I've been planning a trip to Fordyce for the last week or so for this weekend. Well wouldn't you know my rear ring and pinion decide to go out Friday afternoon. I'm planned to be on the trail by 5:00 PM Friday night and by the time I had pulled the third and found out it was the R/P it was already 2:00. I was thinking to myself, I'm screwed ( at least for the weekend ). So I start calling around to see if anyone has a set of 5.29's sitting in there parts dept. I ended up calling Foothill and Tom the owner said no problem we got the gears in stock. Then I asked him if there was anyway he could rebuild the third for me ( keep in mind this is Friday afternoon and on Labor Day weekend at 2:00. He puts me on hold and when he comes back he says come on up well get it done by 5:00. I take the diff up and hand it to him, he call's me back at 4:00 and said it's ready come and get it.

I know Tom had other jobs that needed to be completed, but he managed to squeeze me in and take care of me.

Thank You Foothill Offroad

that's pretty cool, whenever I go in there I get treated like crap. maybe I am just talking to the wrong guys. I think they think that just because I'm a kid (18) I don't know anything. I recently decided to stop going there, but after hearing this, I will consider it again.

On a little different note, Sierra Xtreme in Grass Valley is an awesome shop. If you want to see what they can do, just drive behind the shop and check out the back parking lot. There are always a half dozen rigs with full exos, flat beds, and coilovers. Oh, and the very first time I went in there I was looking for some angle shims, the owner (Kevin, I think) spent about 20 minutes looking for some with the angle I needed. When he finally found them he told me no charge :D Try getting that at Foothill Offroad, their shims are like $30 and there ain't no way they are just going to give them too you.

Originally posted by BrettM
whenever I go in there I get treated like crap.



I do know where your coming from, over the last year or so my opinion of Foothill has been really MIXED. Whenever I talk to the counter guys I get the run around and get treated like dog crap. You've got to deal with the owner Tom. He's really a nice guy and really took care of me this time.

PS
their shims are 30.00 because they are machined steel NOT alum.

Originally posted by RJ


I do know where your coming from, over the last year or so my opinion of Foothill has been really MIXED. Whenever I talk to the counter guys I get the run around and get treated like dog crap. You've got to deal with the owner Tom. He's really a nice guy and really took care of me this time.

PS
their shims are 30.00 because they are machined steel NOT alum.

I originally went to Fawkhill when I had my first set of gears installed. It took them three weeks to install some gears and took my shiat off the rack to install someone else's so they could go to EJS. Then they told me they did so. Anyway, about a year later (3000 miles on the gears) I started having problems with the gears, and when i took it back to them they laughed and said it was my problem. Fawk that! I ended up looking at the diff myself and it was the pinion nut. All they had to do it look at it to make a customer happy. I live in Cool so that is the closest shop to me. However, I will not EVER go back to that place again. I have a couple of buddys that got screwed by them too and they feel the same way.
I have dealt with the owner and he is a nice guy, but unfortunately he doesn't run the counter and he can't seem to hire good help. So his business is suffering.

Originally posted by RJ

PS
their shims are 30.00 because they are machined steel NOT alum.

Parts mike sells the same type of shims for about $17, and his customer service kicks ass. Your choice though. :rolleyes:

Joe

their shims are 30.00 because they are machined steel NOT alum. keven has steel shims numbnuts.:rolleyes: keven is very helpful. give him a try:D
oh ya, good to here about foothill comin through for ya.:D

Originally posted by Rokmycj


I live in Cool so that is the closest shop to me.

Stop in at Bob's Foreign and Domestic in Cool, behind the Nugget restaurant. The owner is Bob Moore but their best mechanic is Bob Troyer. Talk to Bob M about anything you need and tell him that Matt sent you. I worked there for 4 years. Bob Troyer has set up gears in many of my rigs and does a great job.

Oh yeah, just remembered, my friend had Foothill Offroad install a new T-case in his lifted XJ. Within a couple months it went bad (not at all abused) and they would not take any responsibility. I don't know too many details, but I think they are going to court about it.

