Robbie's Coming to Town - Need Repairs?

[evanz80]

I think most of you know Robbie Antonson. He was involved with HDC when he lived in NM way back when. He now lives in Golden, CO. He was a mechanic for Christo Slee in the Slee shop and has been a Toyota Trail teams driver the last few years. He's also now writing the Tech Exchange column in the Toyota Trails, and I think he's still doing the Trail Teams thing part time.

In his spare time, he's a mechanic for hire, and he has a very good reputation. He specializes in 80 series Cruisers, but I think he'd be willing to work on whatever you've got.

I have been considering the head gasket repair as preventive maintenance before it blows (my Cruiser is at 176,000 miles), and I've decided to go ahead and get it fixed in my garage instead of having it go boom hundreds of miles from home.

So, I'm setting up a visit from Robbie the first week of January. He charges a flat rate for the HG repair and offers a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty. He also charges some travel expenses that I would like to share if anyone has some work that they would like him to do. He should be arriving the afternoon/evening of Monday, January 5th, and he will have some downtime while the head from my Cruiser is at the machine shop (probably Tuesday afternoon, January 6th). See my other message for discussion of machine shops.

I can also make some room available in my garage in the Tijeras area for your repair, if your house doesn't offer indoor accommodations for Robbie to work on your truck.

If you're interested, let me know and we can discuss. Or feel free to send Robbie an e-mail at powderpig@q.com if you'd like to check on pricing for your particular job.

Even if you don't have any repairs, but would like to visit with Robbie while he's in town, I'm sure he would like to hear from you guys who know him.

Thanks -
Evan

 

[sirenmoses]

Would a lift install be below his standards? Got a 60 and a 2.5" kit waiting to get married.

What flavor is the rent on your shop?

 

[OGBeno]

Would a lift install be below his standards? Got a 60 and a 2.5" kit waiting to get married.

What flavor is the rent on your shop?

Yes.



[in all honesty, probably not]

That said, I think a club outing for some food and drink while Robbie is in town would indeed be a good idea for a good dude...

 

[firemedicpq1]

Maybe a run with the club. I have wheeled with Robbie a few years back when he was driving for the Trail Teams. He is very knowledgeable and a great guy to boot.
paul

 

[evanz80]

Would a lift install be below his standards? Got a 60 and a 2.5" kit waiting to get married.
What flavor is the rent on your shop?

Hi Sirenmoses -

I'm almost sure that Robbie would be happy to help you with your lift. You might want to send him a note just to confirm, and to see what his price would be (powderpig@q.com).

Also, no rent required on my shop, but I am looking for some help to cover some of Robbie's travel expenses. I'll send you a PM with more details.

By the way, I think you were here for an HDC meeting one time a few years back. We're in the house up on the side of the hill in the Gutierrez Canyon area - pretty much due north and east a little from Shawn's current fire station. I remember meeting you and your 60.

I hope it works out for you - 60's need some lift!
Evan

 

[sirenmoses]

email sent to Robbie, pm returned to Evan. I reckon if this works out I'll have to pony up the HDC membership fees, eh?

Here's my to-do list on this rig (so ya'll can pick on me):

install lift, tailgate storage(see sig line), grab handle
install aftermarket stereo, speakers, CD changer, Napa antenna
repair wheel-well rust w/POR
install aux back-up lights

What I've done myself:
paid Desert Rat to install reciever hitch & 6" Daylighters
installed Tuffy, SOR TuffDuck covers

What I've had help with:
installing SROR bumper (still needs longer bolts swapped in)

Marc's Dad swapped out a door for me, and I still need to get the rig to him to fix the DS doorstop that got ripped out by a fierce wind.

mock away -- my driveway is not only gravel & bark chips, but has no level spots or garage. I am, however, slowly disappearing the in-op vehicles on it. baby steps...

 

[sirenmoses]

Well, after consideration (aka: coworkers saying they need something to do), I'll only be doing the lift install at this time, about 5ish hours of Robbie's time.


Anybody else wanna spend their Santa bux on their truck while he's here?

 

[evanz80]

Hi Sirenmoses - thanks for the update.

Robbie will be here a week from Monday on January 5th. Think about it and please post up here if you've got a project he can help you with.

Evan

 

[OGBeno]

I'm having some issues. What else is new. I will talk with Robbie about it and see if he can help. Thanks for hosting Robbie Evan.



