Regear shop College Station area?

Sup Carl, sweet truck!

 

Howdy, Sir! I appreciate it! It’s come a long way since it was all shiny and new and little, haha.

 

Heck yeah, they all started somewhere!

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So, some developments in my quest for a regear. I heard back this morning from David at his shop, and he gave me a reasonable quote, and I thanked him for it. I like him.

But I had to explain to him that literally in the last day I started working on a deal for a new 2019 Tundra SR 4x4 double cab. My brother in law mentioned he wanted a Tundra now, and I began looking “just because”, and even a few general inquiries netted me offers about like this:

2019 Tundra SR 5.7l 4X4 DC Super White, with Work truck package
MSRP $37,210
12% off = $4,465.20
$3,000 discount
OTD = $29,744.80
After Texas TT&L (and dealer fees) = approximately $32,900

I haven’t mentioned having a trade in yet. I’m debating whether to keep my Tacoma or not. I’ve got cash for a 50% down payment, but I don’t know. Wish I had longer than Monday to think about it.

 

Between the holiday, and dealerships pushing 2019s out to make room for 2020s it’s a fair offer.

 

After much self-debate, I’ve decided on not regearing my current Taco at this time. Instead, I’ll keep setting aside cash for a new truck, and will likely keep my current truck, too. I had been looking at base trim Tundras, and got some very good quotes, but, ultimately, I’ll wait till I can get a higher trim package.

I’ll also probably just get a 3rd Gen DCLB Tacoma. TRD OR, 4X4, Magnetic Grey or Black. I’ve always missed my Gen 1 Tundra Access cab, and the long bed Tacoma is the closest equivalent these days.

As for my regular cab, I’ve wrung its neck for 268,500 miles, and it hasn’t complained. I’ll notify David at the gear shop today that he’ll eventually have a Tacoma from me, but it’ll be another 3-4 months.

So much less mental stress having a solid plan. But I do appreciate all the advice, good Sirs. I’ll always reciprocate if I can be of any service.

 

He's a little closer to Austin, but keep @Texoma in mind for any mods too. I hear he does great work.

 

I appreciate the info. I ought to start making a list of mechanics and specialists, for future reference whenever random truck work comes up. It’d save a great many people on Tacoma World from having to answer my questions all the time, haha.

 

Thank you

I specialize in everything Toyota. Only thing I wont do is major Transmission work and major engine work. Downtime for those items is too long for my little garage.

 

That’s good to know, Sir. And I see that you are the fellow in Lago Vista — I’ve actually read quite a few folks on various threads recommend you, but I only knew you from your location. Good to make your virtual/digital acquaintance.

 

You as well

 

Decided to hold off on getting a new truck, of any kind, either Tundra or Tacoma. Kinda hard to let go of my regular cab. Not to mention monthly payments, which I haven’t had to worry about for the last 12 years. That part is very nice.

But, I’ve got new CV Axles ordered, since I tore both driver and passenger boots two weekends ago. I’ve watched enough YouTube videos to now believe I can do the job myself.

I’m debating on whether to just go full ham on my Taco, after all. I mean, just do the regear, all new bushings and everything while the Magnolia shop is in there, and set the truck up right. Let the guys run their eyes over all the underside and just replace whatever needs it. I’ve got a few phantom noises, anyway.

What would you guys do? Use the present to do preventive maintenance and set the truck up like new underneath, or just do the CV Axles, and basically replace/repair issues as they come up?

I’m at an irritating crossroads, haha.

 

Original owner, I would keep it and refresh it till the wheels fall off.

 

Comes down to cost. I've heard (and reinforced the lesson) that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I would just do the regear and fix things as necessary. As for fixing things, I would only use OEM parts if possible.

Depending on condition of your current gears, I could be interested in them. I currently have 3.73 and I'm assuming that you are 4-cylinder which should have 4.10 gears.

 

Honestly, this is the way I’m leaning. I’ve owned the truck since it came off of the truck, and really it looks pretty darned good — paint and all. Inside clean and fresh, cosmetically in excellent shape. Just a few little nagging issues, like the drivetrain stuff.

 

I agree with only using OEM parts whenever possible.

And I don’t know if you’d want my gears after 268,000 miles, but if they’re in acceptable shape then sure. But I was under the impression that to avoid a “core charge” the shop who did the regear would need my old gear set? I could be wrong about how all of that works.

 

I've never done a regear, but I have not heard of them having a core charge for gears. That is a lot of miles, so I'm curious to see how they look. I'll probably end up just going with 4.56 gears, but I've heard good things from folks who have been able to source 4.10s from 4 bangers.

 

I might have gotten confused about the core charge while “window shopping” around ECGS’s website. I probably looked through a dozen pages of things I wanted, saw one little item on which a core charge applied, and there ya go. Haha.

 

Oh, yeah. ECGS has a core charge if you purchase an assembled 3rd member. Basically, they want yours back so that they can rebuild and resell. That is on the assembled 3rd member and front clamshell. Just replacing the gears = no core charge.

 

Make sure you get a solid pinion spacer for the rear.