Tucson Differential update

Tucson has two well known differential shops in town. Been to both and Tucson Diff will always have my business.

I went there to get a quote for a gear change and locker or LSD. Bill and I discussed my plans & intended use for the truck. When asked why I'm only doing the rear - well... I bought a front diff from a guy in SD that supposedly has 4:88's. Bill response was, well let us take a look inside to verify it has 4:88's and theres nothing wrong. I was kinda dreading that call with you need this and that for the front. A week later, Bill calls me and says. Yep it has 4:88's and it was built right. Come pick it up.

WOW! I thought that kinda customer service is gone. Bill just started to restore my faith in humanity.

Now that I think about it, when I was there - I overheard Bill say to a customer who was complaining about his quote. Well, the only other shop I'd go to for differential work in Tucson is this place. Who the heck refers biz to a competitor, especially to someone complaining? An honest man thats who. Oh, a heads up to the complainer - I've been to that other shop and their initial quote is lower. But expect a call saying we couldnt save the bearings, etc, etc.

 

https://www.tucsondifferential.com/

 

Update 10/2021:

I waited 9 months for Tucson Diff to free up their schedule so they can regear the rear of my Tundra plus install an LSD. This is even after a friend told me about his recent bad experience there. Both of us were longtime customers.

I still feel Bill does great work, but he ost his only other FT employee a few months ago, and is having trouble replacing him. In the interim, he has some PT guys come in after school. This is not working well. Since Bill has to work in the shop till the PT guys come in, he is stretched way too thin.

My recent experience-After having my truck there for 3weeks (not including the 9 month wait), Bill said my truck will be ready on Friday. I show up at 2:30 with my wife and find the whole frontend of my truck was totally blown apart. Three young guys standing underneath it with their mouths totally wide open. I was like WTF! Bill forgot only the rear needed to be done. Told me to come back at 5:00. We return at 5:00 and every dash light was on in my dash cluster. Driving home, I hear clanging sounds. Upon checking my limiting straps were dangling, and found deep gouges through the powder paint on both of my Total Chaos LCA's.

Got all the dash lights to reset except my airbag light. When I mentioned it to Bill, he was polite about it but as expected, "couldnt of been us".

Not so much pissed as I'm disappointed. Waited 9 months when I could've went to another shop. Then after scheduling a date 3 months out, it was another 3 weeks. Get my truck back, I have to fix stuff they f-d up, which they shouldnt of been touching in the first place. Then when confronted with it, didnt own up.

 

The only person in AZ doing diff work for me is @ZUK in Phoenix

you won’t find a more skilled person and none of the troubled youths around.

 

That sucks. 9 months? that should have been your clue to exit.

 

Yeah, my wife reminds me of my faults. And loyalty is one of them.

 

I see what you did there

 

Ummm....we might have our signals crossed here. It was not meant as an underhanded crack or left handed comment.

 

I thought the irony was the person who should value your “loyalty” most….criticizing your loyalty.

 

I had my son’s truck towed here 3 weeks ago because the differential seized up. After speaking with Bill on the phone, he said it would be a week. Three weeks later, I still don’t even have a quote. On Monday he said it’s rolling into shop now and that he’d call yesterday. I didn’t hear from him so I finally drove by and the truck is in the same spot. It’s so stressful and frustrating because if he had been honest about lead time and his staffing situation, I could have had it towed elsewhere. In the meantime we’re racking up rental car costs. After reading this, it may be best to eat another tow cost and take it elsewhere. I just don’t know another shop that’s recommended.

 

Have @ZUK in Phoenix do the work at this point. Loyalty is costing you time and money.

 

Phoenix is 2 hours away. That would be a very expensive tow!!

 

Sounds like things are still a mess there. Never did hear back about the replacement clockspring he said he'd get on order.

I had western diff work on my previous Tacoma. They did good work but prices weren't totally transparent.

Alignment Brake & Suspension List differentials as one of the items they work on. I had an alignment done there and the owner seems like a good guy.

There's also 4WP. I got a quote there but the price was like 1-1/2 times and I never got a good feeling there.

 

I was looking at Tucson Driveline and Balance. Of course I have no experience with them either.

 

Try calling alignment brake & suspension. The owner typically answers the phone and works the front desk. Worth a shot.

 

You can try Lloyd"s Transmissions & Drive. It's a few miles from Tucson Diff. Talk to Darrell. Darrell is a Toyota guy but a lot of Jeepers go there.

 

I second the motion for Western Differential, but he is also always busy. I don't think that he has any employees either. So... there are no idiot employees to mess up your truck, but I can't say that he would have time for you.
https://www.westerndiff.com/

 

Just an update to give credit when credit it due…I stuck with Tucson differential. He finally was able to hire a few employees and get caught up. After looking at the diff, he determined it could b be repaired instead of replaced (which is what the other shop wanted to do). We ended up saving $2000 going with Tucson Differential. He offers a 2 yr warranty which is great. He also gave my son explicit instructions regarding breaking in the differential which was very helpful.

 

I just happened to stumble across this thread. I second Lloyds transmissions. Darrell does amazing work and is extremely honest. Like swegin said, Darrel is a big time Toyota guys and knows what he is doing. I have had him regear 3 different 3rd members and will be having a front differential rebuilt soon.