Denver Service Prices!?
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Colorado, USA
Denver Service Prices!?
Well...I have done some calling to my dealer this morning for estimates. I was looking to have the 3.73:1 gears put in. The price they quoted was $700 for labor, and $199 for the gears. the Mitchel book shows 5.5 hours for this job. That tells me they are charging about $125/hr. So...after my hysterical laughter died down, I asked how much they would charge if I had the install done elsewhere, and just needed the compter reprogrammed for the speedometer. They quoted $140. That seems to me to be about twice what it should cost! What is up with Phil Long Ford, in Denver?!
------------------
AtomHeart
2000 Silver Lightnin'
1969 Ford Fairlane Cobra R code w/ 3.91 dragpack
atomhart@cyberhighway.net
------------------
AtomHeart
2000 Silver Lightnin'
1969 Ford Fairlane Cobra R code w/ 3.91 dragpack
atomhart@cyberhighway.net
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Colorado, USA
Ok...just checked Courtesy Ford in Denver also, and they are showing 8 hours of labor on that job too, for an estimate of $680. Why are these prices so high? Anyone have any suggestions?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,487
Likes: 0
From: Oak Point, Texas
My calculations indicate that the barometric pressure/altitude corrections should make service prices approximately 75% higher than at sea level. My installation fee of $375 falls in line with your numbers. 
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Colorado, USA
Whoa! Just to throw a REAL monkey wrench into everything...I just called Deluxe Speedo, here in Denver, and the head tech there tells me that on the 2000 F150 the computer doesn't even need recalibrating after the gears are in, because the sensor is after the differential rings. ?! WHAT?! Can anyone confirm or deny this tomfoolery? Is he high on crack? Surely the 2000 isn't any different than the '99 Lightnings, and all of you guys needed the speedo reprogrammed, didn't you?!
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
1st The dealer is on crack.Although some GM products do have (2) sensors In the rear end.They do not have anything to do with calibration of your speedometer.They do have to do with transmission computer controls.
2nd.Rear end gear changes are not at all a easy quick job.There are alot of things you need to do.The gears are usually in and out of your rearend many times before the actual shims and everything is lined up.Those labor prices are set high because it is not one of those jobs That are the same everytime.It could be done in 3 hours or 12.It all depends on how things go.They are quoting you high so you do not complain if they quote you for a lower price and then it is a 12 hour job ......and then its back up to $700 again.I had $1100 into my 96 vortec rear end by the time it was done.Even the shims that came with my precision gears did not work.The shims themselves had to be shaved.What a pain in the a$$.If everything is not perfect, you will end up on the side of the road real soon or.....You will hear a whine all the time.If any of you hear a whine and the dealer tells you "it is normal for High gears", he is lying.If gears are set up properly they will not whine.Be thankful you have a factory locker.My LO-RITE
Locker use to clunk and sound like a bad c/v joint around corners when I was not on the gas.This is how they are made.Boy the things you will do for traction......
2nd.Rear end gear changes are not at all a easy quick job.There are alot of things you need to do.The gears are usually in and out of your rearend many times before the actual shims and everything is lined up.Those labor prices are set high because it is not one of those jobs That are the same everytime.It could be done in 3 hours or 12.It all depends on how things go.They are quoting you high so you do not complain if they quote you for a lower price and then it is a 12 hour job ......and then its back up to $700 again.I had $1100 into my 96 vortec rear end by the time it was done.Even the shims that came with my precision gears did not work.The shims themselves had to be shaved.What a pain in the a$$.If everything is not perfect, you will end up on the side of the road real soon or.....You will hear a whine all the time.If any of you hear a whine and the dealer tells you "it is normal for High gears", he is lying.If gears are set up properly they will not whine.Be thankful you have a factory locker.My LO-RITE
Locker use to clunk and sound like a bad c/v joint around corners when I was not on the gas.This is how they are made.Boy the things you will do for traction......
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Colorado, USA
ok...that makes sense. But...I got a quote of $300 from National Differential. Is it unwise to accept that? Is the Ford dealer gonna be able to do as good a job as a differential specialty shop? They are estimating $300...but I dont want a "rush job", if you think it could take up to 12 hours to get it right. And even then, I would still have to have Ford recalibrate my speedo for $140. I'm so confused. Hehe.
Really Old "Member"
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw, Ga. USA
LQ, Atomheart and others:
I may be way off base here, but is it not possible to purchase a complete third member with the desired rear axle ratio from a salvage yard and just install it?
Even though I own a Lightning and was at one time (a year ago) totally absorbed with all of the specs., I kind of forget what rear end we have. I think I remember it is the same as an Expy, which I think I also recall was a bit more heavy duty than the standard F150 third member.
In any case, it might just be that you could swap more or less any suitable third member into a Lightning and avoid all of the hassle of all the adjusting/shimming and what not.
Any experts out there??
Bill
I may be way off base here, but is it not possible to purchase a complete third member with the desired rear axle ratio from a salvage yard and just install it?
Even though I own a Lightning and was at one time (a year ago) totally absorbed with all of the specs., I kind of forget what rear end we have. I think I remember it is the same as an Expy, which I think I also recall was a bit more heavy duty than the standard F150 third member.
In any case, it might just be that you could swap more or less any suitable third member into a Lightning and avoid all of the hassle of all the adjusting/shimming and what not.
Any experts out there??
Bill
