[knox4rner2014]

So I have been following the threads in here for several months now and they have really helped me decide on which way to go with my new truck. There are a lot of really fantastic ideas in here, unfortunately my bank account can only go so far right now. I am also one of those guys that wants to see something before I buy it. I have been looking for an Off Road shop in the East Tennessee area that builds stuff other than Jeeps or large Diesel trucks (Just not my thing). I really haven't found a suitable shop that wants to take the time to talk to someone and walk them through the process.

Well yesterday I finally found a place that caters to Toyota enthusiast. I live in Knoxville, TN and happened to be driving back from Chattanooga when I decided to stop by the Toyota dealership in Cleveland TN, about 70 miles south of Knoxville. As I am cruising through the lot, I see several modified Tacoma's, Tundra's, and 4Runners. As I round the corner of the building towards the service department I see a large banner that says see Keith Jackson for all your Toyota 4x4 needs.

After waiting for a few minutes I finally get to sit down and start talking to Mr. Jackson, he abruptly stops me and makes a phone call and ask his head off road mechanic and one of the parts guys to see him in his office. Once everyone has arrived we make our introductions and he states, this individual needs our advice and help. Over the next few hours we talk about what I want to do to my truck, issues that my arise and what would work for me. They take the time to walk me out to several trucks on the lot and show me the lifts sizes and upgrades that they have done and how it would relate to my truck. We discuss suspension, wheels, tires, racks, bumpers and many other upgrades. At no time were they pushy or did I feel that they just wanted to sell me something and get me out the door. The only thing missing was a cold beer in my hand and it would have felt like we were just old buddies discussing mods. Having the ability to walk out and look at other trucks, see their suspensions, bumper and other mods was awesome.

I know its hard to compare this to some of the great shops that I hear you guys talk about on the west coast, but this was a great experience. Apparently these guys want to be the go to guys in this area for Toyota 4x4 needs and if this customer service keeps going I can see that happening. Word of mouth is amazing, I've already told several of my friends about my experience and they are going to see these guys as well.

My mods will be done over time, but I felt really good walking out of there yesterday knowing that I made a good choice. These will be put on next week.

TRD PRO black wheels
BFG 275/70 R17's KO2S
Bilstein 5100's

That will be the start of my builds, but the possibilities are endless.

I'm not sure if there are a lot of guys from East Tennessee in here or not, but if your in this area I would recommend at least talking to these guys.

[Mistaken]

Nice. Service like that is hard to come by these days.

[uood8]

Dealerships are notorious for marking lifts up thousands of dollars, beware of price.

[E-ROCKER]

Not sure what model 4runner you have but they're all very similar. I would recommend installing those parts yourself. As another person said, shops like this markup parts that you could order online and install yourself if you have a few hours and some tools. You already know what parts you want.
I'm guessing they are charging you at least 4-$500 for labor. If you do the job yourself you'd save some $ and only have to pay for mounting and balancing the tires.

[knox4rner2014]

So I got the tires, wheels and suspension and Lobos for just under $3000.00. They gave me great hook up, the biggest cost in labor is dismantling the XREAS system. Talking with some guys from my job, it seems like a fair price. At least I hope.

[pepowdylan]

I'm from Knoxville too. We will have to meet up sometime. I am putting 275/70/17 KOs and Bilsteins on as well, but I think I am going to do it myself.

[FactoryRide]

A buddy of mine works there. He's always sending pictures of new trucks they're lifting. He actually drives a 5th gen trail.

[knox4rner2014]

Hell yeah, we need to get a meet up group going. Unfortunately I don't have the tools to do the job and seem to have gotten a pretty good deal with installation.

[knox4rner2014]

Hey Factory Ride, I am working with a guy named Brian and Keith Jackson, they both seem to be very easy to deal with and are excited to get my build started. As a matter of fact, I spent the morning on the phone with them while they helped me pick out my springs/coilovers to go with my new shocks. I went with the ToyTech Superflex HD springs for the rear and the Adjustable front Coilover kit for Bilsteins. Might be a little stiff till I add a rear bumper and front bumper.

[FactoryRide]

Originally Posted by knox4rner2014

Hell yeah, we need to get a meet up group going. Unfortunately I don't have the tools to do the job and seem to have gotten a pretty good deal with installation.

Originally Posted by knox4rner2014

Hey Factory Ride, I am working with a guy named Brian and Keith Jackson, they both seem to be very easy to deal with and are excited to get my build started. As a matter of fact, I spent the morning on the phone with them while they helped me pick out my springs/coilovers to go with my new shocks. I went with the ToyTech Superflex HD springs for the rear and the Adjustable front Coilover kit for Bilsteins. Might be a little stiff till I add a rear bumper and front bumper.

The guy I know there is Colton Triplett.

I'm always down to meet up and wheel.

If you're on facebook check out Atlanta 4runners and join up. I'm Spencer A on there and we're all not too far. @toyo has been a great friend to everyone always offering help. We had a work party at his shop a while back. He also helped put my lift on.

We also get together pretty frequently to wheel. We just did a weekend at Windrock a couple of weeks back. You're pretty close to some good trails and I'm going to try and start getting up there more frequently since y'all have more wheeling.

I think you'll be fine for a while. It'll just ride like a truck which isn't the worst thing in the world. I just got the standards since a rear bumper is a little ways off. So far the Toytec has been amazing (my rear shocks on my TE were blown at 50K).

Check us out though and join up.

[knox4rner2014]

Hey factoryRide thanks....I just sent in my request to join the Facebook group. Yeah WindRock is just west of me, I work in Oak Ridge and can't wait to play up there.

[knox4rner2014]

FedEx just left me some goodies from ToyTech. Hopefully they will be going on the truck Monday. I think the color is gonna look good as well, Black and Red on the white 4runner.

[knox4rner2014]

Originally Posted by knox4rner2014

FedEx just left me some goodies from ToyTech. Hopefully they will be going on the truck Monday. I think the color is gonna look good as well, Black and Red on the white 4runner.

So today was the day, I went back to Toyota Of Cleveland, TN. They had all my stuff waiting when I arrived this morning. I brought my front Coil overs and my rear springs and the install began. Once they got me in, it took about 4.5 hours for the new suspension, new wheels and tires. All the guys at the Dealership were so helpful and excited. Brian the mechanic involved in setting up my new whip was awesome, he came out and I got to see the process several times throughout the day. Once it was nearly completed, everyone wanted to see what it looked like, it was great. Everyone from the General manager, Service Manager as well as Keith Jackson and even the General managers son (colton). Thanks for the help and compliments. I would definitely recommend these guys for anyone in this area.

[TN4Runnerdq]

Going to give this shop a call, as have been searching for a reputable company that I can trust to actually work on my '18. I don't trust the shops near me in middle TN, most of them want me to spew diesel and put huge spacers on my wheels so it looks like a hoopty.

Hopefully these guys are still as good as what you experienced. Anyone else have any suggestions for shops in TN that are actually good at what they do?