Well, that's a funny story. I called a local shop that does CV's only, they quoted me $45 for materials, $165 per side to pull and reboot. That was a HELL of a lot cheaper than I'd read about on here. I already had the boot kits from Toyota. So, for grins I called the local dealer and asked what the shop rate was without the parts. Guy I had on the phone said one side billed out at 1.9 hours and there was an overlap, both sides was 3.3 hours. Their shop rate is $105 at hour. So, with the price being about equal, I went with the dealership, figuring they'd be more familiar with the Cruiser, less likely to F up my ABS, etc.
Dropped the truck off this morning and talked with a service writer. Told him what I'd been told and got the look. "Uh, typically our cost for a CV is $329 per side, with parts". I told him I had the parts already and didn't have the name of who I'd talked with. He said they could make the $300 price work and I added on an oil change.
So, I get a call at 11a asking about the DS axle. The PS had the torn boot, they've done it, do I really want the DS one done since it's not torn and only barely leaking? I said that for the price difference, only 1.4 hours more labor, 120k on the truck, it was time to just to it as a PM. He was fairly relucatant, but agreed.
Now it's 430p. I just called to see if it's done. "Tech is struggling with the truck because apparently you have to pull the whole steeing knuckle apart on these trucks. Most cars you can just swing that out of the way." I say "really, I looked in the FSM and you just pull the c-clip off the axle, undo the arms and swing the knuckle out of the way." "Well, he's struggling, it'll be another hour".
Great. Give me a solid axle, knuckles, and axle seals I can replace at home . . .