Opinions on dealership labor prices

I had TRD Suspension upgrade done at Dealership last month.

Hourly rate was $235.75/hr

Front Shocks Install - 5hr ($1,178.75)
Rear Shocks Install - 1hr (235.75)

Total: $1414.50

Add alignment: $169.95

Grand total: $1,584.45
Military Discount: -$79.20

Final Total: $1505.25

I was authorized a loaner/rental for the day...which was a 2024 Tacoma Limited.

The local dealership in Dover hourly rate is: $209/hr. The dealership I had the work done is 50 miles north but still in Delaware.

 

What did you upgrade to?

 

TRD Lift Bilstein 5100s (2")

Suspension only...I have aftermarket grill/garnish.

Front/Rear Shocks
1" Blocks
U-Bolts
Brake Bracket

 

5 hours to install front shocks is criminal

 

40% premium upgrade and people act like that's all ho hum. What a load of crap yall put up with in the sunshine State. It's like dating a super hot chick it's pretty but costs alot.

 

Having worked for a small business as well as sat on the board of two different 501(c)3 nonprofits, this coudln't be more true. I've always said in running any business "money comes in a handful of ways and goes out a hundred ways". Even though we didn't have to provide health insurance and 401K for instance, it was crazy to really see where it all went to.

 

I'll take your word on that!

Both dealerships verified their standard time to remove both assemblies then disassemble OEM springs from OEM shocks/re-assemble with Bilstein 5100 shocks using OEM springs.

Luckily, I used my Work Bonus to pay for Labor...I paid once and cried a little. lol

The expression being: "Pay Once, Cry Once" when parting with money.

EDIT: It was my Air Force Anniversary gift to me!

 

Yea I could beat that time by at least 2 hours with jackstands and hand tools, and a sketchy AF spring compressor in my garage.

Give me a lift and all their fancy specialty tools and I'd have that job done in 90 minutes. And I'm just some wannabe shade tree mechanic.

 

I thought about doing it myself but did not want to buy any specialty tools to do the job.

That plus, I wanted the luxury of having the dealership complete the task and warranty their work. (As opposed to installing myself)

I found a flaw in the U-bolt installation so I was able to coordinate with service person who relayed to technician that I wanted it corrected.

Flaw was corrected and another alignment was done at no cost.

The suspension is settling well and my TRD Sport rides just about as nice as the 2024 Tacoma Limited I had as a loaner.