Why we don't trust dealers
10-13-2009, 11:33 PM
#11
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: West Los Angeles
Posts: 5,390
yes, after seeing countless threads of guys getting gear changes and then asking what went wrong with their $300 install at Bubba's Speed Shop, I don't know WHY anyone would go to a dealership! LOL!
10-14-2009, 07:10 AM
#12
1st Gear Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 59
My appologies to anyone here who works at a dealership. I'm considering dropping back my 4:10's to 3:55's because it's my daily driver and I don't like 4:10's for the street. Therefore, I called 2 dealers today and got surprising results. The first dealer was Imperial Ford in Mendon MA. They want $790 for a gear change. Then I called Bay State Ford in Stoughton MA. Are you sitting down for this? They want $2215.00. 
10-14-2009, 07:28 AM
#13
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 430
Chopper Man. I didn't speak with Jason (but I do know him). They told me that parts were $339.10 and labor was 6 hrs at $75. Total= $789.10. YIKES...Tylus, what's an LS unit?
Last edited by ptaylor_9849; 10-14-2009 at 07:30 AM.
10-14-2009, 08:04 AM
#14
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NH
Posts: 91
Why on earth would you go do a dealer for an aftermarket upgrade?
Dealer technicians aren't superior mechanics... in fact their troubleshooting skills are usually limited to just replacing the entire offending system... in the case of a diff, I'd bet they're farming it out ot a local axle shop.
Dealer technicians aren't superior mechanics... in fact their troubleshooting skills are usually limited to just replacing the entire offending system... in the case of a diff, I'd bet they're farming it out ot a local axle shop.
10-14-2009, 08:18 AM
#15
6th Gear Member
"Let's replace this part... Did that fix it? OK, let's try THIS one... How about now? OK, what about this funny lookin' thing?..."
10-14-2009, 08:20 AM
#16
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 734
Sounds like they want a nice chunk of change for the gear swap. The probably charge a lot because of labor rates. I am sure they have a better idea where to start when doing gear swaps. Most mechanics are going to just throw them in and not measure anything. There is a whole guide on how to get the backlash correct, and its the way ford does it from the factory. I always check the gears with grease on the pinion gear so I can tell where it is on the ring gear just to make sure before everything gets tightened down. It takes a bit of work to do it right and for just gears it should take around 2-3 hours of labor. My friends shop is going to be charging 425 for parts and labor. He can get the gears for about 130 from ford.
10-14-2009, 10:48 AM
#18
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 1,387
Edit: Nevermind that's a haul for you, there is a shop in Seekonk called Dez racing, that's a little closer to you than Hudson, NH.
Last edited by rdsx18; 10-14-2009 at 10:56 AM.
10-14-2009, 01:39 PM
#20
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: TX
Posts: 4,897
I'll have to agree. I've gone to the nearest lowballer and had to bring it someplace else to get it done correctly, costing me twice as much. I try to do EVERYTHING myself now but something like gears I'm not equipped for (bearing press etc). I would call around to every dealer in town, try to work with one and have a Ford dealer do it. You'll know it's done right and the work is fully warranteed.