Cost to install Rough Country leveling kit??

[R32driver]

Long story short, with the help of a friend who works at the local chevy dealer, he has talked their service department into installing the Rough Country 11200 leveling kit on my '21 yukon xl. The same kit they said a week ago they would not install because the fine print says it does not fit a GMC. We have confirmed 100% that gmc premium smooth ride suspension is the exact same premium smooth ride found on a suburban (the vehicle this RC kit is intended for) so there's no question this install will be a success. The question is in the price they quoted me...

$109.95 for the kit
$129.95 for an alignment
$675.00 for the install, 5 hours @$135/hr

So with tax this is going to be nearly $1000 to level my yukon. Am I out of line to think this is bit on the expensive side? It's a front and rear kit so work on both ends but the rough country website has this kit listed as a 2-3 hour install. I suppose maybe the dealer is quoting a couple more hours because technically this kit isn't supposed to go on this vehicle? I know there's a few of you on here with this kit installed, anybody mind sharing a ballpark install price you paid?

All input is welcome and I apologize for posting about the same thing (leveling kits) in multiple different threads, I've just had a hard time finding a definitive answer. Here's a couple pics to illustrate my desire for a leveling kit, and I just spent a long time washing it...

 

[olyelr]

Sounds about right, really, if you are taking it somewhere to get done (especially a dealer).

I just get the kit and install it myself in the garage in a short evening, take it to the alignment shop the next day and a few hundred later im all done.

 

[Bill 1960]

Sounds like your friend has badgered them into doing something they’re reluctantly taking on. Charging double is their way of pushing back.

And they probably figured out you’re committed so they can charge plenty.

 

[therealbofa]

The difference in question is about $270. I’m sure they are gouging you a bit but is it worth your time to take it somewhere else?

 

[TexasTZ71]

I paid $1,800 for 3” level, install and 4 new 33” BFG ATs on my 18 Tahoe and that also included alignment.....the tires were like $1,400+. Your getting gouged on install for a level.

 

[R32driver]

I asked my buddy and he's the one that quoted 5 hour install. He says the installs usually take longer than the manufacturer says so that's why he went with 5. Another tire shop also thought it would be about 5 hours to install. The price seems a little steep but I think I'm just gonna have them do it. I really don't have time or the desire to do it myself and it's already going to be at the dealer in about a week for tires and an illumination package so what the heck right?

 

[R32driver]

My buddy also asked if I wanted to change tire size at all with the level kit. I had ordered nitto ridge grapplers in stock size

275/60r20 = 33.23" tall by 11" wide for this tire.

But now I'm thinking

275/65r20 = 34.09" tall by 11" wide for this tire.

Anybody have input on these tire dimensions? I'd like the little bit extra height but really don't want to deal with rubbing

 

[Xena_21]

I asked my buddy and he's the one that quoted 5 hour install. He says the installs usually take longer than the manufacturer says so that's why he went with 5. Another tire shop also thought it would be about 5 hours to install. The price seems a little steep but I think I'm just gonna have them do it. I really don't have time or the desire to do it myself and it's already going to be at the dealer in about a week for tires and an illumination package so what the heck right?

Dealerships will always charge more than other shops, plus the tech working on your vehicle will take his/her sweet ass time, to ensure they do not work to hard... thats why 5 hrs. Find a buddy to help and work your but off and sure it will take 3 hrs...

 

[R32driver]

I got a quote at a smaller independent tire shop and they also quoted 5 hour install only they charge $150/hr so even more than the stealership. Talked to my buddy at NW Chevy this morning and he is ordering the RC kit to be installed next Monday. I also decided against the 34" tires and am sticking with the stock size, but obviously a much more aggressive looking tire.

After giving it some thought I have absolutely zero desire to cut, trim or manipulate any part of this $80k vehicle just to fit a little bit more tire under it. Wife would be pissed if we ended up with rubbing tires. This is the kid hauling grocery getter afterall, not some bad ass off roader. Will probably never see any dirt in all reality other than driving around our farm once in a while.

 

[olyelr]

I havnt checked everywhere on the wifes stock tahoe with the 305/45/22’s (roughly 33x12), but she was parked in the garage today with the tires cranked with the drivers side turned into the back side of the wheel well and i could not get my fingers between the tire and the fender liner without touching both. She has never heard it rub anywhere, but its definitely darn close.

 

[outkastist]

I've done the job myself before a couple of times. 5 hrs seems pretty reasonable to me. The only question is whether you can find a shop that would charge less hourly.

 

[olyelr]

Yea i wanna say i did the fronts in a little less time than that on the ground in my garage. However, they have the rear to contend with as well…

 

[R32driver]

I've done the job myself before a couple of times. 5 hrs seems pretty reasonable to me. The only question is whether you can find a shop that would charge less hourly.

