Hey I'm new here and I hope to get some good advice about getting some work done on my Dakota.
I've got a 2000 Dakota 4X4 V8 4.7 club cab with canopy.
I'm running some 31/10.5R15 LT 109R Michelin XCX/APT Radial X tires on the stock 15 wheels.

I've got a quote from a local auto shop about getting some work done to my truck and I hope to get some good advice from you guys on whether or not this shop is quoting me a "decent" price for the work. I wish I had the tools and a garage to get this stuff done myself but I don't so I gotta go shop.
Anyway here's the roster:

FLUSH BRAKE FLUID- COMPLETE ( FLUID IS DISCOLORED)$109.00 PLUS TAX

FLUSH COOLING SYSTEM INCLUDES PRESSURE TEST COOLING SYSTEM,
INSTALL NEW ANTIFREEZE & INSPECT SYSTEM FOR LEAKS ( SYSTEM APPEARS DUE FOR
SERVICE) $ 139.00 PLUS TAX

LAST POWER STEERING FLUSH? FLUID SMELLS BURNED $159.00 PLUS TAX

RIGHT HAND TAIL LIGHT LENS IS BROKEN $ 169.00 PLUS TAX INSTALLED

REPLACE SPARK PLUGS$ 289.00 PLUS TAX ( COILS ARE MOUNTED ON TOP OF THE PLUGS
AND MUST BE REMOVED FOR ACCESS)

CHARGE A/C SYSTEM AND TEST FUNCTION $ 198.00 PLUS TAX

REPLACE ALL EXTERNAL BULBS TO INCLUDE HEAD LAMPS $ 139.00 PLUS TAX

POLISH HEAD LIGHTS $89.95

AIR FILTER IS OK- RECHECK IN 3000 TO 6000 MILES 0.00

DRIVE BELT IS OK- RECHECK IN 3000 TO6000 MILES 0.00

TRANSMISSION FLUID IS OK- RECHECK IN 3000 TO 6000 MILES 0.00

FUEL FILTER IS IN TANK AND IS PART OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY 0.00

NEEDS REAR BRAKE INSPECTION - FREE WITH ANY OTHER SERVICE

Balance all four tires and rotate as needed

All for 1149.00 plus tax


So, there it is. Any and all help on this is much appreciated, Thanks.

 

no way, first off, discolored brake fluid means nothing, you could be worst off when they flush system, flushing the cooling system is a must. I have a 2005 4.7, all 8 plugs at walmart are under 20.00, and takes less tha a hr to replace all 8. 300.00 is high, 170.00 for a tail light, search local junk yards, they may have it. or even ebay, as for the a/c. if its not charged. there is a leak, spending that money to have it leak out again is bad, i would do the cooling system, and if you can the spark plugs your self,

 

Hey, welcome to dodgeforum


That's a lot of money to spend in this time period. I don't how mechanically inclined you are but if are willing to learn how to manage your own vehicle then this website is the best place to learn. The information on this website and youtube has saved me at least 3,000 dollars in mechanic bills because I learned from the members here.


Anyway, I would say the spark plugs and tail lights replacements are a rip off because you can buy a Dakota tail light on ebay and it only take a few minutes to swap. And another thing most mechanics today use machines to flush out cars in less than 10 minutes and then they charge the customer like $200.

Are you going to a private mechanic or like a tire dealership?

 

awesome stuff guys!
I really appreciate the helpful advice.
so glad I joined this site!
Oh, here's a copy of some email action I just had with the shop:
I've done some looking around and I think I'll make some adjustments to the order/roster of work to be done on Tuesday.
here's a rundown of what I would like to minus from the list of work to be done;
included in this rundown is some comments/advice that I've recently received from a forum.

