Reputable Southern CA install shops????

[Vettethret]

Hi Guys,

1st time post. I did a search and couldn't find anything. Who in Orange County (Or a little farther out) knows how to work on these 4 Runners and can be trusted? Coming from A Jeep Background and having built 3 Rubicons, its Off-Road Evolution. Is there another top notch shop that really knows how to work on these things?

I really want to get another Rubicon, but its 23k in aftermarket parts to build them right and the wife is really getting pissed at my car allowance (Sold my 13 with a RK 5.5" lift, 20x12 with 38x15.5x20 etc). I have been lurking for a couple of weeks trying to get as much info as I can. Just like my Jeep (Even though I did occasionally wheel it and loved it) will be to haul around my Bull Mastiff and St Bernard.

I know a lot of guys haven't done it but I want to run 35's (Body mount chop and fender rework I know) and possibly an Icon lift (The only off roading I will do in it is taking it up to the snow, so I'm not worried about stuffing the tires and rubbing, can I get away with a stage 1 lift or I need a stage 2?). I want a reputable shop that will sell me what I need for my application and not over sell me what I don't. I know I should probably stick with 33's but I've always been the one upper (You have a 10 speed, I rode in the Tour DE France! You rent? I own, a loft actually. Can someone point me in the right direction please? I am going to test drive a new Trail Premium tonight.

Thanks guys

 

[Gesekee19]

Second 4Runner...3rd Toyota...have always gone to Outlaw Offroad in Santa Ana. They have ways beat Metal-Tech, Down South Motorsports or wheelers outdoor prices....especially on Icon parts....go check out their shop too, it's like going to a car show. Price for install is very good to.

 

[Vettethret]

Second 4Runner...3rd Toyota...have always gone to Outlaw Offroad in Santa Ana. They have ways beat Metal-Tech, Down South Motorsports or wheelers outdoor prices....especially on Icon parts....go check out their shop too, it's like going to a car show. Price for install is very good to.

I called there the other day and the sales guy was literally trying to get me off the phone, like he was to busy to answer my questions 1 minute into the call. I've used Rebel for some work on my jeeps, but I don't know if they have any experience with 4 runners. I will give Outlaw a call back and see if I can get a sales guy that can actually do his job.

 

[KVA]

Demello Offroad & DMZ Fabrication

Both are great to work with. Demello does FJ all day long anf DMZ does Taco's a lot but both can handle T4R's without issue and can do some custom stuff too...DMZ is a really good fabricator and can add all the total chaos weld-on stuff without issue. Haven't done any welding at Demello but they make their own bumpers, etc... so they are equally qualifie too.

 

[Vettethret]

Demello Offroad & DMZ Fabrication

Both are great to work with. Demello does FJ all day long anf DMZ does Taco's a lot but both can handle T4R's without issue and can do some custom stuff too...DMZ is a really good fabricator and can add all the total chaos weld-on stuff without issue. Haven't done any welding at Demello but they make their own bumpers, etc... so they are equally qualifie too.

Thanks KVA, I appreciate it. I will be giving both a call tomorrow.

 

[sdhobbs]

Ask for Connor (owner) at Outlaw Offroad. Great guy, he'll take care of you. I had my truck lifted there.

 

[Vettethret]

Ask for Connor (owner) at Outlaw Offroad. Great guy, he'll take care of you. I had my truck lifted there.

I couldnt get Connor on the phone but talked to Darren. I want to run 35's on a 20x10 -24 offset (Found a couple of guys running this wheel size/offset). He suggested the Icon stage 2 at a minimum (Body Mount chop, fender chop etc). He said I may need to add components depending on if theres rubbing. For Labor, Icon stage 2, 20x10 XD Strikes and 35x12.5 Toyo Muds its $6800 + Tax. I am assuming that I will be adding more parts which could be another 1k.

I did call Demello but their voicemail is full.

 

[DannyLlama]

I called outlaw to see how much they would charge to install sliders, $300 plus!!!

I said no thanks... They might do good work, but not reasonable pricing if you ask me.

I think Demllo were out at the FJSummit, so try them in a few days when they are caught up.

 

[Jimmy_D]

Yes, Jason and his boys were at the Summit. I took them out on Black Bear last Thursday. Jason was driving a Tundra and his wife was nearly catatonic when her side was on the edge.

