Being Swindled???

MP Jeeper · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:09 pm

Okay, couple weeks ago i posted about getting an ARB installed. Well, unfortunately, after getting all the details the job was a bit more than i can afford so i ended up getting a Detroit TT (rear).

When i called a couple weeks ago & got an estimate for the ARB the guy told me about 5.5 - 6hrs labor ($635). i called back today, this time for the Detroit TT, and he gave me the same estimate. :shock:

i mentioned the previos quote and inquired as to how the TT, so much less intensive, could possibly be the same time in labor. He gave me some song & dance about Chrysler's formula for rebuild on the rear and i'm sorry, but i'm just not hearin' it!

You cannot tell me it takes the same time to install a TT as it does an ARB w/air lines & compressor.

So once again, i would really appreciate if anyone can weigh in on about how many hours labor i should be expecting to install the Detroit TT (rear). Thanx guys.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:14 pm

All J's charges the following for a gear/ARB install:
Axle gear install labor - $420
ARB install Labor - $80

Not including the air line hookups, compressor, etc. Just gears and the ARB installed in the diff w/ hole drilled for the air line in the housing.

Your quotes sound high but then I am spoiled by All J's.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:16 pm

Oh wait...if that first price for the ARB included compressor installation, running air lines, wiring, etc. then it was a great deal but not so much just for a TT.

moose · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:48 pm

It doesn't matter what you put in. If you do a full carrier swap, look for 5-7 hours of a skilled mechanich. If you do a lunchbox locker, well, it's a lot lessdepending on your skill level. The extra work for the ARB is minimal, maybe an extra hour or two. I have the same issue with my rear D44 in my Wrangler. I have a LSD, so when I want to put a locker in, it will require a full carrier swap (either to an open diff with an Aussie, or a full Detroit locker) with setting of backlash and other stuff that I have NO intention of doing. I have been quoted similar (although not as high) prices for that work.

bugnout · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:53 pm

Labor on mine for installing ARB lockers, both front and back, installing compressor, switches etc, new 4:10 gears, new axles in the rear was $790 including the shop charge for oil and parts.

$635 for just the rear seems excessive.

Shop around, get on your local 4wd club boards and ask for recommendations. I did that and got 5 or 6 leads.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:36 pm

bugnout wrote:

Labor on mine for installing ARB lockers, both front and back, installing compressor, switches etc, new 4:10 gears, new axles in the rear was $790 including the shop charge for oil and parts.

$635 for just the rear seems excessive.

Shop around, get on your local 4wd club boards and ask for recommendations. I did that and got 5 or 6 leads.

Now that was a steal!! Did that include R&R of the front axle or did they do it in the vehicle?

Guest · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:28 pm

Save money and do it yourself. that labor charge can be put toward an ARB or TT for the front;)

loosvelt · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:11 pm

That's high,

in my area 4wd shops charge $300 for non-selectable swap, $375 for selectable. Kinda close to what that bug guy paid.

jason thompson · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:18 pm

That sounds very high
however in your post you mentioned "some song & dance about Chrysler's formula for rebuild on the rear and i'm sorry"
is this from a dealer? if so that is your problem

I would figure about 6 hours MAX labor for the rear diff so unless you find a shop with set prices this is a good start
now the compressor and air lines are cake
do that your self and save some money also you will know where the air lines run so when you bust one you will know where to look and how to fix it

last I would not ever compare or put an ARB in a choice war with a Detroit TT to very different animals
off road the ARB will be better hands down
on road you can open it up like it is not even there
clearly the ARB is a better choice

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:35 pm

Find a good 4x4 shop that has set rates.

I only paid $430 for my ARB/gear install on my HP44,but that also included welding all the mounts on(TJ mounts,minus spring pads),custom fabbing(and welding) a truss/brace for the UCA mounts,and re-drilling and tapping my passenger side Crane knuckle for larger studs.

