Noob Daystar question (help me not get ripped off)

[greyfamilyrunner]

Sorry for the noob post.

I have a 2007 Sport V6 that I am having the Daystar 2.5/1.5 spacer lift installed in. Is $727 including parts labor and alignment in Northern Virginia a decent price? I am non-mechanical and do not know anyone that would even attempt to install it for me.

 

[superman3043]

Sorry for the noob post.

I have a 2007 Sport V6 that I am having the Daystar 2.5/1.5 spacer lift installed in. Is $727 including parts labor and alignment in Northern Virginia a decent price? I am non-mechanical and do not know anyone that would even attempt to install it for me.

Sounds a bit on the high side to me. I've seen on here the going rate for labor on the install be around $400. I'd say $100/hour at four hours worth of work, so we'll say that's fairly accurate.

Labor: $400
Parts: $150
Alignment: ~$90 (somewhere around $75-$100 est.)

Total: $640

The kicker is, that it's such an easy job. You can probably find some local members to help you or do the install for you. 4 hours is conservative and somebody that knows what they're doing could probably do in 2-3 for $100-200 and a six pack. My buddy down here [MENTION=65653]aha2988[/MENTION] helps members modify 4Runners all the time (has a lift install scheduled this weekend I believe), and if you were local, I'm certain he or/and I would be glad to help. He's had members come up from Atlanta and Hilton Head to have him work on their trucks.

Might be worth talking to him and mapping out a trip from VA, to Monroe, NC to see if it'd be worth your time and save you money.

Hope that helps. Good luck

 

[zopperman]

Sorry for the noob post.

I have a 2007 Sport V6 that I am having the Daystar 2.5/1.5 spacer lift installed in. Is $727 including parts labor and alignment in Northern Virginia a decent price? I am non-mechanical and do not know anyone that would even attempt to install it for me.

That's high. The rear takes 30 mins in the driveway. Maybe 300 for labor, then an alignment...

Get the kit on amazon for 150

High tech auto in Chantilly is a sponsor here. You can get in touch with them, everyone has great things to say.

 

[superman3043]

That's high. The rear takes 30 mins in the driveway. Maybe 300 for labor, then an alignment...

Get the kit on amazon for 150

High tech auto in Chantilly is a sponsor here. You can get in touch with them, everyone has great things to say.

Great point Zak! You can contact Bobby at High Tech and he'll take care of you. He is member [MENTION=68685]Ducmonsta[/MENTION].

 

[theliman]

Sorry for the noob post.

I have a 2007 Sport V6 that I am having the Daystar 2.5/1.5 spacer lift installed in. Is $727 including parts labor and alignment in Northern Virginia a decent price? I am non-mechanical and do not know anyone that would even attempt to install it for me.

I was in your position a few months ago in central Virginia. About $500 labor for a lift, no matter which kind. At first I wanted to preserve XREAS, so I was gonna do Daystar, but reading more about the Bilstein 5100 lift convinced me to ditch XREAS. No way I was going to spend $500 for labor on something that I would eventually replace (your shocks won't last forever, and you may upgrade when you replace).

If you're going with Daystar, I wouldn't pay more than $350 for labor, then add on alignment. But take a look at the adjustable Bilstein 5100 option if you haven't already.

 

[zopperman]

I was in your position a few months ago in central Virginia. About $500 labor for a lift, no matter which kind. At first I wanted to preserve XREAS, so I was gonna do Daystar, but reading more about the Bilstein 5100 lift convinced me to ditch XREAS. No way I was going to spend $500 for labor on something that I would eventually replace (your shocks won't last forever, and you may upgrade when you replace).

If you're going with Daystar, I wouldn't pay more than $350 for labor, then add on alignment. But take a look at the adjustable Bilstein 5100 option if you haven't already.

agreed, i would have gone this route or OME in retrospect

 

[greyfamilyrunner]

High Tech in Chantilly is the shop that is quoting me that price. I even metioned T4R when I went in there. Guess I better call back and re-negotiate.

 

[zopperman]

High Tech in Chantilly is the shop that is quoting me that price. I even metioned T4R when I went in there. Guess I better call back and re-negotiate.

IIRC their prices are generally high, but they do very good work. I remember the owner making a post about why they charge more or something.

Nothing against them, I'm just cheap with this type of thing and usually DIY... Too bad I just moved, I would have been happy to help you, I lived in DC.

FWIW I know High tech charges ~150 for an alignment which is high, but they will do a better job than most places, especially for a lifted truck it may be worth it.

 

[greyfamilyrunner]

So under $700 for quality work might be better than than making them mad up front when I plan to come back for some additional mods in the future?

 

[theliman]

So under $700 for quality work might be better than than making them mad up front when I plan to come back for some additional mods in the future?

If you're dead set on Daystar, I would make sure you can't find something cheaper. Having XREAS limits your options a bit unfortunately (you'll want a shop that's familiar with it), and this place probably knows that.

