I have an '04 F-150 and recently bought the Daystar 2.5 inch leveling kit. I'm not willing to try installing this myself because I don't have the resources or the know how to do it confidently. I work at Park Place Lexus dealership and the cheapest the techs will do it for is $300, even though they are ex-Ford guys. They think it will be a pretty tough job, but I can't afford to spend 3x the amount I paid for the actual kit on installation, I am a poor college kid anyways. If anyone in the DFW area is capable of this install or could lend a hand, I would be willing to pay and would be extremely appreciative. Or if you could recommend a shop that would work with me on the price a little, 4wheelparts wants over $300 as well. Too damn expensive... Thanks.

 

If you figure that the hourly labor charge is $50/hr at a minimum and it is a 2-3 hour job plus an alignment $300 doesn't really sound too bad.
I posted pics of my skyjacker/daystar install last week. It is extremely easy, but I had air tools which make it a very easy install.b

 

When I installed my Autospring, I had a buddy mechanic help me. He has a garage in Grand Prairie with a few lifts that made it easy work. But that was the Autospring.

You're talking Daystar, which from what I have read, involces a great deal more than just removing the strut and putting the spacer on top. You're talking about compressing the spring and some other things. $300 is probably about what you would expect for a 3 hour job.

BTW the Autospring took us about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

 

I can't speak about the Daystar, but the ride quality has remained the same with the Autospring. I have not noticed anything different about the driveline or the ride.

 

$300 was quoted as an outside job at the dealership. I could have a service manager write me a ticket to do the work as another option, at $45/hr work fee. If it will take less than 5 hours, I think it might be worth it to just have it done that way. Even though the technicians are really nice guys, I'm pretty sure they are trying to get more than their times worth of money by doing an outside job.

 

$300 sounds a little high to me. I just installed autospring today(myself) less than 2 hrs. If they are real mechanics, there is no way in hell it would take 5 hrs(even w/ daystar kit, which requies spring compression)As for the ques of ride quality.. no difference w the autospring kit as it does not compress the spring.

 

Mechanics do not charge for the actual time it takes to perform a repair or to add an item. They usually charge according to how much time it probably takes according to a book. If it takes them less time then they make out good.

I'm no mechanic, but it took me 1.5 hours to install my skyjacker 2.5 level kit...and I took pictures.

 

$300 is too much, and thats coming from an ex Ford mech. It took me about 1.5-2 hours total to install the complete Daystar kit and that was in my driveway ,not in a garage bay. That means that if they are as capable they will earn $100- 150 an hour. I never made that kind of money when I was a mech. I wish you were closer , I would do it for you for 100 bucks and let you take it in for an alignment check. Keep looking around and maybe you will find a shop that wont rip you a new one for that small amount of work. Good luck. :santa:

 

You should be paying 1/2 that! $300?, bend over!!! Shop around...

 

Grayflare,

Does the Daystar leveling kit require you to compress the springs? If not, I am willing to tackle this at home. I was hesitant when I saw the earlier post that indicated you have to compress the coil springs.

Thanks for your help.

 

youll have to compress with the daystar kit the autospring kit you dont

 

TEX:
I'm from the DFW metroplex and I have the 04 supercrew 4x4. Four wheel parts in fort worth quoted me $250.05 for the daystar 2.5" level kit and install. Their phone number is 817-560-2455. hope this helps.