I just got back from talking to a couple local shops about getting my 4" Full Traction Premium Lift installed. As much as I'd love to try to install this myself or with some buds I'm a computer programmer not a mechanic and I'd rather not "learn" on such a vital part of my Jeep

The first shop seems like a group of pretty capable bro's who know what they're talking about etc. Their quote for the install was:

Lift Install Labor
8.5 Hours @ $65 = $552.50
Alignment Bolt Kit
2 @ $39 = $78 + tax
Alignment Service
1 @ $99.95 = $99.95
Total: $730.45

The other shop, which I've worked with before many years ago on my old cherokee. Same dude and everything. He seemed to understand the lift but said I'd have to get the alignment done elsewhere and verbally committed to "around $400"

Joys? Concerns?

 

Not a bad price for labor, but you won't need the alighnment bolt kit they're trying to sell you for the FT kit, it has adjustable arms.

 

OOPs, I think that kit has solid arms, still , don't let them install cambolts. The arms that come with the kit should be enough to set you right.

 

He had mentioned that he "recommended" the cambolts etc. I guess the question is are they useless to put on. I really don't mind spending the $80 if its a "best practice" thing for the long term.

 

They will have to notch your control arm brackets to use the cambolts. This will allow for a very slight adjustment of castor. The arms that come with this kit already take that into account, so no the cam bolts are not needed.

 

In addition, cambolts will tend to loosen up on and off-road, a better long term investment would be fully adjustable control arms, such as what's in the FT Ultimate kit.

 

Alot of shops won't do the alignment on a lifted jeep, because the follow factory specs to match, and with it being lifted, factory will not work for you. You would most likely have to go to an offroad shop that knows what they are doing to get the alingment done, the first shop you went to is probably offering to put the stock alignment specs on.

I would be wary about going to a shop that "recommends" cam bolts with a lift kit with replacement control arms.

I'd recommend going to your state forum here on the website and asking guys in your area a good shop to go to, driving an extra couple miles may save you a ton of heart ache.

 

Alot of guys who worked on TJs and YJs and such recommend cam bolts, just because that is what they are used to. It seems to be an easier route to go, but for me, there was no way I was having the dude notch out where my control arms sit to allow for minor adjustments, especially when you consider how they can come loose etc. Just not good for me. So I went with adjustable arms. If they tell you to get adjustable arms and use cam bolts...don't trust a word out of their mouth! I know you can technically do it, but why would you??

That price isn't too too bad. I got my 4" Superlift and a full set of adjustable control arms installed including alignment for $500 out the door. He did the front adjustabel track bar, welded on the rear track bar brace, everything. It was a great deal. I wanted to do it myself but didn't have the time or all of the necessary tools, so I went with a local mechanic who has a real good reputation. I'm glad I went this route cause when I got my rig back, I didn't have to worry about alignment issues vibrations, etc. So I guess it depends what area of the country you are in as to how much the install costs.
In Oklahoma, maybe its more expensive for labor, the shop that includes the alignment might be better if they are more familiar with JKs. Totally your call though

 

Could a viable alternative be to ditch cambolts & alignment till after the lift? These guys seem to have worked on tons of older jeeps and the JK's may be a bit newer to them. I know they've worked on a few in town at the least and tbh these guys seem to be trustworthy.

I'm gonna ask on a local offroad forum here to see what they say too in the meantime.

 

As far as alighnment with this kit, they will be able to center your front axle with the adj track bar, center your rear with the relo bracket, put on the solid arms that are preset, center your steering wheel and adjust your toe. That's it.