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Toyota specialist in N GA?

Discussion in 'South East U.S.' started by wv00097, May 10, 2021.

  1. May 10, 2021 at 2:04 PM
    #1
    wv00097

    wv00097 [OP] New Member

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    Wes
    AZ > GA
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    2011 SR5 TRD OR
    BDS 7 w/ Fox 2.5 OME Dakar leaf pack CB +2 shackles 18x9 Method 308 +18mm 37x12.5 Toyo AT3 TRD intake/exhaust Infinity Kappa w/ Pioneer HU
    Ok, I've been spoiled the last 4yrs living in AZ, always had at least 3-4 shops in the Phoenix area that were experts in everything Toyota. Like, master techs who only worked on Toyota, both highway and off road rigs. They love Toyota out there like GA loves Jeep or Ford, huge market.

    Looking for the same here in N GA. Any recommendations? I see quite a few off road shops in the ATL area, but not one that specializes in Toyota. Not sure if there is one, which is fine. A lot of Jeep shops, but I'm sure I'll be out of place and won't get the best of the best for our trucks. Trying to find a smaller local spot rather than 4WP, but it is what it is. Both upgrades and maintenance. Any referrals would be appreciated. Thanks!
     
  2. Jul 6, 2021 at 9:45 PM
    #2
    dt325ic

    dt325ic Member

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    What part of north Georgia?

    ToyoTechs in Chamblee are good for maintenance if NE Atlanta is close.
     
  3. Jul 7, 2021 at 4:07 PM
    #3
    wv00097

    wv00097 [OP] New Member

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    AZ > GA
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    2011 SR5 TRD OR
    BDS 7 w/ Fox 2.5 OME Dakar leaf pack CB +2 shackles 18x9 Method 308 +18mm 37x12.5 Toyo AT3 TRD intake/exhaust Infinity Kappa w/ Pioneer HU
    Anywhere, really. I'll drive for a good tech. I live in Woodstock and work in Chamblee. I work a quarter mile from this place, not sure how they didn't show up on my search. This looks like my place! Thank you!
     
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  4. Sep 20, 2021 at 11:58 AM
    #4
    Katblackdiesel

    Katblackdiesel New Member

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    Atlanta - Rome
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    T3 has two shops in Georgia, one of which is in the Atlanta area on South Cobb right off exit 15 from 285.

    They aren't an off road shop, but they specialize in Asians and our shops recommend customers to each other all the time. (I work at a European shop nearby) If there is anything I can't or don't want to do to my Tundra myself, I have no issues allowing T3 to take over as the experts.
     
    Wallygator, olshaggy and wv00097[OP] like this.
  5. Jan 27, 2023 at 5:59 PM
    #5
    olshaggy

    olshaggy New Member

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    Found this thread looking for a good mechanic in the region to do some fluid changes on my new (to me) 2016 4WD RCLB with 165k miles on it and reached out to both ToyoTech and T3 via email to share some maintenance history details and get their thoughts on recommended service. I specifically asked about changing the coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluid /filter, and figured the differences in both the content and style of their responses might be of interest to other folks looking for a shop in and around Atlanta:
    • Coolant: Don't know when it was last changed, but because I have detailed maintenance records for the last year, and spottier ones further back, I know it's been at least 42k miles. Toyota's recommendation is every 50k miles, and the Haynes manual says every 30k.
    • Brake fluid: Last changed 27 months ago. Toyota recommends every 36 months, but the truck's had 66k miles put on it since that last change.
    • Transmission: Fluid was last changed 66k mi / 27 months ago too. Not sure of the details so I assume just a drain and fill. My truck also has the tow package, which I mentioned to them because that means they have to take a few additional steps to open up the cooler thermostat.
    Bryan at Toyotech has taken the time to write thoughtful responses to my initial email and my several follow-ups with clarifying questions in the last 48 hours. He said they use Toyota long life coolant, but BG brand transmission fluid (WS) and brake fluid (DOT 4). He sent me a detailed estimate for over $800 in service for these three items, and for the transmission, he specifically recommended a full flush using 16 quarts (dialysis style, not the dreaded power flush) and not dropping the pan, saying that it should be a "lifetime" filter.

    Shanon at T3 wanted to talk over the phone instead, and as a result we haven't gotten into the same level of detail yet, but there were two notable differences in his approach. First, he said he wouldn't bother with the brake fluid unless I'm noticing issues with the brakes. He added that it shouldn't be absorbing moisture because it's a "closed system", which goes against much of what I've read, but I didn't push him on that point because I thought his broader one about being able to wait at least until 36 months or any issues crop up was valid. Second, instead of a full transmission flush, he proposed a drain and fill with a pan drop to change the filter, o-ring and gasket, basing the argument for the filter change on a quick lookup of my truck in a manual that confirmed it was a "true filter" and not just a screen. That transmission service would cost $314 (versus $412 for the flush at ToyoTech).

    I later told Bryan about Shanon's differing suggestions, and he was humble in acknowledging that he didn't have the fluid testing data to back up his argument for the flush, just anecdotal experience with it serving his customers well. He offered to drop the pan and change the filter instead if I'd prefer, and had a few kind words about the mutual respect between his shop and T3, so all-in-all, a good vibe at both places, though I want to follow up with Shanon again to clarify what fluids they'd use and ask about whether they ever do trans flushes, and if so, what the criteria are.

