New to IH8MUD and Bay Area 100 Series Owner

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johnnygear

johnnygear

Joined
Feb 25, 2026
Threads
1
Messages
4
Location
San Francisco, CA
Hey all,

About 6 months ago I bought this 100 Series Land Cruiser, from 2000 painted in Imperial Jade Mica with 210,000 miles. The 100 Series has been my dream car for many years, and I've been loving owning it. Everytime I drive it, I'm happy with my purchase.

But I've started to think about various maintenance and upgrades. Before purchasing, I got it inspected at a Toyota dealership who pointed out a few issues: AC needs compressor/condenser/controller, brake rotors are a little warped, power steering rack is at risk of failing, warning light on the ABS system. Over the next year or two, I want to develop relationship with a reputable shop that will help me fix these things, and potentially add some overlanding-type upgrades. I live in San Francisco. So I am curious to hear about peoples experience with various Bay Area shops. I was considering going to the Toy Shop in the Richmond District first.

Also, the clear coat on the paint has started to peel, on the hood, the roof, and in pretty small parts of two of the doors. I don't love how it looks, but it sounds like a wrap or full repaint are the only real viable options here after talking to a detailing shop about it. A lot of these Green 100 series I've seen selling online have similar issues. I guess that's the cost I pay for having it being owned in Cali its whole life with minimal rust but lots of sun...

Last, there is a audible buzzing/rumbling sound when the car is stationary and in gear (in all D/R/1/2/3). This sound goes away when it is in park, or moving over a few MPH. It sounds like it coming from the floor below the rear seats. Curious if anyone has ideas for what this might be before I take it into get looked at. The car is operating fine, it's just the noise that has started to bother me when I am in traffic...

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Congrats on the Cruiser, she’s a beaut! I’m moving to the Bay Area this summer so I guess I’m looking for a solid mechanic/shop as well.

Side note: it’s FKN EXPENSIVE out there haha. If I didn’t have a wife and child, I’d live in my LX lol.
 
Noise you're hearing could be something simple like heat shields around exhaust or could be trans/ transfer case (center diff) related or something else. Prob good thing it goes away while moving I would think.

Get a real good friend to assist and have a look under there while the friend shifts in/out of gear with a foot on the brake pedal.
 
leveeguy said:
Noise you're hearing could be something simple like heat shields around exhaust or could be trans/ transfer case (center diff) related or something else. Prob good thing it goes away while moving I would think.

Get a real good friend to assist and have a look under there while the friend shifts in/out of gear with a foot on the brake pedal.
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Yeah I naively was thinking it was center diff but not super mechanically savvy. Good idea on getting a friend to help diagnose where the sound is coming from
 
LC Lurker said:
Congrats on the Cruiser, she’s a beaut! I’m moving to the Bay Area this summer so I guess I’m looking for a solid mechanic/shop as well.

Side note: it’s FKN EXPENSIVE out there haha. If I didn’t have a wife and child, I’d live in my LX lol.
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Yeah dude cost of living is no joke, but the quality of life is pretty damn good too, so it partially makes up for it... So many beautiful places to drive the truck within a few hours of here. Still not sure about shops, since Mudrak is so far from me. Still leaning towards Toy Shop since I can throw my bike in the back of the LC and bike home when I drop it off
 
johnnygear said:
Heard good things about this shop, but their website seems more oriented towards older Cruisers, like 80 series and before. Have you taken your 100 there before to get worked on?
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Gary, aka Mudrak, works on any and all series Cruisers an has expanded to other makes now too. He personally drove a 100 for many years. I take mine there when time allows for it.
 
Franks Import Repair Service in Concord is great. I just bought my 2000 LC about a month ago and he did the prepurchase inspection and all of the service’s it needed after I bought it. I have been using him for about 15 years. He has a 4th Gen V8 4Runner with more than a few modifications and he takes it off road. He is a bit closer than Mudrak.

I’m looking for a Bay Area shop that can do an alignment after I do shocks, upper control arms and turn my torsion bars if anyone has any suggestions.
 
Paul10 said:
Franks Import Repair Service in Concord is great. I just bought my 2000 LC about a month ago and he did the prepurchase inspection and all of the service’s it needed after I bought it. I have been using him for about 15 years. He has a 4th Gen V8 4Runner with more than a few modifications and he takes it off road. He is a bit closer than Mudrak.

I’m looking for a Bay Area shop that can do an alignment after I do shocks, upper control arms and turn my torsion bars if anyone has any suggestions.
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The Alignment Shop in Fairfield is outstanding. The guy is a master.
 
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Great servicing experiences for over a decade with my 100 series that is now at ~230k miles:

XYZ Motors in Oakland
Don’s Tires in Berkeley
 
I'll add a couple in here too. Top Shop in Walnut Creek has good 100 Series experience. They just did a full timing belt service for me and I'm very happy.

Also, Star Alignments in Berkeley is great. Havent had them do my 100 yet but took my 911 and track car there.
 
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