San Diego Area Cruiser-Related Resource List (2 Viewers)

[bvcon]

Just for everyone’s knowledge, called SD Trux today to see if they still work on LC and they said “we haven’t worked on 60 or 70s series in years.”

Anyone have any good general mechanics for Land Cruisers close to Downtown San Diego?

 

[leucadiacruiser]

Just for everyone’s knowledge, called SD Trux today to see if they still work on LC and they said “we haven’t worked on 60 or 70s series in years.”

Anyone have any good general mechanics for Land Cruisers close to Downtown San Diego?

What are you looking to get done? SD Trux is funny that way. 80's and up only as far as LC's go.

 

[bvcon]

What are you looking to get done? SD Trux is funny that way. 80's and up only as far as LC's go.

Looking to do a full R134 conversion on my FJ60s AC, I think it just needs the clutch but might as well do the full swap.

 

[leucadiacruiser]

Brad's Foreign and Domestic in Encinitas has done two of my 62's over the years. Been using them for 20+ years on stuff I don't do myself. Matt's the owner and knows Land Cruiser's well - he's got a 40 and you'll frequently see a few 60 series in the lot. Not close to downtown but an option with a recommendation.

 

[landcruising]

John at SD Trux's has been kind of back and forth on older cruisers for me. He has done great work for me in the past (40 and 80 series) when I lacked time to do things myself, but at a big $. He was hesitant the last time I went in for some work a couple years ago. I get the feeling he only wants to do service on newer Toyotas now and needs to quote higher than book prices due to older vehicle problems and custom applications. Which is a bummer since many need a shop with cruiser experience.(i.e. heads, valves etc.)

 

[JMC25]

I know some wrench swing thugs that work for a decent price... what are you looking to get done??

can i get the info of the wrench thugs?

 

[oslivin]

I had a really good experience at FTS is Convoy area. It's a shop that works on older classics etc. They rebuilt my carb, pulled the transmission and did a bunch of other stuff for a, I think, great price. By mine, I mean my 78 40.

 

[1973Guppie]

John at SD Trux's has been kind of back and forth on older cruisers for me. He has done great work for me in the past (40 and 80 series) when I lacked time to do things myself, but at a big $. He was hesitant the last time I went in for some work a couple years ago. I get the feeling he only wants to do service on newer Toyotas now and needs to quote higher than book prices due to older vehicle problems and custom applications. Which is a bummer since many need a shop with cruiser experience.(i.e. heads, valves etc.)

I mostly work on older fj40's, 60's etc. What many people don't realize is we have to charge more than a newer car as they are just harder to work on, find parts for and be able to provide some type of warranty. I don't do much maintenance work or small jobs anymore unless it is part of a larger build. Mostly vehicle builds. Most of my current customers have their trucks here for awhile and want a bunch of stuff done. I pick and choose what projects to work on at this point. Let me know if I can help.

 

[oslivin]

I mostly work on older fj40's, 60's etc. What many people don't realize is we have to charge more than a newer car as they are just harder to work on, find parts for and be able to provide some type of warranty. I don't do much maintenance work or small jobs anymore unless it is part of a larger build. Mostly vehicle builds. Most of my current customers have their trucks here for awhile and want a bunch of stuff done. I pick and choose what projects to work on at this point. Let me know if I can help.

It's obviously your business and you can charge what you want etc. And my following isn't negating or contradicting that thought, but I have a few questions. Mostly, 40's and 60's are pretty straight forward to work on. Not that difficult, but just not worked on as much because they are older etc. People are more comfortable working on newer vehicles because.....well, that's what they were trained on. OEM parts, and even non OEM have warranties on the parts themselves, but obviously don't cover the labor of it being installed correctly or incorrectly or just shoddy work. Should providing a warranty be such a high overhead or something to provide? I had FTS put a new clutch and flywheel in my 40 and it's covered for two years parts and labor because they are a certified shop etc. My rebuilt carb even has a two year warranty.

Just my thought's I guess and not meant to be disparaging at all.

