Restoring an old Toyota is a great project especially considering the ease of part swapping. You can bring your vehicle back to its original factory condition, or go for something custom-modified. Below I’ll address choosing a restoration shop, the time and money, and the process I’ll also share my experience with the Toyota restoration near me.
Map of Toyota Restoration Near Me
For “Toyota Restoration Near Me”, see the map below…
How Does the Toyota Restoration Near Me Work
The first step any reputable mechanic will take when you bring in your Toyota is assessing the work that needs to be done. This can be something as small as a tune-up or large as an engine rebuild or complete off-the-frame overhaul.
Some businesses may give you a rough estimate over the phone if your car is not drivable. In those cases, you will likely need to email detailed specs and pictures. Some resto shops may dispatch a mobile mechanic to inspect it if you are within their service area.
A professional auto restorer will examine the vehicle thoroughly. They’re on the lookout for significant concerns such as rust, frame damage, interior fabric damage, and engine transmission and motor damage.
The shop can give you a manager’s ballpark of how many weeks or months the project might take and how much it will cost. They will talk through the hardships and gather your opinion on whether you want to keep the car true to its original form or modify it.
In my experience with the Toyota restoration near me, the initial consultation is free. Then for work to start you will need to put down a deposit. That deposit if often to cover the cost of materials and the beginning stages of sourcing parts.
Original Restoration vs Resto-Mod
There are two types of Toyota restoration you can go for: an original restoration or a resto-mod.
Original
An original restoration is bringing the car back to its former glory. All work done will aim to maintain the vehicle as it was when it left the Toyota factory. This usually results in a higher resale value but can be more costly since parts may need to be sourced from other countries.
If your Toyota is JDM, sourcing parts is more difficult, expensive, and takes longer to complete than an original restoration. Some parts will come from Japan which adds delays through customs and adds additional expenses.
Resto-Mod
A resto-mod is a Toyota restoration with modifications. It’s taking the vehicle and making it your own while still keeping the Toyota quality. You might lower the car, add bigger wheels, or even modify the engine for more power. This can be cheaper than an original restoration since you’re not as limited to Toyota parts.
One thing to keep in mind is that with a resto-mod, the resale value of your Toyota will go down. That’s because it’s no longer an original Toyota, and people are willing to pay more for an unaltered vehicle.
Toyota Restoration Process
Sourcing Yota Parts
When you’re ready to get started, the restoration business will begin looking for parts. Parts may come from a variety of sources. Salvage yards, internet retailers, and direct from the manufacturer are all popular locations.
If you’re searching for an authentic restoration, the business will search for NOS (new old stock) parts. These are original equipment parts that have never been used and are still in their original packaging. They may be quite pricey, but they provide a genuine restoration. When they can’t discover OEM components, they’ll look to secondary part suppliers for new car parts and specialized junkyards for salvaged Toyotas.
If a resto-mod is your choice, the shop will look for aftermarket components that add a contemporary spin to the vintage style. They may also be inclined to fabricate parts if they can’t locate a part or if you want something unique.
Disassembly
After sourcing the Toyota parts, the vehicle will be completely disassembled. All of the systems and components are evaluated to determine what needs to be repaired, replaced, or rebuilt. Depending on the damage, this process can take from a few days to several weeks. Most shops are very meticulous, where every component gets bagged and labeled.
This is also when any rust or frame damage will be discovered. These areas need to be addressed before moving on with the restoration. Depending on the severity, this can add extra time and money to the project.
Cleaning the Parts
The next step is to clean all of the parts. This usually begins with a chemical bath that removes all the dirt and grime. Once they’re stripped down, they’ll be media blasted to remove any rust or corrosion.
After that, each part is sanded by hand to smooth out any imperfections. Once they’re perfect, they’ll be primed and painted to match the Toyota’s original color.
Bodywork
The Toyota’s body is where a lot of the work will be done. Any dents, scratches, or rust will be repaired. The Toyota will then be painted with either the original paint color or a new color of your choice.