I'm sure I could maybe save a little money if I keep looking for indy shops but I don't think it would amount to a huge difference at the end of the day. I'd rather take my chances with a certified GM tech at the dealership trying to install this kit than Joe Blow with who knows what skill level at a random shop. At least the dealer will (I hope) stand behind their work if there's any issues down the road

 

[salisburyv]

You are definitely thinking the right way. i worked at a few new car dealers. Customer pay they always add at least an hour extra. See, a good tech will charge the 5 and do it in 3. I used to have techs in the building for 10-12 hours , their time cards were 25-30 hrs a day. They easily made 6 figures. I was a service writer, most of the top techs made more than me. But there's usually only 2-3 per shop that hustle like that.

 

[R32driver]

I'm just happy they are willing to attempt the install. I honestly don't foresee any issues since the suspension systems are identical between yukon/suburban/tahoe but we shall see. A little lift and the ridge grapplers should go a long way in changing the look of mommas new ride. I despise the Continental car tires that came stock on this thing.

 

[olyelr]

I'm just happy they are willing to attempt the install. I honestly don't foresee any issues since the suspension systems are identical between yukon/suburban/tahoe but we shall see. A little lift and the ridge grapplers should go a long way in changing the look of mommas new ride. I despise the Continental car tires that came stock on this thing.

Same here!

The wife couldnt stand the stockers either…perfect, we can fix that! Wanted to go ridge graps for the aggressive aesthetics, but was just a little too worried about winter performance. Went with the at3’s instead for a guaranteed good all around winter tire.

 

[R32driver]

Same here!

The wife couldnt stand the stockers either…perfect, we can fix that! Wanted to go ridge graps for the aggressive aesthetics, but was just a little too worried about winter performance. Went with the at3’s instead for a guaranteed good all around winter tire.

I have read the ridge grapplers are not the best in snow but we seldom get much snow where I live. Lots of rain but I find reviews stating that these are terrible in the rain and others saying they're fantastic so I'll have to form my own opinion.

The dealer owes me $750 (minor scratch from one of their techs) and these tires aren't that expensive from the dealer so I'll only be out $350 if I decide they don't perform well in the wet and need to look for something else.

 

[R32driver]

Leveling kit is on but it's not exactly level. Not bad but it's not level...

pre leveling kit measurements from the ground to bottom of wheel arch:
front 36.5"
rear 37.75"

post leveling kit:
front 38.25"
rear 39"

So it seems this kit has underdelivered in the front and overdelivered in the rear which is maybe why the fine print says it does not fit a gmc. Like they told the parts department it's something to do with the ride height from the factory. 3/4" higher in the rear isn't a terrible result and still leaves a little room for sag when the vehicle is loaded. It was dark when we picked it up so no good pics to share at the minute

 

[olyelr]

Leveling kit is on but it's not exactly level. Not bad but it's not level...

pre leveling kit measurements from the ground to bottom of wheel arch:
front 36.5"
rear 37.75"

post leveling kit:
front 38.25"
rear 39"

So it seems this kit has underdelivered in the front and overdelivered in the rear which is maybe why the fine print says it does not fit a gmc. Like they told the parts department it's something to do with the ride height from the factory. 3/4" higher in the rear isn't a terrible result and still leaves a little room for sag when the vehicle is loaded. It was dark when we picked it up so no good pics to share at the minut

Leveling kit is on but it's not exactly level. Not bad but it's not level...

pre leveling kit measurements from the ground to bottom of wheel arch:
front 36.5"
rear 37.75"

post leveling kit:
front 38.25"
rear 39"

So it seems this kit has underdelivered in the front and overdelivered in the rear which is maybe why the fine print says it does not fit a gmc. Like they told the parts department it's something to do with the ride height from the factory. 3/4" higher in the rear isn't a terrible result and still leaves a little room for sag when the vehicle is loaded. It was dark when we picked it up so no good pics to share at the minute

That would be about satisfactory for me. Little less height in the rear would be better IMO. Is that adjustable…what does the rear lift consist of?

Cant wait to see some pics.

 

[therealbofa]

Leveling kit is on but it's not exactly level. Not bad but it's not level...

pre leveling kit measurements from the ground to bottom of wheel arch:
front 36.5"
rear 37.75"

post leveling kit:
front 38.25"
rear 39"

So it seems this kit has underdelivered in the front and overdelivered in the rear which is maybe why the fine print says it does not fit a gmc. Like they told the parts department it's something to do with the ride height from the factory. 3/4" higher in the rear isn't a terrible result and still leaves a little room for sag when the vehicle is loaded. It was dark when we picked it up so no good pics to share at the minute

I’m curious if the frame is level and the body just has a little rake in the design. Either way, I don’t mind minimal rake And you gained some much needed clearance.