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Lift..DIY or Pay a pro

8K views 43 replies 28 participants last post by  tonybhall 
#1 ·
So I'm at the point where I'm ready to lift my JKUR. I've decided to go with the MetalCloak GameChanger with Rocksport shocks. I am not a mechanic by any means but I have a good amount of tools (I used to do custom autobody/paint and occasional lowering kits) but I feel confident enough that I could remove my stock suspension and install most of the lift. The part of the kit that has me most concerned is the control arms and getting them adjusted properly..and then theres the part of having to lay on my back in the driveway to do the work, since my garage is a total mess and I cant park in there. My work and family life schedule will only allow for me to work on this for about 1 hour each day after work. So I'm guessing it will take me anywhere from 7-10 days just to complete the install.
Or do I pay my local shop to do the install which they say my jeep will be with them for a total of 1.5 days, With the following price breakdown:
Labor $1000
Alignment $260
Front DS $499
DS labor $250
I had to go back and look over the quote again, and I’m glad I did because the original info I gave was incorrect.
 
#2 ·
Installation of my AEV 2.5 Dualsport cost $1600 including parts and labor. Could have done it myself, but in a condo now and 3 months past bypass surgery. I think labor was $500 IIRC.

Biggest issue for DIY is having someone to do an alignment.
 
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#4 ·

$2400 for just labor and an alignment!:jawdrop: :nonono: :crazy:

no WAY would i pay THAT MUCH to have just a lift installed, that's absolutely CRAZY!

a driveshaft takes about 30 minutes to do without even jacking up the jeep. and if you have the control arms set to the same length per pair, then you should not need an alignment. get an angle finder at harbor freight to set you castor angle, that's all you will need for an alignment, since your toe will not change. then its just a tape measure for axle centering.

a tip to get the control arms equal length with the metalcloak arms, lay them next to each other and have a bolt go through both holes on one end. if they are adjusted evenly, then the other bolt should easily slide into the other two ends of the control arms without any force.

can you not just do it on a weekend? im sure there are plenty of fellow jeepers that will help you out with the install. even if it took a week, i would still do it myself.
 
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#5 ·
Imo if you have to ask, you are already leaning towards paying someone. And that's not a bad thing. If you dont have all the tools and tall jack stands it can be quite an investment. (Not to mention experienced buddies)

Personally there are only 3 things I wont do myself again. Auto tranny rebuild, gear changes, auto tranny fluid + filter change. All 3 of those suck so much that I will pay someone who does it all the time.
 
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#6 ·
Wait, missed the $2400 part. That's a bit high. On a lift with power tools a lift kit can be installed in about 6-8 man hours. Adjustment and alignment would be another man hour as would the drive shaft. So max 10 man hours. Any more and they are charging you time for figuring it out.
 
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#7 ·
I paid a local Jeep shop to do the install of my leveling kit. Sure, it was just a leveling kit and I'm sure I could have done it myself, but while I probably own all the necessary tools, I'm by no means a skilled mechanic. I'd rather just pay a bit more to have folks who have been around the block a few times installing this to help ensure it is all done correctly.

Plus I just waited in the nice air conditioned lobby on my computer while they took care of it in less time than originally quoted.
 
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#8 ·
On the high end the labor for the lift, DS, and alignment should be $1000 or less. They are taking you to the bank.
 
#9 ·
I tell you what. The raised track bar bracket/flip kit is the last big mod I am doing myself. After doing 2 lifts, swapping out my Dana 30/44 for a set of take off Rubicon D44’s, I am done with major mechanical stuff. Sure I will do smaller things, but my hydro assist will be installed. I am tired of doing major work on the Jeep. It is too much of a hassle doing an all day project lol


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#10 ·
Labor here is $85-95/HR. The 6-8!hrs for the MC lift is right on. Mine took 6.5 by myself over two days. Took it in to the garage and had them do an alignment. All told cost $85. But if your time is worth more (meaning you don’t have it and can do something more productive during that same time) then I would farm it out.


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#13 ·
I did update the original post price after I went through and re- read the price breakdown of the quote
 
#14 ·
I was a faced with the same decision when I got my Mopar lift. I ended up doing it myself. I had most of the tools so it was an excuse to add a few more. I learned a lot about my Jeep and know what to check when I'm ensuring everything is still tight.

