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$1800 to install AEV spacer lift

chorky

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It might be important to also discuss the location where your lift is installed.

Shop hourly rates can vary significantly. In my area, current rates are 175 - 225 / hour. I would imagine it would be at least 2 hours to install and align. So that would be about 600 bucks.

Shop rates seem to have skyrocketed in the last year, like everything else.
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SnazzGlad

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Is that including the lift kit? Or just install? I was quoted 1100 do JTR springs, front spacer, shocks,lower control arms. That’s me providing parts. It’s the only off road shop near me so needless to say I’m doing it myself. I was like you expecting 600 bucks.
 

Courtsm3

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Just did this kit, put it on my Mojave in my driveway without the convenience of a lift or a shop full of pneumatic tools. 4.5 hours with hand tools and jack stands. Everyone’s abilities are different but its not a hard kit. A good shop should be more than capable to do it in 4 hours at say $100/hr or so average. $1800 is criminal.
 

Minty JL

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Yeah $1800 is a quote for, nope I don't want to do it.

I did mine in about 6ish hours; also did an upgraded steering stabilizer and LCAs at the same time.
 

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LouisvEarlleJT

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A spacer lift is very simple to install, I wouldn't let someone charge you $1,800 to do it.
 

chorky

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A spacer lift is very simple to install, I wouldn't let someone charge you $1,800 to do it.
I second this -

So FWIW, I just called the only shop in town I would trust to work on my rig. To install the full AEV dual sport RT kit, with rear teraflex geo brackets, and front and rear track bars, and sector shaft brace plus alignment, for $1,300

Is that insane? I could install it myself but I hate wrenching anymore and have kids and other things Id rather be doing.

Id rather throw money at it but not that much.

What's a fair rate to install an AEV 2" spacer lift? I was anticipating closer to $600, not 3x that.

Anyone know of an outfit in south eastern CT that does this? Ive called around to a few shops and most don't want to do this job. Apparently not the one that gave me a quote either cause $1800 has got to be the ehh we don't want to do this but...
Very important distinction - was this price quote for the lift components and install? Or ONLY the install?

Theres no way other comments on here of $600 bucks includes the components and install.
 

j.o.y.ride

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Even though it's 'just' a spacer lift they still have to do all the same work involved in removing and reinstalling the springs. If there's drop brackets or shock extensions you're into the control arms and shocks as well.
 

LouisvEarlleJT

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Even though it's 'just' a spacer lift they still have to do all the same work involved in removing and reinstalling the springs. If there's drop brackets or shock extensions you're into the control arms and shocks as well.
Yeah, none of that is difficult. Especially for a shop with a lift and all the tools readily available. Should be looking at 2 hours labor to install that at an adequately equipped shop.
 

Bjeepz

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Not sure why ppl are getting alignments on a lift that has no adjustability in it...

Even if you do the drop brackets, the only thing the alignment will tell you is the new caster number, there is no camber adjustment and no reason for toe to change with a spacer lift unless you're adding other steering components and completely disassembling the front end. Install drop brackets with the middle hole and drive it, you can always switch to the last hole if you still find more wander than you like.

The steering wheel centering adjustment after lift does not require an alignment. This is another scam! it can be done with a piece of tape for visibility and a wrench on the ground in 10 minutes.

If a shop needs more than 4hrs to do this job it is the wrong shop.
 

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Mezak

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Try getting a quote from Globex in Jersey
 

chorky

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Not sure why ppl are getting alignments on a lift that has no adjustability in it...

Even if you do the drop brackets, the only thing the alignment will tell you is the new caster number, there is no camber adjustment and no reason for toe to change with a spacer lift unless you're adding other steering components and completely disassembling the front end. Install drop brackets with the middle hole and drive it, you can always switch to the last hole if you still find more wander than you like.

The steering wheel centering adjustment after lift does not require an alignment. This is another scam! it can be done with a piece of tape for visibility and a wrench on the ground in 10 minutes.

If a shop needs more than 4hrs to do this job it is the wrong shop.
just because you ‘can’ do it without an alignment doesnt mean you should. I would much rather look at the numbers and adjust on a lift rather than guess, have terrible handling or even a wreck, only to have to guess again…. Besides it could show other issues if by some chance one exists.
 

Jeeperjamie

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$852 for my Readylift 2.5" SST lift kit, install and Alignment that was everything included. My buddy just had the same lift kit put on his 2019 JLU and it was now $1025 for the same thing so it's went up in the 3yrs since I had mine installed but not like that. $1800 for a spacer install is just plain crazy. It's like 2hrs worth of work for a shop with a lift.
 

Jeeperjamie

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Even though it's 'just' a spacer lift they still have to do all the same work involved in removing and reinstalling the springs. If there's drop brackets or shock extensions you're into the control arms and shocks as well.
Still don't justify $1800. They did mine with the alignment in 2-1/2 hrs. I swap the shocks and front springs on mine to Rubicon takeoffs and added the front spacers back in the driveway with help from a buddy in 2hrs and we installed a adjustable track bar. No way you can justify $1800
 

Gren71

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Everyone keeps adding “alignment”

The only alignment that is done on the gladiators is resetting the toe and centering the steering wheel. Unless they’re changing your arms out theyre not messing with adjusting your caster. And even if they are, I somehow doubt most of the shops are actually going to give you the measurements.

A space or lift is incredibly easy to do on your own and well worth the $ savings and time. Resetting your toe only takes 10 or 15 minutes to do in your driveway with a basic lift and two jackstands and a measuring tape. You can even recenter your steering wheel while you’re there.
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