Community Forums

BCam · 02-17-2019, 12:04 AM

I found the base plate easier to install than the Ready Brake since it came with vehicle-specific instructions. The toughest part is drilling holes in the hard steel. You may also need to cut some notches.

The hardest part of the Ready Brake install is planning the cable routing and drilling the holes for the cables in the firewall.

Both go better with two people.

I used a set of vehicle ramps similar to those available at Harbor Freight or an auto parts store.

Unicorn Driver · 02-17-2019, 06:39 AM

Thanks both, from the sound of the effort you both had to do it maybe outside my mechanical skills.

I would be happy to pay 700$ labor if I picked up the parts myself.

I will call NSA on Monday:-)

ransil · 02-17-2019, 08:04 AM

Find a place to drill was my bigest issue, that decision took a few hours of him hawing and looking from inside and out, not sure mine were drilled in the prefered location mine are not quit a straight pull on the pedal. I have a lift pretty shre it would have sucked really bad with out it.

Get a new hole saw, i used an old one i had it took 15 minutes for the first hole, new one on second took 30 seconds.

Remove the plastic bumper piece to trim it , best to use a drywall rotsry cutter in a dremmel.

Unicorn Driver · 02-17-2019, 08:16 AM

Thanks Ransil,

That definitely sounds like something I would be more comfortable farming out.

BCam · 02-17-2019, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unicorn Driver

Thanks both, from the sound of the effort you both had to do it maybe outside my mechanical skills.

I would be happy to pay 700$ labor if I picked up the parts myself.

I will call NSA on Monday:-)

I'm proud of myself for having done it but, knowing what I know now, I'd pay $700 if (a big if) I knew it was going to be done right. I say "big if" because, had I not carefully thought and rethought the Ready Brake install it wouldn't have been right. You need to make sure the installer has done at least a few and, preferably, one on your model toad.

Unicorn Driver · 02-18-2019, 12:02 PM

I hear you on that Bcam :-)

Unicorn Driver · 02-18-2019, 12:11 PM

Just got off the phone with NSA. I was told that about 3,000$ for parts when all the wiring is included sounds about right. She said the cost of wiring adds up.

AKIQPilot · 02-19-2019, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unicorn Driver

Just got off the phone with NSA. I was told that about 3,000$ for parts when all the wiring is included sounds about right. She said the cost of wiring adds up.

How much could "all the wiring" cost? Obviously every vehicle is different but for our Wrangler the Hopkins wiring kit cost $32.

Wiring for the brake indicator light in the dash is included in the cost of the brake.

Ready Brute Elite rated for 8000lbs is $1050 Comes with coiled safety cables.

Baseplate with all brackets and mounting hardware for a Ford Focus is $400

Break Away kit from NSA is $90

Curt Plug and Play wiring kit for Ford Focus is $107

New 7x6 Umbilical cord with the female plug for the toad is $75.

So it seems to me like you should be able to get all the parts to make a Ford Focus toable for around $1750. I wonder where the other $1250 is accounted for.

And IMO the entire process will take around 5hrs to install. So at the highway robbery rate of $150/hr you would have $750 max into the install.

ransil · 02-19-2019, 12:11 PM

I did drill the hole in the tail light housing in the wrong place, too shallow of a spot, hit the lense .

Unicorn Driver · 02-19-2019, 12:24 PM

Hi Tom,

Thanks for posting all that info.

Unfortunately this is the only installer within 3 hours of me. I am going to call around and see what out of state installers are charging.

I would be happy to purchase the kit and bring it to him. Or maybe just get a bloody dolly

swagn · 02-19-2019, 01:24 PM

FWIW...I had mine done at a retail store 7 months ago...760 labor, 2089 for parts. light kit, ready brute elite, breakaway etc...total out the door w/tax was 2995

Unicorn Driver · 02-19-2019, 01:26 PM

Thanks Ed, I think the price they gave was with tax.

So 500$ more.

AKIQPilot · 02-19-2019, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unicorn Driver

Hi Tom,

Thanks for posting all that info.

Unfortunately this is the only installer within 3 hours of me. I am going to call around and see what out of state installers are charging.

I would be happy to purchase the kit and bring it to him. Or maybe just get a bloody dolly

Any body shop can install the baseplate and braking system. It's a super simple install. The baseplate instructions claim 3hrs install time using basic hand tools.

Print off the install instructions for the baseplate and the Ready Brake cable and take them to any local body shop or reputable mechanic shop and see if they would be willing to give you an estimate for the install.

Once you have an installer picked out just buy all the parts yourself and make an appointment. $1750 for all the parts and a $750 budget for install and you are in the $2500 range.

Honestly I bet most shops would be embarrassed to charge $750 to install a simple baseplate and ready brake system. I keep referring to body shops because they are experts at body and frame repairs. They do simple work like this every day. Body Shop mechanics are awesome. They actually repair things not just change parts to solve a problem.