• Hello there guest and welcome to our forum!
    To gain full access you must Register. Registration is free and it takes only a few moments to complete.
    Already a member? Login here then!

Little Disappointed in JBA...Any Suggestions?

spdpilot

spdpilot

Well-Known Member
I know alot of you guys have used JBA for various things, I have not. I called JBA today and asked what it would cost to have some pretty simple parts installed and I really don't feel like the prices they quoted are reasonable.

I did tell them that I am a member here at WickedStangs, but that went rather unnoticed.

As I have mentioned to some of you. I have a new Upper (one) control arm to put on my car to stop the wheel hope. This control arm uses the factory bracket, so it is just a matter of removing a couple of bolts. It is a pain to get too, but you don't have to remove the back seat and move the gas tank like you do if you replace the bracket. I have done these before and if you have a lift, it takes really just about 30 minutes.

I also asked, while they were at it, how much to do the lower control arms. I was going to do these myself and have done a ton of them. It takes me about 1 hour, but a shop with air tools and a lift I would be shocked if it took more then 30 minutes. I also asked about the shifter install and a price for the Steeda shifter.

They wanted $200 just for the upper control arm and another $100 for the control arms and up to $100-$200 for the shifter install. Thats $500 for a couple hours worth of work.

Then as iceing on the cake they wanted $330 for a shifter that everywhere else is $270 and actually lightning performance sells it for $250.

We are talking $800 by the time it is all said and done. $1100 when I toss the cost my parts in. Just for a shifter and 3 control arms. That is INSANE!!

Is there anyone else you guys might recommend? I am sorry, but that is just rip off. I would hate see how much if I hadn't mentioned WickedStangs:wtf:
 
DSGimportslayer

DSGimportslayer

DSG in the hisouse!
Staff member
lets get a working party and do it on base....or daunte let me use his lift and tools to swap out my clutch....maybe thats an alternative too.
 
M

Mustangcwo

Guest
If you want to use JBA, you have to pay the price. You'll never hear anyone in here say that they are inexpensive. Right now, JBA is packed with vehicles which means that they're not looking for work. They wont turn you down, but they're not hurting for money. CPR is a good shop with a lower price and they are very reliable. They installed a majority of the suspension on VP's car and he swears by them. TPR is another good shop, and Orange395 would have more insight on that particular shop. I know TPR is awesome with engines, not certain about suspension. The installs you are requesting are quite simple, so either shop should work.
 
M

Mustangcwo

Guest
DSGimportslayer said:
lets get a working party and do it on base....or daunte let me use his lift and tools to swap out my clutch....maybe thats an alternative too.
Click to expand...

I have to agree with DSG on the install party, but that is up to you.
 
yosemiddysam

yosemiddysam

Well-Known Member
Donator
Well CWO was doing my gears lol I have no clue. The other stuff I know I can figure out. I have to buy a tool to get the bushings out though.
 
orange395w

orange395w

OG MEMBER
Staff member
Total Performance is just that..Total Performance. Mike is Greg's head mechanic there. He is a professional race suspension expert and fabricator and also has his own suspension business. He also used to work in a top fuel funny car pit crew. They are cheaper than JBA, but maybe not by much. With Total Performance you will definitely get what you pay for. They are also packed with work, so not sure on how fast the turn around time would be.

CPR is probably your best option.

In all do respect if you are going to complain about prices and how easy a job is then just do it yourself and buy more parts with the money you just saved. Just my $.02
 
spdpilot

spdpilot

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the input and referrals.

I guess I am just getting old and lazy. I try to balance the cost of having someone do it vs. me doing and what my time is worth. And how hard the work is.

There is almost nothing I haven't already done on a Mustang. Knowledge is not an issue. Suspension parts are really just a no brainer. It's brute force. The Upper Control arm is a Pain in the Ass. Just getting the car jacked up and getting up in there to get to it is the biggest issue. But paying someone $200 just because they have a lift is highway robbery. I could train a monkey to do it. I had to laugh when JBA tried to justify the price by saying they had to set the "pinion angle". Thats about equal to using a level when hanging a picture.

Some of getting together on a day would be great. But I got use a lift if I do it.
 
spdpilot

spdpilot

Well-Known Member
I got to say something about the whole JBA thing. I guess I am mad at them now that I think about. And here is why.

First of all, I don't doubt their skills. So charging a little more is exceptable.