EDIT: I should be a bit clearer--I don't need Robbie to do any work. I just need him to sit in my truck and drive it and give me some suggestions. I will do the work.

 

[krecon1]

Spoke with Robbie and he will be doing the Slee 4" install and a front axle rebuild. Once I get this vehicle done I'll finally start heading out on runs with the club.

--Keith

 

[OGBeno]

Spoke with Robbie and he will be doing the Slee 4" install and a front axle rebuild. Once I get this vehicle done I'll finally start heading out on runs with the club.

--Keith

I'll do both for one half of what Robbie charges!



Just kidding.

 

[Beowulf]

Spoke with Robbie and he will be doing the Slee 4" install and a front axle rebuild.

That's good news Keith! I will probably see you at Evan's garage some time while Robbie is here. I have a short list of maintenance items that he is (hopefully) going to do for me. I will probably regret not having Robbie do the HG as PM but that isn't in the budget for this year.

Try to plan to be there when Robbie does your front axle so you will have the knowledge that you could do a trail repair if necessary.

-Mike-

 

[evanz80]

Spoke with Robbie and he will be doing the Slee 4" install and a front axle rebuild. Once I get this vehicle done I'll finally start heading out on runs with the club.
--Keith

Keith -

Great news - glad to hear that Robbie will be working on your truck. I will be in touch over the next couple of days so we can figure out when to get your truck over here.

Evan

 

[alia176]

Evan better get a dozen lawn chairs in the garage so we can just watch Robbie! Oh yeah, I expect the garage to have a mini fridge that's packed with beverages, a stereo, a TV, a heater, .....

 

[pappy]

Evan better get a dozen lawn chairs in the garage so we can just watch Robbie! Oh yeah, I expect the garage to have a mini fridge that's packed with beverages, a stereo, a TV, a heater, .....

What day is that? I might need to take the day off. I'll bring my chair.

 

[evanz80]

I expect the wrenching will likely take the better part of a week. Robbie will be here (weather permitting) next Monday, Jan. 5. He plans to tear into my truck that evening or early Tuesday, in order to get the head to the machine shop by Tuesday afternoon. At that point, he will be working on Carol's 60, Keith's 80, or Mike's 80. Once we get the head back from the machine shop - likely Thursday or so, he will start reassembly on my truck.

I would love to take the whole week off work to observe, but I will be very busy and will be lucky to sneak off for a couple hours here or there. We'll distribute Robbie's cell number so you can call and see if he's around before you make the trek to the East Mountains. He will have little side trips to the machine shop, etc.

It will be a massive wrenching party!

 

[evanz80]

Evan better get a dozen lawn chairs in the garage so we can just watch Robbie! Oh yeah, I expect the garage to have a mini fridge that's packed with beverages, a stereo, a TV, a heater, .....

The lawn chairs and the heater I think we can manage. This will be a BYOB event and the "frig" will be that snowbank right outside the door! There's no need for a TV - Robbie will be supplying the entertainment. I may need to work on something for the tunes...

 

[OGBeno]

I expect the wrenching will likely take the better part of a week. Robbie will be here (weather permitting) next Monday, Jan. 5. He plans to tear into my truck that evening or early Tuesday, in order to get the head to the machine shop by Tuesday afternoon. At that point, he will be working on Carol's 60, Keith's 80, or Mike's 80. Once we get the head back from the machine shop - likely Thursday or so, he will start reassembly on my truck.

I would love to take the whole week off work to observe, but I will be very busy and will be lucky to sneak off for a couple hours here or there. We'll distribute Robbie's cell number so you can call and see if he's around before you make the trek to the East Mountains. He will have little side trips to the machine shop, etc.

It will be a massive wrenching party!

Do we have any plans for a night out? After all, it would be HDC apropos to take the man out for some food and drink...

-o-

 

[Beowulf]

Do we have any plans for a night out? After all, it would be HDC apospos to take the man out for some food and drink...

Good suggestion. In years past, Robbie has attended HDC meetings if he was in New Mexico when we had a meeting.

-Mike-

 

[pappy]

Do we have any plans for a night out? After all, it would be HDC apospos to take the man out for some food and drink...

-o-

Always food with you, isn't it!

Sorry, couldn't resist.