Recommended mechanics and transmission specialist in London?

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

Specialist Landcruiser breakers ?

It's been said several times already. Try changing the oil to 50 /50 ATF. Swapping the gearbox is a big and expensive undertaking. I've done several myself and not something I'd rush to do and you have no guarantee whatsoever that the box you get will be a good one.

Ditto on that Chris. 100% ATF will also be fine. Also on the gearbox changing. I've done 2 on my own and I'd do another ( at gunpoint).

 

[Chris]

I've done too many and every one on the floor without the comparative luxury of a ramp.

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

I've done too many and every one on the floor without the comparative luxury of a ramp.

Our six post ramp is only a help to get everything undone, to get the box out its best on the floor with the wheels about a foot off the floor, To use the trolley jack and cradle.

 

[Mr_Red]

Our six post ramp is only a help to get everything undone, to get the box out its best on the floor with the wheels about a foot off the floor, To use the trolley jack and cradle.

Talking of trolley jacks, I don't have a jack or any other tools for the cruiser yet. Are there any lighter jacks available that can take the weight of a cruiser or is a trolley jack the way to go?

 

[Trevor]

Your standard 2 Ton Halfords jobby would pick one corner up but it would be far better to buy a second hand long reach trolley jack used in garages.

The domestic ones are too short and you’ll soon get fed up of the handle fouling the front or rear bumpers.

 

[Chris]

Machine Mart 3t jack

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

Talking of trolley jacks, I don't have a jack or any other tools for the cruiser yet. Are there any lighter jacks available that can take the weight of a cruiser or is a trolley jack the way to go?

Your standard 2 Ton Halfords jobby would pick one corner up but it would be far better to buy a second hand long reach trolley jack used in garages.

The domestic ones are too short and you’ll soon get fed up of the handle fouling the front or rear bumpers.

What Trev said. I use a SIP 3 tonne high lift trolley jack, its a bit industrial and wasn't cheap ( about £120) but its a solid piece of kit.go as pro as you can, these are heavy and also the best axle stands you can afford, even if they are s/h pro ones. You can't be too safe.

 

[Mr_Red]

Specialist Landcruiser breakers ?

It's been said several times already. Try changing the oil to 50 /50 ATF. Swapping the gearbox is a big and expensive undertaking. I've done several myself and not something I'd rush to do and you have no guarantee whatsoever that the box you get will be a good one.

Hi Chris,

I'm still keen to drop by at some point for you to have a look at the cruiser. But the old girl is overdue for a full service and the timing belt is on it's last legs, so I'd like to get all that sorted before I make the journey up North.
I'll get the transmission oil changed while I'm at it and let you know if it helps the stubborn gearbox. Can you let me know what 50 / 50 mix you use?

Also do you have any recommendations for axle and engine oils?

Cheers

 

[Mr_Red]

P.S Does anyone know how I can send PMs?

 

[karl webster]

Click on the person's name then go to 'start a conversation'

 

[Chris]

You'd be very welcome. As for the oil, not quite sure what you mean. 50/50 is just what it says. Just fill with half ATF and half gearbox oil. If the oil in the box is in decent condition, then I'd run say a litre and a half out, then top up. It's a cheap and simple way to know if it makes a difference. If the oil is shocking then it wants draining anyway doesn't it!

Axle oil is 80W 90 standard stuff. There' really no need to look for anything special here. I get mine from the local car parts place. As for engine oil, 10w 40 I get mine when it's on offer at Tesco. These are a light truck engine and could probably be run on a mix of gravel and badger wee. There's no need to get F1 racing oil for them. Just use a genuine Toyota oil filter though. It's not that pattern ones don't work or endanger your engine, but the genuine ones absolutely do filter better for longer. Timing belt is a 15 minute job but worth considering a new tensioner whilst you are in there. It's not utterly crucial but if you are getting a garage to do it, rather than do it yourself, I'd be slightly happier knowing it had new parts. If I were doing it, I'd inspect the tensioner and put it back only IF it checked out ok. You can't guarantee the garage will do that.

