Shop time for coilover and struts replacement?

[Foodieguy]

Howdy. Pricing out replacing all four corners with new coilovers and shocks on my fx4. Local 4x4 shop is quoting 5 hours labor, which seems a bit high based on what I've seen here. Does not include alignment or adjusting headlights (1hr for the headlights prob will do that myself).

The shop rate is pretty good though and they seem to be one of the few 4x4 shops locally that will install stuff the customer brings in. I was expecting more along 3.5 - 4 hrs, what is the general consensus? thx!

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[AzScorpion]

Howdy. Pricing out replacing all four corners with new coilovers and shocks on my fx4. Local 4x4 shop is quoting 5 hours labor, which seems a bit high based on what I've seen here. Does not include alignment or adjusting headlights (1hr for the headlights prob will do that myself).

The shop rate is pretty good though and they seem to be one of the few 4x4 shops locally that will install stuff the customer brings in. I was expecting more along 3.5 - 4 hrs, what is the general consensus? thx!

I dropped mine off for the day but 4-5 hours sounds about right. You will absolutely love the new suspension as it makes a huge difference especially when getting rid of the junk Fx4 shocks!

The headlight adjustment is easy and yes definitely do it yourself. If you pre-mark your back garage wall with some blue tape at the stock height it makes it easier to adjust it once done.

Here's a link for some good pictures on where the adjustment screw is.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/fyi-headlight-adjustment-after-lift.2874/

 

[JesseS]

I had all swapped out to EiBach's, billed 4 hours that included the alignment.

 

[RangerPNW]

Their numbers might be a bit high if they haven't done a ranger before. I bet they come in under that

 

[AzScorpion]

Also make sure you get 2 new axle nuts as they really should be replaced. I got them through @LevittownFordParts.com and here's the the part number for them. KB3Z-3B477-A

 

[got3fords]

It would only take an hour to adjust the headlights if you have to drive around and find a flat area and a smooth wall or building. I adjusted mine against a parked tour bus in a parking lot

 

[Bob902]

I did it myself. The rear shocks took about 20 minutes. The front was about three hours. I am not a mechanic and this was the first time I had ever replaced coilovers. I would think a competent mechanic would do it a little faster. Nothing to adjusting the headlights. My local plaza tire did the alignment in half an hour.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

It seems about right. Maybe a touch high but not wildly out of line. They might be building in time to swap coil over springs onto your new fronts (some use your OEM coils).

The Ford manual calls for a number of front suspension part nuts, including the large axle nuts Dave mentioned, to be replaced during this swap. If they follow that guidance, expect to pay out a bit more for those items ($60 or so).

You’ll love the new look and the way it handles.

 

[D Fresh]

My brother in law and I did mine in about 4 hours. That was including rear leafs.

A competent shop should be able to do it in 2-3. But many will charge "book time" no matter how long it takes.

 

[Foodieguy]

Also make sure you get 2 new axle nuts as they really should be replaced. I got them through @LevittownFordParts.com and here's the the part number for them. KB3Z-3B477-A

Thx for the reminder. Somewhere I have saved a parts list for all of the replaceable parts that go into this swap. Will hit up @LevittownFordParts.com when the time comes.

 

[9zero1790]

i had one shop tell me the "computer says" 8 hours. apparently some shops use a system that is making folks think they have to get under the hood and remove stuff like the ranger has strut towers or some mess. when i showed them it does not and its all possible hood closed they said about half the time. about 800 for alignment and the front struts being swapped. did the rear shocks myself. very easy drive way swap on the rear.

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