Not trying to turn this into a Foothill Offroad bashing thread, just trying to inform people of the good and the bad.

I got treated like I was an idiot there one too many times and now I'll drive to Sac before I go in there (unless its an emergency). Sucks too because they are only a mile away from me. :(

They seem to have good stuff and do decent work, but from what I've seen, its WAY over-priced.
For example- they sell the F250 shock towers for $25/each even though the Ford dealership 100 yards away sells them for less than half that. :mad2:

They aren't helpful unless you've already handed them your credit card... (and even then they aren't about to point you anywhere that would save you a few bucks).

2 years ago during the clean-up run I wandered out onto the slabs late night and ending up busting my front track bar in half (probably shouda stuck around the staging area and drank 'til I dropped instead). Next day called around (sat. morning) and Foothill just happed to have a RE track bar in stock so I secured a rig (thanks KrustyKruiser for the FJ60/2) and went on a little road trip to Auburn and back. By the time I got back RockToy and already dismantled everything (thanks bud) and all I had to do is throw on the new one. Point being they were open and my only resource (that I was aware of at the time) so I was extremely thankful because they were open in time of need when no one else was and I was back on my way to lil' sluice. I didn't get to work that year :( but I did get to play :D

i have been to foothill in the last week and boy have they changed. they have a new showroom full of parts, new people on the counter. very friendly help. thats to bad that all of you had bad service there. i used to shop at the old foothill and was never happy with service. i also found out that they are having a open house there on saturday. all im saying they really deserve another chance i have always had excellent help from both counter guys. o yes they also sell f 250 towers alot lower than stated in the other post. with all the other shops having problems getting parts they seem to have no problem at all. they also price match anyone

just giving my 2 bits


and as for the bad xfer case my tj was there when that white xj was there and it was thrashed

you dont have to lie to kick it
:rolleyes: :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :rolleyes:

Originally posted by VROD


and as for the bad xfer case my tj was there when that white xj was there and it was thrashed



What do you mean by thrashed? I know there is no way he bashed it on a rock or anything of that sort, he hardly wheeled it, and when he did it was mildly. He had a stock (high mileage, too) 4.0, so he didn't put any crazy amount of power through it either. So why exactly was this my friends fault?? Maybe you saw someone elses.

thats the same xj that was pulled from behind roseville hospital by that one toyota pickup. when the father was there they showed him the underhood there was mud caked under there. when a 231 xfer case breaks in half that is a impact issue. when one seazes up thats a assembley issue. check out all berings in his old transfercase and see if any are seased. also when a xj,tj,zj is jumped and the impact is hard it will break the case in half from the impact being transmitted back through the driveshaft,bushingsect from the fromt wheels. i broke my old tj case that same way. the only way that happens is that way. or you can land hard on it but that will show from the bottom of the case from a impact. i hope this makes since to you . call around find out for your self what causes a xfer case to break in half w/o any bering damage inside please if anyone has any different info it would be helpful

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I personally think that buying parts from local people is trouble. Especially people you wheel with. I personally will only get parts mail order from this point on, because of the things that many shops have done to me (Foot Hill, Sierra Xtreme, J and J and others come and gone). If I don't know how to do it myself I would much rather learn and screw it up a few times than pay someone else to experiment on my vehicle or even worse watch my rig collect dust as it sits for weeks or months waiting for some lazy ass to work on it. The worst feeling in the world is forking out thousands of dollars on parts only to have the guy who is intalling it take his sweet ass time.

The biggest thing every one out there should know is that no matter how many times some one that is selling things tells you they are your friend, they will never be one when it comes right down to it.

Originally posted by VROD
i have been to foothill in the last week and boy have they changed. they have a new showroom full of parts, new people on the counter. very friendly help. thats to bad that all of you had bad service there. i used to shop at the old foothill and was never happy with service. i also found out that they are having a open house there on saturday. all im saying they really deserve another chance i have always had excellent help from both counter guys. o yes they also sell f 250 towers alot lower than stated in the other post. with all the other shops having problems getting parts they seem to have no problem at all. they also price match anyone

just giving my 2 bits


and as for the bad xfer case my tj was there when that white xj was there and it was thrashed

you dont have to lie to kick it
:rolleyes: :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :rolleyes:

Hmm, long term lurker,only two post's on this thread, asks guys to give them another chance. Mentions an open house.

