Hi All,

Does anybody have any recommendations for a reliable mechanic for a Toyota Land cruiser 1994 Auto. I need to get my gearbox replaced.

I tried and failed to fix it in Iran and now have crossed into Turkey to try here. You can get the back story with this link.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...dcruiser-73336

I'm in Dogubayazit at the moment. I'm looking to transport my truck to Erzurum, Ankara or most likely Istanbul.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Whether that be local contacts, freight people and mechanics.

Overland travel is a load of fun but a complete ball-ache when things go wrong. Ah well its all just part of the adventure...

Jonny

Rotten luck Jon; you should have bought a Hilux!! and maybe this time it sounds like a flat top is one of your best options?

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey Inc. (pic below)
Toyota Caddesi No:2 54580 Arifiye
Sakarya, Turkey

Tel:+90 264 295 0 295 Best give them a call, they might know if anyone is closer to you.

Fax:+90 264 295 1 295

E-Mail: iletisim "at" toyotatr "dot" com

GPS 40.710443,30.395687

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Toyota İletişim Merkezi

+90 212 354 0 354

Toyota Türkiye Pazarlama ve Satış A.Ş.

Cumhuriyet Mahallesi E5 Yanyol No:11 Kartal 34876 İSTANBUL

GPS 40.904691,29.213802
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You might also contact Mehmet on here- and/or other members of the Turkish communities.
good luck

Thanks Bertrand.

I assume you are referring to Mehmet Zeki Avar?

I just sent him a the following questions.

1. Recovery Truck
I need to transport my LC to a mechanic to fix it. Currently it sitting at the border on the Turkish side waiting for me to move it. I suspect moving it to Istanbul is the most likely option. I'm trying to get some quotes at the moment but it looks expensive. Do you have any contacts that could help?

2. Mechanic
I need a reliable toyota mechanic to un-install the current gearbox, transmission and torque converter and replace with another one? Bertrand gave me a couple of contacts to try and I'm trying to find some more. Do you have any contacts that could recommend a good mechanic in Istanbul?

3. Replacement Parts
I believe my best option is to import secondhand gearbox, transmission and torque converter from the UK. I have the parts already available. I just need to decide where to send them. A call to the Toyota in Erzurum seem to confirm that parts are difficult to find in Turkey. Unless you know of somebody that might have secondhand parts I think I have this issue covered.

4. Customs / Import Tax Process
My understanding is that the parts may take time and cost money to clear customs. Maybe anything over $150 usd will be stopped and a fee required. The value of my second hand parts might be approx $1000 usd though I think I can reduce this figure. Can you advise what the best process is to clear customs quickly? Do you know what the tax % is required? Maybe I can reduce value of the parts? Do I need to go to customs in Istanbul as soon as they arrive to pay any fee?

If anybody else in Turkey or out for that matter can help I'm all ears.

For the meantime my truck is sitting and relaxing at the border where I pushed it to last night. Less than 100m from Iran. :-)

Jonny

Yes -correct- you can't beat a helpful fellow with local knowledge.

If anybody has any contacts or recommendations for Toyota mechanics in Greece I'd be interested to hear as well.

Due to Turkish customs regulations I can not leave Turkey without my car unless I leave it with customs. Suffice to say I can't then get it fixed while I'm out of the country. As I might have to return to the UK getting my car into the EU (ie Greece) is an option I'm considering.

It also means less hassles with freighting my secondhand parts to an EU country rather than Turkey which could be a little unpredictable time and cost wise with respect to customs clearance.

I'm currently looking into freight options to Greece as a result and thus the need for a mechanic.

We are connected on facebook..working on it.Urgent information sent.
New year holiday here so hopefully additional opportunity details will be clear
tomorrow evening..

As a general information for everybody who may be under same bad conditions for the vehicle in Turkey..( in need of 210 kg.engine parts)

1-Always better to have huge spare parts sent from Europe to a country inside eu. borders.Here,You have to hire a customs agent and 2-3 days needed for paperwork which may cost about 750 usd. plus %25 (%18 VAT)of invoice value for partial (LCW.) shipment to Turkey discluding staying expenses..
Turkey is about 3-4 times more expensive than İran.

If you choose Turkey for spare parts delivery, your name and number plate must be on the invoice to choose the correct GTIP.
(Customs Tariff Statistics Position.)
The price written on the invoice is not important as the market price on customs comp.programme will be accepted as the tax base..

Also it will be quite expensive to get the car from east bordergate to İpsala/greece bordergate. (Almost 1.900 km.)

You will have to hire a private truck because
İstanbul-Tehran (IRAN)Train line has lost connection between istanbul and Ankara division after the big fire of Haydarpaşa Station.

TOYOTA has a car production plant in Adapazarı-Turkey and many official services available countrywide..
Besides this, many good mechanics available in big cities who run private workshops for engine repairs and their prices are more competitive.

Wish you all the best...

__________________
Mehmet Zeki Avar
''Borderlines divide countries,HU friendship finds a way to reunited"
https://www.facebook.com/mehmet.avar.12?ref=tn_tnmn