I have always been the person to state that "If you want something done right, then you do it yourself". Well, my experience with having a lift installed only confirms this.

Just prior to Christmas I had a local shop install my 2" BB with shocks. I've been by their shop multiple times and was impressed by the manager's honesty and willingness to answer all my questions. I decided that I did not have the time to install the lift myself, and figured I would have his shop do the work. Keep in mind I have seen MANY Jeeps being worked on at this shop.

After the install I noticed the rear of the Jeep rode very rough. Any bump in the road was bone jarring. I called the shop and they stated that the shocks that come with the kit are cheap, and therefore ride pretty rough. I could see that happening, so I went with it.

Fast forward a month and my Jeep is having some warranty work done at the dealership. The service guy calls me up and asks who installed the lift. I told him and asked why. He tells me that the rear shocks were installed UPSIDE DOWN and that he is going to re-install them correctly.

You have got to be shittin' me! I am dumbfounded right now. I noticed they appeared upside down (boot at the bottom), but didn't think much of it as many aftermarked companies build components with different configurations such as bike forks for example: some are USD others are not. Common sense should have kicked in as it would be very stupid to put the boot at the bottom where it could more easily be filled with water and mud. How the fuck does a shop that works on Jeeps on a regular basis dick something so simple up? I even tried to tip the guys at the shop because I felt they treated me well.

Anyway, the dealership did not charge me and they were very cool about it. The Jeep rides great now. I will definately be giving them a call on Monday.

Anyway, ALWAYS do the work yourself if you are capable. My downfall is I am often lazy when it comes to working on my own project. Never again!

 

I feel your pain man. I had mine installed locally , and they did a pretty shitty job. I had to go back and tighten all the jam nuts on my cotrol arms. I still have to go back and equalize all the control arms . Paid `em 600 boes too .

 

For the money I saved doing my own lift I should have bought a bigger floor jack. Would have made some things easier on myself.

 

You could always use a rattle can or line X.

 

Thats prolly what I should have done.

 

Yeah, I kinda think powdercoating is a little overrated. I`ve seen powdercoats rust pretty bad, and I know some of my rattle can jobs are still good to go! Depends on prep I suppose.

 

I rarely let anyone touch my vehicles; in fact the only time is when it's warranty work, and then I watch them like a hawk. The best 1K I have spent for my garage. I really wanted a 2 post but I needed a higher ceiling and thicker concrete... It still raises to about 48"; perfect for sitting on a rolling stool. When the time comes for my JK lift I will make use of it again... It is nice to be able to work outside on a nice day also...

 

AEV did my lift and the boots are on the bottom on my rear shocks. I run Bilsteins.