What's your philosophy on parts and why?

[In The Ten Ring]

Do you go nuts for NOS and OEM or are aftermarket parts fine with you? What's your reasoning?

[68350]

I use OEM where I can. Especially body parts. But have no problem using aftermarket parts either. Things like alternators, or starters, anything like that I have no problem going to O'Reillys and buying. I drive all of my trucks and use them as trucks except for my Cheyenne super so I can't see spending nos money on parts that could be damaged.

[michael bustamante]

my philosophy.......parts is parts
i like to use oem when i can on body stuff as well but enginecomponents im fine with using auto parts store stuff. trim items? well if was building a show truck i guess id use aftermatket on the little stuff and refurbish oem bumpers and such

[davepl]

Impossible to answer without knowing what you're doing. A NOS battery will run you $1500. A parts store batter could be $65. What scenario are we talking about here?

[SS Tim]

1. Used OEM, preferably from the same MY and assembly plant as it will be closest and representative of parts a given vehicle was produced with.

2. Service Parts, GM qualified REPLACEMENT parts. While not generally production parts they at least function correctly and for the most part fit without modification (depending on supercession and backfitted applications). Always try to find the earliest P/N possible not the easiest to find. A part made 20 years later by a different contractor to a different drawing isn't necessarily going to mimic an original production part.

3. Reproduction, By and large reverse engineered. Some claim to be made to "original drawings" but which, production or universal fit service part drawings. They can range from very good to something worse than a 10 year old kid can make. All too often people depend on reproduction parts that are primary visual points or expensive to install structral components by price point. If the quality isn't in the box it won't get better installed.

[GASoline71]

Parts is parts. I also realize you get what you pay for. Plus... some USA made parts fit just as crappy as offshore stuff. So it's always a crapshoot.

But I can usually make almost any part work as advertised whether it fits crappy or not. Depends on how big of a hammer I use.

If a cat goes into it with the mindset that every single part (no matter where it's made) is just going to fall right in to place and line up each an every time... then you live a fairy tale life.

If playing with old rigs was easy... everybody would be doing it.

Gary

[WarMonger]

Good parts aint cheap. Cheap parts aint good

[leddzepp]

Depends on the part, the price, and it's function.

[BossHogg69]

I use the best parts I can afford. With that being said, I'm also a bit of a parts snob I used a mainly aftermarket stuff on my build and even for replacement parts on my daily driver, but I stay on the high end. I did learn a LOT about who makes decent stuff throughout my build as I ended up throwing some new stuff in the trash or not using it and getting something different/better.

Good thing is, we have a forum like this to learn and ask questions about things, so it helps to minimize the mistakes. Sheetmetal always seems to be an issure. I tried (and did) use a LOT of my OEM sheetmetal after hearing stories of poor fitting aftermarket stuff. I ended up having to butcher up the aftermarket rockers I bought so they would fit - I probably should have ponied up and found some NOS ones - but I did get a good lesson in metal working and patience from the install.

For suspension & brakes I buy the nicest stuff I can get - MOOG, Raybestos, Wagner, etc. Same with driveline parts & electrical. You can't cheap out on that stuff.

I used to work as a project manager for an aftermarket parts manufacturer (Cloyes Gear & Products) they make aftermarket replacement, high performance and are OEM for a lot of stuff as well. Cloyes is well known in the engine parts industry for making high quality parts - I had a lot of pride working for such a company. But it's also interesting (and sad) how some parts are just thrown out onto the market by companies that know they are making absolute junk and have no problem with that fact. It's up to us as enthusiasts to help each other out and avoid those companies. That being said, some people just buy the cheapest thing they can get their hands on and then complain about it not fitting right, failing or not working at all. There will always be a spot in the market for that.

[Jonlopes]

Personally I don't care what name is on the box as long as the quality is there. For instance I would rather have a Holley or Edelbrock (Carter AFB) carb than a NOS Quadrajunk oops I mean Quadrajet.

[EARNHARDT#3]

Originally Posted by Jonlopes

Personally I don't care what name is on the box as long as the quality is there. For instance I would rather have a Holley or Edelbrock (Carter AFB) carb than a NOS Quadrajunk oops I mean Quadrajet.

But those are all names.

[Jonlopes]

Originally Posted by EARNHARDT#3

But those are all names.

LOL, I suppose there will be a name on every box. and I did say it could either say Holley or Edelbrock.

[leftybass209]

I don't really care as long as the part looks and fits like it should.

[In The Ten Ring]

I feel that the more original my truck is, the better I'll feel and the more it will be worth. Also, I would think NOS or OEM parts will fit pretty well. So, NOS where possible (affordable), OEM when good and affordable, aftermarket where I have to. "Perishable" items such as electrical and mechanical, I'll most likely have to get from an auto parts store. I am happy that I have most sheet metal parts that I need NOS, with just cab corners and some cab floor left to get (should be able to get those from a cut up truck).

[Vintage Windmills]

Oem had specifications that assured the parts would generally fit together pretty well. Aftermarket is a crapshoot, some don't have the right dimensions or any prints with dimensions to build to

[TBONE1964]

To me it is also a challenge to see how many OE parts I can get in the condition I want for my truck. The K20 is not going to be a show stopper, so I am not concerned if the OE sport bumper I find has a few dings in it hear and there.

There are some things you just cant get OE or NOS that have a good quality or appearance anymore. Gauge cluster bezels are a perfect example. I have never seen a NOS chrome and black bezel and if I did it would cost $500.00. The OE's are hard to find with good chrome. They are out there but an OE with perfect chrome is not very common at all which forces us to go with aftermarket.

I would rather have an OE steering wheel with a few cracks than an aftermarket. I would rather have an OE tail light lens with a chip in it than an aftermarket and so on and so on.

I guess it is to each his own on this topic.

Take care,
Tom