Then this as you second post

Originally posted by VROD
thats the same xj that was pulled from behind roseville hospital by that one toyota pickup. when the father was there they showed him the underhood there was mud caked under there. when a 231 xfer case breaks in half that is a impact issue. when one seazes up thats a assembley issue. check out all berings in his old transfercase and see if any are seased. also when a xj,tj,zj is jumped and the impact is hard it will break the case in half from the impact being transmitted back through the driveshaft,bushingsect from the fromt wheels. i broke my old tj case that same way. the only way that happens is that way. or you can land hard on it but that will show from the bottom of the case from a impact. i hope this makes since to you . call around find out for your self what causes a xfer case to break in half w/o any bering damage inside please if anyone has any different info it would be helpful

Seem to know alot about t-case problems in an XJ and who said anything about bearings?

I call BS. Do you work for Foothill or do you own it? At least come clean.

Originally posted by jdjanda


I call BS.

I second that! This guy knows way too much about one particular vehicle (I didn't even mention it was white, but he knew the exact one I was reffering to). So spill it... do you work there? own it? there's no reason to hide...

Originally posted by BrettM


I second that! This guy knows way too much about one particular vehicle (I didn't even mention it was white, but he knew the exact one I was reffering to). So spill it... do you work there? own it? there's no reason to hide...

I third this Sounds Like Virgil and he has a Hot Rod

V- ROD Hmmmmm

Come Awnnn

Adam,:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Originally posted by crawlingtoy
I personally think that buying parts from local people is trouble. Especially people you wheel with. I personally will only get parts mail order from this point on, because of the things that many shops have done to me (Foot Hill, Sierra Xtreme, J and J and others come and gone). If I don't know how to do it myself I would much rather learn and screw it up a few times than pay someone else to experiment on my vehicle or even worse watch my rig collect dust as it sits for weeks or months waiting for some lazy ass to work on it. The worst feeling in the world is forking out thousands of dollars on parts only to have the guy who is intalling it take his sweet ass time.

The biggest thing every one out there should know is that no matter how many times some one that is selling things tells you they are your friend, they will never be one when it comes right down to it.

How true! I had a similar experience from someone who is very well known and is deemed "Jedi Yoda Master Guru" status on a certain type of rig. :rolleyes: Word of mouth can kill a business, or at least i'll do my best to slow it down to a crawl!

Hello everyone out here in 4x4 land. I never thought one post would generate so many phone calls. All morning i've been hearing about this post. Well here I am. It was not me. Foothill appreciates everyones input on how we are doing as a growing 4x4 parts and service shop. We understand that you can't make all customers happy all the time. Foothill will do their best to fix any hardships you might have. Tom appreciates all input (he is the owner)

Thanks to the customers who stand up for us. Rich,Tom,or I are ready to help everyone who has a question,comment,or concern.
(530)889-2021 or foothil@foothilloffroad.com


Thanks for your time
Virgil Haddox

I get the look down my nose at you punk kid attitude in Foothill. Its like I am outcasted cause I am not over 50, driving a TJ, and concerned about body damage. I will Stick with Kevin at Sierra Extreme and Rich at Central 4WD.

Originally posted by VIRGILH
Hello everyone out here in 4x4 land. I never thought one post would generate so many phone calls. All morning i've been hearing about this post. Well here I am. It was not me. Foothill appreciates everyones input on how we are doing as a growing 4x4 parts and service shop. We understand that you can't make all customers happy all the time. Foothill will do their best to fix any hardships you might have. Tom appreciates all input (he is the owner)

Thanks to the customers who stand up for us. Rich,Tom,or I are ready to help everyone who has a question,comment,or concern.
(530)889-2021 or foothil@foothilloffroad.com


Thanks for your time
Virgil Haddox

Now this is what a business owner should do, stand up and take it like a man. As a business owner gaining insight into what your customer's really think is important. Most people will not come out and say to the owner or employee they've had a bad experience.

