wow, really? part prices

[Synestran]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

I agree. When I first dove into this I soon discovered the going rate for a nice NOS lens is about $50-75 (was half that three years ago). Then I thought about my Toyota Tundra with new parts readily available. A taillight lens is around $160.

From what I've seen, assuming you can get them, the prices for NOS pieces are still reasonable, especially when you put it into perspective, by considering what a common part costs for a newer vehicle. There are exceptions, which are expensive, because they're rare and desirable. For example, an NOS expansion kit, Cargo light kit, Radio kit.

As someone who has worked in the Parts Department for a Toyota Dealership...prices are ridiculous. We would sell wheel covers for around $100....per wheel cover...and anything electronic related,may as well take out a loan... Maybe working there has lessened the blow to me about pricing for the trucks.

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by stepbox

In my opinion the prices for parts for these type of vehicles are not bad in cost.
..................As most here know looking around at swap meets and on-line forums are a great source for parts.

We should be happy with the foresight and good taste that made us all love these trucks! We are driving very popular trucks in the still early stage of collectibility. Can you imagine what looking for even good OEM parts might be like 20 years from now?

Originally Posted by CG

It is what it is. Something gets popular the prices go up. If it affects your hobby, its irritating for sure. .....

In my mind, you and I live in an area where the trucks are still common and cheap...and in great shape! Smart of us!

[bronze 72 super]

Being off work because of a work related injure, I've sold a lot of my stock piled parts. The extra money I made this summer come in nice. Some of the parts I sold were under current prices, just trying to move parts and generate sells. Still off work after a year, might go back this spring, not sure yet.
I still have parts on here for sale not too high priced I think. If a person wants something bad enough, they'll pay the price, no matter what.
As for those $1.00 a piece marker light bulbs, I want too a estate auction years ago and bought A.C. DELCO cabinet full of bulbs for $13.00!! I think it has over $200 worth of bulbs in it at todays prices!!

[mike16]

of course its more expensive now, the dollar buys less thes trucks are more popular and think of all the clowns choping up an old all origonal truck. I got one for sale but the minute som clown starts taking chop lower or re engine. its no longer for sale.plenty of junkalready in the junkyard.

[hugger6933]

Now I'm NOT a ford guy but if your looking to build something cheap, build a Mustang. I bought a wrecked 67 at one of the sales I buy from 67 red black insides 302 4 speed. I had just built my 68 LeMans convert and they are a little pricey and then I bought the pony. you can build like 5 of them for what it cost to build a Pontiac. The parts are getting higher since i came into this in 08 it has jumped a bunch but not too much where you can't still build a decent truck to have fun. And remember most do this for fun

[toolboxchev]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

Now I'm NOT a ford guy but if your looking to build something cheap, build a Mustang. I bought a wrecked 67 at one of the sales I buy from 67 red black insides 302 4 speed. I had just built my 68 LeMans convert and they are a little pricey and then I bought the pony. you can build like 5 of them for what it cost to build a Pontiac. The parts are getting higher since i came into this in 08 it has jumped a bunch but not too much where you can't still build a decent truck to have fun. And remember most do this for fun

I think that is the better part of things, keeping it affordable. If if gets too expensive the fun just runs away!

[Elliot949]

You know... Here is the thing.... If you don't like spending the money to do a classic vehicle then go buy a Newer Honda or Chevy Truck and don't worry about the 500.00 Tach Dash... Just when you have to fix that Tach dash in your New Chevy Truck just be prepared to spend 1500.00 for that part...

[drewbert41]

Min shipping of $10 a lot of places is my only complaint.

[Rod Run]

Originally Posted by drewbert41

Min shipping of $10 a lot of places is my only complaint.

That isn't something that is specific to these trucks, so I don't understand how someone can use that as an argument?

Sounds like your complaint is with shipping services and USPS?

[Grumpy old man]

I shop around for the best deals and shipping prices .But I have to say Manes truck parts are the only ones who actually sent me a refund when the shipping costs were less than estimated online .

[drewbert41]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

I shop around for the best deals and shipping prices .But I have to say Manes truck parts are the only ones who actually sent me a refund when the shipping costs were less than estimated online .

