I'm taking my rig into the shop tomorrow and would like to get an idea of how long it SHOULD take them to install the 1.5" HD Coils. I want a rough idea of how much it should cost so I can know if they are stiffing me. Thanks guys.

Fink

 

Man, it's so easy to do it. You can do it all by yourself with just the jack that comes with the truck and few tools. Save the money and do it yourself.

Chris

 

Why did you go with HD Downey coils? Why only 1.5"?

Let us see some pics when you get through?

I would think no more than 3-4 hours to replace coils if you got someone who knows what they are doing and has the right equipment. Around here labor is about $45/hour to work on 4x4s.

Hope it works out for you!



Brian

 

I'm not takin it to a 4x4 shop, just my local shop. They charge 50/hr., I figure they can do it in about 2 hours...thats what AgRunner06 and I were thinkin anyway.

If its gonna take THEM 3-4 hours to do it...then there is no WAY I could do it!

Fink

 

That is the most popular coil of choice for us 2nd gens.
Downey calls it a 1.50", in reality, it's more like 2" and more as seen on my rig here.

 

Well, I paid flat rate $160 to have mine put in. Good thing too, cuz the guy took 4hrs! But, I watched a good portion and he was takeing his time, which is FINE by me! I had it done at a local shop too. A castrol place in savannah. I would definately do the rears yourself and then let the shop do the fronts. Thats what takes the longest. The rears are just 4 bolts and then just cranking up the truck and changing springs.

Good luck! Can't wait to see pics

 

160 isn't TOO bad I guess.

I'm only having the rears done...I don't need to replace the struts.

I'm just getting them installed to get rid of the sag.

 

Brian

 

With the proper equipment and knowledge, the install can easily be done under 2 hours. 4 hours is way too long, and just indicates to me that they probably hadn't done one before. Don't know for sure, but I can do it with floor jacks in right around 2 hours by myself, and I've only done it twice.

It's an easy process, and if you have the time, I'd stil do it yourself.

Chris

P.S. All you do is disconnect the panhard bar on the right side, disconnect the swaybar endlinks on both sides on the top part only, undo the e-brake, raise the vehicle by the frame while watching the brake lines, and the springs will pop right out. Then just do the opposite for the install.

 

Its not so much the time but the knowledge. I seriously cannot even change my own oil without help...much less undo the swaybars and stuff.

Plus, I hate to try and undo stuff cause I'm afriad I'm gonna screw stuff up.

Anyway, I'm taking it to the shop here in about 10-15 minutes and I will let you know what they say about it.

Thanks for your help guys.

Fink

 

It shouldn't cost more than $100! Good luck!

Chris

 

bring me your rig, i could toss in new coils in under an hour (not litterally)

add extra time for changing shocks and brake lines, but thats still less than 2 hours total ( for a pro i mean, took me about 2.5 hours my first time but about 1.5 when i did my buddies HDs). anyone that takes longer than that has no freakin clue what they are doing. all you need is a jack and a metric wrentch set.

 

The shop ESTIMATED at 3 hours...thats an estimate. He said he was just allowing for any problems or anything.

He also asked if I wanted to replace the "rubbers", the rubber things the shocks sits in I guess, I had never heard this before. And also, I assume that the factory shocks will still work with the new coils right?

So, we're lookin at probably a little more than 100 bucks...he seemed like he had never seen them before, kinda worried me. But they have always done good work in the past so...I figured I should give them some more business.

I'll let ya know what they say when I hear from them tomorrow...thanks for the help guys.

If you could answer my two questions about the rubber things and factory shocks that would be great!

Fink

 

Don't replace the rubber conical bump stops and if you replace the shocks go with OME N86 firms.

Chris

 

The shocks are fine, I was just making sure that they would work with the new coils.

I know they are short...would they just limit the travel of the coils or something?

Thanks for the help guys, keep it comin!

Fink

 

The OMEN86 firm shocks are the longest shck you can run without running into problems, and they are longer than the stock shocks.

As far as the bumpers, I would personally use the ones you've got, but cut the bottom two parts off. I personally don't use one at all, which I like for off-roading.

Chris

 

You're fine on the shocks and the rubber.

 

Good, cause I told them to just use all the factory parts other than the coils. So...hopefully I'm set.

Fink