Just a rant!
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Redneck Riviera
Just a rant!
I went to my local ford dealer and I asked for an estimate on the bumper foglights for the 01 explorer. Since it did not come with them on from factory. He said the install kit ran for 263 dollars. So I said alright let's do it. He calls me up later and tels me they want 200 for labor cost
NO WAY I'm paying 463 dollars for a pair of little lights. Holy crap. That ticked me off big time. Anyway I'm buying the install kit and either doing it myself or taking it to a place around here that won't rob me blind.
Dave
NO WAY I'm paying 463 dollars for a pair of little lights. Holy crap. That ticked me off big time. Anyway I'm buying the install kit and either doing it myself or taking it to a place around here that won't rob me blind. Dave
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 63
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Just a rant!
Well, I'm not surprised. My philosophy is that I can do almost any job myself and still come out ahead. Take the head gasket. It's a $1500-$2000 job at the shop, but the gasket only costs $70. The rest is labor. I can buy the gasket, have a valve job done, and buy just about any tool I need and still have enough money saved to do the job many times over (if I screw up). Plus, I learned how to fix that problem. Parts cost a certain amount and tools cost a certain amount, but knowledge is priceless.<br>
Also, I don't trust anyone else to do the job correctly. Sorry to all you shop guys out there, but there's just nothing like dotting all the i's and crossing all the t's myself. And if I screwed the job up, it's my own fault. Not because someone took me for a ride. I never take my vehicle in to the shop unless I absolutely positively have no choice. Like wheel alignment or bleeding the master cylinder on an ABS-equipped vehicle.
Also, I don't trust anyone else to do the job correctly. Sorry to all you shop guys out there, but there's just nothing like dotting all the i's and crossing all the t's myself. And if I screwed the job up, it's my own fault. Not because someone took me for a ride. I never take my vehicle in to the shop unless I absolutely positively have no choice. Like wheel alignment or bleeding the master cylinder on an ABS-equipped vehicle.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 895
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From: Tampa
Just a rant!
I known what your saying. I use to work for a dealership and if you new what they do to peoples rides you would have a nut...I have almost a Complete shop here at home.I do all the work my self. But I will have dealer fix there recalls, then I check it. I have had to take cars and trucks back,and they have told me it was fixed right. I laugh, show them my ASE card, and then I laugh again. Then they fix it right. Most don't know that if you are ASE certified and you work on your own ride you don't void your warranty even major work. Like trans. motors. ete...... You can go get the book and then take test and be ASE certified. If you go get a dealers license to sell cars and trucks you can buy parts over the counter cheaper. You can go to auto auctions buy your self a cool ride to. REAL CHEEP
All the rides listed below under $6000.00 total. Explorer was not a auction ride.
All the rides listed below under $6000.00 total. Explorer was not a auction ride.
Last edited by dogman; Aug 22, 2003 at 06:48 PM.
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 62
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From: Redneck Riviera
Just a rant!
Well you guys know all about the vehicle...I don't know much at all, I just need to learn. Where could I go to learn about fixing cars and such. I'd really like to be able to do everything myself and not have to depend on the shop to do it.
Dave
Dave
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 265
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From: Fayetteville, NC
Just a rant!
if you have to remove the front valance to do this, trust me this is easy...if you have to take off the bumper...bring a big wrench and a lot of PB lube
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,123
Likes: 2
From: Fort Smith
Just a rant!
I don't think you have to remove any of it. There should be the plug for each light already in place. Just mount the brackets, plug and adjust. Then I think there is a plug harness for the switch power, and, and , and... something else (I forgot 
)
There is another thread in here somewhere about it... Someone just bought his and recently did this same thing... let me find it....
)There is another thread in here somewhere about it... Someone just bought his and recently did this same thing... let me find it....
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
Just a rant!
Dave
Goto a vo-tec take a class, And see if it is something you would like to do. They will teach you the basics, it is a good way to learn about your ride. Most will let you work on your ride and use there tools.
Goto a vo-tec take a class, And see if it is something you would like to do. They will teach you the basics, it is a good way to learn about your ride. Most will let you work on your ride and use there tools.
