TSB leafs done today...excellent dealership experience...

I got great service at Panama City Toyota...

About a week and half ago, I made a phone call to this dealership (the dealership I purchased from)...I had a conversation with the service advisor (good guy, Mr. Walter Day)...I explained my concerns with the rear springs...

he knew the deal, AND was able to accommodate me to save a trip in to have the truck "looked at"...since I live almost 50 miles away. He ordered the parts (springs, U bolts, bump stops)...

Got the parts call last week, made the appointment...

New springs in this morning. Like a new truck. Key word = truck. Love it!
Raised the rear 1 3/4" by my calculations and pre-measurements. Both rear sides are within 1/8" of each other (this could be the fender flare fitment). The front still has less than a 1/4" of lean from side to side.
(I do have frame and hub to fender, etc., pre-measurements I'll look at with more time)

Everything went super smooth at the service dept. They provide doughnuts (Krispy Kreme) and coffee and soft drinks, etc...also...Wednesday was ladies day, so the place is full of the finer sex getting discount service work and a free manicure while they wait...yes my wife went and took advantage of the mani (unplanned, I had no idea about the ladies day...but enjoyed it just the same )

We didn't stay for the free lunch also provided on Wednesday "ladies day"...my truck was done (including alignment) and I was ready to go to Margaritaville on Panama City Beach, for a Cuban and a cold long-neck Land Shark. http://www.margaritavillepanamacitybeach.com/

I gotta give props to the dealership...even though I didn't get a free manicure, lol... I now know to schedule service on Wednesday's. And leave the wife at the house.

btw...if you are in the area...check out their freakin' HUGE, indoor showroom. HUGE! Like Home Depot size Huge. (hint, go on Wednesday...I'm jus' sayin')

 

Glad to hear of a good experience from time to time

 

Larry good to hear things went well. I need to jump on this, but I figure I could probably wait til my 5k maintenance rolls around and get it all done at once. Are you getting 5100s too?

 

Good to hear Larry!

 

If only all stealerships were like yours. I have a feeling that I'm gonna get a lot of bs from my dealer when I bring it in for this

 

I wouldn't wait. You never know...you may catch the dealership service dept. at the right time and get great service. I really think timing has a lot to do with it...like any business.

Planning on up front. It doesn't look bad now. A little rear lift...that's gonna settle...and when I hook up my little bay skiff she settles a bit...maybe a 1/4" lol...Love these springs!

I'll probably do the 5100's at .85 when I do some 265 tires...

That's all the suspension mods I'll probably do. It fits the purpose and look I'm goin' for...beefy stock, part time work pickup...part time fishin' skiff hauler...and full time beach buggy DD.

I agree. I despise the inconsistency between dealerships. And like I posted, timing may play a part of the service you get.

 

I hear you on that man. This is my DD too so I'm not too concerned with the hardcore mods. I'm trying to keep the truck geared more towards utility as well and less towards looks, but that can be tough sometimes...especially when hanging around here! Oh yea quick question, did you flatout cut to the chase with the Service Mgr and tell him to swap out your leafs or did you have to start out with the whole "harsh ride under load/safety issue" explanation?

Thanks and tight lines buddy!

 

After a bad experience with another dealership closer to home...Quality Imports in Ft. Walton Beach (they suk)...

And after reading posts about other experiences on this forum...

I called Toyota...played somewhat stupid with the nice customer service lady about my rough ride when hauling ot towing...I mentioned the TSB and she confirmed the number with my vin, etc. She then created a file and gave me a case #...and the file was being emailed to the service manager at my dealership. And told me to contact my dealership.

When I spoke with the service department, the advisor knew about the spring TSB and I didn't have to play games. I did inform him that I spoke to Toyota...who told me to contact the dealership for the TSB.

I had to wait on a return call to confirm they were gonna order the parts ahead of my visit...so I wouldn't have to make 2 trips over there.

Maybe contacting Toyota 1st helped? That email to the service manager can't hurt.

Maybe my service advisor was just a good guy who thought "hey, another Tacoma owner who wants the TSB springs". What I like about this particular service writer, he was aware I knew what I wanted and what I was talking about...and he didn't become offended by it. I also was wise not to step on his ego, as if I knew more than him...because I don't.

 

A friend and I both brought our Tacomas (08 and 09) in this morning to Newton Toyota in Northern NJ. Both were done within 2 hours and they even drove us to the diner while we waited.
I noticed the truck was just about bottomed out with an ATV or snowmobile and would bottom out when I hit a bump. I mentioned this about a week ago to the dealer and they ordered the parts that day. My friend called them and they ordered his parts as well. That is great service!

 

Don't mean to thread jack, but I've been wondering...how much does the TSB fix stiffen the ride? I mostly use my truck for daily driving and don't want the ride to be too rough.

 

hardly noticeable to me...and my truck also is a dd.

 

Panama City Toyota are good people. I had my 4runner that had an overheating problem while I was on vacation. Took it to them at 9:30am and got it back at 4:30'ish. Only had the 4runner, so I had to wait with it, but they gave me a little office to work in (brought my work with me (attorney) and needed a place to sit that was quiet to work) and they offered to take me to a restaurant for lunch, etc, whatever I needed. Good people.

 

Got mine done yesterday here in Mass. Didn't even look at my truck when I e mailed the service manager. He told me Toyota new from the get go that they would have to do the TSB on the rear springs. So why not put them in to begin with? Mexico, and the Japan versions all the 4 pack leafs. So wouldn't you figure the 2011's would have the 4 pack? Just so you know as long as you are in the warranty period. Toyota will not deny you. But the dealership can. And the service guy told me why yesterday. When the dealer does the TSB it counts as a negative service for the dealer. That is why a lot of dealers tell you to go pound sand. Keep calling Toyota of America and complaining. They will eventually get it done for you. Sorry for the long post.

 

just a quick question, does this TSB apply to 2010 models too?? because on the TSB sticky i found at the top ot the page it says from 2005-2009 only,thanks guys

 

The post above you is mine it is a 2010 with 1,900 miles on it.

 

I just talked to Toyota Customer service and the stealer so we'll se how this goes.

 

Indeed. I would buy another car/truck from them in a New York minute.

 

Most believe the reason Toyota still rolls with the 3 pack rear leafs for the American Tacoma's, is because most American truck buyers don't use their truck like a pickup...and most want that SUV ride they have got used to.

The vast majority of trucks purchased across the globe are used as trucks...not mall crawlers and grocery getters.

Only in America would people take something as simple and useful that has worked for nearly 100 years...the pickup truck...and turn it into a car.

Kinda stupid...funny...and grotesque, all at the same time.