    It's not clear to me whether one of them is right and the other wrong, either about the transmission or waiting on the brakes. It's possible they're both roughly equally valid paths in my unique situation, but I do appreciate that each of them, in their own way, took the time to hear me out and offer reasoning to back up their service plan. Not sure which way I'm going to go yet, but curious whether anyone has experience with either shop that might help tip the balance.
     
  6. Jan 28, 2023 at 6:48 AM
    #6
    dt325ic

    dt325ic Member

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    I have used ToyoTechs and would recommend them to anyone.
     
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  7. Jan 28, 2023 at 7:00 AM
    #7
    PomDad

    PomDad we having snacks?

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    Another +1 to Toyotech - took my wife's 4runner there for her 30k service and they were very thorough & friendly.


    So when's the Atlanta meetup happening? I'll bring the coffee.
     
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  8. Feb 9, 2023 at 3:04 PM
    #8
    olshaggy

    olshaggy New Member

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    So I drove my 2016 Tundra over two hours south to ToyoTechs yesterday to have the transmission and coolant flushed, and get the parking brake adjusted so it'll actually hold on a hill. Dropped it off around 9:45am and got it back at about 5:20pm. Was told the parking brake had been fixed, and after paying my bill I drove around the corner and tested it out. Didn't hold at all. Just as bad as before I brought it in. Drove right back and was told it was too late in the day to have anyone work on it further so I'd have to come back the next day, and also that I shouldn't actually expect it to hold on a hill in neutral, which is flat out wrong. SAE standard J2807 for towing capacity ratings requires that the parking brake hold in neutral on a 12% grade. I should have been more skeptical when I first noticed they hadn't charged me for the brake work.

    Over 100 miles of highway driving later, I stopped to fill up the tank and popped the hood, where I discovered that the coolant overflow reservoir was empty. I hadn't noticed the engine temperature rising but wasn't really paying attention to it either. Long story short, I followed up with the shop and they acknowledged that their tech had failed to properly purge air from the system. Thankfully as far as I can tell I noticed the issue before any damage was done.

    They said they'd had a few other issues with this tech overlooking things before, and that they've had a hard time keeping the shop adequately staffed, but that this was probably the last straw for him. I emphasized that I didn't want anyone losing their job over this but did expect them to clarify what had and hadn't actually been done to my truck, and to refund me for the cost of the coolant flush, which they did. I'm honestly still a little worried now about whether the transmission flush did any harm...

    All in all, I'm not gonna say you should steer clear of ToyoTechs. They did the right thing by taking responsibility for sloppy work, and I imagine similar things happen most places at least occasionally, but I will say that it's always a good idea to check that the work any shop says they've done has actually been done correctly before you drive away.
     
  9. Feb 9, 2023 at 3:20 PM
    #9
    dt325ic

    dt325ic Member

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    Wow, sorry to hear about that. I feel bad because I mentioned them twice. The tech that worked on my truck in two occasions was a long time employee there.

    See if you can get in touch with Fred, the owner. He seems ok. Hope those words don’t come back to bite me either.

    Sadly it sounds like we have to be careful with any shop now. I know many of the dealers aren’t good to deal with and have a hard time getting people to show up for work.
     
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  10. Feb 9, 2023 at 5:13 PM
    #10
    TundraMcGov.

    TundraMcGov. Your friend. Your foe. Not yo Ho.

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    I'm of the belief that when one surrenders their Tundra to an outside shop for work that when you go to pick it up you should take ramps and a tool box. And right there in front of the shop door inspect every last inch of the truck and their work. If you're now thinking to yourself "well, if I do all that then I must just as well do the work myself" then you're getting the idea. DISCLAIMER: it is realized that not everyone is able to do their own work. Peace out.
     
    olshaggy[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Feb 14, 2023 at 10:16 AM
    #11
    olshaggy

    olshaggy New Member

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    Forgot to mention earlier that ToyoTechs apparently has two locations. I brought my truck to the one on Clairmont Road because that's the address they have listed on their website, but I later learned there's a second location that focuses more on trucks. According to the service advisor I spoke with, both shops should be able to handle most regular servicing on any vehicle, but the other location is where they direct trucks and SUVs have have been lifted or had other off-roading modifications. My truck isn't lifted but he still said that in retrospect it might have made more sense to direct me to the truck location for my parking brake issue.
     
  12. Apr 20, 2023 at 8:22 AM
    #12
    shifty`

    shifty` Is the Gila Copter a love machine?

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    (see signature for truck info)
    I just linked this thread to a member in Augusta and realized I never replied to it.

    ToyoTechs is definitely solid. I'd also put LexTechs out there, they have 2 locations. They not only specialize in Toyota maintenance, they also do overlanding builds, and I think one of their locations works on a few other import brands. I've spoken with Ed a couple of times about lifts, he's very knowledgeable, they install quality brands, if you're looking for something in the suspension camp, it's another quality option.

    EDIT: And LexTechs have a 1st Gen DC as a shop truck, too :D

    upload_2023-4-20_11-31-40.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2023
    olshaggy and jaysee4 like this.
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