 

[ZOMBRNR]

The 2 big shops down here are Outlaw Offroad & Rebel Off Road.

When I talked to both shops, they definitely had a superiority complex and their labor rates are absolutely ridiculous. $110/hr are you kidding me???

No thanks.

 

[Vettethret]

The 2 big shops down here are Outlaw Offroad & Rebel Off Road.

When I talked to both shops, they definitely had a superiority complex and their labor rates are absolutely ridiculous. $110/hr are you kidding me???

No thanks.

I know.I have used both in the past and their rates keep climbing and climbing. I will wait and give Demello a call back.

 

[KVA]

I know.I have used both in the past and their rates keep climbing and climbing. I will wait and give Demello a call back.

Call DMZ too...not far from Demello and they do all the Icon stuff, etc... they do really extreme race setups so everything else is generally very basic.

They are super nice and won't give you the run around...They did one of the guys on this forum's stage 5 Icon install and custom fit his heftyfab rear bumper - he was very happy with the work they did.

 

[Socalrugger]

Call DMZ too...not far from Demello and they do all the Icon stuff, etc... they do really extreme race setups so everything else is generally very basic.

They are super nice and won't give you the run around...They did one of the guys on this forum's stage 5 Icon install and custom fit his heftyfab rear bumper - he was very happy with the work they did.

2nd that.....Tim @ DMZ did an EXCEPTIONAL job! I had the install done over a year ago and problem free ever since. He QC's every job himself to ensure the install was done to his standards. Great guy to shoot the shite with as well.

 

[Vettethret]

Call DMZ too...not far from Demello and they do all the Icon stuff, etc... they do really extreme race setups so everything else is generally very basic.

They are super nice and won't give you the run around...They did one of the guys on this forum's stage 5 Icon install and custom fit his heftyfab rear bumper - he was very happy with the work they did.

Calling them now..

 

[Vettethret]

2nd that.....Tim @ DMZ did an EXCEPTIONAL job! I had the install done over a year ago and problem free ever since. He QC's every job himself to ensure the install was done to his standards. Great guy to shoot the shite with as well.

Just got off the phone Tim, very nice guy.He mostly does trucks but has worked on 4 runners. He wasnt to keen on running 35's. He looked on Icons website and it says larger tires can be run with fender modifications. That made him feel a little better. He says he will do whatever I want, he just cant guarantee no rubbing. I always figure I can throw on a 1" body lift if need be (He said he's seen a lot of that and you cant tell there's a body lift on at all. He is putting a quote together for me.

 

[Socalrugger]

Just got off the phone Tim, very nice guy.He mostly does trucks but has worked on 4 runners. He wasnt to keen on running 35's. He looked on Icons website and it says larger tires can be run with fender modifications. That made him feel a little better. He says he will do whatever I want, he just cant guarantee no rubbing. I always figure I can throw on a 1" body lift if need be (He said he's seen a lot of that and you cant tell there's a body lift on at all. He is putting a quote together for me.

Tim's worked on trucks for lil peeps like me and KVA all the way to Middle East sovereigns. But the only thing that mattered to me was his unwavering devotion to quality. He could have a MUCH larger shop than he does but he chooses to remain smaller to maintain his process. Quality over quantity.

I sound like a spokesman...LOL..... Back to the anejo....

 

[ZOMBRNR]

Not to thread jack, but does anyone have a recommendation for an alignment shop in Orange County?

Outlaw and Rebel aren't open on weekends, lame.

 

[Vettethret]

Tim's worked on trucks for lil peeps like me and KVA all the way to Middle East sovereigns. But the only thing that mattered to me was his unwavering devotion to quality. He could have a MUCH larger shop than he does but he chooses to remain smaller to maintain his process. Quality over quantity.

I sound like a spokesman...LOL..... Back to the anejo....

He defintley wasnt trying to sell me anything I didnt need like the Orange County shops. Since Im going with 35's and 20x10's, I'm going to have to be prepared to spend some more cash on Labor and unforseen things since Im going into relativley untested waters.

 

[TravelWest01]

Off Road Shops in OC

I have had good experiences with 4 Wheel Parts in Santa Ana. They did OME lift and ARB winch bumper for me and quality perfect. The mechanic who did the bumper had done one prior, so he knew exactly where to cut it give a great finished look. I was nervous to put my truck "under the knife", but they did it perfectly.

 

[islandstyle]

just do a SAS for 35's