Hey folks, I just got quoted $1200 to get the OME 885/895 set installed, including alignment. Does this seem reasonable for the San Diego area? The parts/labor breakdown is $700/$500. It seems a bit high on the labor side, but I don't know...
I'm considering doing the install myself, but my experience is limited to bolting on rock rails . I'd hate to end up with a half installed pile of parts.
Hey folks, I just got quoted $1200 to get the OME 885/895 set installed, including alignment. Does this seem reasonable for the San Diego area? The parts/labor breakdown is $700/$500. It seems a bit high on the labor side, but I don't know...
I'm considering doing the install myself, but my experience is limited to bolting on rock rails . I'd hate to end up with a half installed pile of parts.
Set aside about 6-8 hours on the week end and you could easily do it yourself. It would be a lot easier with an extra set of hands. I'm sure a fellow san diegan would be down to help you.
Yikes. I just installed my own. I have no experience and it wasn't too bad. If you have too just take your springs down there and have them swap out your coils for like 40 bucks. Its good to get to know your fj.
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07 Black Diamond 3 inch OME heavy Lift, Goodyear Wrangler 275 70 17 On stock Alloys, 265 75 16 0n TRD Gunmetal Wheels, Blacked out Mirrors and Bumpers, White Bezel.
If you for real have no mechanical skills or tools, or even friends that have tools and some skills, then yes get a shop to do it. MOST shops will quote you 5 hours or so to do the labor, anything longer, then they don't know what they are doing. A skilled mechanic with the tools and having changed coil-overs out before could do this job in 3. I could do it in 3 (if i had a spring compressor and floor jack) and would only charge you 100 bucks if you lived near here. Unless you helped do a lot of the work then i wouldn't charge you. I would just show you what to do and supervise.
400-500 is pretty accurate (with 500 being on the hi side). But 500 with an alignment is okay. However the springs will settle so i wouldn't recommend an alignment til after a week of driving. Some say get it right away. After my second set of OME's up front i say wait.
It's is fairly simple and their is a very detailed thread called, living post ome install
Or something to that tune. They offer some great tips. You will need basic tools in metric sizes. A 14 mm wrench (not socket) is REQUIRED to get the third rear bolt off the top of the front coil-overs.( I almost broke a finger trying to get it with a crescent wrench and a socket won't fit. )
Two jack stands, floor jack or a hi-lift (what i used), and someone else to take you to get the top plate of the OEM coil-over swapped to the old man emu coil-overs.
It is a terrific way to get to see and understand the workings off the suspension and axle of the FJ.
Torque wrench
19mm socket and box end
12,13, and 14mm sockets or box ends
BFH
jack and jackstands
You could pull the stock struts out, take them and the OME's to your local tire shop or the like, and probably give them $20 to assemble the OME's using the stock top plates.
Everyone, thanks for your advice. I'm going to take a close look at that install thread to see if I'd be able to manage it myself. Like mentioned, it's an opportunity to gain some experience on suspension mechanics.
I'm going to confess something: I am debating whether or not I need a lift at this point. I have been on "moderate" rated trails, and in its stock form, the FJ handles like a dream. I would like to explore the "advanced" trails, so would I be better off getting sliders first, and doing the lift once I start consistently banging them up?
Check around with any of the forum sponsors that might be in your area. I would bet you could get it done in the $300 range, which is what Metal-Tech charges the last time I talked to them (February). Keep in mind, you will need to get an alignment done afterwards, which is another $50 to $100.
Everyone, thanks for your advice. I'm going to take a close look at that install thread to see if I'd be able to manage it myself. Like mentioned, it's an opportunity to gain some experience on suspension mechanics.
I'm going to confess something: I am debating whether or not I need a lift at this point. I have been on "moderate" rated trails, and in its stock form, the FJ handles like a dream. I would like to explore the "advanced" trails, so would I be better off getting sliders first, and doing the lift once I start consistently banging them up?
If you are looking to get into "advanced trails", in addition to sliders and a lift, consider better tires and some underbody protection...skids. What order you do them can be a tough decision, but better tires should be a priority. The problem with getting better tires off the bat is that for the most benefit, you really want to go bigger, but that usually requires a lift.
$1200 for OME 885/895 installation?
. I'd hate to end up with a half installed pile of parts.
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