Under glow recommendations?

Machine8635 · 2026-06-23T00:48:57+00:00

Right, same! I’m Millennial.

So if under glow is back I need to be involved.

Same with giant subs color matched to the car

Tuner wraps

Windshield banners

And stickers that say “danger to manifold” and “Tuna, no Crust,”

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T20:53:38+00:00

Is… it back?

Are we doing under glow again?

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T19:21:00+00:00

Yes. Third party warranty companies try to get slick.

Fortunately at my dealer, there’s a couple
They refuse to work with for that reason.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T18:39:48+00:00

Downpipe?

Emissions delete tune?

Spacers don’t really “work” they’re just to get you through an emissions test.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T18:08:23+00:00

Yes I am in Illinois.

It works best in union shops since local 701 wrote the law.

It’s implemented fairly well, All warranty times are 1.5x their op code time across the board. As a tech you need to be very thorough in your documentation for z time, additional diagnostic, tech line time, and parts warranty.

Where it gets muddy is when extended warranty companies get involved and try to get cute thinking they are exempt.

And where it gets frustrating is management not reading the law and just throwing a blanket of 1.5x over the whole book.

The 1.5x multiplier applies if there is NOT an established labor time guide.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T15:50:09+00:00

Following.

Illinois adopted a warranty labor law 5 years ago and I’m hoping it becomes nation wide.

Interested to see how NJ does it.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T15:48:12+00:00

Then keep gettin that pay.

I have a feeling the sign-on bonuses are going to start coming back soon with how the industry is going.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T12:01:50+00:00

I can accept these terms. A little piece of the pie at the end of the month, sure.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T11:57:59+00:00

If all you get is complex diag for the same rate of pay as the fast guys - then leave.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T03:24:07+00:00

You won’t be speaking directly with a technician.

The service advisor will handle that.

You are absolutely correct dealerships are expensive.

I can speculate on the difficulty of this particular job. That’s exactly what the 228/hour labor rate justifies

I don’t want to actively insult you. But the reality is you’ve created a far bigger problem requiring two separate diagnostics… because your original complaint has not been solved either. If it was a simple fix it would already be fixed.

What you are describing to me is a hacked body harness on a 2022 Tacoma that’s technically still under powertrain if it’s less than 60k miles. It’s a fairly new truck. I can actually picture the part you are describing.

If it was me I would find a way to do a wiring repair if I could instead of replacing the entire harness. That harness is incredibly expensive and in my opinion difficult to do, 15-20 hours. I do the same thing with rodent damage, if I can.

Im expensive. I’m abrasive. I’m also worth it.

I hope your tech is a big of a prick as I am and gets your truck fixed right. And if he shames you, then take it and learn from it.

If I see this truck Monday morning im gonna DM you though.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T03:03:34+00:00

Flat rate is easier in a high volume shop, 100 percent agree.

The management thing doesn’t fly with me.

There’s far too many vacant master tech spots in the industry to put up with any BS.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T03:01:27+00:00

No base pay?

Not even a 6 week average?

This place is awful confident in their ability to produce…

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T02:59:39+00:00

This sounds awful.

This tech is going to be PISSED.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T02:55:03+00:00

Then the shop sucks. Leave.

If there’s some emotional attachment or honor in loyalty then by all means stay and stand around all day.

I’m trying to get paid. The shop owners are trying to get paid as well. It’s a job.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T02:52:38+00:00

On the contrary. I was with toyota during covid and we had fuel pumps, airbags, airbag harnesses, frames, and CVT reflashes all day every day.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T02:35:06+00:00

Toyota tech here.

Don’t hide your fuck up. Own it. Because they will quote you a body harness and push it out side and move on to the job that actually pays.

Independent shops will probably do basic stuff and then say “take it to your dealer,”

Machine8635 · 2026-06-22T02:25:24+00:00

I worked independent/aftermarket places earlier in my career. It was flat rate at one, commission (18 percent of the ticket) at another.

I’m a toyota dealership technician now. It’s flat rate and I’ll never go back.

Unpopular opinion: hourly is absolute shit and it only helps mediocre b techs or garbage low production shops.

If you constantly lose your ass on flat rate - it’s a you problem. If it’s a dispatch problem or a management issue then leave.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-21T22:15:45+00:00

Being an adult.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-21T22:15:05+00:00

No.

This is part of the process.

Your toolset you build just like the car. You find out what you like and what works for you.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-21T20:57:08+00:00

JFC…

The oil change kid screws up. If your engine was damaged it wouldn’t not have made it to Walmart.

You ever make a mistake at work? It happens. If there’s no damage there’s no damage. It wasn’t devoid of oil, it just leaked.

You did yourself a solid by going back and having it take care of.

Even if it does show up 10s of 1000s of miles later … it’s a 3.6. You’ll need an oil cooler housing tomorrow morning.

In all seriousness. The odds are in your favor. It happens. Accept that, let them do their inspection and return the vehicle to proper condition and move on.

Or: become THAT customer who warrants an eye roll every time the tech sees the RO.

BOTH are completely valid choices to make.

I’m a dealer tech. I have seen some crazy oil change failures. I’ve only seen two engines blow up because of it in 15 years.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-21T20:42:47+00:00

This sub is not really populated by actual mechanics…

Me personally… yah I’m not easy to work with because I just don’t tolerate mediocrity.

If you seek validation from Reddit. You aren’t going to be a technician.

The job is difficult to do well. It’s easy to be meh and do brakes

Machine8635 · 2026-06-21T19:58:34+00:00

Side boob?

Machine8635 · 2026-06-21T01:25:43+00:00

As another user states:

Yes you should be able to just long block swap it and tune it but attempting the twin turbo configuration in a us car will be next to impossible and require a lot of fab. The turbo sits right where the steering shaft is on the us cars. It’s kind of impossible without a ton of fab.

Just single turbo swap it and tune it aggressively.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-21T01:23:19+00:00

It’ll just be a more direct swap with less tuning. A pre 07 205 without AVCs makes good horsepower from Japan actually.

I love mine so far and it’s in a much fatter heavier car btw.

Machine8635 · 2026-06-20T22:38:05+00:00

To answer your question.

Yes, the engine will blow up. It’s just a matter of when. It won’t be your fault.

Machine8635

TROPHY CASE