I just sold a 99 Dakota after buying my 12, 1500. I have a reciept from the past owner before me, having had all the steel lines replaced front to back on that 99 from about 5-6 years or so ago. the PO before me paid $800 to have that done. And they couldn't even include replacing the 3 rubber lines for that? If I lived near that place I'd be in there looking to beat someone's *** for criminal theft/ I can buy all 3 for about $36.
Within the last 2 months, I just did all the steel lines on my 96 Dakota 4wd, PLUS a new master and front pads. Did all myself, (helps having my own 2 post lift) but I didn't spend $150 for ALL of it. I bought the 100' of Nicopp line (took 1-25' roll, I'll use the other 3 guaranteed) premium pads from Rock Auto were $33 (I buy alot there) and my master cylinder was less than $50 via Ebay. I spent $104 on that 100 ft of brake line but when 1-25 ft roll is $62, and 100 ft (4-25' rolls) is only $104 it was a no brainer to buy the 100ft) I have an 85 D150 and my son has a 89 Ramcharger and a 72 Plymouth Fury wagon that will consume the other 75ft of that brake line.
The PO didn't have pads or a master replaced when he had the lines done on the same ticket, on my former 99. But a job I can do in an afternoon on a weekend, and less than $30 in material, and they raked him for $800, ****** me off.
I do alot of brake lines at work, I have one of those nice hydro flaring tools. I don't "need" it, I have 2-3 regular sets of double flare tools. but it helps. and at least 2-3 tubing benders, at my disposal.
the last brake line job ("side job") I did for someone else where I hand formed all the lines, was on a 2000 Dakota club cab/ probably as long ago as the PO "had" the job done on that 99 Dakota, before it was mine. and I felt I was robbing the guy, felt bad charging him $200. so yeah. $1700 for a brake job? Highway robbery doesn't even come close to describing what the shop did to that customer. I sure hope they used better than a "middle of the road" quality of pads and also drilled and slotted race quality rotors, at that. Now you see why NOBODY touches my vehicles besides ME!