Toyota shop in the valley (1 Viewer)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Scott68FJ40

SILVER Star
Joined
Mar 16, 2003
Threads
156
Messages
1,033
Location
Olympia, WA
Website
www.myblueheaven.com
One of my co-workers just bought his son an 86 4x4 mini truck for his first vehicle. He asked me today if I knew of any good shops in the valley if/when he needs service. Having just moved up from Tucson a couple months ago, I really have no idea, but told him that I knew were to find out.
 
No suggestions at all? Seems hard to believe that no one has a shop that they can suggest.
 
X2...

Mike rebuilt my 90 4Runner while a tech at (then) Tempe Toy.
 
Toyoworks

Toy Specialists - Service and Repair for Toyota and Lexus Vehicles

I heard they were very good. I have a buddy who has been taking his Corolla there since 1998.

Talk to Andre at Toyoworks on central and hatcher in north PHX, been dealing and working on Toyota's most of his life, great guy i just had my 89 fj62 have a complete motor and front axle rebuild done there and was very negotiable on the price(compared to toyowest) and was impressed with the quality of work done. his number is (623)340-0959
 
Thread Resurrection?

The last post on this thread was 2 years ago. Any current advice on where to go for a mechanic with LC know how?

I just had a not-so-great experience at the dealer and would like to find a trustworthy mechanic.

Thanks!
 
The last post on this thread was 2 years ago. Any current advice on where to go for a mechanic with LC know how?

I just had a not-so-great experience at the dealer and would like to find a trustworthy mechanic.

Thanks!

Murf from Camelback Toyota has always treated CSC members with great service at a fair price. Not your normal dealership experience and many here would agree.
 
The last post on this thread was 2 years ago. Any current advice on where to go for a mechanic with LC know how?

I just had a not-so-great experience at the dealer and would like to find a trustworthy mechanic.

Thanks!
X2 what Phil said. What rig, what kind of work, and what part of the valley are you in? There may be some other options, depending on what you need done, such as serious mods that dealerships would usually stay away from. John
 
Murf from Camelback Toyota has always treated CSC members with great service at a fair price. Not your normal dealership experience and many here would agree.

What he said... Also stay away from Toyowest they will try and rob you blind.
 
I just bought a 97 Land Cruiser (updated my sig to reflect this). It is very stock, 1 owner car.

I live in south Gilbert, so went to the nearest dealer, Big Two.

Right now, I want someone familiar with LCs to look it over and alert me to pending problems. The biggest thing on my radar is low oil pressure readings on the gauge, particularly at idle while warmed up. My immediate goal is to have a normal operating stock LC.

The dealer said:
Front Cover and Rear Main Seals are leaking: $3200
Front Sway bar is broken: $650
Steering Stabilizer needs replaced: $350
Oil was low, other fluids are fine.
Tires have dry rot, 3 have good tread.
Brakes look good other than slight warpage that makes for a vibration.

Not sure they looked at steering knuckles, birfields, flux capacitors and other parts unique to offroad vehicles.

This is my daily driver, so I am trying to build a little confidence in this rig. Considering a day trip over labor day to see how it performs. Mostly highways and maybe some dirt roads to catch up with friends who are camping.
 
Murf from Camelback Toyota has always treated CSC members with great service at a fair price. Not your normal dealership experience and many here would agree.
I agree with Phil - See Murf at Camelback...Great Service and work
 
I live near the Chandler Mall. I would be glad to take a peek at it for you. High quality after market steering stabilizer is less than $100, easy to do by yourself. Sway bar parts should be available here in the MUD classifieds, again, easy to do replacement. With nigher mileage, you may want to go to a higher viscosity oil, like 20-50. I would do a serious cleanup on engine and underside so you can locate and evaluate oil leaks. Seepage and slow leaks are really only a minor inconvenience, and pretty common with this mileage. Tires really depend on your plans for usage of the rig. John
 
I pretty much agree with inkpot;

... The biggest thing on my radar is low oil pressure readings on the gauge, particularly at idle while warmed up. My immediate goal is to have a normal operating stock LC.

In hot weather, with the USA recommended oil, very low pressure is common, normal. Likely not an issue, but I prefer to use the “for everybody else but USA” Toyota recommended oil chart to select my oil. I go by the coldest temp that it will be started at, on the oil change. I run Mobil One 15W50, others have good results from 5 or 10W40. If the oil is fresh, wouldn't worry about it, when time to change, would step up in viscosity.

AU viscosity chart
1FZFE motor
20w50 oil- -7 deg to 38 plus ; 19 f to 100 f plus
15w40 oil -10 deg to 38 plus; 14 f to 100 f plus
10w30 oil -18 to +38 deg; 0 f to 100 f
5w30 -30 to 8 deg celcius; -22 f to 46 f

...The dealer said:
Front Cover and Rear Main Seals are leaking: $3200

Some what common, the "need" for a fix depends on the leak and your tolerance of leaks.

Front Sway bar is broken: $650

Depends on "broken". The mounts tend to break, most times, easy/cheap fix.

Steering Stabilizer needs replaced: $350

I'm :meh: on this one. I ran the stock unit with a lift and big tires, it was :meh:. Finally died, removed, ran with out and it was :meh:. Bought an aftermarket (OME) heavy duty and it is :meh:.:hillbilly:

... Not sure they looked at steering knuckles, birfields, flux capacitors and other parts unique to offroad vehicles. ...

This is an important part, if some of this stuff is run low, short on lube, it can run into $$$$ in a hurry.
 
Thanks for all the advice. The dealer service adviser mentioned that toyotas run low, I am staying on high alert for odd sounds or smells.

Inkpot, thank you for the offer, I am headed to San Diego in early Saturday so can't make it. I would greatly accept the next invite next time around. Talking with experienced people is clearly the fastest way I get educated.

If I don't have another opportunity to meet up, I will head to Camelback Toyota and ask for Murf or Phil. BTW, what kind of name is Murf? Is that short for Murphy or something?

Also, thank you to everyone for all the helpful attitudes and welcoming words. Infiltrating a tight knit community like this seems intimidating at first, but you have all taken that edge off.
 
... If I don't have another opportunity to meet up, I will head to Camelback Toyota and ask for Murf or Phil. ...

Likely best to ask for Eric Murphy, Phil just paints the buses!:eek::hillbilly:
 
You can bring your Cruiser by Clement's auto repair in gilbert and ask for Scott and ill take care of you.
 
Dredging this up again, is Murf at Camelback still the place to go? This is for a 100-series.

Sam
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom