Author Topic: Quote to install body lift (Read 2913 times)

Eric_FXST · « **on:** January 26, 2011, 02:22:53 PM »

I just received a quote to install my body lift. I was told $750-$1000.
I'm anticipating closer to the $1000 range.

I thought guys were saying around $5-600?

Ski Edition · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2011, 02:54:24 PM »

If I go to get a quote for a job that is a kit with minimal variations, I'm looking for a firm price, not a range. The range tells me that they have not done a BL on your particular vehicle. They may have done 100's of BL, but if they haven't done an AV, I'd find someone who has. Doing a BL on an AV is not like a truck, with cab and bed mounts. I know a couple of guys that had theirs done for $350, but had mine done for $500. Just my

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2011, 03:18:43 PM »

The shop charged me $400 to do mine but I have efans and no tranny cooler which saved them time (that and I had a ton of other work done there). They had never done an Avy before but have done well over 100 other lifts on trucks so they have a lot of experience with this sort of thing. I wonder how many hours they're figuring it's going to take to do it.

chevyfan · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2011, 04:22:30 PM »

I paid $250 to have mine installed with a garage that has done 100's of suspension and body lifts. I did help at that price and it took a total of 9 hours with 3 people working on it. Definetly shop around and go with somebody you feel comfortable with. Also stop people around town that have lifts and find out there opinion.

Eric_FXST · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2011, 09:22:38 PM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on January 26, 2011, 03:18:43 PM

I wonder how many hours they're figuring it's going to take to do it.

They are thinking 8-10 hours.
Yes, I think I'm going to check around. ;)

Eric_FXST · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2011, 10:11:18 AM »

I checked with 4 different shops.
One was $750, another $699, and yet another $750.
The fourth is a tire place that has about a half dozen kids doing install work. They move A LOT of product. They work out of a single stall garage. But they said they have done many different suspension lifts and feel a body lift is easier. They quoted me at $59 an hour and so no way it will go above $500. He said closer to $400.

Question is...would YOU trust this? Is there much to a body lift? This guy acted like it was no big deal, they would bang it out in 1 day.

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2011, 10:40:39 AM »

Quote from: Eric_FXST on January 27, 2011, 10:11:18 AM

I checked with 4 different shops.
One was $750, another $699, and yet another $750.
The fourth is a tire place that has about a half dozen kids doing install work. They move A LOT of product. They work out of a single stall garage. But they said they have done many different suspension lifts and feel a body lift is easier. They quoted me at $59 an hour and so no way it will go above $500. He said closer to $400.

Question is...would YOU trust this? Is there much to a body lift? This guy acted like it was no big deal, they would bang it out in 1 day.

Does he have any previous customers you can talk to for references? That seems a lot more in line with what others have paid experienced shops. Those kids working there might also be the type that have been turning wrenches under cars since they were old enough to crawl under there with their fathers. Does he offer any kind of warranty on his work? How does his shop look? Is it clean and neat (for a shop) or a total disorganized pigsty? That would tell me if they can keep their stuff organized or not.

MyBigToy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2011, 11:33:29 AM »

Quote from: Eric_FXST on January 27, 2011, 10:11:18 AM

I checked with 4 different shops.
One was $750, another $699, and yet another $750.
The fourth is a tire place that has about a half dozen kids doing install work. They move A LOT of product. They work out of a single stall garage. But they said they have done many different suspension lifts and feel a body lift is easier. They quoted me at $59 an hour and so no way it will go above $500. He said closer to $400.

Question is...would YOU trust this? Is there much to a body lift? This guy acted like it was no big deal, they would bang it out in 1 day.

A body lift isn't a big deal and they should be able to get it done in somewhere between 6 & 8 hours. You basically loosen all the body mount hardware, jack one side of the vehicle up at a time, install the spacers, lower that side down, and repeat for the other side. That said, you have to watch wire harnesses, hoses, brake lines, etc. while you are jacking and lowering the body. You don't want to trap, pinch, or crush any of these. Then, probably the biggest part is spacing the bumpers up to remove the gap created when the body moved up (if the brackets weren't included with the kit, and many times they are not). I'd suggest you consider adding gap guards for the wheel wells also.

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2011, 12:08:36 PM »

Oh. The PA kit does come with the longer ground straps you need and the longer bracket for the parking brake. I would suggest you have that bracket welded because the location of the ONE bolt hole in it allows it to bend backwards. There's a steering column extension also but that isn't a big deal. It should also have the bumper relocation brackets. Make sure you order the one for the cladded ('02 kit) to get the correct brackets

Make sure you buy some of those notorious body clips as you'll break a few off taking off the front bumper cover. It'd be best to have them on hand when you take the truck to them. They can be found on ebay dirt cheap. I'd recommend 15-20 of them to be safe. Avalanche cladding clips is what to look for.

As MBT said and after reading through the instruction booklet that comes with it, It isn't as big of a job that some people make it out to be. Just labor intensive. I would feel confident doing one in my drive with a competent helper now that I know what all is involved and providing I had all the proper air tools to make life easier. THAT ISN'T AN INVITATION TO BRING IT HERE THOUGH.

MyBigToy · « **Reply #9 on:** January 27, 2011, 12:34:11 PM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on January 27, 2011, 12:08:36 PM

Oh. The PA kit does come with the longer ground straps you need and the longer bracket for the parking brake. I would suggest you have that bracket welded because the location of the ONE bolt hole in it allows it to bend backwards. There's a steering column extension also but that isn't a big deal. It should also have the bumper relocation brackets. Make sure you order the one for the cladded ('02 kit) to get the correct brackets

Make sure you buy some of those notorious body clips as you'll break a few off taking off the front bumper cover. It'd be best to have them on hand when you take the truck to them. They can be found on ebay dirt cheap. I'd recommend 15-20 of them to be safe. Avalanche cladding clips is what to look for.

As MBT said and after reading through the instruction booklet that comes with it, It isn't as big of a job that some people make it out to be. Just labor intensive. I would feel confident doing one in my drive with a competent helper now that I know what all is involved and providing I had all the proper air tools to make life easier. THAT ISN'T AN INVITATION TO BRING IT HERE THOUGH.

Of course you added some specifics I forgot about. I couldn't use the steering spacer on my Sonoma as it caused the steering to bind. I also had to modify the shift linkage but the extension rod to weld into the original was provided in my kit (it was a PA kit; I found they were typically the most complete kits). I believe that Chevyfan also talked about the fan shroud/spacing it up earlier in the thread.

Eric_FXST · « **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2011, 12:50:47 PM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on January 27, 2011, 12:08:36 PM

THAT ISN'T AN INVITATION TO BRING IT HERE THOUGH.

WTH?!

Yeah, I think I will actually take it to my local garage after all this.
The tire place does have kids that do know how to turn wrenches.
However, when mounting my new wheels, they managed to take their torque wrench across one and didn't feel the need to tell anyone. I caught it as soon as I cleaned the wheels that afternoon.

I am willing to bet the local garage will be at the $750 end, but I know they will take their time and make sure everything is 'right'. If something seems off, I know they will call me to see what i want done.

There is nothing worse than noticing a scratch or two after taking one's vehicle to a service department but not have the proof of who did it because it wasn't obvious at that time.

Well, I take it in Monday morning. I got the part about having the parking brake bracket welded, not bolted, on.
Wasn't there on other thing about the tranny hoses? It also appears that if I remove my Westin bull bar, that after the 3" lift it can then be remounted _under_ the cladding. ;)

Thanks guys! Can't wait to see what it looks like!

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #11 on:** January 27, 2011, 01:29:47 PM »

I forgot about the fan shroud needing relocated.

I'll try to get a better pix of my rear bumper for you also. I had forgotten about that.

Eric_FXST · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2011, 02:00:45 PM »

Um, doesn't it come with some sort of fan shroud relocation kit?
I thought I had heard that the tranny lines had to be relocated so they would not wear through. ???

Don't worry on the bumper. I'm sure my 'riggin skills' will come up with something.

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2011, 03:59:45 PM »

Quote from: Eric_FXST on January 27, 2011, 02:00:45 PM

Um, doesn't it come with some sort of fan shroud relocation kit?
I thought I had heard that the tranny lines had to be relocated so they would not wear through. ???

Don't worry on the bumper. I'm sure my 'riggin skills' will come up with something.

The fan shroud relocator should be in there. The tranny lines just need to be pulled down a little. Mine is done with a zip tie and I think Chevyfan did his the same way.
Here's the pix in daylight. You can see the gap where the receiver used to sit in the bumper. I'm going to trim that plastic on the right side and put a piece of gap guard behind the bumper to cover up that hole.

Believe it or not, I just hand washed this thing yesterday. I hate winter

Eric_FXST · « **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2011, 09:13:19 AM »

You know, that doesn't look bad at all.
I actually wondered about getting one of those reverse light add-ons that can be either mounted to your hitch or to the bottom of the bumper and squeezing it in the opening.
If the width is pretty close it may actually come out looking pretty close to OE.

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2011, 09:24:40 AM »

Quote from: Eric_FXST on January 28, 2011, 09:13:19 AM

You know, that doesn't look bad at all.
I actually wondered about getting one of those reverse light add-ons that can be either mounted to your hitch or to the bottom of the bumper and squeezing it in the opening.
If the width is pretty close it may actually come out looking pretty close to OE.