 

[greyfamilyrunner]

Ultimitely this is a process of easing the wife into the plan. She has to see the 4R will be around for some time so I can sink some money into it. The daystar lift "makes room" for the already larger than stock tires that the previous owner had installed before I purchased the vehicle (Mich. M/S2's 260/70/R17). The ROLA Cargo Carrier makes room for the luggage on the roof so the dog can go to the beach with us (purchased earlier this year). When the shocks go (next), it will be a perfect time to install the Bilsteins for a "better ride", you see where I am going.......

I just need to make sure I am not getting ripped off as I get into the larger items since I am new to the game. I would love to eventually install a demello bumper, but I think that's a ways off.

Anyone know a good inexpensive powder coater in the NOVA area? I would love to powder coat the factory rims black.

 

[zopperman]

So under $700 for quality work might be better than than making them mad up front when I plan to come back for some additional mods in the future?

you dont have to make anyone mad, just tell them you have future plans and would love to continue to employ their services, but cannot spend that much right now. At least you know they WILL do it right

Ultimitely this is a process of easing the wife into the plan. She has to see the 4R will be around for some time so I can sink some money into it. The daystar lift "makes room" for the already larger than stock tires that the previous owner had installed before I purchased the vehicle (Mich. M/S2's 260/70/R17). The ROLA Cargo Carrier makes room for the luggage on the roof so the dog can go to the beach with us (purchased earlier this year). When the shocks go (next), it will be a perfect time to install the Bilsteins for a "better ride", you see where I am going.......

I just need to make sure I am not getting ripped off as I get into the larger items since I am new to the game. I would love to eventually install a demello bumper, but I think that's a ways off.

Anyone know a good inexpensive powder coater in the NOVA area? I would love to powder coat the factory rims black.

its not a rip off when youre getting high quality work, but it is expensive.

 

[aha2988]

Ultimitely this is a process of easing the wife into the plan. She has to see the 4R will be around for some time so I can sink some money into it. The daystar lift "makes room" for the already larger than stock tires that the previous owner had installed before I purchased the vehicle (Mich. M/S2's 260/70/R17). The ROLA Cargo Carrier makes room for the luggage on the roof so the dog can go to the beach with us (purchased earlier this year). When the shocks go (next), it will be a perfect time to install the Bilsteins for a "better ride", you see where I am going.......

simple.. tell her the the shocks are going bad.. I doubt shes going to check them. there is no point at all in either doing the work yourself twice or paying twice for the labor. So even if you wanted to keep things honest she would have to respect saving money in labor to go ahead with what will eventually be "needed"

 

[HLinn23]

I paid 150 for the daystar and 150 to install at a local shop and a friend aligned it for me for 25.. [MENTION=50591]gaterose[/MENTION] puts daystars on and I've watched/ helped twice and it is a fairly simple thing to do.

 

[gshadow325]

If you're going with Daystar, I wouldn't pay more than $350 for labor, then add on alignment. But take a look at the adjustable Bilstein 5100 option if you haven't already.

I paid $280 labor plus $70 for alignment for the following stuff installed

-fj coils
-bilsteins
-daystar
-front diff fluid change
-transfer case fluid change
-rear diff fluid change

 

[greyfamilyrunner]

Alright, now I am definitely a noob. I thought in my research you could could use the Bilsteins and the daystar for combined lift? Is that not the case?

 

[zopperman]

Alright, now I am definitely a noob. I thought in my research you could could use the Bilsteins and the daystar for combined lift? Is that not the case?

you can. try not to exceed ~3" of lift or you run into issues

billies + stock springs or FJ springs at lowest setting + DS in front works well with DS rear, billies, stock springs

 

[BigNuge]

Alright, now I am definitely a noob. I thought in my research you could could use the Bilsteins and the daystar for combined lift? Is that not the case?

Just did 5100's all around, FJ coils all around, 1 1/2" DS in rear. Great modest lift & really great improvement in ride!

Lift came out to just shy of 3" up front & 2 1/2" at the rear (2003 Sport, 4WD, V8).

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Alright, now I am definitely a noob. I thought in my research you could could use the Bilsteins and the daystar for combined lift? Is that not the case?

I would not use the Daystar spacer on the front with the 5100's. The 5100's are longer than stock, and combined with the spacers it will cause added stress and issues down the road. The 5100's can be adjusted for up to 2.5" of lift in the front, I'd use the built in adjustment for the front and Daystar rear spacers.

 

[zopperman]

I would not use the Daystar spacer on the front with the 5100's. The 5100's are longer than stock, and combined with the spacers it will cause added stress and issues down the road. The 5100's can be adjusted for up to 2.5" of lift in the front, I'd use the built in adjustment for the front and Daystar rear spacers.

Why will that happen? When you raise the lower spring perch on the 5100 to raise the vehicle height, don't you precompress the spring and limit up travel? I guess top out spacers limit travel too.