Northern VA garage reviews

[geekyadam]

I'm in Woodbridge, VA and so far only decent offroad/overlanding/4x4 garage nearby I could find is this place in Alexandria:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/overland-4x4-alexandria

Anyone have any experiences with their work? Anyone know any other places in this area that I could get some work done?

 

[DRJ]

Not sure what type of work you are looking to get done, but I've seen quite a few people refer to @DOUBLLD on the Tacomaworld forum (Northern VA/MD thread). The shop name is 'Perfection Automotive' in Sterling. I don't have any personal experience there, but I am looking to get my exhaust rerouted soon and I need to find a shop that does quality work also, and I may be reaching out to them.

On the other hand, if you just need an extra hand to do the job yourself, I am willing to lend a hand. I'm pretty sure there are other OB members around the area that are always looking to mod their trucks and maybe looking to plan a wrenching day. Just an idea...

 

[geekyadam]

Nice thanks. For the most part I'm worried about lifting/leveling a couple inches and getting a bit bigger tires on, as well as under carriage protection plates. The plates I'd feel fine putting on myself, but the lift not so much, not enough experience/knowledge in that area. Also my small 1 car garage doesn't have all the necessary tools/parts! I'd also like to look up close at some 3rd gen Tacoma lifts and how they dealt with tire rub issues etc. Also I'd love to see any overlanding-related products they may have such as RTTs etc, and what they have access to get and prices.

As for a wrenching day, that sounds pretty cool! Maybe like schedule a single project where everyone can come and hang out and learn or give advice/experience kind of a thing. Basically like, "Hey guys I'm putting a roof rack on next Saturday feel free to come hang out while I work on it."

 

[DRJ]

I do quite a bit of research myself on the Taco mods. I have a running list of parts, priority, price, etc... Tacomaworld is a really good resource for vehicle specific mods and where I found most of the information for the Taco. I'll share the info during MAOF if you are interested.

At a high level, my goal is to get armor/recovery (including winch) first, then the heavy weights like dual batteries and rear bumper + swing out, and then the suspension system towards the tail end of my mods (including wheels and tires) once my truck is weighed down so I know what type of suspension is necessary for my truck.

 

[geekyadam]

Yeah we will definitely chat on this stuff at MAOF this weekend! I honestly haven't tried prioritizing my intended mods, except that I need better tires asap as I'm still running stock TRD Sport tires which have hardly any grip. We went out on a couple trails Sunday and I definitely slid sideways a bit here and there (although I didn't air down at all and that would have probably helped). After tires, I'd love some better armor as that's my next big concern; bottoming out and/or other damage to the undercarriage. Great point about doing suspension last (or later on) so you know more accurately about how much weight involved. I'm just excited about leveling my Sport, and I'd also like to fit bigger tires potentially in the future. I'm on TW as well but find myself more active here more for some reason.

 

[outwardbound]

Hitech 4x4 and GTPEACE , both out by Dulles are very good, and and alot of other local area yota owners have had work done there with great results.

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[outwardbound]

I hear mid atlantic 4x4 in Glen Burnie, md is good and superclose for us marylanders but they work mostly on jeeps.

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[geekyadam]

Good info thanks

 

[outwardbound]

I checked out the website for overland4x4s in Alexandria. Looks like they might be legit but they it seems their focus is Land Rovers.

 

[FJ60pete]

I had Overland 4X4 in Alexandria install my lift about a year ago. They did a great job. They ended up taking a bit longer than anticipated. It didn't bother me as my Land Cruiser is not my daily driver and I did tell them it wasn't a big deal and they could take as long as needed. As it looks like you are just having a lift and some armor installed, it should really be no problem for them. Honestly, any decent shop should be able to handle a lift and the resultant alignment correction. You can also use (OTRAMM) On The Road Again Mobile Mechanics although they are more of a land cruiser specialty shop so probably not what you are looking for.

 

[geekyadam]

I assume if they specialize in land rovers they could probably do a tacoma no problem. Would still like to see some Tacomas they lifted if possible.