Now that sounds like a mod I'd like to see. Maybe I'll hold off on mine to see what you do with yours.

Fowlhunter · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2011, 12:19:12 PM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on January 28, 2011, 09:24:40 AM

Now that sounds like a mod I'd like to see. Maybe I'll hold off on mine to see what you do with yours.

What is the name of the light set, White Night?

Fowlhunter · « **Reply #17 on:** January 28, 2011, 12:21:30 PM »

I have not installed a BL on an Av but I thought I read somewhere there is a bunch of grinding/cutting in the spare tire area?

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #18 on:** January 28, 2011, 05:22:56 PM »

Quote from: Fowlhunter on January 28, 2011, 12:21:30 PM

I have not installed a BL on an Av but I thought I read somewhere there is a bunch of grinding/cutting in the spare tire area?

Nope. They didn't have to do any thing back there on mine. Up front there's some plastic that needs ground down for the bumper cover to fit back on but it isn't anything structual.

Eric_FXST · « **Reply #19 on:** January 29, 2011, 07:24:55 AM »

Quote from: Fowlhunter on January 28, 2011, 12:19:12 PM

What is the name of the light set, White Night?

Yes, I liked #4196.
It appears it should fit very nicely into the opening left and then hardwired to the trailer wiring.

I just need to wait and see how much of an opening I have, and get some measurements on the White Night. It might look pretty nice. ;)

Eric_FXST · « **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2011, 02:25:31 PM »

Well, I'm going on my third day tomorrow for the body lift.

They said nothing is going together as the directions state. They had to cut off my spare tire carrier because evidently they had to lower it the wheel and the gears stripped out.
They have the front bumper raised and can't figure out how to attach my bull bar since the cladding is now 3" higher. I told them I'll worry about it. I guess I will have a weld show make me 2 steel brackets to lower the bar a couple inches.
They are also working on the fender liners which is taking time.

They welded the parking brake adapter and modified the tranny lines. Yes modified. I think they probably changed the lines! Who knows.

Well they are saying it will probably be around 15-16 hours total at $61/hour= $1000. Pretty much what I expected.

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #21 on:** February 01, 2011, 05:24:25 PM »

Quote from: Eric_FXST on February 01, 2011, 02:25:31 PM

Well, I'm going on my third day tomorrow for the body lift.
They said nothing is going together as the directions state. They had to cut off my spare tire carrier because evidently they had to lower it the wheel and the gears stripped out.
They have the front bumper raised and can't figure out how to attach my bull bar since the cladding is now 3" higher. I told them I'll worry about it. I guess I will have a weld show make me 2 steel brackets to lower the bar a couple inches.
They are also working on the fender liners which is taking time.

They welded the parking brake adapter and modified the tranny lines. Yes modified. I think they probably changed the lines! Who knows.

Well they are saying it will probably be around 15-16 hours total at $61/hour= $1000. Pretty much what I expected.

I know I had issues with mine being stuck when I went to pull my spare to mount my air tank and horns. The SECONDARY latch wouldn't release (I hope they knew about that latch) What I ended up doing is lowering the tire as far as it would go and then used a couple of extensions with the 15mm socket to take out the one bolt holding everything up. I'm starting to question their competence at this point. Shouldn't have had to cut that down.

It if mounted through the tow hook holes you'll have to have something fabbed up for that. My tow hooks are now in a box in the garage because the wouldn't go back on. I missed the bull bar in the earlier threads

The gap guards or the fender liners?

This, is good news

You'll be glad they did that with the bracket.

Eric_FXST · « **Reply #22 on:** February 01, 2011, 06:40:55 PM »

Sorry, gap guards.
I don't know about the secondary latch. I don't even know where that would be. lol
Either way, they cut the wheel out.

Yes, the bull bar mounted through the tow hook holes. My thinking is that I can mount the bar below the cladding since it was raised 3". If not, I will in fact need new plates made to match the brackets.

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #23 on:** February 01, 2011, 06:51:48 PM »

I helped the guy do my gap guards. It took about 1.5 beers

Uh-oh on the secondary latch. Check out the owners manual and it'll tell you about it. With the tire in the raised position, you use the handles to actually crank it UP until you hear a click and then lower it. It's a safety mechanism. I would have thought they would have known that. Maybe they tried it and it was stuck. That is common on trucks where people never lower the spare and shoot lubricant/rust preventer in there.

Eric_FXST · « **Reply #24 on:** February 02, 2011, 01:41:51 PM »

Well she is all done. And man I love it!