 

[DomSmith]

I think a lot of the trouble with these old trucks is addressing some lame ass PO “work” that’s difficult to diagnose and resolve.

Some of these trucks are 50+ years old have had some interesting “upgrades”. I think a stock rig that’s not been messed with is rare and easier to tackle because things are as expected. Many others are not.

If it was worth their while SD Trux would still be doing them. Much easier to plug in a computer to pull codes than to do the timing/vacuum/compression/gap dance on the older stuff. It’s time consuming.

 

[saywhat]

Not LC, but at least Toyota; Any recommendations on mobile mechanics/side work seekers? Have a bunch of parts (brakes/front end/suspension) for baselining on my 87 Pickup 4x4. I got incredibly busy this summer so more than happy to pay someone to get this project knocked out for me. I'm in Encinitas, but willing to travel throughout SD if needed.

 

[Adamcbad]

Brad's Foreign and Domestic in Encinitas has done two of my 62's over the years. Been using them for 20+ years on stuff I don't do myself. Matt's the owner and knows Land Cruiser's well - he's got a 40 and you'll frequently see a few 60 series in the lot. Not close to downtown but an option with a recommendation.

I tried to contact him a few days ago to get some maintenance work done on my 71 fj40 and he refused…guess he sold his 40 to a buddy too.

 

[Adamcbad]

Anyone know of any garages in the San Diego area that will still work on old cruisers (71 with original engine)? Preferably north county. I’ve been striking out so far…

 

[calixto]

@1973Guppie with Noahs Ark TLC is the go to for older Cruiser repairs in SD. Great service & work!
Noah's arks of socal LLC: Toyota Landcruiser and 4x4 restoration, modification and fabrication
www.noahsarkstlc.com
Noah's Arks Toyota Landcruiser Specialists San Diego

 

[Adamcbad]

@1973Guppie with Noahs Ark TLC is the go to for older Cruiser repairs in SD. Great service & work!
Noah's arks of socal LLC: Toyota Landcruiser and 4x4 restoration, modification and fabrication
www.noahsarkstlc.com
Noah's Arks Toyota Landcruiser Specialists San Diego

@1973Guppie with Noahs Ark TLC is the go to for older Cruiser repairs in SD. Great service & work!
Noah's arks of socal LLC: Toyota Landcruiser and 4x4 restoration, modification and fabrication
www.noahsarkstlc.com
Noah's Arks Toyota Landcruiser Specialists San Diego

I actually spoke to Noah and seems like a good dude. I am going to stop by his place some time and have him take a look but it sounds like he is looking for bigger projects/restoration projects. I should have specified in my post I’m looking more for general maintenance.

 

[1973Guppie]

I actually spoke to Noah and seems like a good dude. I am going to stop by his place some time and have him take a look but it sounds like he is looking for bigger projects/restoration projects. I should have specified in my post I’m looking more for general maintenance.

thanks for your understanding! I really do wish I had more room and facilities to help everyone.

 

[Cbad Cruiser]

I'm in Carlsbad with a FJ62 and need my transmission serviced (transmission oil leaking into transfer case). I've had it at Transmission Pros in Escondido for over two weeks and they finally said, they can't find parts. Is there anyone local some else has used and would recommend?

 

[saywhat]

I'm in Carlsbad with a FJ62 and need my transmission serviced (transmission oil leaking into transfer case). I've had it at Transmission Pros in Escondido for over two weeks and they finally said, they can't find parts. Is there anyone local some else has used and would recommend?

Have you tried The Truck Shop in Miramar The Truck Shop - http://sdtruckshop.com? Every time I've been there, there is always at least 1 or 2 60s parked outside.

 

[leucadiacruiser]

I'm in Carlsbad with a FJ62 and need my transmission serviced (transmission oil leaking into transfer case). I've had it at Transmission Pros in Escondido for over two weeks and they finally said, they can't find parts. Is there anyone local some else has used and would recommend?

I’m beginning to resign myself to the fact I’ll be putting my 62 on a flatbed and shipping it up to Valley Hybrids when that time comes.

 

[Overlandeffex]

@leucadiacruiser or have the trans shipped up there.