Trusted 80 series mechanics in Utah? (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Aug 27, 2024
Threads
2
Messages
7
Location
SLC, UT
Hey guys. I purchased a '97 HDJ80. I'm looking for a good diesel mechanic and/or a mechanic that's good with electrical systems. I live in SLC but willing to make a trip for a good mechanic. My truck is in good shape although I'd like to give it a thorough tune. There's also something up with the electrical system that's causing the blinker to randomly turn on by itself.

Anyways, drop some recommendations if you have them.
 
Keep hearing good things about A Rusted Development in Kamas. I’ll likely take my truck there when it makes it out to Utah. Also Kurt and company (@cruiseroutfit) at Cruiser Outfitters in the valley are a wealth of info, parts and talent.

 
Hey guys. I purchased a '97 HDJ80. I'm looking for a good diesel mechanic and/or a mechanic that's good with electrical systems. I live in SLC but willing to make a trip for a good mechanic. My truck is in good shape although I'd like to give it a thorough tune. There's also something up with the electrical system that's causing the blinker to randomly turn on by itself.

Anyways, drop some recommendations if you have them.
Welcome, that's a great purchase, let's see it! I have a '97 HDJ81 and live in Utah as well. I can give you a bunch of recommendations for shops but to be honest I don't use them, I do all the work myself. I highly recommend that, just to get to know the ins and outs of your vehicle and save money.

If you're interested in that, you'll find the factory service manuals and EWDs in the resource section -


But as far as shops in Utah -

Land Cruiser specific shops:
1. like @SoTexCruiserDoc recommended, everyone speaks highly of A Rusted Development

2. State Automotive. I used them for a 100 series back in the day and was happy with their work

3. Agility Customs, specifically Geoffrey Beers, he's the Toyota guru there. Seems to do great work and is in such high demand that he can be a little hard to reach.

General offroad shops and mechanics. These two are recommended in the Tacoma/4Runner/general Toyota world:

1. Trav's Automotive

2. Impulse Offroad

Diesel mechanics - I was recommended these shops because the components of a Toyota diesel like the IP aren't really too different from what you see on other diesels, so any competent diesel shop should be able to work on them just fine.

1. T3 Speed

2. Certified Injection

3. Industrial Injection

4. Rush Diesel
(I did see a 70 Series sitting outside a while ago)

Parts -

Cruiser Outfitters carries a ton of 80 series, JDM and diesel parts

The people in these FB groups can usually help point you in the right direction if you're looking for something local -

Utah Toyota Offroad

Utah Land Cruiser Enthusiasts

And finally if that's not enough haha there's Cruiserfest going on at the Land Cruiser Museum on Sept 7. So worst case you can show up and talk to other people with diesel cruisers and see what's up
 
Some great replies above I whole heartedly ditto.
I'll add that for engine work there are 2 shops in centerville worth mentioning: metric motors and Dave's automotive. Metric sees a TON of cruisers and have rebuilt 3 motors for me (along lots of other things like heads, etc) to my complete satisfaction. Dave's does mostly diesel mostly from the American big 3, but that doesn't mean they can't or don't see and do a good job on random obscure engines they've never seen. They have a large social media presence if you want to check them out.
Neither of the 2 are likely to have a Toyota diesels come through on a regular basis, but I think you'd be in good hands all the same.
 
Keep hearing good things about A Rusted Development in Kamas. I’ll likely take my truck there when it makes it out to Utah. Also Kurt and company (@cruiseroutfit) at Cruiser Outfitters in the valley are a wealth of info, parts and talent.

Thanks! I just reached out to Kurt. I'll check out the other when I get the chance.
 
Welcome, that's a great purchase, let's see it! I have a '97 HDJ81 and live in Utah as well. I can give you a bunch of recommendations for shops but to be honest I don't use them, I do all the work myself. I highly recommend that, just to get to know the ins and outs of your vehicle and save money.

If you're interested in that, you'll find the factory service manuals and EWDs in the resource section -


But as far as shops in Utah -

Land Cruiser specific shops:
1. like @SoTexCruiserDoc recommended, everyone speaks highly of A Rusted Development

2. State Automotive. I used them for a 100 series back in the day and was happy with their work

3. Agility Customs, specifically Geoffrey Beers, he's the Toyota guru there. Seems to do great work and is in such high demand that he can be a little hard to reach.

General offroad shops and mechanics. These two are recommended in the Tacoma/4Runner/general Toyota world:

1. Trav's Automotive

2. Impulse Offroad

Diesel mechanics - I was recommended these shops because the components of a Toyota diesel like the IP aren't really too different from what you see on other diesels, so any competent diesel shop should be able to work on them just fine.

1. T3 Speed

2. Certified Injection

3. Industrial Injection

4. Rush Diesel
(I did see a 70 Series sitting outside a while ago)

Parts -

Cruiser Outfitters carries a ton of 80 series, JDM and diesel parts

The people in these FB groups can usually help point you in the right direction if you're looking for something local -

Utah Toyota Offroad

Utah Land Cruiser Enthusiasts

And finally if that's not enough haha there's Cruiserfest going on at the Land Cruiser Museum on Sept 7. So worst case you can show up and talk to other people with diesel cruisers and see what's up
Thanks! I'd been looking for this specific one for over a year and found it in Poland. Flew out to see it and test drive it in April and then shipped it out of Germany. It arrived about a week ago.

I definitely plan on doing a lot of the work myself but I'm certain there will be things I won't be able to do myself. Thanks so much for the resources. I'll be scouring through them tonight.

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Some great replies above I whole heartedly ditto.
I'll add that for engine work there are 2 shops in centerville worth mentioning: metric motors and Dave's automotive. Metric sees a TON of cruisers and have rebuilt 3 motors for me (along lots of other things like heads, etc) to my complete satisfaction. Dave's does mostly diesel mostly from the American big 3, but that doesn't mean they can't or don't see and do a good job on random obscure engines they've never seen. They have a large social media presence if you want to check them out.
Neither of the 2 are likely to have a Toyota diesels come through on a regular basis, but I think you'd be in good hands all the same.
Thanks for the reccs! I'll check them out
 

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