 

[Al_Maryland]

What garage would you trust to re-gear and install lockers front and rear? A very reputable shop that stands behind their work in the DMV area is what I'm looking for. Thanks

 

[Nootherids]

4 shops I talked to this past week that gave me reason to confide in them:

Overland 4x4 - Alexandria
About $125/hr but guy was immediately sincere that if I'm in Woodbridge I may want to look at Stafford shops since they're much cheaper. But sounded very nice and trustworthy.

Exline Off Road - Springfield
About $120/hr. This is where my truck is now. They were recommended by another shop, were able to get to work in my truck ASAP, and even ordered the part I needed without requiring payment or even a signature. A show of courtesy trust. And they have tons of experience with trucks.

OCD Off-road - Stafford
About $95/hr. Have talked to this guy a couple of times. Sounds like an honest guy that talks more like you're a friend than just a customer. The referee me to the shop above.

Certified Auto Repair Service - Manassas
About $90/hr. I trust that this guy will quote whatever the computer estimates but will try to do the work sooner and be honest about what work is really needed. Truck/car specialist but I wouldn't claim him as an off-road specialist.

I have two other shops I've found that are able to work on trucks with oversized tires for very reasonable rates.

Aquia Car Care Center - Aquia/Stafford
About $80 for alignment. MUCH less than many other places that charged a massive premium for bigger tires.

Eddie's Repair Shop - Stafford
About $30/tire to mount and balance. Also much less than places charging premiums for bigger tires.

Most places can't even do either alignments or balancing of tires bigger than 32".


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[Nootherids]

As a related but separate note... You CAN do a bunch of stuff on your own and save tons of money. Like installing suspension or lift kits and definitely armor plates, etc. HOWEVER!!!!! Having the right tools make all the difference. And the potential complications is definitely there. I installed my leveling kit myself and modded to fit 35's. But I did it at the auto shop in Quantico and without their tools I would've been fucked. I had several massive complications. One that even forced me to reverse all my work to be able to go home at night and come back to do it again the next day.

So, in short... If you're military or DoD civilian then do the job at their hobby shop, I'd help ya. If not then a mechanic with the tools that comes to your house for cheap is a good choice. But if the job is fairly simple you can do it yourself. I have a 3-ton heavy duty hydraulic jack and stands, and wheel chocks that you can use if/when needed if you work on things at home.

Don't ever waste money again paying to change your brakes, rotors, or oil. The simplicity of those 3 is ridiculous!


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[CFTAdventures]

I have had all my work done at Trick trucks in frederick Md, however the company has nine shops in the DMV and has done a great job tailoring to exactly what I want done.

If you want examples of what they have done go through my build thread.

They run $85 an hour and if your going to frederick ask for Richie and tell them Jerime sent you and they will take care of you.

 

[geekyadam]

Nice all great replies guys thanks a ton!
I was planning on doing most work myself if possible, but like @Nootherids said, I don't have all the best tools. I do have more than most, floor jacks, impact wrench and air tools, etc etc. But for example, having a lift and lots of space is amazing...

 

[Nootherids]

If you or the wife are DoD then you have all tools at your disposal. ;)


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[FJ60pete]

What garage would you trust to re-gear and install lockers front and rear? A very reputable shop that stands behind their work in the DMV area is what I'm looking for. Thanks

Lockers and re-gearing needs to be done by a specialist. I would recommend OTRAMM in Warrenton VA. He's well known in the Land Cruiser community and can certainly handle lockers and gearing.

 

[DominicanFZJ80]

x2 on OTRAMM in Warrenton VA. Ryan has done the work I can not tackle in my own garage. Truck will be back in his hands for some custom exhaust work and Aux fuel tank install.

 

[sailor96]

I have had all my work done at Trick trucks in frederick Md, however the company has nine shops in the DMV and has done a great job tailoring to exactly what I want done.

If you want examples of what they have done go through my build thread.

They run $85 an hour and if your going to frederick ask for Richie and tell them Jerime sent you and they will take care of you.

I get my work done at the Chantilly VA Trick Trucks-
They did a 2 inch Rancho lift on my '11 Pathfinder and installed a Tactical Rovers rear bumper with spare swing out on my '13 LR4- I'd recommend them for just about anything.