But here is the thing. Some of you said that they are very busy, which I understand. But to say hey!!....sure we will take you business, IF we can charge you a really high price. We can move you to the front of the line!! Thats being dishonest.

An honest business says. Hey, we would love your business, but we are going to be honest with you, it could take a couple weeks to get you in because we are so busy and we are slightly higher on the price then other shops but we do good work and it would take about an hour to install and it is going to be about $95 an hour. Lets get you scheduled. Oh! and you are part of Wickedstangs?.... We will knock 10% off. I would have said great! $95 is a bit steep, but hey I appreciate your honesty.

Shops the judge how much they can charge you based on your "knowledge" of the situation and by how busy they are is just asking for trouble. They had no clue that I know how long it actually takes to install the part.

In the end, the reason I wanted to post this is......

As a new member of WickedStangs, I couldn't help but notice that many of you recommend them at every turn because they give you special deals etc. And no doubt take care of you. To the point that when I called, I thought it would be a friendly "oh yeah Wickedstangs"!! Not so. And other new members might get the idea that they are getting screwed and WickedStangs is a part of it. Ultimately giving the club a bad reputation. Spending enough time here, I know that isn't true, but some here are obviously using the clubs membership to convince JBA that if they give "Them" a good deal, they will bring other members to the shop at much higher prices.

Don't get me wrong, I am no one yet in this club, but it is just something to think about. I think everyone here is great and I would like to get more active. I have seen other clubs go down this path. Ultimately, shops start to talk and you may also get a reputation for blowing a bunch of smoke in promoting their business when they are sponsors, just so a few key club members get good deals, because of the way the members represented themselves.

Don't flame me!! I just wanted to toss that out there, like I said.
 
S

sdsubzero4

Spring Valley, CA
No flaming. Spd, we respect your opinions. Not everyone can have the same good experiences with all the shops, that's impossible. Don't sell yourself short, you and every members are somebody here. Each offer a wealth of experience and expertise in their own ways. Just because some of us have "titles" don't mean we are above anybody, we are just trying to make this club better.
 
wickedstangs

wickedstangs

Chula Vista, CA
Staff member
Administrator
Spdpilot we value your opinion and will not throw anything out.. That is what this forum is about getting the word out to our members. Members on here are valued highly and we welcome everyones opinion...
 
yosemiddysam

yosemiddysam

Well-Known Member
Donator
I have used them before but I will admit they are probably the highest priced shop you will find. The problem is that no shops are really honest about their hours. They go off what a book or chart says as to how long it takes. Something that the book says takes 2 hours but we all know takes 30-45 minutes if you know what your doing, they will still charge you the 95 bucks times two. So instead of paying 47.50 you pay 190.00. That is why I think it is highway robbery.
 
blackstallion06

blackstallion06

Everrett Wa. Soon to be St. Louis MO.
Donator
When I go there its because its close to my house, and I dont want to do the job myself. I go straight to Travis everytime or ask for him on phone. I get quoted a price before work begins and I stand there while work is being done in most cases unless I need to drop the car off. The last bit of work on my car they have done is wired in my tach and tach driver. ( i hate wiring) They have also helped me when I wanted to get to track they took my locks off all my wheels. 20 locks LOL They topped off my NOS while I was there and gave me a set of wheel spacers. I am happy with there service.

SPD: My suggestion to you is to tackle the easy stuff your self or throw one of the younger guys some funds and have them help you or do it for you on one of the bases so you have a lift. I would have done it for free for you. Its very easy. I did mine on jack stands. :)
 
beejay31000

beejay31000

BULLWINKLE
screw jackstands. do it at the hobbyshop. there is a lift. it would be about 20-30 bucks including food and drink for everyone
 
M

Mustangcwo

Guest
beejay31000 said:
screw jackstands. do it at the hobbyshop. there is a lift. it would be about 20-30 bucks including food and drink for everyone
Click to expand...

Beejay is right! Us Navy/Marine guys will get you onto the base and assist with the install. You save money and we get to work on cars...our passion. Good deal all the way around.

As for JBA, I spent over $4000 there last year. Not because I like throwing money to the wind, rather because I trust them.
 
beejay31000

beejay31000

BULLWINKLE
with bolt in stuff like that it has to be a do it yourself job. if i was there i would help out, but i am sure there is someone that will get you on and have another install party
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top