I would suggest cleaning out the garage. I was able to knock it out over a weekend. I did the rear on Saturday and the front on Sunday. After I got finished, it cost me less than $200. I did have my son help me in a couple of spots, so if you have a friend or two around it will go faster.
 
#29 ·
I suggest cleaning out my garage as well!!! But we just dont have the room to do it. I have plenty of driveway space which includes a nice sized and FLAT area on the side of my garage where I can park it and keep it out of the way.
 
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#15 ·
$2400 labor is a bit excessive.


Lifts are fairly straight forward to install. Even better if you have an impact wrench, a torque wrench, a couple of jacks, and jack stands already.


My ex wife and I installed my JKS JSPEC 2.5" lift in around 8 hours taking plenty of breaks.


It's actually a great way to get more familiar with your Jeep's suspension. That said, if you're not mechanically inclined or don't have a friend that is, if time is a factor, or if you don't have the right tools for the job, there's no shame in paying someone else for the install.


I'd shop around for a much lower price, though.
 
#31 ·
I have 4 good jackstands and 2 good jacks, my air compressor is small but it will run some air tools for short periods of time. I also have battery powered 1/2" impact as well. I think the only thing Im missing is a torque wrench.
 
#16 ·
the following price breakdown:
Labor $1000
Alignment $260
Front DS $499
DS labor $250
I had to go back and look over the quote again, and I’m glad I did because the original info I gave was incorrect.
I would still look for another shop as you are still being hosed.

$1000 labor for the lift is high.
$260 for an alignment is unheard of. They are usually $70-120
$250 for DS Labor is absurd. It should take 30 mininutes...
 
#17 ·
DIY.......

No need to negotiate any prices or figure out if you're getting a good deal or not.

No One is going to take the time/effort to ensure things are done properly like you will.

You will be rewarded in the future, it's the best way to get to know your Jeep and how it all works. So when there's a problem, you are now familiar enough to diagnose yourself.
 
#19 ·
I did my leveling kit dyi, it would have been better with a second person and more than 2 jack stands. I decided that I wanted to see what it would cost to pay someone. I first check with an load later company that specializes in Jeep modifications, I had to but the kit from the a at list price, pay 2500-3000 just for install labor (not including alignment) and I now know a 3% fee for using plastic to pay. While I know they do excellent work, it seemed excessive. I then call a smaller off road shop, that came highly recommended by a few different folks. He said I can buy the kit myself, and just pay him to install for a little under 600 including the alignment.

I know what I am doing!
 
#20 ·
Honestly when I did my lift, if I had the free time I'd have done it myself because I enjoy the chance to work on things myself. (It's my "me time"). I ended up going with a local shop that does quite a few of them, and a few friends have gone through.

Mopar 2in lift w/drive shaft - 910
Metalcloak correction brackets - 140
Installation and alignment - 533
 
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#22 ·
I had my TJ lift done at a local shop (the only shop) took it up in the morning . Wife picked me up went back late afternoon and got it . Cost of Labor $175.00 now that was 10 years ago and the shop was a one man small do everything shop . That Lift is still on the Jeep and still looks OK .
 
#23 ·
I just had a Rock Krawler 3.5" Mid Arm put on my 18 JKU..

Labor was $760 for lift, alignment was $380. I didn't do driveshafts because RK said it wasn't necessary. I know the DS labor is pretty high, they quoted me $285 each if I decided to do it.

If it was fall, I would have done it myself, but Texas heat, shop with no AC, nah I was happy to pay. :D
 
#25 ·
I did my Metalcloak lift by myself with 1 jack and 2 jackstands in the driveway at my storage unit In an afternoon on a Sunday when nobody else was there.

The amount that I learned about my Jeep and how everything connects and bolts together is priceless.

Do it yourself and save the money you’d spend on labor and put it towards an alignment and other mods. You’ll be much happier in the long run.
 
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#27 ·
To clarify. The OP originally stated a labor quote of $2400.


In a later posting, the OP stated the correct labor quote to be a total of $1510.
Counter offer - $500, a 24 pack of beer, and he'll help.
 
#30 ·
You may be waiting a while with this one, but a lot of companies had installation deals like "free install when shipped to store". You might want to wait for one of those. If not, the right people, the right tools, and sufficient beer on hand you can get the job done, even if it means an all nighter. The cost of labor is joke now days. Do it yourself.
 
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