Frankenlift assembled vs. build

dgeist · **Posted:** Mon Aug 20, 2012 3:28 pm

Would someone who has experience with both installing pre-assembled spring/strut lifts and also assembling them from parts mind ball-parking the labor needed to build a pair of front assemblies (aside from what would be needed for any install, or course)? I'm debating on a pre-assembled and parts version of a CRD frankenlift premium. I know I COULD do it either way (have tools, skills, beer, pizza), but want to see if I will have the time needed to both build and install a lift on the time allotment I get from the family calendar.

Dan

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Aug 20, 2012 7:06 pm

Just the labor to have some one compress them which runs 40-80 bucks on the average
Then top 1/4 inch plate and clevis if you are adding them cost wise

At The Helm · **Posted:** Mon Aug 20, 2012 8:11 pm

Is a Crd fankenlift just an assembled ome lift? I didn't see daystar top plates or proprietary internal spacers on their parts list for the CRD franky. If it were me i would buy the regular spring lift and take it to a shop to compress the springs/assemble the front. If you have help then one guy can take the front parts to the shop while another does the rear. You also would have to deal with the COR deposit and sending parts back.

dgeist · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:23 am

The CRD frankenlift is nearly identical to gas, just different springs for the heavier load (and possibly one less spacer or something like that). BUT, I'm pretty sure the assembled and kit form use the same parts. The AllJ prices are as follows (from website):
CRD Frankenlift II PREMIUM: $1452.40 (includes $125 core charge for re-used parts)
OME-OME CRD SPRING LIFT: $871.94 (no top-places, isolators, or hardware as they're re-used)

minus the core charge and differences in shipping, that's a 455.46 premium for pre-assembled. I'm guessing the hardest part is safe disassembly of the old units for the re-used parts (which you have to do anyway for the core charge) and compressing the springs, etc.

Assuming a 100/hr labor rate, is teardown/assembly really a 4 hr job?

Dan

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 7:34 am

Nope not a 4 hour job
The whole lift ( front and rear ) including having someone do the springs for you is less than 4 hours

dgeist · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:57 am

tommudd wrote:

Nope not a 4 hour job
The whole lift ( front and rear ) including having someone do the springs for you is less than 4 hours

Even for someone who hasn't done 40 of them ? :wink:

Do you recommend "someone else doing the springs" because it's really hard to with manual compressors or simply for the safety factor?

Dan

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 12:09 pm

Although you can do 927s with those cheap little copressors
I would never even try to do the 790s
even using a air over compressor on my 790s one came loose and bounced off a wall 18 foot away
For me, I like my head attached so leave that part to someone with the right tools :wink:

And yes even someone who hasn't done many lifts it shouldn't take much time at all, all sort of common sense things to do

At The Helm · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:37 pm

Still scary and not easy compressing 400lb 927s at home, i wouldn't do 500lb 790s like this.

It took me 8 hours the first time with hand tools taking my sweet time labeling bolts and taking notes. It was the first lift i've done by myself. At the time i didn't have 18 or 21mm sockets, just wrenches. That really made it harder.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:41 pm

Wow, that thing looks deadly. :grim:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:56 pm

tommudd wrote:

Although you can do 927s with those cheap little copressors
I would never even try to do the 790s
even using a air over compressor on my 790s one came loose and bounced off a wall 18 foot away
For me, I like my head attached so leave that part to someone with the right tools :wink:

And yes even someone who hasn't done many lifts it shouldn't take much time at all, all sort of common sense things to do

No kidding.

Should try the newer GM and Ford front coilovers as there rated well over 500lbs from the factory :shock:

.I get scared with the correct coil spring compressor(wall mounted type).

TwoBobsKJ · **Joined:** Fri May 11, 2012 8:03 pm **Posts:** 463

So I took the advice of Rev Mudd and worked a deal with my local tire shop. Told them what I was doing to my Jeep and that I'd like to arrange a package deal for assembling my front shock assembly with the new shock/spring and then an alignment afterwards. They ended up charging me $15 more than just an alignment by itself cuz they knew I would be coming to them for new tires too.

There's NO WAY I would attempt to use a manual spring compressor on the fronts (I'm talking just the 927's) and the price of the pre-assembled Franky wasn't worth it FOR ME. But I would suggest the Franky for anyone who doesn't have a local shop that will work a deal or that they trust. In that case the Franky is worth it.

My 2 cents... :2cents:

Bob

Frankenlift assembled vs. build

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