SoCal Toyota/LC Mechanic recommendations? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter eric90503
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jjdeneen918
SILVER Star
Top Line Performance in Huntington Beach. I had a friend who had them rebuild the engine after he spun a main bearing.
the owner owns an 80, there parking lot is packed full of cruisers.
the owner owns an 80, there parking lot is packed full of cruisers.
Yotamasters in Corona About Us - Yotamasters
RPM Offroad Garage in Monrovia. The shop owner has a 60, 80 and 100 series. They work on stock and built Toyotas all day.
Also yota masters. Both are pretty far apart on the map.
Also yota masters. Both are pretty far apart on the map.
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azngarage
SILVER Star
If you in no rust, you can bring by my place and ill try to help you. Im located in Garden Grove area.
Miyaki Motorsports - i have recommended them to a few of my friends to work on 80s, 100s from swapping axles, rebuild lockers to engine overhauls with good results and very reasonably priced too
tag
COYS
SILVER Star
This - thanks to Marco for the referral.
- Thread starter
- #9
Thanks man. I'll have to check them out. How's your friends rebuild holding up?
- Thread starter
- #10
Are you with Yotamasters Dully? I wasn't going to say anything about them as I've heard nothing but good things about them. However, I think there was some major misinformation given from them when I brought my 80 over there....
- Thread starter
- #11
Very cool of you to offer. If I can't find someone locally, then perhaps I'll take you up on your offer. I wish Toyota didn't pull out of this state. I had 2 of the top corporate mechanics locally that were always available to tech out a vehicle. Now there both in America now..
No I'm not with YM. Sad to hear about the misinformation that was given, interested to hear what that was... I've heard good things ( no first hand experience ) as well, just trying to support local shops. Not sure where you are located.
@eric90503 What happened? I'm just curious.
- Thread starter
- #14
Thank you for the recommendation. My buddy whom I trust recommended them as well. I'm sure they do awesome work but a few things didn't add up. I'm not one to bad mouth people especially on a forum. But I'll just present the facts and you can decide.
Brought in my 80 for a driveline vibration that I didn't feel like hunting down. I was still running my stock front driveshaft at the time. Along with my 80 I provided them a old landtank DC in great shape. YT took my 80 for a couple weeks to diagnose. They reported back that the DC front did not fit, "it's too long"...
I was surprised as it fit my friends 80, perfectly. YT said it's probably your rear driveshaft. They are discontinued but we can special order you one, but it would have to be custom made, around $800 bucks something and change. I said I would get back to them on that after. This is after I paid just shy of $400 bucks for their "diagnosis".
A week passes by and I decide to order a Tatton special, as I've heard good things about them on mud. Curiosity got the better of me and I decided to get off my ass to see if the landtank DC Front would fit while the Tatton was on it's way. Unbolted the stocker and lined up the DC. F'ing thing dropped right in... I was super pissed as any 1 banana monkey could do this. Not sure where too long, won't fit YT was talking about.
This made me re-think about what they said on the discontinued rear DS. At that time I contacted Beno and he said they are available all day long. Not sure if it's still available currently.
So, in the end. The culprit was the front DS. The landtank one fit as well as the Tatton.
Expensive lesson learned from being lazy. I guess I should try to find out the IAC/Stumble issue but after 80hr work weeks, a good LC tech in the area would be nice. Especially if I'm going to do my HG for this blower that's been sitting on the floor for the the past 2yrs, lol.
I have heard good things from YotaMasters too and came highly recommended. Called them wanted a quote for 4.88 gears plus install on three separate occasions. Every time they would take my info and never bothered to call me back, but yet, he/she say I will hear from someone within 30 mins. Never.
COYS
SILVER Star
Any updates on 80s-capable Los Angeles area shops? I called Yotamasters just now and they're booked out till March and isn't taking appointments until February.
I'm always hoping to find an ex-Toyota LC engineer from Japan now with a hidden gem of a shop in Torrance wrenching for kicks in the USA option.
I'm always hoping to find an ex-Toyota LC engineer from Japan now with a hidden gem of a shop in Torrance wrenching for kicks in the USA option.
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RPM off road garage is a great choice. They are booked up so you might have to wait a few weeks but at least they call you back to set up an appointment.
I would also just call around and feel out the smaller mom n pop shops.
What are you looking to get done? I took my 100 series into a hole in the wall called 10-degrees automotive here in Corona for timing belt, water pump, front main seal, pulley's, tensioners, etc...
I called him on a friday and he told me to drop it off on Monday morning. had my car back Tuesday morning.
Sometimes you just need to pass on the more popular shops and find an old timer that knows their stuff.
I would also just call around and feel out the smaller mom n pop shops.
What are you looking to get done? I took my 100 series into a hole in the wall called 10-degrees automotive here in Corona for timing belt, water pump, front main seal, pulley's, tensioners, etc...
I called him on a friday and he told me to drop it off on Monday morning. had my car back Tuesday morning.
Sometimes you just need to pass on the more popular shops and find an old timer that knows their stuff.
COYS
SILVER Star
Front axle rebuild redo.
I think we're on the same page. As I had mentioned already, I'm looking for that hidden gem in Los Angeles. I'm all for supporting the old timer that knows their ish as you say! Hidden gem = Toyota 80 series whisperer with integrity & pride in work.
P.S. I was put on hold at RPM after trying to reach them on 4 sep occasions. After 6 mins, hung up.
I haven't used these guys personally, they came recommended from a fellow that I work with and owns a LC. Cruiser tech is the name and they are out of laguna hills.
COYS
SILVER Star
Thanks for the pointer!
I just spoke with the owner. Looks like he owns an 80 series himself and his business partner (?) a 100 series doing some type of 105 solid axle conversion.
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I also spoke with Bulletproof Restorations and might be hitting up Corsetti Cruisers.