Joe

sounds like a nice group of guys................................ :rolleyes:

action speaks louder than words ;)

You know.....I own a shop....I'm havin a problem with this thread!
I don't know of this shop....being from Florida, but IMHO I can't imagine the owner of a repair shop not knowing of these types of problems!! I have my hands in everything going on in my shop on a daily basis, from the counter, to the tire shop, to the mechanics, to the book keepers, to the lube guys, to the gas station....I guess you get my drift! As the owner I strive to keep a good reputation at all expense! As stated above..."you cant please everyone" but you sure as hell should try. As far as blown up t-cases.....operator error, not enuf info (tire size, gear ratios) to pass judgment by anyone!
Alot of counter people look down at young kids (try dealing with the spoon fed kids that want everything for nothin) After dealin with them all the time, sometimes its tuff to destinguish the good from the bad.
As for making $$$ on parts, we're in bussiness to make $$$, if you think his prices are too high, than go buy them elsewhere!! It's your option.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and if the owner of that business doesn't care for repeat business, than he will suffer the consiquences he has brought upon himself.
I would love the opportunity to hear from any dis-satisfied customer at any time!!

Wow...

Interesting comments, everyone. Yes, this is Tom the owner at Foothill. I rarely visit this BBS and when I do I'm a lurker. But, I felt it was time to create an account and add something.

I want to thank everyone for their comments, both critical and complimentary, as that is the only a business improves--by hearing what people have to say and by doing something with it. Like 1BDYJ, I am involved in all aspects of this business, yet empower others to do their jobs correctly. If something goes wrong, I fix it. Hey, just look around at all the changes others have posted--it's an indicator I uncovered problems and did something about. The minute I stop means the kiss of death and I'm gone like many of the other businesses mentioned elsewhere.

To those with bad experiences--I welcome the opportunity for you to share with me what you felt went wrong or was bad. Simply come in, ask for me, and make sure the counter people know why you're asking for me so they will get me right away. I'll give you a private, confidential audience where we can talk.

As to the open house, yup, everyone's invited to come Saturday 9/14. Big party, the ramp is out, we'll tip your rig to find it's rollover angle, and generally party on.

Tom
------------------

This thread starts with a customer telling a happy tale. Then it goes to sh!t with a bunch of not so nice to hear about stuff. But rebounds strong with a personal message from the owner of the company, a very quality guy.

This wraps up a very complete day and nobody got killed. Nice......

good-night all,

tony k

is it TONY K because even you forgot how to spell your last name :flipoff2:
i'll come by saturday to BS and watch the ramp chumps play.....:beer:

Originally posted by tomg
Wow...

Interesting comments, everyone. Yes, this is Tom the owner at Foothill. I rarely visit this BBS and when I do I'm a lurker. But, I felt it was time to create an account and add something.

I want to thank everyone for their comments, both critical and complimentary, as that is the only a business improves--by hearing what people have to say and by doing something with it. Like 1BDYJ, I am involved in all aspects of this business, yet empower others to do their jobs correctly. If something goes wrong, I fix it. Hey, just look around at all the changes others have posted--it's an indicator I uncovered problems and did something about. The minute I stop means the kiss of death and I'm gone like many of the other businesses mentioned elsewhere.

To those with bad experiences--I welcome the opportunity for you to share with me what you felt went wrong or was bad. Simply come in, ask for me, and make sure the counter people know why you're asking for me so they will get me right away. I'll give you a private, confidential audience where we can talk.

As to the open house, yup, everyone's invited to come Saturday 9/14. Big party, the ramp is out, we'll tip your rig to find it's rollover angle, and generally party on.

Tom
------------------

I commend you for stepping up :beer: I dont know if I can make the open house, But I will definitely try.

damn I love this board. solves so many problems so quickly! :usa: :beer: