Need advice on getting new shocks struts

[biophase]

My 1999 4Runner Limited had new shocks and struts installed at 130k miles. Last summer I was in Colorado and did some minor offroading and pretty sure I blew both rear struts.

Anyway I need new ones. The local Midas quoted me $800+tax (Monroe sensi-trac) and Fletchers $465+tax (Monroe base model?).

I want to keep the stock ride height. Would like a plush ride on pavement. I only do minor offroading once a year.

Reading the forums many people are suggesting Bilsteins. If I get these do I need to get new springs?

So my question is, if I buy them online for about $340, where do I go to get them installed. The Midas and Fletchers said they won't install any shocks unless you buy it from them. Do I just call any mechanic in the area? I live in Scottsdale, AZ.

Thanks for your help.

 

[NickF]

Ask them how much they want for the install only. You can get monroe sensa-tracs for ALOT cheaper online.
Try Rockauto.com

 

[Jayzero911]

That's strange that a shop wont install them if you buy from elsewhere. If you really need I live in Mesa and would have no problem installing them for you. I'm not certified or anything (need the money to go back to school) but I have installed many shock&struts and would have no problem installing them for $150-200 and it should only take a few hours.

I understand the need or want to go to a shop but I'm just throwing my survives out there.

 

[JohnsD90]

I paid $80 for 2 rancho RS5000 rear shocks with a lifetime warrenty, and it took an hour to change them on a truck from the rust belt with someone who had never changed a shock in his life before. $800 and $500 to do that job is horrible.

 

[bulger22]

I paid $80 for 2 rancho RS5000 rear shocks with a lifetime warrenty, and it took an hour to change them on a truck from the rust belt with someone who had never changed a shock in his life before. $800 and $500 to do that job is horrible.

x2 took about an hour for rear shocks. Couple bolts and a couple hits and done. I would ask a shop to assemble the front coilovers for you but putting the fronts on shouldn't take more than 2 hrs . Shocks plus $30 for someone to assemble themis still a lot cheaper.

 

[bak3rme]

i donno how u guys did the rear shocks in an hour..i spent an hour yesterday after days of PB blaser and gave up..one more shot tomoroo

 

[TheDurk]

i donno how u guys did the rear shocks in an hour..i spent an hour yesterday after days of PB blaser and gave up..one more shot tomoroo

If they are still stock, put a socket on the nut and a big pair of channellocks on the steel boot. Pull hard and the top rod will just snap. This won't work on shocks with a rubber boot or a beefy rod but works great on the stockers.

Plan B: Sawzall. Works on all shocks.

 

[doubleA]

never changed shocks before but it should only be about 30-45 a corner to do so... so figure 1-2hrs of labor max.

 

[JohnsD90]

i donno how u guys did the rear shocks in an hour..i spent an hour yesterday after days of PB blaser and gave up..one more shot tomoroo

 

[Jayzero911]

I paid $80 for 2 rancho RS5000 rear shocks with a lifetime warrenty, and it took an hour to change them on a truck from the rust belt with someone who had never changed a shock in his life before. $800 and $500 to do that job is horrible.

thx a lot guys... I low ball myself all the time and its too horrible of a price. Sorry, try and get it done professionally in Az and see what the shops say. If the guy felt conformable installing it all himself he wouldn't be asking where to take it. and really $150 to install all the shocks & struts is to much.... like I said TRY and get it done cheaper. It can't be done, unless you have some tech friends or are willing to do it yourself.

Me, I have no problem installing anything on a car.... and starting to fab my own stuff

 

[biophase]

Thanks for all the responses everyone. I'm past the days of DIY. I just want to drop it off and come back and pick it up later.

I really don't mind paying $500 to get the shocks installed. I understand that shops need to make money and mark up things. The hard part I'm having is the large markup on the actual shocks and struts.

I can purchase the Monroe sensi-trac shocks for somewhere in the $200 range. But I'm getting quoted $500 for the same parts. I don't mind paying $300 to get them installed because they have to make money. But to make $300 on the parts and $300 on labor is just too much for me.

 

[NickF]

Call up a non-chain shop. They'll do it for you no problem. $300 is a bit much for a 1.5 hour 2 man job, but that prolly what it'll be.

 

[jacob7071]

If you want to keep stock height, why not replace with stock shocks?

Either way, $800 and $465 seems way too high. I bought the SS 3.0 lift and had front struts and rear shocks and springs installed at a Toyota stealership for $279. They only did it because they were stock Toyota parts, but still, install for rear shocks shouldn't be that much.