Trustworthy Mechanic - 757 area

I just received my Coachbuilder Shackles kit and poly bushings and I want to have them installed on the truck. I've been searching for a shop with competent mechanics who have experience working on Tundras or trucks in general. Since the brake lines are right there and lowering the rear diff might cause damage, I want someone with foresight or experience to ease my mind.

The poly bushings might require a ball joint press as well, so there are a few factors that concern me about just 'winging it' and learning on the fly while working on my truck.

If you know of any good mechanics that you can recommend, or have a general idea of the cost to get this done, I would greatly appreciate it so I can finally rake out my truck.

The shackles provide a 1" lift so they aren't too bad when it comes to lowering the rear diff, but the bushings might be a pain since they have to be pressed out of the rear leaf spring eyelet.

 

Not sure if they're still operational or not, but many moons ago Pungo Off-Road was a pretty awesome spot to get work done.

 

Maybe John @JMB can help you with someone or those Tidewater Tundras can.

 

Yeah thanks for the reminder on that one, it looks like they are still there, way out there.. Also, the reviews regarding their quality of work and attention to detail is the exact reason why i don't want to bring my truck to a place like this that has gotten way too big and stopped focusing on quality and rather quantity.

Just for arguments sake, i will call and find out how much they will charge for a job like that and i can guarantee you it will an insane amount of money.

 

LAMO... Yep, just called and soke to someone and he had no clue what i was talking about. He told me he had to drop the whole leaf spring to replace the bushing because weights 800lbs, and had to replace all 4 of them.. that is insane that lack of knowledge about your core competency. I told him that you can use a ball joint press and remove that, he was clueless and told me to call him back because he had to talk to other mechanics.. There ya go.. hence my reason for not trusting these shops that are full of non-quality mechanics or staff.

 

That's too bad. They used to be the best. Good help is hard to find, and it's tough to let go of that high level of quantity once you get too big for your britches.

 

I posted on the group page. I'll also ask my SIL if he's interested.

 

Extreme Off Road was recommended.

 

I'll definitely give them a call tomorrow, thanks @JMB

 

Several people mentioned them. One guy said NBD Motrosports.

 

My SIL Is too booked to do it. But if you can leave it for a couple of days the shop he manages can do it.
https://greatbridgeautoservice.com/

 

Thanks for the link, I'll give them a call tomorrow to get pricing and ETA.

 

Ask for Chris Freeman, he'll know I sent you.

 

Let me know if you have any install questions or need a hand with anything else.

Give the rear leaf spring eyelets a good shot of penetrating oil a day or two before the install and go right for the ball joint press tool... saves a ton of time.
Advanced auto parts has a 4x4 version with deeper sleaves.

David
Ekstrom Design
801.635.4872

 

Sikes auto body in Hampton. They are on west Pembroke Ave. talk to Jay. He’s a Toyota fan and has done work on my tundra and I’ve referred him to other tundra owners with success. He’s knowledgeable and honest. He recently opened a mechanic shop to his body shop. So he can handle the work. Good luck. Let Him Know Dinh with the black tundra referred you.

 

Does anybody recommend a 4x4 shop that is partial to Tuna's in Richmond or the surrounding area? Anytime I ask that question locally, one guys says, "go here...", the next guy says, "no those guys suck..." I'm at a loss. Its kindof like going to the doctor. I want to develop a relationship with my doctor without just going to the emergency room (dealer shop).

thanks in advance
B

 

I have my little toy (Lexus SC430) that i needed a timing belt replaced, the Stealership wanted $3200 for the job, went to find another reputable shop and got an estimate for $2200. I think that is a way too high for a local shop for the same work, also they are almost quadrupling for part ($170 vs $600) using the same parts (AISIN) but are stating the high price is due to parts warranty. I really need to find a reputable and affordable mechanic in this area otherwise, i would just do all the work myself, using the same youtube videos the so called "techs" at the stealership.

 

What about A&E unlimited in Portsmouth? I've used them a few times and eric has installed my genuine cooling system for me.

 

I haven’t personally used them. But do agree that they have a good reputation.

 

Thanks for the info, ill give them a call, i purchased the kit from RockAuto (AISIN) and was about to try to tackle this job myself.

Funny story, i was changing the oil in my 09 Camry yesterday, trying to teach my 15 yo about changing oil as he is embarking on the learning process of driving and the responsibility that go along with a car, and noticed the dealership i had this oil change used an STP filer instead of an OEM like specifically asked them to do. There is another reason why i find it so hard to trust any dealers in this area regrading honesty, quality of craftsmanship, and competence. I took it to a Honda Dealer in Chesapeake, had another car there for service, but specifically asked to use OEM parts and oils.

 

Was the Camry at a Toyota dealership before you found the stp filter? If so what dealership was it cause I had issues with priority in Chesapeake which is why I either do my own maintenance or use A&E unlimited.

 

Priority in Chesapeake is actually got good ratings for service out of all the Toyota dealerships in the area usually. I personally have a certified Toyota mechanic from the Va beach location. He does mobile mechanic work on my tundra and Camry. He’s very reliable and honest. I can give you his contact info if you want to try him. Shoot me a PM. I recently had him change my water pump and belt tensioner on my 2012 tundra. He did a very good quality job in my driveway.

 

My mechanic could probably do it for less than the shop. He’s Toyota tech and can come to you. You’ll most likely have to get the parts yourself but I’m sure he can lead you to the correct parts at least.

 

Are you on the tidewater tundra facebook page?

 

No. I don’t do Facebook. But I have met Al and his wife from the group. He lives near me.

 

He sounds familiar, i haven't been to a meet up in awhile to remember everyone.

 

He drives a white 2013 tundra and his wife has a 2016 blue tundra I believe. Super friendly couple. Good peoples.

 

I do agree they do great work on Hondas, but it might be my Toyota/Lexus they might not be too familiar with. I would love to get your contact to see what he can do for me and i thank you for the offer.

Yep, i had it at Checkered flag before but now it will only be me who changes the oil on that daily driver

 

Same here, last time i went to a meet up was back in 2018, it was at Duck Donuts on Battlefield, met some really nice people there. Since ive collected some cars by now, maybe its time to be on the look out for future meet up and try to attend. Just like @D4x4TRD don't really do social media so i tent to miss them if they are posted.