Manes has done that for me as well. I like them a lot. Still if you only need a clip or something it will cost you $10. They are only one state away and could stick it in a regular envelope for 40 cents or whatever.. Summit is the same way. Oh well, order in bulk.

In general part prices are pretty fair. We are just lucky there is such a selection of reproduction parts compared to other vehicles.

People could say that a $900 disc brake kit is outrageous when you can buy a truck for $1000 but, that disc brake kit will cost the same for other vehicles too... Our hobby is relatively cheap compared to others even though it has grown in popularity.

[drewbert41]

Originally Posted by Rod Run

That isn't something that is specific to these trucks, so I don't understand how someone can use that as an argument?

Sounds like your complaint is with shipping services and USPS?

Shipping services do not set a companies minimum shipping cost. Most places just don't want to deal with little stuff I guess. It also encourages you to order more at once.

This has encouraged me to wise up and check hardware stores first for little things.

[drewbert41]

The best way to go with this hobby is to have a parts truck. Better quality parts and cheaper. In fact if you sell a few things the parts truck can be pretty much free. Maybe someday I will have a place to put one

[54belair]

My build project has lasted waaay too long---and as a result Ive noticed the same thing.

Ive built cars in the past and somewhat noticed the same thing. It seems that things seem to jump from one plateau to another. This seems to be true of cars And parts.
When I started my project, it seemed like everything I needed to buy was 250-300 dollars. Now as I look at some of the same parts, they are roughly around 500 dollars now. Luckily I jumped in and bought most parts a long time ago for this build.

[Pillow]

The thing that burns me me is CHEAP repop parts. I would pay for a decent reproduction and be happy with it.

The repop side mirrors and Wheel Vintiques stuff I have gotten are all 100% trash.

Half the reason I went to LS power was so that I can have real GM parts in the whole drivetrain. Where I can still get real GM parts.

IMO though, for normal parts on these old trucks, they are very reasonably priced.

[flashed]

I have given away many FREE parts to locals as it takes time to package up parts and get shipping quotes and lose sales because sometimes shipping a part costs more than the part .Now I just try to take what I can to swap meets and try not to bring it back home.

[toolboxchev]

Originally Posted by Pillow

The thing that burns me me is CHEAP repop parts. I would pay for a decent reproduction and be happy with it.

The repop side mirrors and Wheel Vintiques stuff I have gotten are all 100% trash.

Half the reason I went to LS power was so that I can have real GM parts in the whole drivetrain. Where I can still get real GM parts.

IMO though, for normal parts on these old trucks, they are very reasonably priced.

Sounds like you want American Made. I just put in a blower motor for my heater, I had a choice, Chinese (supposedly superior) or Canadian makes.

Most of what goes into a truck today comes from up north.

[54belair]

Man, I agree with the time thing!! Im going to have boxes of stuff left over from my build, mostly used stuff--but every time I think about selling some of it to get it out of my way--I think of the hastle of pricing, shipping, quotes, packaging , shipping etc. Im sure I will sell some stuff, but other stuff will prob. go on the scrap metal pile.

[flashed]

I boxed up some nice seat belts and sun visors for a member here that was looking for the color I had and I priced them cheap to give him a good deal and the shipping was so close to what I priced them at that he wanted me to eat the shipping and that was after driving to town to get a shipping quote .I still have those somewhere in storage too ,they need to go to the next swap meet. I dont mind giving someone a deal but that was asking a lot .I find most parts on the parts board here are very reasonable and I do buy my share .This is by far my favorite place to learn and hang out .

[leftybass209]

I don't complain about part prices because at the end of the day nothing constructive gets accomplished.

Before I bought my truck I compared it vs several other make/model vehicles and browsed catalogs to compare part prices. The 67-72 trucks came out considerably cheaper and worth more vs investment in my case. I think people have a severe issue with doing a proper amount of research.

You can stomp your feet, hold your breath, pound your hands on the ground, jump up and down, write a letter to your Congressman, start thread after thread or whatever, but at the end of the day... it's a $500 tach dash, take it or leave it.