Radiator and Additional PM Work Labor? (1 Viewer)

[RT Cruiser]

I purchased all the parts online from a Toyota at a discounted price. I picked up the parts.

I did shop around for competent independent mechanic who would not charge extra labor hours. Total price was about $400 for labor.

Best way to go. Good for you. I usually order parts online for big discounts. I recently ordered the trailer-wire harness from Japan via Megazip for a big discount.

I’ve done the thermostat, hoses, and belt. Not difficult but the thermostat was a bit of a bugger due to one small bolt. If I had the option to do all that work or pay a mechanic $400 then I’d be highly tempted to have a mechanic do it.

 

[CharlieS]

This may not be an option in your area, but an independent garage (ideally a Toyota specialist) may be a more economical way to go. I don't value the extras provided by dealer service departments (waiting room, shuttle rides, loaner cars, large administrative staffs) and they've never done me any favors (even when I've purchased multiple new vehicles from them). These days, if I don't do the work myself, I'd rather work with a small local mechanic where I'm paying more directly for the labor and overhead, and they're making a reasonable profit. One of my good friends made the jump from being a master tech at a dealer to being an indy years ago, and he charges a lot lower labor rate, makes a much better income, has direct relationships with his clients (not buffered by a service writer), and values his reputation. He has every incentive to be honest and fair, since return business is his bread and butter. I'd much rather do business with him or someone like him, than get the run around at a Toyota dealer.

 

[Hugga99]

This may not be an option in your area, but an independent garage (ideally a Toyota specialist) may be a more economical way to go. I don't value the extras provided by dealer service departments (waiting room, shuttle rides, loaner cars, large administrative staffs) and they've never done me any favors (even when I've purchased multiple new vehicles from them). These days, if I don't do the work myself, I'd rather work with a small local mechanic where I'm paying more directly for the labor and overhead, and they're making a reasonable profit. One of my good friends made the jump from being a master tech at a dealer to being an indy years ago, and he charges a lot lower labor rate, makes a much better income, has direct relationships with his clients (not buffered by a service writer), and values his reputation. He has every incentive to be honest and fair, since return business is his bread and butter. I'd much rather do business with him or someone like him, than get the run around at a Toyota dealer.

Great advice. I messaged the dealer asking to see if they can work on the cost a bit. If they don’t move much, I’ll just pick it up and do exactly that. It has been awhile since I looked into finding a good Indy tech in Austin, but I’ll do just that. When I was using a few good shops, a couple of years ago, they had gotten to the point of often costing more than the dealer....which frustrated me. They were also beginning to nickel and dime me, so I began just going to the dealer for the ease of it all.

If anyone on herehas any recommendations in Austin that are SW area, let me know. Land Cruiser Specialist is too far from me, at this point, and I had previously used Rising Sun on S. Lamar. They were getting very close to dealer prices, from my experience.

 

[Weedhopper]

If you are going that deep you would want to put a separate transmission cooler on the new radiator.

It’s only money, but the perfect time to do it.

 

[bloc]

If you are going that deep you would want to put a separate transmission cooler on the new radiator.

It’s only money, but the perfect time to do it.

Do LXs not have one like the landcruisers do?

I thought all US 200s had both the in-radiator heat exchanger and an auxiliary air/fluid in front of the AC condenser on the passenger side..

 

[marketShark]

If anyone on herehas any recommendations in Austin that are SW area, let me know. Land Cruiser Specialist is too far from me, at this point, and I had previously used Rising Sun on S. Lamar. They were getting very close to dealer prices, from my experience.

Bearden is North Austin and worth the drive. I trust him with my 200. LC Spec defers to him for most newer stuff and he sends most of his old cruiser work to LCS.

He also sends out coupons from time to time. Figures that I can’t find one when my radiator goes out!

 

[fasteddie2015]

Bearden is North Austin and worth the drive. I trust him with my 200. LC Spec defers to him for most newer stuff and he sends most of his old cruiser work to LCS.

He also sends out coupons from time to time. Figures that I can’t find one when my radiator goes out!

Bearden is great. I've been taking Toyotas to them for years when its something I cant do myself.