Houston Area Installers

[harkco]

Just wanted to update this thread and say thanks to [MENTION=76617]shallcallhimtim[/MENTION] for giving me a heads up about Curt.

I ended up going with C&C Northside... About Us | C & C's Northside Motors

Curt did an awesome job and I truly feel like I have found a mechanic for life. Super nice and incredibly knowledgeable with racing and offroad setups. I would highly recommend him to anyone in the Houston area.

 

[shallcallhimtim]

Just wanted to update this thread and say thanks to [MENTION=76617]shallcallhimtim[/MENTION] for giving me a heads up about Curt.

I ended up going with C&C Northside... About Us | C & C's Northside Motors

Curt did an awesome job and I truly feel like I have found a mechanic for life. Super nice and incredibly knowledgeable with racing and offroad setups. I would highly recommend him to anyone in the Houston area.

Glad I could help man! I know he is a bit of a drive from katy but I would trust him with anything! My parents recommend him to anyone with a Toyota since both of the Don McGill dealerships have screwed us over so many times! Also there is a guy of Westheimer and Pin Oak that works on high performance Toyotas (or did last time I was in katy)

 

[sr3tlaw]

Lift & Tire Install

[MENTION=111345]Texas777[/MENTION] [MENTION=101352]harkco[/MENTION]

Have ICON Stage 1 and new Duratracs that need installing. What kind of price can I expect? Calling 4wheel parts they estimate around $500. Will any of these shops align/weigh tires properly or is that something you go to Discount Tire for?

 

[Texas777]

[MENTION=111345]Texas777[/MENTION] [MENTION=101352]harkco[/MENTION]

Have ICON Stage 1 and new Duratracs that need installing. What kind of price can I expect? Calling 4wheel parts they estimate around $500. Will any of these shops align/weigh tires properly or is that something you go to Discount Tire for?

I bought my BFG's from Discount Tire and they mounted them, so not sure about the tires. My suspension is 5100's on all 4 corners, not Icon (on my list though), so [MENTION=101352]harkco[/MENTION] would probably be better suited to offer an opinion on what a Stage I Icon install might run.

For a datapoint, I paid ~$650 to have my 5100's installed and the truck aligned. It was a bit more than some other shops but I didn't want just anyone working on my truck. It was worth a few extra bucks to me to have C&C do the work.

 

[harkco]

I bought my BFG's from Discount Tire and they mounted them, so not sure about the tires. My suspension is 5100's on all 4 corners, not Icon (on my list though), so [MENTION=101352]harkco[/MENTION] would probably be better suited to offer an opinion on what a Stage I Icon install might run.

For a datapoint, I paid ~$650 to have my 5100's installed and the truck aligned. It was a bit more than some other shops but I didn't want just anyone working on my truck. It was worth a few extra bucks to me to have C&C do the work.

I paid about the same at C&C. I thought he did a great job. He did the alignment as well. I had an Icon Stage 2 installed first and then upgraded my tire size later (285s). And I agree also - he is worth the extra money - he is a really good guy and a great mechanic.

 

[Tengu]

I also lived in Katy up until a year ago, and had my Icons installed at Extreme Offroad in Katy. I didn't want to mess with the KDSS and was without time to do it anyway do to work schedule. So I took my stuff to them that I bought from Metaltech on sale. I had front coil overs with reservoirs, metaltech LCA's, Icon tube UCA's, rear springs and shocks. They charged $900. (BOHICA) I was thinking ouch but then they wanted to charge me $50 more to install Total Chaos LCA bracket skids and Icon rear shock skids because they might require welds. They didn't, I got charged anyway, even though all they had to do was put them on when they were bolting them up. I was somewhat amazed I had them on the rig in the end.

Things I noticed. A chimp could have done a better job putting the driver's side shock remote reservoir on. The amount of protective paint they scraped off the frame was pitiful, they could have at least sprayed some rustoleom on it. Also the inside of the fender protectors seemed screwed up, I just couldn't put my finger on it. But the most puzzling thing was my door panel showed sign of being removed as it was missing one of it's plug/push pin thingees. (did they get their jobs mixed up and were about to add speakers?

My son and I used to drive by this place and look at all the Bro Dozers and Mall Crawlers outside in marvel of how much was spent for show trucks. I held my nose as I walked in, and again when I paid. But I got the work done, close and conveniently. With really one complaint, that the trip to Orielly's next door solved when I picked up some rustoleum.

Sure, I probably got raped on the install, but it was done. I know they have done more, and grown since then. Sense then, I have been back to have them swap my rear springs. Talked to the owner that time, I felt $150 to swap springs was reasonable. Had it done in a couple of hours. All was good.

So there is my two cents.

 

[brg128]

Cherry poppin post.

I am new to the Houston area and am about 2 days away from ordering, from the factory, a 2015 4runner TE premium with KDSS. They say it will take 2-3 months to complete. In the meantime I am trying to decide between either the Toytec Boss w/SPC Light Racing UCAs or the ICON stage 2.

My question for this thread is: Would yall recommend having the dealership install this when the truck arrives from the factory, or should I go 3rd party installation?

C&C sounds promising from the other posts but it would be that much more convenient if I could just pick the damn thing up done and not have to wait again.

Much obliged!

 

[sr3tlaw]

Cherry poppin post.

I am new to the Houston area and am about 2 days away from ordering, from the factory, a 2015 4runner TE premium with KDSS. They say it will take 2-3 months to complete. In the meantime I am trying to decide between either the Toytec Boss w/SPC Light Racing UCAs or the ICON stage 2.

