Kanter Auto Parts

[likaroc13]

any of you guys have experience with Kanter? i'm getting ready to start my '66 suspension rebuild, & the guy i got the '72 donor truck from highly recommended Kanter...just wondering if anyone else has used them and if you would recommend them? Thanks

[jocko]

I have not used them personally, but have friends that have (for cars) and they've been very pleased.

[Woogeroo]

you might could ask about them in the Review Board to get a better feel for them from the rest of the forum.

you could also do a google search on: kanter auto parts review

-W

[markeb01]

Kanter got their start buying up obsolete Packard inventory decades ago, and if you are looking for Packard parts they are the probably the best supplier on earth.

I bought a couple of Unity spotlights from them about 25 years ago, because at the time they were the only distributor with the vintage models I wanted. I tried to find them anywhere else because they were outrageously expensive. After weeks of fruitless research I gave in and made the purchase. For a suspension kit, all I can suggest is do some online comparison shopping first.

I don’t know how the Packard parts are priced, but for everything else they seem to have a pricing structure where they take the general retail price, round it up to the next whole number, and then add 15-20% more. On top of this price, there is a handling fee which is a percentage of the order value. Here is their shipping policy:

"A 15% shipping handling and insurance charge is added to each order.

There is a $8 minimum and a $60 maximum for orders shipped via UPS Ground service."

I may be interpreting these charges wrong, but by my arithmetic, if you buy $400 worth of suspension parts it will cost you $60 for shipping. If you buy a $400 spotlight (or something else small and light in weight), it’s going to cost the same $60.00 shipping/handling fee, while the actual shipping cost will be perhaps 70-80% less (and Kanter pockets the difference). My limited hobby budget requires me to shop as smart as I can. Kanter suspension kits may be convenient (getting everything from one source) and may be good quality, but IMHO I don’t think they are a “good deal” financially. By doing my homework I've always managed to buy comparable components someplace else for substantially less.

[1restorick]

I used the rebuild kit from Early Classics. It was all high Quality Moog components and very complete. Here's a link:

http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog.aspx

Rick

[jbgroby]

Likaroc,

I bought my entire 305 V-6 engine rebuilt kit from them, $900 well pleased with the service.

Quick on email questions, phone call too.

Jake

[Rogue]

I bought the parts to rebuild my '62 Thunderbird front end from them.
It was a crap from india and within a year the bushing creaked and boots were rotted.
I was sorely disappointed in the parts.

Check out: Rock Auto
http://www.rockauto.com/

[72freak]

My first experience with them was buying brake parts for my 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe about 3 years ago. They said the parts were in stock....they were not. They said they were shipped...they were not, I got conflicting stories every time I called. Two of the wheel cylinders were bad out of the package and they would not send me replacements untill I paid to ship the old ones back. My first experience was my last and their catalog goes in the trash when it shows up in the mail.

[likaroc13]

thanks guys...i have a connection through my friend that knows a Carquest employee...the prices will beat RockAuto in comparison, & that's with Moog stuff...i know Early Classic has the whole kit, which i like, but i'll get it piece by piece through Carquest if it's indeed cheaper

but the PO of the '72 mentioned Kanter, so i wanted to see if anyone had experience with them

[Captainfab]

I prefer to deal with local parts suppliers whenever possible. It helps your local economy and if you frequent the same store, they will get to know you and are more likely to give you better prices and be flexable on store policies.