Mechanics — Squirrel Concepts

Your friend with a shop.

The Squirrel Concepts Mechanics division is something that has grown exponentially over the past year and now arguably defines what we do. Although there are countless shops out there that can work on your rusty old truck, few apply true care and attention to detail, an element we feel is crucial in building reliable vehicles worthy of the legacy that is Toyota. We see mechanics as an art. Proper cleaning and restoration of moving parts, sealant placed in key areas, torque specs applied accurately and by the book. All important factors we’ve seen overlooked far too many times. Luckily, we’re passionate about doing things the right way and learning as much as we can in the process. It’s engrained in who we are, part of our core values, and a big reason why we started doing this in the first place. Staying dedicated to quality has opened so many doors for us as a business. As a team, we’re aiming to change the stigma that’s surrounded automotive shops in the past. The idea that you should drop your vehicle off and not ask questions is the very opposite of what Squirrel Concepts stands for. We take our time with every single job, ensure it’s done properly, and always triple check our work in the end. We leave our doors open for you to educate yourself, learn a skill, and even lend a hand if you’re feeling up to it. At the end of the day, we’re enthusiasts just like you. We love taking our trucks the distance, wrenching in the driveway on a Sunday, and embracing this incredible community that’s helped us grow so much since the beginning. We’re here to support it, we’re here to give back, and we’re here to make your Toyota Truck ownership experience as enjoyable as it can possibly be. So, with all that said, here’s what we have to offer…

Diagnostics.

The start to any project, big or small, begins with a proper diagnostic. Is something off with your truck? Weird noises, funny smells…maybe you just bought a new rig and want a clear picture on where to begin. Book an appointment for our diagnostic services and let us shake it down for you. After countless hours spent working on these trucks, a few things started to become clear.

1. Solving a problem by throwing parts at it is pointless and costly.

2. As complex as certain issues may seem, with proper tools, techniques, and understanding…. pinpointing the culprit of an issue doesn’t always have to be left as guesswork.

We offer many forms of diagnosis, all of which are completed with a detailed write up of our findings and a priority list highlighting the needs/ recommended course of action for your Truck.

Full Inspection/ $350: A complete shakedown, starting with a drive, in depth visual inspection, fluid check, compression testing, and analysis of existing issues.

Pre-Purchase Inspection/ $350: Much like a full inspection in depth and scrutiny, email ahead to schedule a meeting at the shop with your seller or, inquire to have us tag along with you on your next buy.

Isolated Issue & Visual Inspection/ $ Hourly Rate: Often the most difficult and time consuming, if you’ve had a real head scratcher or even just an annoying noise on the rise, bring it in and let us to take a look.

Engine & Mechanical.

Undoubtedly one of our favorite things to do is work on engines. From valve adjustments and vacuum lines to head gaskets and timing chains, we’ve nearly covered all the bases when it comes to 22RE. Our love for the first gen Tacoma, and for reliability as a whole, also has us digging deeper into the 5VZFE more and more each day. Although the learning never ends, we’re committed to gaining as much knowledge as possible on these platforms and their surrounding accessories. We’ve studied the factory service manual in detail, can recite Timmy The Toolman by heart, and are now paying regular visits to Jim at 22RE Performance in Chico. We do this in an attempt to gather as much information as possible, presenting it to you in the cleanest, most functional, and reliable way. The 22RE, not only known as one of Toyota’s best engines, but simply one of the best engines ever made commands respect. Toyota engineers got it right from the start which is why these trucks carry the stigma of being notoriously reliable. With that said, unlocking the full potential of these motors means staying dedicated to proper assembly and maintenance. Order of assembly matters. Torque specs matter. Sealant in key locations matter. Get in touch with us, even just to ask a question. We’re here to help!

**Slowly but surely we’ve been putting the building blocks in place to offer full motor rebuilds. Jim at 22RE Performance has been so helpful, not only in the sharing of information but even opening his doors and machines to guide us through getting the best foundations, parts, and heads possible. Building motors is not a service we plan to offer until we know we can do it the best. Building a relationship with local machinists as dedicated to quality as we are is a big priority and a work in progress. Stay tuned as we move through these paces and fine tune the process.

Engine/Mechanical: Hourly Rate $165

Suspension, Steering, & Brakes.

We’ve been around the block a few times when it comes to suspension. From fine tuning our personal trucks for different weight applications to knuckle rebuilds and complete overhauls. Let us know your needs and end goals so we can help guide you best towards that perfect setup.

Much like engines, suspension & steering work requires just as much attention to detail to ensure longevity and smooth operation. Knuckles for example, require proper shimming for preload adjustments, specialty greases for lubrication of the birfield joints, and lots and lots of cleaning. The use of proper tools such as quality punches and hydraulic presses to remove and install bearing races are crucial to prevent damage while achieving clean, non-binding operation. On top of this, we only install the highest quality parts such as Aisin Ball joints, Japanese Koyo bearings and OEM gaskets/seals to ensure each repair truly stands the test of time.

From our tire connections, local powder coating services, suspension knowledge, and our potential for restoration quality mechanics, get in touch and let us help you get your truck dialed for any scenario.

Suspension/Brakes/Steering:

Hourly Rate $165

Cleaning & Detail.

A deep clean is the first step to any project and essential to pinpointing existing issues, potential problems, and fine tuning any old vehicle. Years of mud and grease cake motors and suspension components making it difficult to reach an accurate diagnosis. We don’t clean engine bays for looks. We do so to help us monitor the status of our engines, identify leaks, and to keep suspension components and drivelines free of built up dirt and grease. There’s no special tools involved here. No fancy dry ice machines or outsourced services. The formula is rather simple. Purple power, elbow grease, time, and willingness to lay on your back in the mud to get the job done. It’s not glamorous by any means, but someones got to do it. Luckily, there’s a strange satisfaction to be had in cleaning off 30 years of grime, bringing an old truck back to life and we’re here for it.

Engine Bay: $350

Under Carriage/Suspension: $350

Contact us.

**As a growing business we’ve been working hard to refine our email, inquiry, and time management. While we have some extensive restorations going on at the moment we will still be accepting work on a case by case basis. If you’d like to inquire, please shoot us a brief description to the info email below and one of the boys will get back to you as soon as possible. We thank you in advance for your patience and look forward to seeing your rusty old truck in the shop!

squirrelconcepts.info@gmail.com

1565 Magnolia Ave.
Long Beach CA, 90813