My question for this thread is: Would yall recommend having the dealership install this when the truck arrives from the factory, or should I go 3rd party installation?

C&C sounds promising from the other posts but it would be that much more convenient if I could just pick the damn thing up done and not have to wait again.

Much obliged!

Welcome to Htown!

Opinions with dealership will vary.

I went with Icon and love it. But definitely wanting UCAs now. Installed by mysef but I recruited a fat guy to help with the rear springs as they were super stiff. What part of town are you in?

 

[Texas777]

Cherry poppin post.

I am new to the Houston area and am about 2 days away from ordering, from the factory, a 2015 4runner TE premium with KDSS. They say it will take 2-3 months to complete. In the meantime I am trying to decide between either the Toytec Boss w/SPC Light Racing UCAs or the ICON stage 2.

My question for this thread is: Would yall recommend having the dealership install this when the truck arrives from the factory, or should I go 3rd party installation?

C&C sounds promising from the other posts but it would be that much more convenient if I could just pick the damn thing up done and not have to wait again.

Much obliged!

Welcome to Houston (and the forum), and congrats on your new 4Runner purchase!

My preference is the Icon Stage 2, so much in fact, that I'm ordering mine on Friday of this week and will be having Curt @ C&C do the installation. I would trust them long before I would consider any dealership. I should have gone the Icon route to begin with vs. 5100's, so you are smart to ante up and do it right out of the gate with either Toytec or Icon.

Curt and his team do excellent work and are extremely honest. Called him yesterday re: a PS Pump on our BMW and he gave sound advice that involved a potential dealer route (it was just replaced by dealer under warranty last November). Long story that I won't go into here regarding the dealer, but the point is that he could have accepted the job and made money, but instead was looking out for our best interest before his own. Not too many people/shops would do that these days and it speaks volumes about his integrity.

 

[brg128]

Welcome to Htown!

Opinions with dealership will vary.

I went with Icon and love it. But definitely wanting UCAs now. Installed by mysef but I recruited a fat guy to help with the rear springs as they were super stiff. What part of town are you in?

Thanks! I agree, I think biting the bullet now with the UCAs is the best thing. This new truck will also be my daily driver so once I sell my current 4runner (will give it a shot listing on this site) I won't have the luxury of being able to have the truck wheels off in my garage or another's for an extended period of time.

I am up north a ways, north of The Woodlands but south of Lake Conroe.

 

[brg128]

Welcome to Houston (and the forum), and congrats on your new 4Runner purchase!

My preference is the Icon Stage 2, so much in fact, that I'm ordering mine on Friday of this week and will be having Curt @ C&C do the installation. I would trust them long before I would consider any dealership. I should have gone the Icon route to begin with vs. 5100's, so you are smart to ante up and do it right out of the gate with either Toytec or Icon.

Curt and his team do excellent work and are extremely honest. Called him yesterday re: a PS Pump on our BMW and he gave sound advice that involved a potential dealer route (it was just replaced by dealer under warranty last November). Long story that I won't go into here regarding the dealer, but the point is that he could have accepted the job and made money, but instead was looking out for our best interest before his own. Not too many people/shops would do that these days and it speaks volumes about his integrity.

Thanks for the warm welcome! Coming back to Tx after a couple years in Denver. If you aren't from Texas, most people would think moving to Tx from CO is crazy; but there ain't no place like home.

I have heard enough good things about the ICON systems to fork over the extra cash to put that in. Especially on a brand new truck, I don't want to muck it up right out of the gate by settling for components that aren't ideal.

The dealership option was more for the convenience of it all. But now that I've found, what appears to be a solid trustworthy mechanic, I would much rather give my business to him as opposed to the dealership.

Would love to hear about your experience with Curt after the install. Feel free to let him know he has another ICON stage 2 install coming his way in October/November (if you give a good review). Maybe he will make doubly sure your install is flawless! Best of luck, post some pics when its all said and done!

 

[brg128]

Update regarding C&C

I have spoken with several of yall about C&C and how it is closed so I figured I would give an update to the board. Given that Curt was a well respected mechanic on this board, I figured yall might want to know this.

Through some rather lucky and persistent internet clicking, I was able to find out that while C&C is no longer in business, Curt is still operating a shop under a different name (same location or right next door). This new shop operates under the name Tracktime Performance Home | TrackTime Performance | Steve Smith

I asked them about the install of the Icon Stage 2. I was quoted $1,200. I am going to shop around a bit more and come back to these guys to get that quote down a bit, hopefully somewhere around the $650 some of yall paid. The $1,200 quote did not factor in install of new wheels and tires.

Kinda shocked that my quote was 2x what yall paid for the same setup with the same mechanic, just passing that along. Will follow up here if they negotiate down.

 

[sr3tlaw]

Update

I have spoken with several of yall about C&C and how it is closed so I figured I would give an update to the board. Given that Curt was a well respected mechanic on this board, I figured yall might want to know this.

Through some rather lucky and persistent internet clicking, I was able to find out that while C&C is no longer in business, Curt is still operating a shop under a different name (same location or right next door). This new shop operates under the name Tracktime Performance Home | TrackTime Performance | Steve Smith

I asked them about the install of the Icon Stage 2. I was quoted $1,200. I am going to shop around a bit more and come back to these guys to get that quote down a bit, hopefully somewhere around the $650 some of yall paid. The $1,200 quote did not factor in install of new wheels and tires.

Kinda shocked that my quote was 2x what yall paid for the same setup with the same mechanic, just passing that along. Will follow up here if they negotiate down.

Thank-you for the update. I too agree that's expensive