 

[Mr_Red]

You'd be very welcome. As for the oil, not quite sure what you mean. 50/50 is just what it says. Just fill with half ATF and half gearbox oil. If the oil in the box is in decent condition, then I'd run say a litre and a half out, then top up. It's a cheap and simple way to know if it makes a difference. If the oil is shocking then it wants draining anyway doesn't it!

Axle oil is 80W 90 standard stuff. There' really no need to look for anything special here. I get mine from the local car parts place. As for engine oil, 10w 40 I get mine when it's on offer at Tesco. These are a light truck engine and could probably be run on a mix of gravel and badger wee. There's no need to get F1 racing oil for them. Just use a genuine Toyota oil filter though. It's not that pattern ones don't work or endanger your engine, but the genuine ones absolutely do filter better for longer. Timing belt is a 15 minute job but worth considering a new tensioner whilst you are in there. It's not utterly crucial but if you are getting a garage to do it, rather than do it yourself, I'd be slightly happier knowing it had new parts. If I were doing it, I'd inspect the tensioner and put it back only IF it checked out ok. You can't guarantee the garage will do that.

Actually, after giving it some thought. I think it's important if I do the full service myself instead of taking it to a garage. The reason being that I am planning on doing a long term road trip across Asia in the car and will be spending a lot of time in remote areas where I will need to know how to maintain the car myself (I'll be posting a thread on this soon when I get round to it). The only problem is, this is the first car I have ever owned and I really don't have much of a clue when it comes to servicing and maintenance (not counting driving mum's Nissan Micra for a few months back in 2011).

Do you think you would be able to spare a bit of time at some point before Christmas to help me to both learn and carry out a full service of the cruiser? It's a big ask and feel free to say no, in which case I'll scuttle off to a local mechanic.

 

[Mr_Red]

Click on the person's name then go to 'start a conversation'

I don't have that option unfortunately. I read somewhere that I need to be signed up for 30 days before I can send PM's. Is that true?

 

[karl webster]

I think it's 14 posts

 

[Scott]

P.S Does anyone know how I can send PMs?

I've sent a PM, hopefully you can see it and respond.

 

[chapel gate]

Actually, after giving it some thought. I think it's important if I do the full service myself instead of taking it to a garage. The reason being that I am planning on doing a long term road trip across Asia in the car and will be spending a lot of time in remote areas where I will need to know how to maintain the car myself (I'll be posting a thread on this soon when I get round to it). The only problem is, this is the first car I have ever owned and I really don't have much of a clue when it comes to servicing and maintenance (not counting driving mum's Nissan Micra for a few months back in 2011).

Do you think you would be able to spare a bit of time at some point before Christmas to help me to both learn and carry out a full service of the cruiser? It's a big ask and feel free to say no, in which case I'll scuttle off to a local mechanic.

There no reason why you cant do your own servicing including brake pads. Its the perfect starting point with minimal tools. Some people laugh at them but haynes manuals are the perfect place to start.

 

[fbnss]

Where abouts are you mr red?

 

[Chris]

If you load your car with bits and drive up here I'd be more than happy to take you though a service and how to check the vital bits as well as look around it for you. I don't have a great deal else on at present. But there maybe others closer who could do the same. The weather is going to be deteriorating soon I guess. We could always do it in my unit but that's not so handy.

 

[Mr_Red]

Where abouts are you mr red?

Hi fbnss! I'm in Lewisham

 

[Mr_Red]

If you load your car with bits and drive up here I'd be more than happy to take you though a service and how to check the vital bits as well as look around it for you. I don't have a great deal else on at present. But there maybe others closer who could do the same. The weather is going to be deteriorating soon I guess. We could always do it in my unit but that's not so handy.

That's a good call. I'll get the service done down here but would still be keen to swing by yours at some point so you can have a look at the car. I'd also like to get your opinion on how it drives and would be happy to buy a day's insurance for you so you can take her for a spin if that's alright?