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View Full Version : Mod installation costs....



Matt Johnson
05-04-2006, 12:19 PM
Service manager at a local Ford dealership has agreed to install all of my mods (see my signature), minus the front brakes, under the radar on an upcoming Saturday at his dealership.

I feel good about him doing the work - he's worked on a couple of MM's before and is very familiar with the car. Plus, I like the idea of having it done by Ford people at a dealership so that in case they discover the dreaded axle wear problem while they're tearing open the rear end, I'm already "in house" to have it taken care of.

He's promised to get me in and out on that day (well, I'll drop the car off Friday afternoon, but get it back Saturday) and take care of a car for me to use while the MM is in the shop.

He's quoted me $1500 all in.

Is this a reasonable amount to pay for all of this, including my own peace of mind with regards to someone being familar with the car and the 'insurance' policy of having it done at the dealer in case other issues make themselves known?

Or am I getting jacked?

Breadfan
05-04-2006, 12:37 PM
Service manager at a local Ford dealership has agreed to install all of my mods (see my signature), minus the front brakes, under the radar on an upcoming Saturday at his dealership.

Is this a reasonable amount to pay for all of this...Or am I getting jacked?
You mean for all of this?

"Ford Racing 4.10 gears
Ford Racing rear girdle
SCT Reinhardt tune
Stallion Torque Converter
JLT Intake
Densos/Stat
Addco front and rear sway bars
Metco upper and lower control arms
Custom Pedals (including KB dead pedal)
Badgeless Grill by Zack"

I think it sounds fair for all of that work.

So you're saying he's gonna install all this?

Sounds like alot for one day...especially if he's working alone.

Fee sounds reasonable for all that.

But beware of "under the table" work. If the dealer didn't authorize the work and the price they probably won't honor any of it (or your warranty) if something goes wrong.

I'm not saying the guy is bad or anything, or trying to scam you, but I had a nightmare situation with "side work" at a damn Speedy Muffler shop.

Let me share my story...

In my case, I wanted the work done via invoice, through the company, totally straight up. The guy must've been hinting at side work and I didn't know about it - maybe I should've noticed it, but I missed it. I paid cash, and he was going to bend some pipes for me to fix the exhaust on my old Jaguar (my first car).

The car was without a cat-back, and not road legal, so he said no problem he could bend the pipes based on the old system. I gave the shop the tubing and old pipes.

I hardly had any cash, and paid the shop 250 bucks for the work. He screwed the pipes up royally and when I complained to the shop he got upset and said it was side work and that we couldn't go through the shop to get a refund.

I spent months haggling with that company, I don't even remember if I got my money back...I seem to recall them promising me a check but the check magically never appearing.

I ended up driving my car sans catback to a good shop and had a full custom catback fabricated and installed for $360. My bank account was in severe pain after that ordeal but atleast it was done professionally and with full warranty on the work. And they did some fine work.

I'm not saying side work is bad, getting someone to do you a favor for a few beers and a few bucks isn't a bad thing. But keep in mind the work generally doesn't come with a warranty and by saving money you assume more risk.

Anyway, just thought I'd share my experience. This post must've struck a chord. :) At least with this guy you know he is a good tech and knows the car, so you may have the upper hand.

Good luck!

KillJoy
05-04-2006, 12:38 PM
If you can turn a wrench, you can do the Front and Rear Sway Bars, Control Arms, Intake and Tune in one Saturday.

Ask me how I know ;)

I think it is too much. If they are doing this "under Radar", are you getting a reciept? Are they just pocketing the money? Will they warrant any issues caused by poor installation?

I would get a price for the Gears and the TC. That's about it, personally.

KillJoy

Matt Johnson
05-04-2006, 12:49 PM
Foolish as it may be, I'm not really concerned about receipts and warranty issues around mods. I'm of the mindset that as soon as you mod the car, all bets are off. I have no desire to battle Ford over warranty issues. Mine's almost gone anyway and I'm not extending it -- in fact, one of the reasons I waited this long to mod was so that I could get some life out of the original warranty and see if any problems showed up with the car 'out of the box'. They didn't. I don't expect anything on this car to be covered after the mods are put on, so that's kind of a non-issue with me. I've had almost 3 years of fun w/o mods, if I get another 3 with them, that's good enough for me.

I'm mostly interested in whether or not the labor time involved makes $1500 a reasonable, fair price, or not.

Breadfan
05-04-2006, 12:54 PM
Sure but I still don't see how he's going to start Saturday morning and install the intake and all those suspension components and have time left to drop the trans for a t/c install and take the time to install and setup your gears correctly and have the car back to you Saturday.

Not saying it can't be done, but personally it's more than I'd wish to promise in one day, even with a lift.

I'd have him do the gears first and then the TC, he'll want good energy and focus for getting the gears in good. :) I agree, the suspension parts shouldn't take too long or be too difficult, especially with a lift.

SergntMac
05-04-2006, 01:32 PM
1500 bucks for all that work would be a deal if done in my neighborhood, keep in mind that labor rates are different all over the country.

I struck a deal with my dealership years ago. If it's my mod stuff they are working on, I pay 75 bucks an hour, and I only pay for the time it takes, not what's in the flat rate books. I also tip nicely, which keeps everyone happy. Never a problem with any combacks, they stand by their work.

Next Tuesday, I have an appointment for an oil change and to replace the pinion seal (it's seeping), and I'll get all that for 50 bucks.

HwyCruiser
05-04-2006, 06:23 PM
I agree with Mac, that sounds fair for Ford certified tech work. My service dept has installed all my mechanical mods sans the FIT kit, and I even consulted with them on that. I've never had a go back on any of their work.

I also learned that I don't ask for quotes. If I ask for a quote, I get book labor (believe me, everything is in that damn book). If I just let them do their thing, I get a discounted labor rate on actual time and incidentals. Everything done on normal hours, the car gets run through the wash, and the take-offs are placed neatly in the trunk. Heck, I've even taken loaners for the big work.

Could I get this done cheaper at a local speed shop? Probably. Would I feel as comfortable about giving my keys to them? No way. There's a relationship and level of trust there that is worth more to me than a just a labor rate.

michael ward
05-05-2006, 10:36 PM
1500 bucks for all that work would be a deal if done in my neighborhood, keep in mind that labor rates are different all over the country.

I struck a deal with my dealership years ago. If it's my mod stuff they are working on, I pay 75 bucks an hour, and I only pay for the time it takes, not what's in the flat rate books. I also tip nicely, which keeps everyone happy. Never a problem with any combacks, they stand by their work.

Next Tuesday, I have an appointment for an oil change and to replace the pinion seal (it's seeping), and I'll get all that for 50 bucks. mac I have the exact same deal going at my dealer.. two weeks ago i saved $140 on my muth mirrors install :banana: