 

[ChiTown]

Why did they say your cats needed replaced? If they actually do MagnaFlow makes bolt on replacements for a third of the price of the stock ones.

As for the u-joints you can order a set of replacements from quite a few of the vendors here and have a normal drive shaft shop replace them for probably around $100.

None of the issues you have can't be fixed for a decent price. The high cost of dealer parts and labor for simple fixes can get out of hand sometimes.

 

[Four and a half]

Said the cats were rusted out. And I Know I had an exhaust leak patched previously, so I believe I may need an entirely new exhaust.

Forgive my ignorance. I know the stealerships get out of control with costs. For the U joints you mention taking them to a drive shaft shop. Is that because the replacement is something that needs to be handled by specialists?

I'll see if I can find the magnaflow cats you're describing.

Thanks very much. I REALLY don't want to get rid of my 80. Like the thought of doing so is hurting my heart.

 

[inkpot]

Do you need to be smog legal? I just put new cat, muffler, and tailpipe on mine for under $500 at a locally owned mufflershop. Stay away from national chains and dealers.

Recently there was a thread about front driveshafts here on this forum. There was new front cv shafts for around $400. Search and save lots of $$$. John

 

[RS6tofj80]

I've got a set of driveshafts with new Toyota ujoints in the front one and the rear is almost new with 2k miles on it

Where are you ? Likley there is a mud member who can guide you to a real shop that can get you set for les then half of the Stealership......

 

[ajax1]

I ordered new Toyota u joints, and pulled the front shaft, and had a guy press them in at a machine shop for 100 bucks total for everything. Buy a aftermarket cat or straight pipe it that's cheap also

 

[coastsider]

Depends on how the rest of the truck is. I wouldn't get rid of it for something as simple as that. You can go to a local exhaust guy and have the cats replaced pretty cheap and U joints are next to nothing (even though next to nothing for a Land Cruiser is pretty steep). If you dont have the tooling or skills to do the joints yourself then just drop the driveshaft (mark the alignment first) and take it in to a local shop to have them swapped out for a hundred bucks and a 12 pack. I would buy the OEM U Joints though and give them to the shop to install, check cruiser parts dot net or toyomotorparts or call CDAN or something, dont go to the dealer to get them unless you get discounted pricing. Find a good mom-n-pop exhaust shop where you can talk to the owner/operator who will be doing the work so you can let him know that this isn't just another car, it's your land cruiser and you want it done right. If you go to one of the corporate places you never know what youll get, you could end up having someone really good do the work or a hi school drop out who will have his mind more on what tatoo design he will get when the whisle blows at 4:00. I'd question the cats though, I've got two 93's one with 360,000 miles on it and have never had cat problems. Toyota would make a good buck off of simply welding in a cat pack. If you are not getting MIL light and are still passing smog then I would call BS. If it is bad cats then fix whatever it is that burnt them or you will do the same thing in short time. Shake the driveshaft too to look for any movement of the u joint, you would hate to do those and then find out it was a bad lockup in the transmission, once again, I have never had a ujoint go bad either (I do keep them greased along with the spline shafts and knuckles). I dont know what your PM habits are or how mechanical you are or even how much troubleshooting you have had done but if it were my truck, I would do a simple tune up, cap-rotor-plugs and ohm the wires to make sure they are somewhat even, clean the air filter(asuming you use K&N otherwise change it) and drain and fill the transmission fluid (I think it's about 7 qts). OEM only on the cap and rotor (wires if you need them). With any luck you just have a slipping tranny (could just be low on fluid too) and in need of your yearly tune up. Don't forget, these things are bullet proof if you just do the simple prevenative maintenance items. Unless you haven't been doing this stuff then I'd be surprised if it's something major. Cooling system is the biggest issue, stay on top of it or you will have problems. The other thing is that you don't know what you get when you buy another used one so it'll cost you quite a few bucks to baseline it, you know where you stand now. If you live in the SF bay area it would be fun to give you a hand getting it right again. Good luck. Cheers, dan

 

[Alleycats]

So a couple of small issues come up and you already want to dump the poor thing?

 

[Four and a half]

We have emissions, so it needs to be legit I think. I am pretty sure I need the front cat as well. I saw those for about 350 or so. The rear cat for about 100 or so. Did you do from the rear cat back? Or all the way from the front?

I am on northeastern pa. I have a pretty solid toyota tech as my primary mechanic. I took it to the stealership to get the full once over. I dont do my own work, at least not much past the most simple tasks.

I am very encouraged by the information here. The toyota dealer made it out to be a dire situation. I know the exhaust has some issues, and im prepared to replace as much of it as is needed. I had no frame of reference at all for the u joint issue. I didnt know whether it was a 100 or 2000 dollar issue.

I just did the tune up recently. Plugs, wires, filters, etc.

Thanks so much for the information. Ive done some searches on the u joint issue and while im not sure id be the right person to remove the shaft, i have guys who can help with that and i am pretty sure there is a local shaft shop.

Im going to have my toyota guy check out the front cat. If anyone has a trustworthy local exhaust place north of philly, west of new york, south of pa/ny state line, id love to hear it.

 

[jkilcullen]

God sounds like a wreck, I can take it off your hands no charge seriously though ujoints are maintenance and a do it yourself job if you own a hammer, socket set and a flat head screwdriver. If you don't then just bring it to a driveline shop for the ujoints and Bring it to a "velazquez/tito/chihuahua muffler shop" for exhaust.

 

[Four and a half]

So a couple of small issues come up and you already want to dump the poor thing?

Look at it from the perspective of a non mechanic with little experience and a strong love for the vehicle. My heart was hurting. But now thanks to mud, my spirit is lifted.

