Recommended mechanic for vehicle inspections in SF North and East Bay Area?

[trkJr]

I’ve been looking at a couple different 5th gen 4Runners for sale in SF, plus vehicles in SF North Bay & East Bay Area. Want to be able to take a used vehicle to a great mechanic/shop for a thorough inspection.

Born/raised in SF Bay Area but live in SoCal now, so don’t know who to call..

Did a search here and only found one, Mudrak Custum Cruisers in Sonoma.
Any other recommended shops/mechanics in SF, East Bay and North Bay that you’ve had inspect a used 4Runner you were serious about buying?

 

[trkJr]

No recommended shops or mechanics to do inspections? :noidea:

 

[Jeffy]

No recommended shops or mechanics to do inspections? :noidea:

If you're near Novato, check out Country Club Auto. They're a smaller, family owned shop so you might want to call ahead and check to see if they'll be available.

They don't specialize in 4Runners (or any car), they mostly do general mechanical work but they're plenty capable and completely honest. I took my 4th gen there to get it inspected before I bought it and they found 2 frozen calipers, called the seller and explained exactly how much he should knock the price down for me (which the seller did). They also noted the extensive rust (car was from Michigan) but they told me it wasn't bad enough to be an issue (and it wasn't) Later on they also did my complete Radflo install. I would trust them completely.

 

[trkJr]

If you're near Novato, check out Country Club Auto. They're a smaller, family owned shop so you might want to call ahead and check to see if they'll be available.

They don't specialize in 4Runners (or any car), they mostly do general mechanical work but they're plenty capable and completely honest. I took my 4th gen there to get it inspected before I bought it and they found 2 frozen calipers, called the seller and explained exactly how much he should knock the price down for me (which the seller did). They also noted the extensive rust (car was from Michigan) but they told me it wasn't bad enough to be an issue (and it wasn't) Later on they also did my complete Radflo install. I would trust them completely.

Great, Thanks for the tip!

 

[trkJr]

If you're near Novato, check out Country Club Auto. They're a smaller, family owned shop so you might want to call ahead and check to see if they'll be available.

They don't specialize in 4Runners (or any car), they mostly do general mechanical work but they're plenty capable and completely honest. I took my 4th gen there to get it inspected before I bought it and they found 2 frozen calipers, called the seller and explained exactly how much he should knock the price down for me (which the seller did). They also noted the extensive rust (car was from Michigan) but they told me it wasn't bad enough to be an issue (and it wasn't) Later on they also did my complete Radflo install. I would trust them completely.

BTW, can you tell me what Radflo system components you installed and how it affected your on road performance vs off road?

 

[Jeffy]

BTW, can you tell me what Radflo system components you installed and how it affected your on road performance vs off road?

Front: Radflo 2.5, extended travel w/ remote reservoir. Total Chaos UCA
Rear: Radflo 2.5, Radflo rear springs (and I needed a 1.5" Daystar spacer on the driver's side to correct the lean, you can research that here it's very common)

Off road performance, there's no comparison to stock. You can off-road with stock suspension, but once you throw real suspension on there the world opens up. Plus you can fit bigger/ better tires and gain a lot of ground clearance.

On road was a big improvement as well. It definitely feels much more comfortable than stock. I took both of my swaybars off (personal preference) so I have a good amount of body roll, but I still love the ride and get compliments from passengers that they're surprised how nice it is, especially for a "lifted truck". It's not going to be as smooth as a Cadillac but I really love it, and what I love even more is I can go from comfortable city driving to 70mph on forest trails and be happy with the performance in both situations.

 

[trkJr]

Great, thx for the details

 

[Soul-Surfer]

Mechanic

We live in Illinois now but my wife is from the east bay and we used engine works in Alameda for many years. They are a rock solid shop that specializes in imports and we always had our Lexus serviced there.

Fair prices and complete honesty if that area would work for you.

 

[trkJr]

We live in Illinois now but my wife is from the east bay and we used engine works in Alameda for many years. They are a rock solid shop that specializes in imports and we always had our Lexus serviced there.

Fair prices and complete honesty if that area would work for you.

Thx, much appreciated!

 

[swampdodo]

Art's Automotive

 

[trkJr]

thx