New shoes on the Taco and a shop recommendation

Well, after almost 18 months being stock, the Tacoma took her first step towards more competance in the dirt yesterday.

New tires! The offroaders natural first stop, best friend and worst enemy!

Here she is resting before dinner last night, with her wells nicely filled and exuding a confidence far beyond her years (She's not even two yet!)



And while those 265/75/16 (load range C) Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs might seem like an average move, let me assure you that from inside the truck, the difference is night and day, as this image illustates...just look how much higher you sit!!!



All kidding aside (the truck was on a lift, after all), that second photo demonstrates a point. How did I get that shot? Obviously I was in the truck, on the lift, in the shop. Why was I there? Read on...

First off, it's a Goodyear retail outlet. Ths one in Redmond, WA. Dwane (Manager) and Nah (Assitant Manager) were great, as were the rest of the guys there. They clearly get that folks into cars take pride in their rides and pay attention to details.

It was quickly apparent these guys were car guys. I asked if I could take a look under the truck when it was hoisted, just to do a quick inspection. Most of us don't often see our trucks on a lift from the underside, so I take every chance I can. No problemo they said and escorted me thorugh the shop.

On went the new sneakers, the old ones in the bed and we're about to wrap up. Nah tells me the report for the alignment numbers is ready to view and that as it sits, the truck is within spec. I'd asked them to check the alignment because even though she's new-ish, maybe things weren't totally cricket. After 10k miles, something has got to need a twirl, right?

All the numbers were in the green, but that wasn't the whole story. The instant I'd have got in the truck, or gassed up, some of the numbers would have went into the red. Not wanting to start my new tires off with a lackluster alignment, we brought the truck back onto the hoist.

Within 5 minutes, I was asked to hop into the truck. They simple asked me if I wanted the alignment to be accurate, or very accurate. I chose the latter and was asked to get behnd the wheel. Watching the machine it was obvious as I got in the truck that the numbers changed a bit, and sure enough, a couple went red. With a firm reminder to keep my foot on the brake and hands off the wheel, we started. The guys were great, and the upside is I now know first hand a lot more about the alignment process and how their machine works.

15 minutes later, we were all aligned, all numbers in the green and centered and ready to go. Ramp down, truck rolled out and I hit the counter to settle the bill.

A Starbucks shy of a grand. Tires, install, balancing, TPMS's, alignment and taxes. Not a trivial amount of money, but they took care of me. And the service was simply excellent. I'm always keen to do business with a shop that takes care of me. Next month, the Z4 heads in for new shoes. The Jetta will need an alignment soon, too. Shame they don't work on motorcycles, though...LOL

So props for Goodyear in Redmond, WA, but I bet many of their local shops are willing to take good care of folks like this one does. There is always a risk letting the public into the shop, but it's a call - and one I'm glad these guys made in my favor.

 

Awesome review and the tires look great under the truck! Love the regular cabs look with bigger tires.