Originally Posted by GeoDaddy
I've seen that Dealership along Route 17 (right?) I'm just worried that a Ford Dealership will charge you double
The dealer I'm refering too (Mahwah Ford) is off route 17 on Franklin Turnpike. If you're heading north on 17, just after the big light in Ramsay NJ, it's on the right. Huge signs, you can't miss it. I'd give you landmarks except I'm sure they're all replaced by burger kings by now
Stay on franklin turnpike almost to suffern NY. It's on the right just after the big food store, which used to be an A&P, not sure if it still is. Right opposite the A&P is "Coachworks" body shop... them you can't miss as they always have a plethora of 50's and 60's cars in primer outside. Good shop BTW if you ever need pristine, overpriced restoration work
Originally Posted by GeoDaddy
what an independent mechanic would - for the same work.
Most dealers, and shops, charge "book rate" where a book they have says the job will be 11 hours, they charge 11 hours whether it takes them 7 or 15. Plus parts of course. Sometimes Ford has less costly parts, sometimes more expensive parts. I'm lucky since my local mechanic (Gulf station) prefers to use motorcraft (ford) parts where it makes sense, and will use "other" when that makes sense. Plus they don't mind taking in my 1/2 done projects. One time I started doing my front balljoints myself (on my F350 crewcab) and managed to get the floorjack buried into the asphalt (it sunk overnight as I didn't finish in one day) so I couldn't get the front end back on (also couldn't get the old ball joints out, but that's another story) and they had no problem coming over to pick up the crewcab with the front end in a pile in the bed.
Originally Posted by GeoDaddy
Yeah, I'm not sure about the glass chip deal. I can live with it (not in line of sight or anything) and they are very small... but I wouldn't be surprised if the New Jersey Inspection process has a problem
Another possibility is to skip the free, sit in line all day, NJ state inspection stations. NJ also allows service stations and dealers to do the state inspection, and the going price seems to be 70-80 bucks. I have my truck inspected by my friendly aforementioned gulf station for $80 because 1) it's convienent - I don't have to waste an entire day sitting in line and 2) they are happy to let me slide on minor things. I have a cracked driver's mirror and no front plate, and they let me go through no problem, with a bi-annual reminder I need to fix both (I have the new mirror, just never get to it).
Originally Posted by GeoDaddy
with it - as I was told by an Inspector at a private garage that my "bullrack" welded onto the front grill would also be a problem were I to take it to a "state" inspection facility.
Only if it blocks your headlights in any way, or sticks out 12" past the grill, or has pointy protrusions on it.
I hear ya about the city parking issue. I've only found two spots in 10 years that pickups fit into - on the street. Unlike a car where you can "nudge" your way into tight spaces with no damage, a truck you can't do that - at least I can't - my truck has enough "rake" to it any nudging in the rear results in a broken headlight, grille, or fender ding/dent/scrap that I don't bother. There are parking garages that take trucks and vans, but they charge 20% over whatever the posted rate is. I usually expensed it back to the office so I didn't worry about it.