I'm getting a local cruiser shop to install my ARBs, they are charging me $1650 for labor on the installation of the lockers only. I'm pretty sure I'm seriously being overchaged, wanted to find out what you guys thought?
ARB's install labor charge (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Biff
- Start date
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Cruiserdrew
On the way there
It depends how much of the work you do yourself. If you are driving your truck in, that's about what I would expect to pay-it is a big job, especially disassembling the front axle, pulling the axles, then the diffs, then the actual install of the locker itself. itself. This is especially true if the quote includes mounting the compressor and running all the lines and electrical.
If you pull the diffs yourself, around here it costs about $150 per diff just for the locker install, but depending on mileage, you might want new bearings as well which is another $125 per diff. If you are doing new ring and pinions that may add to costs for set up as well. I have done it this way several times, and it saves you big $$ and you learn a lot in the process. If your knuckles have never been rebuilt, now is the time since they will be apart anyway.
The most important thing is to get an install of the locker by someone who has done a lot of them, and is careful about their work. We have a great guy to reccomend up here in Sacramento, but you are a little far away.
If you pull the diffs yourself, around here it costs about $150 per diff just for the locker install, but depending on mileage, you might want new bearings as well which is another $125 per diff. If you are doing new ring and pinions that may add to costs for set up as well. I have done it this way several times, and it saves you big $$ and you learn a lot in the process. If your knuckles have never been rebuilt, now is the time since they will be apart anyway.
The most important thing is to get an install of the locker by someone who has done a lot of them, and is careful about their work. We have a great guy to reccomend up here in Sacramento, but you are a little far away.
- Thread starter
- #3
The install is just for the lockers and running the lines. I will mount the compressor myself, and install all the electrical.
I would agree with Andrew. If that is a turn-key price where you drive in un-locked and drive out with a complete, functioning, system that does not sound too bad.
You slipped in there before I replied. What is the hourly rate they are charging?
You slipped in there before I replied. What is the hourly rate they are charging?
NorCalDoug
problems solved daily...
Biff - As Andy mentions, if you're considering upgrading to taller gears, now would be the time to do it.
The best quote I got a 3 years ago was $1200 for the install. That's here in the Sacramento area -- I was guaging prices before I found my 450. Your quote doesn't seem too far off.
The best quote I got a 3 years ago was $1200 for the install. That's here in the Sacramento area -- I was guaging prices before I found my 450. Your quote doesn't seem too far off.
- Thread starter
- #6
Well I got all the pinion and carrier bearings, and other misc. parts from Cdan, and a set of Precision Gears 4.56s so I'm ready for everything. As I said I will install the ARB compressor, switches, and everything else up to the locker, then I will take it in for the locker install.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Who is the shop doing the install?-if they are really good, your price does not seem unreasonable.
I would consider gears as Doug mentions. They will be cheap now, and very expensive later since 90% of the labor will have to be redone. If you have any thought of running 35 inch tires, get the 4.88's and be done with it.
edit-I did not see your response above, sorry for the duplicated info.
I would consider gears as Doug mentions. They will be cheap now, and very expensive later since 90% of the labor will have to be redone. If you have any thought of running 35 inch tires, get the 4.88's and be done with it.
edit-I did not see your response above, sorry for the duplicated info.
- Thread starter
- #8
The shop is Man-a-Fre
I know what you mean about the gears. Just got a set of Precision 4.56 gears, figure since I'm sticking with my 33's and don't plan to go any higher I should be fine.
I know what you mean about the gears. Just got a set of Precision 4.56 gears, figure since I'm sticking with my 33's and don't plan to go any higher I should be fine.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
I'll bet Man-A-Fre has done as many ARB installs as anyone. Since they are local to you, and been in business a long time, I'll bet they will stand behind you as well if things go bad in the future. I say go for it, and be happy.
Are you sure you don't want to do the disassembly and re-install yourself? It is not that hard, and one of the locals down there could walk you through it. You could save more than $1000. I totally understand, though, if it's a daily driver and you can't have the vehicle down for a week or so. Then you have to pay the man.
Are you sure you don't want to do the disassembly and re-install yourself? It is not that hard, and one of the locals down there could walk you through it. You could save more than $1000. I totally understand, though, if it's a daily driver and you can't have the vehicle down for a week or so. Then you have to pay the man.
Biff,
The price we gave you was for installing both the lockers, and also rebuilding the diffs. I will double check again tomorrow but I think rebuilding the front knuckles was also included. I will check and get back to you. Thanks, Steve.
The price we gave you was for installing both the lockers, and also rebuilding the diffs. I will double check again tomorrow but I think rebuilding the front knuckles was also included. I will check and get back to you. Thanks, Steve.