 

[Motleyone]

Its like being married and your wife starts to gain a little weight. If she is a good wife you don't just dump her. You motivate her to get back in shape and protect your investment. Before you know it she is good as new.

 

[Funner]

Depends on how the rest of the truck is. I wouldn't get rid of it for something as simple as that. You can go to a local exhaust guy and have the cats replaced pretty cheap and U joints are next to nothing (even though next to nothing for a Land Cruiser is pretty steep). If you dont have the tooling or skills to do the joints yourself then just drop the driveshaft (mark the alignment first) and take it in to a local shop to have them swapped out for a hundred bucks and a 12 pack. I would buy the OEM U Joints though and give them to the shop to install, check cruiser parts dot net or toyomotorparts or call CDAN or something, dont go to the dealer to get them unless you get discounted pricing. Find a good mom-n-pop exhaust shop where you can talk to the owner/operator who will be doing the work so you can let him know that this isn't just another car, it's your land cruiser and you want it done right. If you go to one of the corporate places you never know what youll get, you could end up having someone really good do the work or a hi school drop out who will have his mind more on what tatoo design he will get when the whisle blows at 4:00. I'd question the cats though, I've got two 93's one with 360,000 miles on it and have never had cat problems. Toyota would make a good buck off of simply welding in a cat pack. If you are not getting MIL light and are still passing smog then I would call BS. If it is bad cats then fix whatever it is that burnt them or you will do the same thing in short time. Shake the driveshaft too to look for any movement of the u joint, you would hate to do those and then find out it was a bad lockup in the transmission, once again, I have never had a ujoint go bad either (I do keep them greased along with the spline shafts and knuckles). I dont know what your PM habits are or how mechanical you are or even how much troubleshooting you have had done but if it were my truck, I would do a simple tune up, cap-rotor-plugs and ohm the wires to make sure they are somewhat even, clean the air filter(asuming you use K&N otherwise change it) and drain and fill the transmission fluid (I think it's about 7 qts). OEM only on the cap and rotor (wires if you need them). With any luck you just have a slipping tranny (could just be low on fluid too) and in need of your yearly tune up. Don't forget, these things are bullet proof if you just do the simple prevenative maintenance items. Unless you haven't been doing this stuff then I'd be surprised if it's something major. Cooling system is the biggest issue, stay on top of it or you will have problems. The other thing is that you don't know what you get when you buy another used one so it'll cost you quite a few bucks to baseline it, you know where you stand now. If you live in the SF bay area it would be fun to give you a hand getting it right again. Good luck. Cheers, dan

eyes burning

 

[Heckraiser]

u joints and cats are two of the simplest things to fix. If you are not a DIY wrencher, any driveline shop can replace your u-joints for under $100.

Cats just bolt up if you wanna go that route. Sure, they're not cheap, but you can use an universal weld-in cat (also under $100 and have the exhaust shop put it together for probably another $100 if you don't mind it not being "factory correct." For emissions standards, as long as they see two cats, you should be fine.

Get real, buddy, why on earth would you consider dumping a truck over such minor issues? No disrespect intended, just sayin. :edit: just read your responses, sounds like we are on the same page now Also save yourself a gazillion dollars and avoid the toyota dealership like the plague, unless you are just stopping by the parts counter.

 

[Four and a half]

Its like being married and your wife starts to gain a little weight. If she is a good wife you don't just dump her. You motivate her to get back in shape and protect your investment. Before you know it she is good as new.

My wonderful wife, who has gained some weight and had some issues but is currently working her butt off (literally) to get back into shape, and drives my awesome LX450 laughed at that.

I think I'm going to give it a go. I'm going to need to learn a bit more about the front cat replacement and whether that's really needed to pass emissions around here.

Plus, Like I said, anyone have a jersey or eastern PA exhaust place they trust, I'll compensate them if things go well (the member, the shop will naturally be compensated for their work).

 

[Four and a half]

u joints and cats are two of the simplest things to fix. If you are not a DIY wrencher, any driveline shop can replace your u-joints for under $100.

Cats just bolt up. Sure, they're not cheap, but you can use an universal weld-in cat (also under $100 and have the exhaust shop put it together for probably another $100.

Get real, buddy, why on earth would you consider dumping a truck over such minor issues? No disrespect intended, just sayin. Also save yourself a gazillion dollars and avoid the toyota dealership like the plague, unless you are just stopping by the parts counter.

I just didn't have any frame of reference, and the stealership made it seem like it was the end of the world. If it was gonna be a 2k+ fix, I'd be looking for another 80, or maybe a 100.

I wanted the dealership to give it the once over because I knew they'd be persnickety and I wanted to know all the possible issues that would be difficult for me, a novice, to diagnose effectively.

 

[Heckraiser]

Yeah, I gotcha, see my edit to the post. Sounds like a good time to start reading up and practicing and learning to work on it yourself, if you've got the spare time.

 

[CJF]

I took it to the stealership to get the full once over.

Utterly pointless.

You could have them fix everything they supposedly found, bring it back a month later, tell them you just want to make sure everything's still in good shape, and they'd find another $2,000+ of "needed" work.

And then again a month after that...

...and a month after that...

...and...

 

[Four and a half]

Utterly pointless.

You could have them fix everything they supposedly found, bring it back a month later, tell them you just want to make sure everything's still in good shape, and they'd find another $2,000+ of "needed" work.

And then again a month after that...

...and a month after that...

...and...

I understand, but thats a little harsh. As a novice im not even sure what i dont know at this point. But im already heartened by this thread. Id like to buy each of you a couple dogfish heads.

 

[retrofive]

I understand, but thats a little harsh. As a novice im not even sure what i dont know at this point. But im already heartened by this thread. Id like to buy each of you a couple dogfish heads.

he's just old and grumpy.