USAFCOP paid a little more(about $30) but had ARB's/gears installed in his HP44 and 9",no other work done but install.

bugnout · **Posted:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:45 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

bugnout wrote:

Labor on mine for installing ARB lockers, both front and back, installing compressor, switches etc, new 4:10 gears, new axles in the rear was $790 including the shop charge for oil and parts.

$635 for just the rear seems excessive.

Shop around, get on your local 4wd club boards and ask for recommendations. I did that and got 5 or 6 leads.

Now that was a steal!! Did that include R&R of the front axle or did they do it in the vehicle?

I have a spare diff, IIRC The itemized bill showed about $250 for the install of the ARB in the spare diff before I brought my KJ in for R&R of the front and install of the ARB in the rear. That means the it was about $550 for the balance of the work.

Straight6Jeff · **Posted:** Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:38 am

IF it takes a skilled mechanic 6 hours to install a carrier...run away and find someone who is not trying to corn-hole you. 5-6 hours for a complete rebuild...ring, pinion, outer bearings, carrier bearings should not take even four hours. the Chrysler 8.25 has a threaded carrier bearing preload and backlash adjustment...easy and fast. The AAM is about the only rear dif to set up (not including the ford 9'inch and old toyota removable carrier).

A routine swap of the detroit TT, where the pinion gear remains original, it takes about an hour 1.5 hours.

Just remember...the "L" on the ring gear bolts means left hand thread.

Even with a completely grenaded D80 where it takes an hour to clean the metal frags out of the housing, it usually takes about five hours, and those require a case spreader, and to set the BL and PL, you must swap shims side to side (must pull bearings each time).

MP Jeeper · **Posted:** Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:00 am

Thanx 4 all the input guys. In light of all this information i did some searching and found a local Jeep shop who'll do the work for $435. This sounds pretty consistent w/what many of you are stating for the TT and it's much more reasonable than what i was quoted for originally.

Trust me, i'm well aware of the difference between ARB locker & Detroit TT but, as i said, the ARB was just out of my price range. :cry:

Thanx again :wink:

BTW, the original quote was from a dealer -- Schaumburg Jeep, IL

moose · **Posted:** Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:03 pm

MP Jeeper wrote:

BTW, the original quote was from a dealer -- Schaumburg Jeep, IL

Well then, you should have known it was 50-100% over priced to start with

jason thompson · **Posted:** Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:11 pm

MP Jeeper wrote:

Thanx 4 all the input guys. In light of all this information i did some searching and found a local Jeep shop who'll do the work for $435. This sounds pretty consistent w/what many of you are stating for the TT and it's much more reasonable than what i was quoted for originally.

Trust me, i'm well aware of the difference between ARB locker & Detroit TT but, as i said, the ARB was just out of my price range. :cry:

Thanx again :wink:

BTW, the original quote was from a dealer -- Schaumburg Jeep, IL

Then save your money and get what you want dont rush it

bugnout · **Posted:** Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:31 pm

MP Jeeper wrote:

Thanx 4 all the input guys. In light of all this information i did some searching and found a local Jeep shop who'll do the work for $435. This sounds pretty consistent w/what many of you are stating for the TT and it's much more reasonable than what i was quoted for originally.

Trust me, i'm well aware of the difference between ARB locker & Detroit TT but, as i said, the ARB was just out of my price range. :cry:

Thanx again :wink:

BTW, the original quote was from a dealer -- Schaumburg Jeep, IL

Well, why didn't you say so... I didn't realize you were in the area.

Get a quote from Attitude Performance in Arlington Heights. Thats who did the work for me. Very satisfied.
http://www.attitudeperformance.com/

MP Jeeper · **Posted:** Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:11 am

Thanx Bug, i'll check them out too. Are you going to make it to our next Badlands excursion?

Hey, am i hijacking my own thread? :lol:

bugnout · **Posted:** Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:21 pm

Going to try

Being Swindled???

Who is online