I got an ARB installed in a pulled third member locally with new gears and bearings for $150 (labor cost only). All he did was install the ARB in the third and install the copper air line and fitting. The rest (compressor, hose routing wiring etc) is easy if you are a semi-capable electrician. The price should obviously be higher if the job includes compressor installation, wiring and the rest of the set up. That kind of stuff all takes time.
Edit: I just reread the thread. If a knuckle rebuild is included, not too bad. At Urban LC's here in Atlanta, an 80 series knuckle rebuild is ~$1100, parts included. Figure $150 each for the actual ARB installation into the third, and another hour or so of labor for the actual removal and reinstallation of each third. All leaving you just a few hundred ahead of MAF's price, when parts for the knuckle rebuild are factored in.
$1100 -knuckle job
$150- 3rd member #1
$150- 3rd member #2
+$100- R&R of third members
---------
$1500
- ~$120 - Cost of axle rebuild parts (aftmkt without wheel bearings)
---------
$1380
I bet the shop labor rate in Cali is a good deal higher than it is in GA, so this may factor in as well.
If knuckle rebuild is included not a bad deal, especially considering it is a nearby reputable shop.
Edit: I just reread the thread. If a knuckle rebuild is included, not too bad. At Urban LC's here in Atlanta, an 80 series knuckle rebuild is ~$1100, parts included. Figure $150 each for the actual ARB installation into the third, and another hour or so of labor for the actual removal and reinstallation of each third. All leaving you just a few hundred ahead of MAF's price, when parts for the knuckle rebuild are factored in.
$1100 -knuckle job
$150- 3rd member #1
$150- 3rd member #2
+$100- R&R of third members
---------
$1500
- ~$120 - Cost of axle rebuild parts (aftmkt without wheel bearings)
---------
$1380
I bet the shop labor rate in Cali is a good deal higher than it is in GA, so this may factor in as well.
If knuckle rebuild is included not a bad deal, especially considering it is a nearby reputable shop.
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- Thread starter
- #12
Well that makes me feel better, spending that kind of cash, I guess I was wrong its not an overcharged. Steve, yes the price you quoted me included the knuckle rebuild.
Biff said:
Glad to hear you are relieved, I told you I wouldnt steer you wrong.
HZJ60 Guy
Tank Buster
Biff said:
1650.00 FOR THE LABOR ONLY! Good lord that's steep. Man take those third members out yourself and bring them in.
NorCalDoug
problems solved daily...
HZJ60 Guy said:
uh...so are you offering to drive to So Cal and do it for less?
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HZJ60 Guy
Tank Buster
NorCalDoug said:uh...so are you offering to drive to So Cal and do it for less?
Hey, I revised my post before you posted that quote.
That said that is still to damn much money for labor only. I had a shop do both ring and pinions in my brothers F250 last year. Parts and labor 1250.00 here in the Seattle area. Do you think that adding an ARB is all that much different? Drilling a hole and running an internal air line!!!
That's to steep.
NorCalDoug
problems solved daily...
Well I fixed my post to reflect your revision...but now it sorta makes me look like a tool for responding the way I did -- no matter.
It's sort of a toss up between know-how, time, and the willingness to do some work yourself.
I'll be in a similar situation when it comes time for me to swap my gears out and have 4.88s installed. Should I pull the third members myself? If I do, I should really do a birf job while I'm at it...which adds to the job...
Do I want to spend my time working on the rig or getting other stuff done?
It's all a matter of what it's worth and what level of confidence a person has in their skills.
I don't know if Biff could pull the third members out (or if he has enough confidence in his abilities). Me? I probably could do it, but would prefer to have a buddy with me who'd done it already looking over my shoulder to make sure I didn't screw something up in the process.
If I had no help -- I'd easily pay the $1600 for the knowledge that it's done the right way by people who definitely know what they're doing...
It's sort of a toss up between know-how, time, and the willingness to do some work yourself.
I'll be in a similar situation when it comes time for me to swap my gears out and have 4.88s installed. Should I pull the third members myself? If I do, I should really do a birf job while I'm at it...which adds to the job...
Do I want to spend my time working on the rig or getting other stuff done?
It's all a matter of what it's worth and what level of confidence a person has in their skills.
I don't know if Biff could pull the third members out (or if he has enough confidence in his abilities). Me? I probably could do it, but would prefer to have a buddy with me who'd done it already looking over my shoulder to make sure I didn't screw something up in the process.
If I had no help -- I'd easily pay the $1600 for the knowledge that it's done the right way by people who definitely know what they're doing...
- Thread starter
- #18
NorCalDoug said:
I'm leaning toward pulling the third member. Have to do a little research on what the job will entails, shouldn't be that hard if you doug can do it.
pulling the third member is that hard, it is the process that make it hard and it is a very tedious job. Disconnecting and connecting parts take a lot of time and seems hard to do, not to include if this rig is a daily driver, this make things overwhelming.
