How do you hunt?

[bw4sale]

I'm new to piecing together a project and have never done any junkyard hunting or anything. When you are looking for something specific like a certain model trans, what do you do? Do you call the junkyards around or do you have to go look? Will they be able to tell you if they have that specific part or will the just tell you if they have a vehicle it might have come in? Do you post an add on craigslist or anywhere? 70BLAZERX2 showed me Car-part.com. Are there other resources like this? I'm looking for either an NV3500 or an AX15 5-speed for my project. Thanks.

[68350]

When I go junkyarding I go in person and just ask to walk around and look. If you find some stuff, make a list and go back to the office and ask prices. I have never had luck with asking for parts. Also, be prepared for some yards to tell you that you're not allowed to look around as it's an insurance liability. Those yards don't get my business simply because I like the hunt and the satisfaction of finding parts on my own.

[DorianB]

I am a big fan of Pull-a-part. You can look up vehicles on the internet, and also get a listing of prices. You know exactly how much a part will cost if you can find it, and also where the vehicles are. The only real downside I see is that they don't tell you if a particular vehicle HAS the part you are looking for.. you may get there and only find a frame.

[PanelDeland]

^I'm with Dorian,I like Pull-a-Part because I can check without leaving the house unless there is a trucvk that intrests me that just hit the lot.I also have a GAPCO JY here,that is much like it except they haven't got the online.There is also another yard nearby but they are quite a bit higher and the yard is cluttered so bad you may not be able to get to what you see much less get it off.Some yards will bargain with you and others have half price days,all you can carry days and such.Try to keep track of those as they can save you big time.Also try to find someone to go with,two sets of eyes are better than one.

[bernd]

These days there seem to be lots of services online where you fill out a form and submit it, and then you'll get offers for parts rolling into your inbox over the next day or so. I think many of these services are connected with each other. I've had success with this for modern cars and trucks (15 years older or less), but haven't tried classics. There have got to be a few folks out in remote places that specialize in rust-free parts for these trucks. For example, I've dealt with the "Yota Yard" for Toyota parts and with a guy named "Boneyard Stan" (I think) for Pontiac parts.

I used to go junkyarding a lot, but with many folks being sue-happy and insurance what it is, you don't get let into a lot of yards to go poking around anymore. A friend and I once brought a camera in while looking for classic Pontiac parts and the owner had a fit. We just wanted some cool black & white shots of old junkers and looking back on it, there was probably something back there he didn't want people taking photos of.

[ChevLoRay]

An old man had a wrecking yard in Little Rock. He had a '23 TT Ford out front that he wouldn't sell.....so it disintegrated. He also had a Kaiser Darrin that he kept inside. He wouldn't let people go and "hunt", so the locals just picked it when he wasn't there. He knew what he had, but didn't know what was left.

[bw4sale]

These days there seem to be lots of services online where you fill out a form and submit it, and then you'll get offers for parts rolling into your inbox over the next day or so.

So you know of any specific one? Can anyone recommend a specific service?

[bernd]

Just google for "junkyard network" or "junkyard parts" "auto parts locator", etc. I've used this service 3 times and don't remember which one I specifically used. They all seem to be connected anyway.

Good luck!

[bw4sale]

Ok. Thanks.

[Hubscrub]

Originally Posted by 68350

when i go junkyarding i go in person and just ask to walk around and look. If you find some stuff, make a list and go back to the office and ask prices. I have never had luck with asking for parts. Also, be prepared for some yards to tell you that you're not allowed to look around as it's an insurance liability. Those yards don't get my business simply because i like the hunt and the satisfaction of finding parts on my own.

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