Lift shop quotes (laughable)...

I have gotten (4) separate quotes from local lift shops here in the Houston area. Below are the results:

1) $1,000
2) $600
3) $480
4) $350

For those interested, I am asking a price to replace the spindles and struts up front, new leaf pack and shocks in the rear. They would also have to mount and balance new rims and tires and do an alignment.

Why such the broad range? What is everyone's opinion of where the price SHOULD be at?

 

The range can be due to a lot of things, namely the shop's experience with that type of work and how busy they are. If they're not making markup on the parts, some shops don't want to bother installing someone else's parts.

In my opinion, $80+/- for an alignment, 1 - 1.5 hours to install new shocks all around so figure $150ish, $40 - $50 to mount and balance 4 tires and 1 hour to swap the spindles so another $100. Roughly, I'd guess your total should be in the neighborhood of $400 before taxes.

There is some efficiency gained with doing all the work at once which my guesstimate does not take into account. There is also some risk with rust on older trucks in the salt belt or near salt water (not sure if you're near the ocean).

 

Are you supplying the parts?

I would say you are looking at 6 hour job, average shop rate is $80 an hour... so 6*80= $480

 

Host a meet in texas and ask some locals to come help you do it. Supply food and beverage, wrench on the truck, and make some new friends

 

I would be supplying all of the parts.

 

Should I be leary of the $350 price?

 

My father in law has the tools and the know how to get it done but the shop quoting me $350 also will warranty their work for 25,000 miles. I would also need to bring it somewhere to mount/balance the tires and get an alignment. This in itself would be roughly $150-$200.

 

^^

 

Ask locals for help. Meet some TWers in your area & learn more about your truck. I'm sure some have done lifts, Then all you need are the tires mounted & balanced followed by an alignment.

 

2 & 3 seem to be the only reasonable quotes on that list for what you want done depending on whether the alignment is 1 time, 1 yr, 3 yr or lifetime.

 

What are the shops in question... I live in Houston and can probably give some insight on the shops.

 

$1000 = American Wheel & Tire
$600 = Cutten Customs
$480 = Offroad Outlaws
$350 = 2920 Customs

 

2920 Custom is NOT an offroad shop. They are a tint/stereo/alarm shop. I watched a similar shop, not that one, attempt their first wheel and suspension work on someone elses vehicle while I had my alarm installed... swore I would never use a stereo shop for mechanical work after seeing that.

Your most expensive option will do good work. Had friends use em but did my install myself due to price. They are only like 5 min from me.

 

You're better off doing your own work.....have some local members come over if you already have the tools. You'll learn more about your truck that way, save money and KNOW it's done right. Those are all pretty straight forward swaps (all you're doing is removing and replacing)!