Topic: Two Stories

[blackdiamond]

Story 1
I took my 85 truck into the Toyota dealer last week for an oil change and a transmission service and they lifted the truck with the pinch welds under the cab and damaged them on both sides.  I noticed the damage on Sunday when I washed the truck so I took it back to the dealer yesterday (also purchased wiper blades) and had them take a look so it didn't happen again.  The service manager took a look and never considered that it didn't happen in his shop and said that normally he would sent it out to be repaired.  I told him that due to rust it probably couldn't be repaired so he gave me $200 in service credit.  I was happy with the outcome since my original intent was to simply make sure it didn't happen again or to my Tundra.

Story 1.5
As for the wiper blades, I had a guy from work (who is a mechanic and used to work at several dealers) tell me that the wiper blades from the dealers use better rubber and don't chatter on the glass.  The Toyota parts guy said that there was one brand that had a top model that was nearly the equal.  I just always have fit problems with the aftermarket stuff.

Story 2
I talked to my dad last night in Colorado and two weekends ago he went on a wheeling trip with a group of TJ's, some were Rubicons and some Rubicon Unlimiteds.  He is used to driving a full size fairly stock Chevy Blazer so getting the chance to drive a Rubicon in to Wheeler Lake was a cool treat for him.  He wasn't very impressed with the Jeeps mostly due to lack of ground clearance.  The low gears 4.0/4.10 didn't impress him, but I explained that my 4.70/4.88 combination that he as driven was lower so I wouldn't expect him to be impressed.  I also think that switching from his automatic to the manual took some of the edge off.  He said that it would idle anywhere that it didn't high center.  The owner of the truck he was driving had only had the truck wheeling once and wasn't comfortable driving the Wheeler Lake trail and wanted my dad to drive.  My dad said that it was much easier than when I drove my 85 in with 32" tires and a 3 inch lift, at the time it was one of the more difficult places I took my truck prior to gears and lockers.  Mostly I thought it was cool for him to get to drive a Rubicon until he got tired of it.
 

[ntsqd]

I've used the Bosch wiper blades and not had them chatter until they were pretty tired. I've even used them on a Rain-X'd windshield with no chatter.

[reklund5]

FWIW,

If you use Toyota wiper blades, the inserts are replaceable.  When the rubber squeege part wears out or tears, you can replace JUST the rubber for around $4ea. from the dealership.  No more fooling with those 2 tiny screws on the old wiper arms!

Just thought I'd pass that along.  In my opinion, that beats the hell outta $12ea. Bosch aftermarket junk anyday!

Ryan

[RHG]

Anybody seen the new willys version jeep. I seen one already lifted running 35mtr's coulda been 37's though. It looks sweet...for a jeep. I wonder what the drivetrain is. Some stouter axles and the 4.0 would be awsome.