Professional Installation Cost vs DIY

[muns53]

Hello all, thanks for all the great posts on this site and the wealth of information you've provided. I'm new to diesel trucks and have been doing research on WVO conversions and lurking on the various sites for about 2 months.

Step one is accomplished - I test-drove about 10 trucks/Ex's in the tri-state area and finally bought an '02 7.3L Excursion Limited based on advise about the engine longevity from James & others -- and finally finding a "great" deal.

Step two is in progress - I'm getting my WVO sources and filtration set-up squared away over the next two-three weeks. My buddy is on a parallel path and we are pooling resources for sourcing/filtration.

Step three is converting the truck with the V3, which is why I'm writing. I'm generally a DIY-guy, but not much of a mechanic. I was quoted a price of $5K to do the install. Since I could purchase the V3 directly for $4K, I'm weighing the pros/cons of paying the extra $1K for the install.

For those who went with a professional/certified install, is this price on-par and did you feel it was worth it?

For those with little mechanical ability who went the DIY route, was it a nightmare?

I appreciate your opinions and advise!

[2000XLIFTED]

Hello, good to see you are going to take the diesel/WVO plunge. I just did the same with a 2000 X. I did the install myself, its not a 2 hour job but not that bad. I did glow plugs on mine before the V3 and I feel the glow plugs were almost harder. I have minimal mechanical expertize but didn't have a single problem with the V3 itself. I'm very happy I did it myself because I have a much better understanding of the operation. Whatever route you choose you will be happy with the V3 as you grease down the road, I haven't looked back!

[Jack_Toepfer]

I paid for install from Dan Tanon, who lives in Black River NY. I bought his oil to get down here and home.

Now... I could have just given the truck to him and let him wrench on it all day by himself and I could have done something less productive with my night. Thats not what I was looking to do. I researched the thing long enough to have a decent clue on what I was getting myself into. Now I wanted to get my hands dirty. Dan showed up with his oil guy, Mike Leeder. Mike is a smart guy, likes to tinker but has no V3 experience. Between the 3 of us we had 1 installer and 2 weekend "mechanics".

Got a late start on Friday night, around 9 or so and Dan started to give us the run down on the pieces in the kit. They are different when you can hold them in your hand. The manifold is a thing of beauty. Everything else is very, very profecionally packaged and prepared. The fittings and wire looms and harnesses are as good as Ford's, if not better. With Dan's experience, he was able to just get Mike and I started on certain aspects of the install while he worked on some of the more delicate procedures. Mike and I went to work under the hood removing the engine cover, and some of the accessories. The truck had sat for a day so it was nice and cold. Once we were done there we went to work on mounting the tank while Dan took over under the hood.
He spent quite a bit of time in this position... if you can't - FIND A FRIEND WHO CAN


After we got the tank mounted we moved to mounting the V3. Dan was still under the hood at this point messing with the fuel ports and fittings.

[Jack_Toepfer]

We ran the fuel and coolant lines up to the engine bay first so that we could continue working under the truck while Dan stayed under the hood. As we ran the lines back to the tank from the V3 Dan went to work in the cabin.
He spent a lot of time in this position as well. It was very awkward for me to work under the dash like this.


This is Mike, working like this is much easier:


Mike and I ran the lines back to the tank and wrapped them while Dan was finishing up the wiring and cutting the dash for the switches. I ran the wire harness from the cabin to the manifold. Mike went under the hood to hook up the coolant fittings while I hooke everything up to the tank in the back.

Install took approx 5 hours. This is a record

I still paid the money for the install, and the piece of mind was totally worth it. I knew it was done correctly and that any problems I was going to experience in the future was no fault of mine. Makes troubleshooting easier. A certified installer, like Dan, would be able to walk you through everything... sometimes more than once.

If I was to buy another diesel, like an Excursion or something, I'd install it myself, with 2 or 3 friends. BUT I have already experienced 1 install.

I recommend paying for install and watching like a hawk to learn as much as you can from that person.