If you’re going for an original restoration, the Toyota body shop will try to match the paint as closely as possible to the original color. They may even be able to find the original paint formula from Toyota. For a resto-mod, you can choose any color you want.
Repairing and Restoring the Parts
The workshop will begin repairing and restoring the components. This might range from straightening the frame to rust repair or engine rebuilding.
If you’re doing a resto-mod, they might add bigger brakes, a performance suspension, or even a new engine.
Reassembly
After all the Toyota parts are repaired or replaced, it’s time for reassembly. The Toyota will be put back together piece by piece until it’s complete. This is usually the longest part of the restoration process since everything has to fit perfectly. Any mismatches will be addressed at this stage.
Testing and Quality Control
Once the Toyota is put back together, it will go through a series of tests and custom tuned to your specs. This includes a road test, safety inspection, and emissions testing. After that, the Toyota will be given a final once-over to ensure that everything is perfect. If there are any issues, they’ll be addressed before you take delivery of your vehcile.
The Cost and Time of a Toyota Restoration Project
The cost and time of a Toyota restoration project can vary greatly depending on the condition of the vehicle, the extent of the work being done, and the quality of the parts being used.
A full restoration can take anywhere from several months to a year or more to complete. The cost can range from $10,000 to $80,000 or more. It all depends on what you want to be done.
If you’re doing a resto-mod, the cost and time will depend on the extent of the modifications being made. Some simple mods can be done in a few weeks for a few thousand dollars. More extensive mods can take several months and cost $20,000 or more.
What Questions Should I Ask the Toyota Restoration Near Me
A few questions you should ask a restoration shop before handing over your keys:
Here are a few questions to ask:
- How long have you been in business?
- How many Toyota restorations have you completed?
- Do you specialize in a certain type or era of Toyota’s
- Can you provide a list of references?
- Can I see before and after photos of your work?
- What is your process for restoration?
- What are the estimated costs and timelines for different levels of restoration?
- What kind of warranty do you offer?
- How do you communicate if unexpected issues are discovered during disassembly?
- Where will you source parts from?
- What suggestions do you have for me to get the most value out of my resto?
How to Choose a Toyota Restoration Near Me
There are a few things you should take into consideration when choosing a Toyota restoration shop:
Experience – Make sure the shop has experience with Toyota or related Japanese vehicle restorations. You can ask them how long they’ve been in business, how many vehicles they’ve worked on, and if they specialize in anything specific.
Reputation – Check if the shop has a good reputation. If you’re unsure, look for responses on message boards or ask around at car shows and cars and coffee events. Get testimonials from various customers who have used this business in the past.
Cost – Always ask for a price estimate before work starts. This precaution will help you stay on budget and prevent any costly surprises.
Timeline – Have a clear understanding of the duration of the restoration process to better plan and manage your expectations.
Warranty – Verify that the business gives a guarantee on their work.
My Experience with a 1986 Toyota Celica Supra Resto Mod
I won a 1986 Toyota Supra in a Bring A Trailer auction and I wanted to get it restored. While I didn’t have a Toyota resto shop near me, I did have a great shop that specializes in JDM restos.
The shop I chose had been in business for over 20 years and had restored countless Toyota, so I knew they were experienced. They also had a great reputation and I was able to get testimonials from past customers.
I got a price estimate before work started and the entire process took about 6 months. The cost was about $20,000, which was in my budget. The vehicle needed light bodywork, paint, and a complete engine rebuild. I also added upgraded rod bearings, valve springs, ARP head studs, a Garrett GT3582R turbocharger, TiAL wastegate with external dump pipe, Brian Crower Stage 3 camshafts, and a Tomei Titanium Exhaust.
Toyota Restoration Near Me – Conclusion
When looking for a Toyota restoration shop near me, there are a few things to consider: experience, reputation, cost, timeline, and warranty. Once you’ve found a shop that meets your needs, you can begin discussing your project in detail. That’s what I have learned from the Toyota restoration near me.