It now looks like how a clad heavy AV should.
They actually ended up freeing the spare tire mechanism with some WD40.
The only problem I have is the tailgate hits the lip of the bumper when putting it down. I guess I will need to remove the tailgate and take a power sander across the lip to remove a .5" Also, they couldn't find anything regarding a parking brake bracket that need to be welded rather than bolted. I hardly ever use my parking brake, so should I still be concerned with this? If so, where is this?
Anyway, here is the pic before heading home:

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #25 on:** February 02, 2011, 05:19:22 PM »

Looking great! Now watch all the heads turn.

I use my brake all the time so that bracket is important to me. The instructions don't tell you to weld it on. Just bolt it on. Mine bent backwards when I used it right above that bolt that holds it in so I had them weld mine.

Alaska_AV · « **Reply #26 on:** February 03, 2011, 02:16:23 AM »

I lowered my rear bumper. Slotted the new brackets to fit better. IE: bigger holes, bigger washers

Gap was to tight to the tailgate without the mod. I have to deal with snow and mud so I couldn't do your idea

looks good

Eric_FXST · « **Reply #27 on:** February 03, 2011, 06:21:29 AM »

Do you have a hitch?
It appears the hitch bracket is what is keeping the bumper positioned exactly were it is.
I can't lower the bumper any because it is positioned between the bottom of the bumper and top of the hitch.
I am also surprised this bracket came in an unfinished finish considering it is as exposed as it is.

MyBigToy · « **Reply #28 on:** February 03, 2011, 07:58:06 AM »

Quote from: Eric_FXST on February 03, 2011, 06:21:29 AM

Do you have a hitch?
It appears the hitch bracket is what is keeping the bumper positioned exactly were it is.
I can't lower the bumper any because it is positioned between the bottom of the bumper and top of the hitch.
I am also surprised this bracket came in an unfinished finish considering it is as exposed as it is.

Could you notch the bumper or bracket slightly to clear the hitch?

Regarding sanding of the bumper cladding lip, I would suggest using a belt sander with fine grit paper.

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #29 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:09:27 AM »

I have that same issue and was considering modding those brackets.

Eric_FXST · « **Reply #30 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:50:43 AM »

I think I will first try running my Dremel with the cutting wheel on it over it a couple passes.
It looks like only a .25" needs to come off.
I really don't want to have to take the entire bumper cover off.

If I could find a scrap piece of cladding somewhere I may also then consider cutting a small piece to cover the gap on the left side where the trailer plug connector used to set. The right side looks pretty good.

Fowlhunter · « **Reply #31 on:** February 03, 2011, 11:26:14 AM »

Looks great!!!

Do you have any suspension lift (keys and cranked bars) or just the boddy lift?

Eric_FXST · « **Reply #32 on:** February 03, 2011, 11:55:32 AM »

Just 3" body lift and keys in the front.
Yeah, I saw a pic of a 3" body lifted w/keys AV beside a 6" suspension lifted AV and it was unreal how they looked almost exactly the same.

Eric_FXST · « **Reply #33 on:** February 05, 2011, 04:01:22 PM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on February 03, 2011, 08:09:27 AM

I have that same issue and was considering modding those brackets.

Today I removed my tailgate and took a Dremel to the plastic. I probably took about a .25" off.
I also pushed the tailgate posts on the bed rails as high as they would go.
I then installed washers underneath the brackets at the bottom of the tailgate. This combined with moving the bed rail brackets gave me about another .25".
Put the tailgate back on= PERFECT, no binding!

I sprayed the hitch and the big plate that came with the lift kit that connects the hitch to the bottom of the bumper. I then slapped a big Carhartt sticker on the plate and the thing looks custom!

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #34 on:** February 05, 2011, 04:12:59 PM »

Quote from: Eric_FXST on February 05, 2011, 04:01:22 PM

Today I removed my tailgate and took a Dremel to the plastic. I probably took about a .25" off.
I also pushed the tailgate posts on the bed rails as high as they would go.
I then installed washers underneath the brackets at the bottom of the tailgate. This combined with moving the bed rail brackets gave me about another .25".
Put the tailgate back on= PERFECT, no binding!

I sprayed the hitch and the big plate that came with the lift kit that connects the hitch to the bottom of the bumper. I then slapped a big Carhartt sticker on the plate and the thing looks custom!

I'd like to see how you modding that bumper lip. I want to put a new light bar on mine and I know it isn't gonna fly the way it is. I may just notch the bumper brackets to lower it about 1/2".

Eric_FXST · « **Reply #35 on:** February 07, 2011, 03:26:10 PM »

A little bit dirty, but still gives you the idea:

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #36 on:** February 07, 2011, 03:38:24 PM »

Quote from: Eric_FXST on February 07, 2011, 03:26:10 PM

A little bit dirty, but still gives you the idea:

cool

, but I meant the work you did on the tailgate with the washers and all that.

I just can't picture the brackets you're talking about at the moment.