Of course, when I got mine installed this forum wasn't active... and it is very active now... geesh. It might be a toss up.

[Clay]

tank in the back.

Install took approx 5 hours.

I still paid the money for the install

Dont pay 1000 bucks for a 5 hour job...lol

Seriously, Welcome to the Forum and to the world of grease, your life will never be the same.

If you have a basic set of wrenches, a screwdriver or two, some wire cutters, a dremel tool...and a basic understanding of how to use them, its not hard. You will need patience and it may be nessecary to walk away from this project and come back refreshed periodicaly. If you have a helper you will save alot of time too.
Can you install a car stereo? Can you change a water pump? Can you read and follow well written instructions? If the answer to any of these is no, pay an installer. But its really that simple. Good instructions are available for download on this site so print them off and read and when your done read it again. While your reading it, crawl around under your truck and familiarize yourself with the different areas these instructions talk about.
The 1000 price for install is reasonable and in line with the hourly rate of any good mechanic as it will take him more than 10 hours doing it alone. 12-15 hours is likely.

[Jack_Toepfer]

Dont pay 1000 bucks for a 5 hour job...lol

That was 3 guys. I'd say it would take 1 guy at least 10 hours to install it, w/o a lunch break.

[Marv]

My vote is to grab your tools and head out to the garage...or driveway in my case.

No 7.3L install experience here, but I did do my own on my 6.0L - should be a write up in the tech section. I did a bit at a time which made the overall install take much longer than it should. But, I needed to be sure I could drive my truck at the same time, so I really didn't have much choice.

Overall, it's no harder than any of the things Clay mentioned. Basic wiring, basic wrenching. My advice is to study the instructions, locate the parts on the truck you'll be modifying and familiarize yourself with the V3 components before you get started. Once you're underway, take your time and keep your cool. Get frustrated? Take a break and walk away for a few. Come back when you've had time to gather your wits about you.

Good luck!

[Clay]

That was 3 guys. I'd say it would take 1 guy at least 10 hours to install it, w/o a lunch break.

Jack your always so good at making my point for me.
Its more of a 12-15 hour job you did 2/3rds of the work for him and still paid him full price...thats 200 b ucks an hour...the Ford house don't even charge half that...not good ecinomics, and i just want to relay that to the original poster as he asked about the install price of 1000 bucks.
If i was being paid 1000 bucks and a customer wanted to help, when the job was done, theres no way i would be able to charge that full amount.

[Jack_Toepfer]

Jack your always so good at making my point for me.
Its more of a 12-15 hour job you did 2/3rds of the work for him and still paid him full price...not good ecinomics and i just want to relay that to the original poster as he asked about the install price of 1000 bucks.
If i was being paid 1000 bucks and a customer wanted to help, when the job was done, theres no way i would be able to charge that full amount.

I know what you're saying. I paid for peace of mind... this wasn't a financial endeavor I wanted to fail and explain to the wife.

My last comment in my first post said this forum wasn't around prior to my installation. I think we can all agree that this is a very valid reason that anyone should/could take on the install themselves.

You and I wouldn't be able to charge the full amount... but at the same time, I didn't mind paying it.

[Clay]

You and I wouldn't be able to charge the full amount... but at the same time, I didn't mind paying it.

When i do work on someones truck, they aren't allowed to help, drop it off and i'll call you when its ready...things just go easier that way.

[muns53]

Good stuff, everyone!

I actually just purchased a second-hand V3 system on Sunday,... so I hope to be veggin' with y'all real soon.

Thanks,
muns53

[Clay]

Good stuff, everyone!

I actually just purchased a second-hand V3 system on Sunday,... so I hope to be veggin' with y'all real soon.

Thanks,
muns53

Second hand? Where did you find that?

[Hooter]

Second hand? Where did you find that?

Check the grease bazaar over at frybrid.

[Clay]

Check the grease bazaar over at frybrid.

You said the F word!?

[Hooter]

You said the F word!?

Sorry



I heard it from Schwartz