1 inch leveling kit / Dealer service dept experience

[WetWilly]

So I went to our local 4x4 shop in my area, I was less than impressed with the staff or the appearance of the shop. So I decided I would just go and see what the dealer says where I bought it.
I told the service desk jockey that I had interest in getting a front leveling kit done, and I had been looking at Teraflex 1 inch leveling kit. He instantly went into this Mopar parts speech and nothing but Mopar would work.. I told him I had owned many Jeeps, but ok just get me an estimate together. He said he would and would call me as soon as he had the estimate together.
A week and a half went by and he called while I was out, instead of leaving a detailed estimate, he left a number to call back. Then it was phone tag for a few days.
When I finally talked to him, he said $ 800.00 for parts and labor, (spring spacers and bumps stops) and that he would have to order the parts
and he said they were aftermarket parts, I asked him about his speech on Mopar (only) parts and he deflected off of that and moved on to scheduling . My question is does that seem like a normal dealer deal ? I know the Teraflex kit is around $110.00 bucks and I would think an equipped service dept about 3-4 hour max labor.
Any of you have quotes you received from a Dodge dealer for the same job ? I have gotten to old to wrestle with lift kits, and have considered just doing it myself, I have all of the equipment needed and the experience. I have just gotten lazy in my old age.

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[NachoRuby]

That sounds expensive. Very expensive, for a leveling kit. Parts are like $150, and labor is maybe 2 hours, at most for front only. What is their rate, and what are they quoting as shop time?

 

[WetWilly]

That sounds expensive. Very expensive, for a leveling kit. Parts are like $150, and labor is maybe 2 hours, at most for front only. What is their rate, and what are they quoting as shop time?

I didn't even ask hour rate, when he quoted $800 that was enough for me. Now the local 4x4 shop quoted 268.00 and I furnish parts, which sounded reasonable to me. But like I said it appeared very unprofessional and unorganized. They started out telling me 1 1/2 was not available for it. So I thanked them and moved on.

 

[NachoRuby]

$268 sounds reasonable. I would not pay more than $300 for labor, having done this first hand.

 

[Jefe1018]

3-4 hours for a front level? Give me a break!

I ultimately went with the Mopar lift, but my dealer quoted me $450 for the spacer with all labor and an alignment.

A local and reputable off road shop quoted me $290.00 otd.

 

[WetWilly]

$268 sounds easonable. I would not pay more than $300 for labor, having done this first hand.

Yes I agree, I have done them before. I just don't have the get up and go I had in those days.

 

[WetWilly]

3-4 hours for a front level? Give me a break!

I ultimately went with the Mopar lift, but my dealer quoted me $450 for the spacer with all labor and an alignment.

A local and reputable off road shop quoted me $290.00 otd.

I was giving benefit of the doubt when I said 3-4 max in my opinion. And the $450.00 is where my mind was at, somewhere in that price range

 

[Jefe1018]

I was giving benefit of the doubt when I said 3-4 max in my opinion. And the $450.00 is where my mind was at, somewhere in that price range

Totally get where you're coming from, you expect them to jack up the rate on you. Not sure how familiar you are with our trucks but I, a semi-trained brute force monkey, could probably do one in my garage with a jack, some stands and hand tools (not the M18 ugg duggas I've come to love) in roughly an hour or two. You realistically shouldn't need an alignment, but it's good practice. On a $50,000-$60,000 truck I would just get it checked and corrected anyways.

 

[WetWilly]

Totally get where you're coming from, you expect them to jack up the rate on you. Not sure how familiar you are with our trucks but I, a semi-trained brute force monkey, could probably do one in my garage with a jack, some stands and hand tools (not the M18 ugg duggas I've come to love) in roughly an hour or two. You realistically shouldn't need an alignment, but it's good practice. On a $50,000-$60,000 truck I would just get it checked and corrected anyways.

I have about settled into the idea of doing it myself. Maybe Fall or Winter, I have lived in Florida all of my life, everything goes on hold until Fall or Winter.. I will use one of those three days to get it done LOL

 

[Jefe1018]

I have about settled into the idea of doing it myself. Maybe Fall or Winter, I have lived in Florida all of my life, everything goes on hold until Fall or Winter.. I will use one of those three days to get it done LOL

Everything but the beach!

Living in the southwest and it already being in the triple digits means its going to be a long hot summer. Thankfully I can crack the door open and turn on the swamp cooler and be in good shape in the garage.

 

[aceisback]

Everything but the beach!

Living in the southwest and it already being in the triple digits means its going to be a long hot summer. Thankfully I can crack the door open and turn on the swamp cooler and be in good shape in the garage.

Them folks down in the South and Southeast wondering how you cool a swamp!???

Having spent twenty eight years in 29 Palms I’m hearing ya.
And being a Razorback to the core I too would have liked to have been able to cool that shit down back there.
Some folks have no idea how comfortable 110* in the shade with 5% humidity actually is. I’ll take it over any 80* day in the MidSouth/SouthEast from July through September.

 

[steve68]

Are you talking about the land of Humidity and Rain!! just wait till next year when the 395K new residents start leaving cause of the weather!! git back to where you came from!!!! and I'm no fan of the swamp anymore either!!

Dealer can't even wash a car the right way, spacer kit, tackle it yourself, tools, skills, and a cool morning, your done before you sweat through a second T-shirt, LOL.......

Excuse me while go outside and sweat!

 

[tom.mary.glad]

WetWilly - I'm just jealous of your occupation.

 

[NC_Overland]

Them folks down in the South and Southeast wondering how you cool a swamp!???

Having spent twenty eight years in 29 Palms I’m hearing ya.
And being a Razorback to the core I too would have liked to have been able to cool that shit down back there.
Some folks have no idea how comfortable 110* in the shade with 5% humidity actually is. I’ll take it over any 80* day in the MidSouth/SouthEast from July through September.

I grew up in GA, live in the SE currently, but lived out west for several years. Hot is hot. The sun is dangerous out there. I’ll take the SE any day other your oppressive heat and dangerous sun.

 

[WetWilly]

WetWilly - I'm just jealous of your occupation.

I retired with all the benefits, flip flops and moisture wicking T shirts ! Life is good on the Gulf Coast as long as the no see ums are out courting the Mosquitoes .

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