Looking for opinion on cost of lift kit installation
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Looking for opinion on cost of lift kit installation
Hi guys,
I recently got a quote from a local Jeep shop for the installation of a AEV 2" lift. Here is the link for the lift kit itself which would be installed:
Just Jeeps :: Lift Kits - Suspension 2-3 Inch :: AEV 2.0"...
The price of the lift kit itself is $299 which from a general check on the net is pretty much in line with other places. This place has offered to supply the kit and install the kit and all its components for $1000 taxes in. This means the charge for the installation would be about $620+tax. Does that sound like a reasonable price for the install? Thanks in advance.
I recently got a quote from a local Jeep shop for the installation of a AEV 2" lift. Here is the link for the lift kit itself which would be installed:
Just Jeeps :: Lift Kits - Suspension 2-3 Inch :: AEV 2.0"...
The price of the lift kit itself is $299 which from a general check on the net is pretty much in line with other places. This place has offered to supply the kit and install the kit and all its components for $1000 taxes in. This means the charge for the installation would be about $620+tax. Does that sound like a reasonable price for the install? Thanks in advance.
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 521
Likes: 1
From: Nowheresville
Really depends on the shop.. I mean if one knows the right contacts.. The lift could go in 1 hour 45 mins (depending on what the lift entails) and the cost would be a few cases of Coors Light.. but realistically.. labor around here is $75.00 per hour.. and most novice would take about 4 hours to do it..
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 165
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
From AEV's website.
Labor rate times hours. So, what is the labor rate that that shop? Seems like they are charging for what, a 6 hour job?
But of course they will tell you that the alignment is included!! So ask yourself what the alignment involves. No adjustable components, so they aren't adjusting caster. They aren't adjusting camber. They aren't centering the axles. The only thing they will do is recenter the steering wheel, which is loosening two bolts and twisting the turnbuckle a few times.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Estimated Install Time: 2-3 hours
Estimated Install Time: 2-3 hours
But of course they will tell you that the alignment is included!! So ask yourself what the alignment involves. No adjustable components, so they aren't adjusting caster. They aren't adjusting camber. They aren't centering the axles. The only thing they will do is recenter the steering wheel, which is loosening two bolts and twisting the turnbuckle a few times.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Thanks for the prompt reply guys, I guess you all suggest that the price is high, which is what I suspected hence the post. I think I'm going to try to get them to cut the price down considerably, like to $300 for the install, and if that doesn't happen, I'll likely take the few hundred dollars and invest in some good tools to do the job myself. For someone that's only marginally mechanically inclined so far, but willing to take the time to do it, do you think it's something I can do on my own?
JK Junkie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,697
Likes: 2
From: Grosse Pointe, MI
Insane! Seriously, it takes a handful of common tools to do the job. Anything you don't have, you can likely borrow from and auto parts store. Find a jeep club by you. I'm sure plenty of guys would help out and all it will cost is some beer.
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JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 606
Likes: 6
From: Evergreen, CO
Capt. N,
If you have some mechanical inclination, do yourself a favor and invest in the basic tools to accomplish the job. A metric socket set, wrench set (you could cheat and go with a Crescent wrench even), a floor jack (full size, not a cheap bottle jack) and jack stands are basically all that you'd need.
This is a very basic kit and you would have far less invested in the tools than the labor charge and you would then have them for future endeavors. You need no special tools and the springs will fall right out to install the spacers once you disconnect the sway bars and shocks which you have to do to complete the kit anyway. Just take your time and post here (or PM me if you'd like) if you run into any snags.
The intangibles are that you'll have a better relationship with and learn more about your Jeep. In addition, a sense of accomplishment and some new tools to do more with all while saving a chunk of bucks.
Good luck
PS Keep in mind you may need the exhaust spacers. I say "may" because if it's a street only rig, you may get away without them but do be prepared to buy them and install if your front drive shaft starts to hit over bumps, etc. If you think you'll take it offroad even in the slightest, install them right off the bat.
If you have some mechanical inclination, do yourself a favor and invest in the basic tools to accomplish the job. A metric socket set, wrench set (you could cheat and go with a Crescent wrench even), a floor jack (full size, not a cheap bottle jack) and jack stands are basically all that you'd need.
This is a very basic kit and you would have far less invested in the tools than the labor charge and you would then have them for future endeavors. You need no special tools and the springs will fall right out to install the spacers once you disconnect the sway bars and shocks which you have to do to complete the kit anyway. Just take your time and post here (or PM me if you'd like) if you run into any snags.
The intangibles are that you'll have a better relationship with and learn more about your Jeep. In addition, a sense of accomplishment and some new tools to do more with all while saving a chunk of bucks.
Good luck
PS Keep in mind you may need the exhaust spacers. I say "may" because if it's a street only rig, you may get away without them but do be prepared to buy them and install if your front drive shaft starts to hit over bumps, etc. If you think you'll take it offroad even in the slightest, install them right off the bat.
Last edited by fredrok; Sep 24, 2014 at 05:49 PM.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Capt. N,
If you have some mechanical inclination, do yourself a favor and invest in the basic tools to accomplish the job. A metric socket set, wrench set (you could cheat and go with a Crescent wrench even), a floor jack (full size, not a cheap bottle jack) and jack stands are basically all that you'd need.
This is a very basic kit and you would have far less invested in the tools than the labor charge and you would then have them for future endeavors. You need no special tools and the springs will fall right out to install the spacers once you disconnect the sway bars and shocks which you have to do to complete the kit anyway. Just take your time and post here (or PM me if you'd like) if you run into any snags.
The intangibles are that you'll have a better relationship with and learn more about your Jeep. In addition, a sense of accomplishment and some new tools to do more with all while saving a chunk of bucks.
Good luck
PS Keep in mind you may need the exhaust spacers. I say "may" because if it's a street only rig, you may get away without them but do be prepared to buy them and install if your front drive shaft starts to hit over bumps, etc. If you think you'll take it offroad even in the slightest, install them right off the bat.
If you have some mechanical inclination, do yourself a favor and invest in the basic tools to accomplish the job. A metric socket set, wrench set (you could cheat and go with a Crescent wrench even), a floor jack (full size, not a cheap bottle jack) and jack stands are basically all that you'd need.
This is a very basic kit and you would have far less invested in the tools than the labor charge and you would then have them for future endeavors. You need no special tools and the springs will fall right out to install the spacers once you disconnect the sway bars and shocks which you have to do to complete the kit anyway. Just take your time and post here (or PM me if you'd like) if you run into any snags.
The intangibles are that you'll have a better relationship with and learn more about your Jeep. In addition, a sense of accomplishment and some new tools to do more with all while saving a chunk of bucks.
Good luck
PS Keep in mind you may need the exhaust spacers. I say "may" because if it's a street only rig, you may get away without them but do be prepared to buy them and install if your front drive shaft starts to hit over bumps, etc. If you think you'll take it offroad even in the slightest, install them right off the bat.
Thanks very much for this detailed info. I think you're right, I'll be giving this a shot next weekend after I get the tools for the job. Will visit here if I run into any serious issues. I plan on doing some off roading so I'll be installing the exhaust spacers. Thanks again!
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 606
Likes: 6
From: Evergreen, CO
You bet! I just looked at the installation instructions and they're pretty well written. Take your time lowering the axles to gain access to the spring spacers. Emergency brake cables may need to be temporarily removed from the supports in the rear and wire looms detached temporarily to keep from over extending them.