recommendation of good shop to help with restoration in texas

hey everyone, can anyone who is in the know recommend a great shop in San Antonio, TX or nearby that can help me do some restoration and customizing.

I don't have one yet, but I am planning on buying a 3rd gen 4runner and I have a low initial budget so I know that whatever I get is going to need some work down the road. I would prefer to stick to a shop that specializes in 4runners and/or SUVs. if the shop is willing to take me on as an apprentice so I can learn to do the work on my own, that would be awesome! I know I can learn a lot from forums and videos, but I am a hands on learner, so doing it myself is best.

I am currently looking at a 2001 limited with the "fat lip" and an aftermarket radio. while aftermarket radios usually look cool and have all the new tech features that people like, I prefer the stock look of the original radio, so one thing I would do is replace that. I also want to swap the fat lip bumper with the earlier 3rd gen bumper. (in fact, I saw a forum on here about that bumper swap, but I can't find it.) I'm not interested in a lift kit or anything like that, just a few things to make the vehicle look like it just came off the factory line (except the bumper lol).

thanks for the help!

 

I hate aftermarket radios too. Just hate them.

I just picked up a brand new reconditioned OEM radio. Check this guy out and see if he has the model you need. I am not sure what the Limiteds used:

https://www.ebay.com/usr/the_radio_guy

I got this for $100. It is EXACTLY the same as what I already have...but where mine is 18 years old and beat, this one is reconditioned so the knobs have NO wear and are tight (My Volume dial was starting to get a bit wobbly.), the face plate is NEW NEW NEW. The lights all work.

Also no core needed, so I put my old one on the shelf, or I may sell it...it still works perfectly.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/98-01-Toyota-Camry-4Runner-factory-disc-CD-cass-player-radio-AD6803-86120-08110/114021516655?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

thank you this helps! since the 4runner I'm looking at has the aftermarket radio, do you think it probably also has aftermarket connections? or would the swap be as easy as disconnecting the existing radio and connecting the replacement? note: from the pictures, I can see that the new radio doesn't take up as much space as the OEM and the gap from the OEM on the panel it still visible.

 

A good radio installer will get a harness adapter. Plug and play. A bad one will hack the wiring harness until it "works".

Hearing that the installer left a gap...I don't have high hopes for a quality job. Ask the owner.

If you're lucky...You'll have to just unplug the aftermarket unit, and its adapter and plug in the OEM radio. Otherwise, you'll be looking for another radio harness end from a junkyard to repair the damage.

 

good to know, thank you.

after closer inspection, I realized that the radio was the least of my problems. one big one (to me anyway from south texas) is that the a/c did not blow cold air. could be lack of freon, could be worse. if the a/c was the least of the problems, I would have considered it anyway since we're approaching some semi-cooler weather. however I could see fluid lots pooling inside the engine compartment as well under the vehicle; the transmission fluid from the dipstick had a strange look to it - almost like the "strawberry milkshake" look; there were some electrical issues with the power door unlocks not fully locking and unlocking. it was probably nothing as bad as some others have seen when they check out a potential purchase, but I just got a bad vibe from it overall. I'll keep hunting.

 

Pink Milkshake? RUUUUNNNN!!!!!

That rig needs a new transmission. The Radiator has failed and mixed coolant with the transmission fluid. You may want to tell the seller to fix the radiator and do a flush. If he hasn't driven it much...maybe the damage is minimal...but you still don't want that rig.

 

the seller was a certifiable *&^%$#@ so I didn't bother to offer suggestion on fixing anything LOL! I do feel bad for the schmuck they end up selling that 4runner to at that ridiculous price.

 

I went and looked at a used Mazda for my daughter. Guy threw me the keys and we went to check it out. The Mazda started fine. Popped the hood...pulled the dipstick. I stared like an idiot for like a minute...brain wouldn't engage. Finally, it registered that there was no oil on it. Had my daughter turn off the car...waited...checked again...no oil. Went back, tossed the keys back and said..."gotta pass on that one...no oil in the engine". He claimed it was "just serviced".

Lucky for him I checked. Unlucky for the next slob who buys it. Or maybe not...engine may be fine...but I'm not gonna chance it.