RIGHT HAND TAIL LIGHT LENS IS BROKEN $ 169.00 PLUS TAX INSTALLED ebay for 30bucks

REPLACE SPARK PLUGS$ 289.00 PLUS TAX ( COILS ARE MOUNTED ON TOP OF THE PLUGS
AND MUST BE REMOVED FOR ACCESS) other than price of plugs do it yourself, 30minutes tops. your getting raped here.


REPLACE ALL EXTERNAL BULBS TO INCLUDE HEAD LAMPS $ 139.00 PLUS TAX- raped. do it yourself for free

POLISH HEAD LIGHTS $89.95 -double rape. buy turtle wax rubbing compound at walmart for 5 bucks and do it your self.

That was just a copy and paste from a dodge forum I was just on.
so to re-cap again, for the work I would like to get done;

1149.00 minus the above 686.95 is about 462.05 plus tax, unless you can do better than that for me?

so, what is the best you can do for me to complete the following work???

AGH FLUSH BRAKE FLUID- COMPLETE ( FLUID IS DISCOLORED)$109.00 PLUS TAX

AGH FLUSH COOLING SYSTEM INCLUDES PRESSURE TEST COOLING SYSTEM,
INSTALL NEW ANTIFREEZE & INSPECT SYSTEM FOR LEAKS ( SYSTEM APPEARS DUE FOR
SERVICE) $ 139.00 PLUS TAX

AGH LAST POWER STEERING FLUSH? FLUID SMELLS BURNED $159.00 PLUS TAX

AGH CHARGE A/C SYSTEM AND TEST FUNCTION $ 198.00 PLUS TAX

AGH AIR FILTER IS OK- RECHECK IN 3000 TO 6000 MILES 0.00

AGH DRIVE BELT IS OK- RECHECK IN 3000 TO6000 MILES 0.00

AGH TRANSMISSION FLUID IS OK- RECHECK IN 3000 TO 6000 MILES 0.00

AGH FUEL FILTER IS IN TANK AND IS PART OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY 0.00

AGH NEEDS REAR BRAKE INSPECTION - FREE WITH ANY OTHER SERVICE

Balance all four tires and rotate as needed

 

Here is the Dakota service manual download link. It tells you everything you wanted to know about your truck and more.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-download.html
If you can turn a wrench and or don't mind learning you can save a fortune.

The tail light? You could pick one up at the junkyard for cheap and see how it comes off.
The spark plugs. The 4.7 is one of the EASIEST engines to change plugs in. The coil pack comes off with one bolt and the plug is right under it. You're not feeling around exhaust manifolds.

Why are you changing all the bulbs? I have the same year truck and I've only had to replace the two license plate lights in 11 years. Again, none of them aren't hard to do.

Does the a/c work? It shouldn't cost that much to test pressures.

Change the antifreeze, pick up a flush kit and do it yourself in an hour.

 

sounds good Dan,
I thought that I would get a "quote" from "the best shop in town" and I'm so glad that I found this forum!
makes me sick that just because I don't "flap my jaw" as fast or as fancy as these salesman guys that they can assume that I'm stupid or something. sure, guaranteed work is nice but what is a guarantee really?
I haven't had a garage for myself for awhile, wish I did.
will be picking some ideas from you guys to get me by for sure.
I really appreciate that there is such a place like this forum to get help.
thanks again guys!

 

Why are you changing all the bulbs? I have the same year truck and I've only had to replace the two license plate lights in 11 years. Again, none of them aren't hard to do.

I don't trust the dealership mechanic so I figured to have all my external nav lightbulbs new all at once.
I bought my truck a few months ago. Got it for 5500 sale price.
probably could have gotten it for 45 or even 35
she's got about 147K on her now
the a/c (heat) works kinda but not great, should work much better than what it does

 

The heat being "kinda" is a common issue. Backflushing the heater core often helps.

Post back if you have questions.

 

Eric the car guy on youtube has good DIY mechanic videos that will help with some of your projects and projects to come.

Here's one of his videos on how to flush a heater core http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcL_0TWeZJY