Need Advice on $2000 Worth of Repairs

That is an incredible price for all that!

 

His rate is $35/hour. I think it really helps to cut out the "middle men" such as shop owners, secretaries, and all of the other overhead. Dealing directly with the man doing the work is the way to go!

 

The work is now finished and the post above is updated to reflect all pricing. She's in top form again, and my mechanic said he wishes the truck was his!

 

I would avoid cheap parts on you r Toyota, unless you want to go through this again soon. OEM if you can find reasonably, would be first choice, and NAPA next, and I would ask if they have a top of the line part. Always find that when I use cheap parts, those parts are the next parts to fail.

 

Cheap price doesn't = cheap parts though. I used good quality parts, even OEM in some cases. I just look for deals on sites such as Amazon to avoid paying more for stuff than is necessary.

 

Maybe I'm straightforward but
1. Water pump can be done by you, shouldn't be too bad.
2. Not to sure about the axle seal, I take it for a second opinion, if it is blown, research and figure out if you can do it or not. Or pay the price and take it in.
3. TBH, I wouldn't mess with headgaskets. I would just take it in, the price seems on point for labor and parts.
4. If the shoes and drums are covered in fluid, I would either clean them myself, or replace the shoes and have the drums turned, or if you think they're gone, look around for other opinions and prices on replacement or do it yourself, it really isn't hard to do brakes.
Just my thoughts, maybe they're wrong, maybe they're right, you do you.

 

I managed to get everything completed for reasonable prices. Post #43 was my summary post. I should update the original post to reflect the work is completed.