WHY INSTALL LIFT KIT YOURSELF WHEN IT'S CHEAP?

When I got my first car, a pos 86 grand am, I couldn't afford to have anyone else fix it. I had a coffee can full of "spare" bolts but that thing taught me everything I know about vehicles.

Now, wrenching is theraputic. Everytime I wrench on something new, I learn something new and get a sence of accomplishment. Knowing where every bolt goes, how each part interacts with each other, gives me the ability to diagnose problems and fix them when I cannot afford to have someone else fix my stuff.

That mentality works in all aspects of life. I cannot tell you the number of times I've had to make late night runs to the hardware store to fix a dishwasher, water heater, furnace, etc.

 

agrees

 

Good price.

Nobody touches my truck, unless I need an alignment.

 

For me, working on cars and trucks is my hobby. $300 for labor to have parts installed isn't bad BUT is it going to be up to your standards or how you would want it? It was mentioned earlier in the thread "you get what you pay for".

Best advice I would give, if you have a couple of buddies that are down to help you and teach you, take that $300 and invest in some tools and learn to do the install. You will have some fun and learn something new.

 

Ive saved my self thousands doing my own auto repair. It usually gives me a reason to purchase new tools with the wifes blessing and i know the job was done right. I used to be a tech for chrysler and was ashamed at some of the cars so called mechanics would let roll out of their bays. 300 dollars is extremely cheap. Around here that would pay for about 3 hrs labor so consider yourself warned.

 

There's always the "built not bought" mentality. There's the knowledge gained from doing the install/knowing how everything works in case anything goes awry. The satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself. You know the quality of the work. You can also spend the money you save to buy more tools/more upgrades. Like someone else said, $300 ain't cheap for everyone.


And my favorite reason when someone asks why I do something...









...because fuck you, that's why.

 

Everyone pretty much hit the nail on the head. Why pay money, even if its just a little bit, if you dont have to? And just because you think they will take responsibilty for the damage doesnt mean they will if something goes wrong. if its 4WP then there will be loop holes. Plus there is nothing like having a beer with all the guys doing a mod day.

 

One reason, and one reason only. NO LIFT! Cutting out the bolts for the UCA's and flipping them around, dropping the rear end for the leaf pack...you get the idea. That turns into a freaking ordeal with a floor jack/jack stands. I could do it myself, but in the grand scheme of things, it really boils down to time/money. For that cheap of an install price, why not? I was in a bad motorcycle wreck several years ago, and to me, it's worth $300 for someone else to do it. I get get what you are saying though.

 

x2
No way in hell do I have enough money to pay a shop $300 or more to do something I can do in my driveway and with a day of time.

 

Not bad at all, I replaced my leafs with 2 jack stands, 1 floor jack, 1 ratchet strap, 2 torque wrenches (3/8ths and 1/2'') and a basic tool kit.

 

That price was with bringing the parts in. With that price, it's pretty tempting. All it really is is popping in a leaf pack, shocks and swapping front shocks with coilovers. Installing a lift with jack stands/floor jack is a pain, especially with a back issue.

 

I'm competent enough to do the work myself. Saves loot, and I always know the mechanic is going to do his best.

 

Your money, do what you want. I'd rather do my own work.

 

I'm just saying man, it can become cumbersome doing "suspension work" in a garage with floor jacks and jack stands. I did a SOA conversion on my CJ that was a PITA. Sure, you save some cash, but it really equates to what a shop is wanting to charge, if they are reputable, and if that is worth it or not time wise. I think it is also dependent on how technical it is, and it's always nice to have a warranty if it is a very complicated repair or install. I'm all for having a couple cold ones with the guys doing an install, but depending on how many cold ones every one has, it can effect the install process and quality of install!

 

I had a guy here in S.C. quote me $350, including alignment, to install my OME kit, ATO shackle flip and LR UCA's. I really want to do the install myself. I just have to find the time to do it (and a buddy with a lift would really help too). I like the sense of accomplishment that goes along with working on something. Still on the fence about the install, but I believe I can do it. I did install the lift on my TJ.

 

I was in many bike wrecks and have had two back surgeries. I installed my midtravel lift by myself just a couple months out of my second back surgery. Just 2 jack stands and a floor jack. It only takes 10 seconds to cut the head off a UCA bolt with a sawzall. Also I have heard many horror stories and witnessed the damage and sloppiness of 4wheel parts "professional" installs. OEM hardware replaced with homedepot grade bolts, cross threaded bolts, hacked up skid plates to fit a useless diff drop... I will never take my truck there. Might differ depending on location, but ours sucks.

 

I did a full front and rear lift with new OME springs out back alone in my garage. I got immense satisfaction from going it alone and being successful. Looking back the rear was a beast with the diff trying to escape out the garage. And man handling 60 lb springs with a moving diff trying to watch brake lines and what not wasn't fun. I could have used a hand there, and maybe a few ideas for keeping it in check. I had straps and a second set of stands that could have been useful in hindsight. I was in the garage for 13 hours and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. VICTORY!

All of the money I save doing my own work is college money for my son, and maybe a new gun here and there just to scratch that itch. Hello Sig 938..S&W Governor...Undecided 1911.

Damn I'm itchy...

 

I would pay 4wheel parts NOT to touch my truck.

If you install it you learn how to work on it which is invaluable should you break down in the middle of nowhere.

 

Anyone have the picture of the kids truck where the shop installed his AAL on top of the leaf pack?

 

Sounds like you have a medical reason to farm out the work and you have done your own risk/reward analysis which is fine. When i lifted my taco i had a fleet of buddies ready to help and bought beer and was ready to buy lunch..... well we started at 8am and was done by noon all stareing at the truck saying "thats it"?? These trucks are really easy to do suspension work on and really require no "professional" input. The only jobs i farm out are alignments (although im going to try it msyelf using the instructions on here since all the shops around here are brain dead morons and cant do it correctly) and exsaust work because its a PITA, not hard just not worth the effort to do it msyelf.