Average cost (including labor) for SOA ?

[dieselcruiserhead]

I used to think some of the shops charging $4500 & such were way out of line, not any more. Read Chicago's thread in the 60 section, you can see some of the falls and pitfalls out there, he has come close to nailing most of them... Definitely a learning curve, even if you have done it before, on how to do a SOA, "right." There are some slightly different ways to do it (ie what parts to use, and a few mostly-not-recommended corners you can cut), but these guys are right, before tires it is still about $1500 in part alone, and you want lockers and tires (and gearing) otherwise what is the point IMO... Woooody has it nailed pretty good...

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I'm mostly done with mine at this point. I spent $1500 on a welder before I started. I'm also not counting the $$ on grinding wheels cutting wheels, other new tools, etc.

Perches, ubolt plates, u-bolts $200
Powersteering plate, frame stiffner etc $200
Shocks $300
High Steer + 1 Ton tie rod and drag link $500
Brake lines $100
Cut and turn $300
New steering shaft $180
Driveline length changes $150
Hardware $100-$200
Shackles and bushings $100
Ford Shock towers $25 (a bargin!)
Wheel bearings $150
Knuckle kit $80
Unaccounted for, but spent $100

Optional but spent:
Poly Perf Rear shafts $400+
Longfield super set $600

The tools I bought to do this job:
Welder-Millermatic 210-I love this machine
Milwaukee 1/2 inch drill
2 Angle grinders
Another set of jack stands
Full set of impact sockets
Tubing bender
Flaring tool


Anyway, it adds up fast. At $500 you have cut every corner there is to cut. $3000 to have someone else who knows do it is starting to seem like a bargin.

 

[sandrat62]

I appreicate everyones imput. I think my friend is going with someone in Sunnyvale, Ca. who used to work for "butchbulit" cruisers I was told. Thanks- Matt

 

[woooody]

I appreicate everyones imput. I think my friend is going with someone in Sunnyvale, Ca. who used to work for "butchbulit" cruisers I was told. Thanks- Matt

Get a name -- there weren't that many guys that worked for Butch Lewis. BTB was located in/near Sunnyvale, but that was Brian, not Butch.

Name of shop?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Sean Wilson's brother took over Butch Lewis' business and lives in Clear Lake, I think. You could reach him through Mudrak if needed.

 

[woooody]

Sean Wilson's brother took over Butch Lewis' business and lives in Clear Lake, I think. You could reach him through Mudrak if needed.

I think it's closer to Middletown, but I could be wrong. Yes, Sean worked out a deal with Sharon. He's still making the plates, and steps, etc, I thought.

 

[peesalot]

then there is budbuilt which gets confused with butch built all the time.

Woooooooooody . whats up ?

 

[greenfox]

I would say somewhere between $3500 to $5000 from start to finish would be a good deal.


Jooooooooooooooooohn whats up?

 

[rusty_tlc]

...$3000 to have someone else who knows do it is starting to seem like a bargin.

Years ago I had a shop do a shackel reversal, Saginaw manual steering conversion, and a bunch of other work.

I did my own SOA.

Even though I spent a little less money and a lot more time doing it my self I'm glad I did.

 

[dustin]

unless you have every single part already, youre going to spend more than 500. If you don't, I feel sorry for the next guy who inherits your rig. I spent a fortune on my SOA, and I did the work myself except for the cut and turn and drivelines. Even things like paint, grease and nuts & bolts end up costing a fortune. I say, including shocks, drivelines, tires, ubolts, spring bushings, spring pads, shackles, knuckle rebuild, ubolts, high steer kit, plus consumables- welding wire and gas, cutting disks, beer- no less than $2500.

Sean lives out near Middletown. I think that Paul decker is making the plates and other parts now?

John, Ryan, woooody- what up!!!

-Dustin

 

[gregoryfj40]

I'm in the middle of acquiring parts for my SO that I only recently began entertaining. I think it could be done for, guessing, roughly $1000 in parts & tack on another G for labor.

I didn't want my truck to be down so I bought an extra housing to ship of for cut/turn. I'm trying to figure cost out myself but in parts alone (& this isn't the way to go necessarily but I wanted it extremely strong) I spent:
$600 longfields
$500 high steer kit
$75 extra axle housing
$280 shipping &c/t process
$150 sand blasting axle housing/springs etc.
$150 fj55springs (rr) stock 40 springs (fr)
$380 hardware=mini truck knuckles/seal kit, u-bolt kit, new bushings, shackle pins, & paint
$16 spring perches
I will need longer shocks which I haven't gotten yet or done any labor yet.
That adds up to $2000. I never would have guessed I'd be spending so much.

 

[gregoryfj40]

I'd love to see some pics of your '71

 

[nuclearlemon]

It won't apply to anyone.

The posters question -- Avg cost including labor. Not, Well, I've bought everything else, I just havbe to assemble it.

Geez. Give the guy a solid number.

Again, what would the $500 be spent on?


Tell you what -- I'll bring you a 75 fj40. Tell me what you would want to do a SOA.

i was just responding to your question on how it could be done for around $500. i already responded to the original guys question in post 9.

 

[rusty_tlc]

unless you have every single part already, youre going to spend more than 500. If you don't, I feel sorry for the next guy who inherits your rig. I spent a fortune on my SOA, and I did the work myself except for the cut and turn and drivelines. Even things like paint, grease and nuts & bolts end up costing a fortune. I say, including shocks, drivelines, tires, ubolts, spring bushings, spring pads, shackles, knuckle rebuild, ubolts, high steer kit, plus consumables- welding wire and gas, cutting disks, beer- no less than $2500.

Sean lives out near Middletown. I think that Paul decker is making the plates and other parts now?

John, Ryan, woooody- what up!!!

-Dustin

You neglect to mention the "while your at it" factor. That alone is good for $1000.

 

[yzftaco]

Might want to try Ryan at Wicked Fab in Santa Clara

http://wickedfabrication.com/HOME.html

 

[woooody]

i was just responding to your question on how it could be done for around $500. i already responded to the original guys question in post 9.

Wasn't replying to you

Guess I should have quoted who I was replying to. Sorry

 

[niblik]

i know when lookin to soa my cruiser i asked at an engineers and they said around the $5k mark.. (nz) thats using all the same gear but new shocks and obviously the hi steer arm..

i thought feck that and am now doin it myself, with 60's axles under the 40 amongst other things...

if ya can, give things a try yourself.. it may look and sound confusing to do but the guys on these forums are just a post away..

and the satisfaction that you have done it yourself and possibly saved some coin is well worth a nudge...

my 0.02 cents worth..

good luck..

 

[niblik]

You neglect to mention the "while your at it" factor. That alone is good for $1000.

and thats the expensive 'sneak up and knee ya in the balls' one too!! only if it were only a grand.. mines tickin up...

 

[Fullsize 40]

At these prices (~$5k), why not just link it with coils in rear and coilovers in front? It wouldn't be that much more, would it? Of course, I live in Idaho where prices tend to be a little lower.

Jesse

 

[mustardfj40]

I did the SOA myself but since I don't trust my welding skill basically I tack-welded pieces into place then hire a proffessional welder to come over and finished it up. The front axle was cut and turned by Mudrak. My cost is around $2500 mostly in parts. And that's including an anti-wrap bar for the rear axle.

A local cruiser buddy loaned me his Millermatic 220 but I used up a bottle of gas and some consumables, the gas and consumables alone cost me $70 bucks.

I remember a guy here who did his SOA himself for 25 bucks, I beleive he reused everything including the spring perches/brake lines/..., To me that's amazing.