Shop vs home install aev Mojave 2 inch + misc.

[f33d]

Got some stuff coming this week. Normally Install the majority of my own components.

I have a 2 inch aev spacer lift, correction brackets and a new fox ats 2.0 steering stabilizer coming.

Worthwhile to do this myself or pay a shop for 2-3 hours of work?

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[Mac]

I would do it myself just so I know it is done right. I would be surprised if a shop would install that for 2-3 hours, I would estimate double that.

 

[bigsky]

Debating exactly the same thing. I was just quoted $599 install on the 2" AEV for my Mojave with alignment. No idea if that's reasonable. Read stories of this lift taking 8-10 hrs to install yourself using jacks and jack stands.

 

[f33d]

I ended up just booking a local shop who did my old lifts. I’d rather pay someone with the proper tools for 2-3 hours vs my entire day of yelling at the dog lol

 

[Fouts]

So much better to do yourself. It’s one of the reasons I have owned Jeeps over the years. Also hard to imagine that people have cash to pay someone to do the work when that money could be put to better use. The whole “ my time is way more valuable” is bullshit as far as I am concerned.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

Debating exactly the same thing. I was just quoted $599 install on the 2" AEV for my Mojave with alignment. No idea if that's reasonable. Read stories of this lift taking 8-10 hrs to install yourself using jacks and jack stands.

What exactly are they going to align after a spacer lift? There's no adjustable arms.

 

[Challenger85]

I did it myself, it took me parts of 2 weekends. It was a pain but worth it.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

I did it myself, it took me parts of 2 weekends. It was a pain but worth it.

I'd rater give up a couple bucks than parts of 2 weekends but that's just me. I do some of my own work and tinkering but some stuff just doesn't make sense to not pay someone.

 

[Challenger85]

I'd rater give up a couple bucks than parts of 2 weekends but that's just me. I do some of my own work and tinkering but some stuff just doesn't make sense to not pay someone.

I definitely wouldn’t have paid someone $600+ to install this. I didn’t have a car lift or any knowledge of any of the suspension components. I started on a Sunday and did the back and did the front the next Saturday because I didn’t need my truck for anything. I also didn’t have any help so I did everything by myself.

 

[BajaTym]

IMHO, it all depends on your mechanical skill(s) and inclinations. I've installed several lifts on JKU's (and many other vehicles over the past 25 years) and I've got a lot of mechanical experience/tools, so I'd never pay someone to do it.

That being said, if you're in doubt of your skills it's probably best to have someone with experience help you, or if you don't have a buddy, pay a business. I can only imagine the fear and frustration if I found myself unable to reassemble my vehicles suspension.

Lastly, I've never had a lift installation take more than 1.5 days (and that was because it was very cold outside).

 

[j.o.y.ride]

I definitely wouldn’t have paid someone $600+ to install this. I didn’t have a car lift or any knowledge of any of the suspension components. I started on a Sunday and did the back and did the front the next Saturday because I didn’t need my truck for anything. I also didn’t have any help so I did everything by myself.

It all depends on the situation. Someone who doesn't have an impact wrench, torque wrench, tall enough jack stands, good floor jack is easily going to spend that $600 on tools. Yes... then they have those tools, for sure. But if this is all they're ever gonna do and they don't have any experience with it, then $600 for someone else to do it is just fine.

Let alone someone who lives in an apartment where they don't have the space. Plenty of people who would pay for this to be done and it's fine.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

So much better to do yourself. It’s one of the reasons I have owned Jeeps over the years. Also hard to imagine that people have cash to pay someone to do the work when that money could be put to better use. The whole “ my time is way more valuable” is bullshit as far as I am concerned.

Usually the most annoying conceited people in the gym are the guys are are benching around 315-350. Yeah they've certainly achieved a good amount of gains but they're nowhere close to what the real heavy lifters can do. These are usually the 'bros'.

The heavylifters, they know how much insane work it takes and are appreciative of whatever people are able to do. They look at anyone in the gym as a win, trying to workout and get stronger. The newbies are just trying to get better and leave everyone else alone.

It's those middle people that are obnoxious. In the Jeep world, these middle obnoxious people are those feeling superiority for turning a wrench.

Don't be a bro.

 

[mx5red]

It all depends on the situation. Someone who doesn't have an impact wrench, torque wrench, tall enough jack stands, good floor jack is easily going to spend that $600 on tools. Yes... then they have those tools, for sure. But if this is all they're ever gonna do and they don't have any experience with it, then $600 for someone else to do it is just fine.

Let alone someone who lives in an apartment where they don't have the space. Plenty of people who would pay for this to be done and it's fine.

^this
I’m cheap so I always “think” it’s worth it to do the work. But I’ve spent thousands buying all my tools and I don’t even need them for anything else. If you don’t already have sockets, wrenches, impacts, breakers, jacks, stands, etc.. it may not be worth it.

This is my hobby so I spend the money and time to learn how to do it. But if it’s too complicated or if you don’t have the garage space then it’s worth it to pay somebody.

 

[MJRSC]

Usually the most annoying conceited people in the gym are the guys are are benching around 315-350. Yeah they've certainly achieved a good amount of gains but they're nowhere close to what the real heavy lifters can do. These are usually the 'bros'.

The heavylifters, they know how much insane work it takes and are appreciative of whatever people are able to do. They look at anyone in the gym as a win, trying to workout and get stronger. The newbies are just trying to get better and leave everyone else alone.

It's those middle people that are obnoxious. In the Jeep world, these middle obnoxious people are those feeling superiority for turning a wrench.

Don't be a bro.

This was very well said. Especially when the argument is “at least I know it’ll get done right….” That’s a lot of confidence that in some cases may be misplaced.

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

This was very well said. Especially when the argument is “at least I know it’ll get done right….” That’s a lot of confidence that in some cases may be misplaced.

Yup. Like I mentioned in another thread. I’ve never know someone that lifted their own vehicle that didn’t end up having to fuck about under it in subsequent weekends to chase down an issue or fix something that broke because of something they installed.

If someone chooses to have selective amnesia and forget about that time they they had to fix ‘X’ so they could instead regale folks with tales about how they wasted their free time and money on tools that they’ll get to use over and over again to fix their own fuck ups…more power to them.

Been there and done that with vehicle lift and lowering kits. Why does it take people 7-8 hours (mentioned in previous posts) to install a lift? We’ll…you don’t have the right tools (I.e. a lift) to get the job done in a timely manner. I can easily see how a tech in a shop that knows what they’re doing could bang out a lift install in 2-3 hours.

I get it though. For folks that don’t have a house to maintain, a family to spend time with, etc. why not spent your time crawling around under and bonding with a depreciating asset? ?

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