Northern Virginia/DC Shop recommendations

Good Morning TW,

I will be moving in the upcoming days to the Northern Virginia/DC area. As much as I would love to work on my 1st gen DC pre-runner, I am completely incompetent when it comes to working on cars and I have no time or space to do it. I'm trying to resolve a vibration issue that starts around 60 mph and stops at 70 mph. I've taken her to a few shops where I live in central PA, but none have been able to completely resolve the issue and I've come to the conclusion that the majority of the shops where I currently live are completely useless. I'm going to be going back and forth from DC to central PA every weekend until the summer when my kids finish the school year and I can find permanent housing in the DC area, so I'm going to be using her quite a bit. I want to keep this truck as long as possible as my dad gave it to me and he's not doing well lately, so its likely the last thing he gives me. I'd like to give the truck to my son in 3 years. Thanks for any recommendations.

 

@DOUBLLD can take care of your truck. He is in Sterling VA

 

We also have several 1st gen guys who might be able to chime in. Plus a lot of the guys who own 2nd and 3rd gens owned 1st gen previously or have experience. Welcome to Nova jump in our thread when you get a chance and introduce yourself.

 

Hit me up for anything you need done.

 

Thanks DOUBLLD. I will hit you up when I move down there in the next few weeks. I will be introducing myself on the thread as soon as I find stable housing down there.

 

Is the vibration just when you're on the gas? Or when coasting as well? Where do you feel the vibration? Through the steering wheel or through the seat/floor? I would guess it's tires or driveline, so I'd start by balancing the tires and check for play in the u-joints and center support bearing. I had a bad u-joint earlier this year. It started as a high speed vibration and progressed into lower speeds as the u-joint got worse.

 

Hey @DOUBLLD I'm getting a p0705 code on my 06 Tacoma. I'm going to attempt to remove the kick panel and check junction block and connector but if they're ok I may need to seek some advice. I really don't want a shop pulling something and trying to charge for a new wire harness if it's not needed.

 

I'm feeling the vibration through the seat. I've taken the tacoma to 3 different shops to have the wheels balanced and each time one shop says the other shop didn't do it correctly. I just haven't had any good luck with the shops in my area in general, which is why I started buying new cars. I only have the tacoma because my dad gave it to me. I would love to be able to do this myself but I have zero mechanic skills. I'll be checking with DOUBLLD when I get to Northern VA.