which aftermarket company is best?

[79gmcclassic]

which aftermarket company do you think makes quality parts for our trucks?

[tucsonjwt]

I try to stay away from aftermarket parts if possible. I have never found aftermarket parts to match OEM quality. AC/Delco parts often cost about the same or less than aftermarket. Even OEM parts can be junk now, but it is the best bet.

[TheWhiteElephant]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

I try to stay away from aftermarket parts if possible. I have never found aftermarket parts to match OEM quality. AC/Delco parts often cost about the same or less than aftermarket. Even OEM parts can be junk now, but it is the best bet.

You can't really get a pinpoint answer. Take sheetmetal, for example. A company will stamp the panels, sell them to different distributors, and the distributor will stamp it and sell it as one of "theirs". Same goes with radiators and AC condensors.

I would have to disagree that A/C Delco parts are the same or less than aftermarket parts because with everything I've checked and compared, A/C Delco is always more expensive, and in most cases, MUCH more expensive. Especially with sheetmetal.

Same goes for mechanical/electrical parts. Too many variables. If you go to NAPA to buy bulbs, for example, you can find NAPA packaging with Sylvania bulbs inside for 1/3 less the price of a Sylvania packaged bulb.

Also, LMC/Classic/the others sometimes sell parts that you can get at the parts stores. I've generally used aftermarket parts with success, but I'm not extremely picky and am definitely not building a show truck.

[N2TRUX]

It really depends on what you are looking for. Thats a pretty broad question.

[West Texas Z]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

It really depends on what you are looking for. Thats a pretty broad question.

yeah, there are other great companies that should be on that list. Many are members on this site.

[sumran]

I just ordered a long list from LMC. The order was more than the cost of the (cheap) truck. The good news is, I got free shipping, even on my oversized parts. I'll tell you later how it goes. I was impressed with the service so far.

I might have to leave work early the day the boxes show up at the house.

[79gmcclassic]

what about carpeting and dash pad?

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

I've had a lot of good stuff from LMC truck, at least all of the parts so far so I'm going to keep using them unless it's something I wouldn't trust from them...like sheetmetal...I doubt I'd buy aftermarket sheet metal unless it was the last option..I'd look for genuine GM sheetmetal before I'd go aftermarket and if I did I'd go goodmark...not LMC...but for everything else....O'Rieliey's and LMC for me

[75ChevyGuy]

OEM GM is the only way I go. Kinda helps that I'm in the parts department

[79gmcclassic]

Originally Posted by 75ChevyGuy

OEM GM is the only way I go. Kinda helps that I'm in the parts department

haha i bet it does. but this may be a stupid question but whats OEM stand for? original equip ment?

[West Texas Z]

Originally Posted by 79gmcclassic

haha i bet it does. but this may be a stupid question but whats OEM stand for? original equip ment?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origina...t_manufacturer

[79gmcclassic]

thanks man

[csb#356]

I like brothers trucks, Just ordered some carpet from them. haven't recieved it yet but i'll let you guys know when i get it and do a review on it. As far as oem goes, I'm all for oem parts but some things you just can't get oem. Things like carpet and door panels etc. I don't think are still being produced. Unless I'm missing something.

[jitteryguy]

I have bought a lot from LMC and been happy with em, I have'nt really gave any the other's much of a chance. I did recently order door pannles from 73-87chevytruck, I new in advance there would a delay. so I'll have to let ya know later how it work's out, I'm sure I'll be happy.
I'm just look'n to have clean driver's and with 6 project's,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[SeanPaintsFlames]

I like the convenience of Brothers. LMC's scanned-in online catalog just drives me crazy. Their prices are usually better than others as well.

That being said, they are holding on to my $400 order right now because one part is backordered... ugghh.

[79gmcclassic]

i like brothers parts but i have tried getting a catalog from them many many many times and not 1 has come.

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Originally Posted by 79gmcclassic

i like brothers parts but i have tried getting a catalog from them many many many times and not 1 has come.

I got ordered one from LMC and it said that it could be in anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks...three weeks later I ordered another and the next day the first one came in....and 2 days later the second one came in.....but they send me a new catalog everytime they revise it

[lakeroadster]

I am a Classic Parts of America guy. They got a cool forum over there too: http://talk.classicparts.com/index.php

Also I have purchased some hard to find items from "The Car and Truck Shop" and had good luck with them too.

If you shop around you can beat LMC's prices pretty easy. On some components they simply buy the parts from somebody like CPP, and mark them up like 70%.

It seems that LMC get's most of their business from the guys that want to buy it all from one place. Not that there is anything wrong with that if you got more money than time to do the research.

To be honest, I was that way at one time too. But now that I am retired, it truly pays for me to do my homework. I also like to try to buy American Made parts as much as possible. Most of the stuff I got from LMC when I first bought my truck was from either Taiwan or CHina.

Here is a post I made on The Stovebolt site entitled "Caveat Emptor: Buyer Beware" way back in January of 2007:

Hope you guys learn from my oversights........

I bought a bunch of parts for my '65 Chevy from LMC before Christmas. I competitively checked prices on all of the items before placing the order except for the rear coil springs. The springs were $170.

The springs had a "CPP" Classic Performance Products sticker on them. I looked them up on the internet, the springs were $100.00

A $70 mark-up by LMC? What the ?@#!!

I called them, informed them of the 70% mark-up and asked them what they could do to make it right? The gal snapped back "we don't do price matching!".

I sent the coil springs back to LMC and bought them from CPP.

Even though I had to eat the shipping charges I still recouped some of my losses.

Now I fully understand that this is my bad, I should have checked around. But I still feel that LMC is price gouging on this item. There are a lot of other options for pieces parts; you can bet I won't pick LMC as my first choice in the future.

[TheWhiteElephant]

"Now I fully understand that this is my bad, I should have checked around. But I still feel that LMC is price gouging on this item. There are a lot of other options for pieces parts; you can bet I won't pick LMC as my first choice in the future."

I'd have to respectfully disagree. That's not price gouging--that's capitalism. I've seen Classic Industries and the others do the same thing. They also do it with stuff you can buy at the local auto parts chains. Before I buy anything, I look everywhere because I realize a lot of these companies will sell you items from other companies. One example--brake lines from Inline Tube.

Here's what I do whenever I buy stuff at the local auto parts chains. I live within a 1 mile radius of Oreilly's, Advance, and Auto Zone. I will look up the parts I need at each of their online sites. I will write their prices on a sheet of paper and wherever I go I will make them price match the lowest price. They'll all do it if they want your business.

We just have to do some research before buying.

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by TheWhiteElephant

I'd have to respectfully disagree. That's not price gouging--that's capitalism.

Sorry, but it is the very definition of price gouging. Capitalism is beating the other guys prices due to enginuity (see "Walmart").

LMC didn't break any laws, but they are price gouging and they did loose a customer for not at least working with me when I called them out.

When a thread comes up that is titled "Which Aftermarket Company is Best" I feel inclined to help my fellow truckers out by telling them about LMC's 70% price mark-ups.

A smart man learns from his own mistakes, A wise man learns from the mistakes of others.

[GmtGmt]

For aftermarket parts

LMC Handsdown
but nothing beats OEM sheet metal

[tucsonjwt]

OEM sheetmetal is hard to find and way too expensive. AC/Delco parts are available from a couple of online websites at prices often cheaper than aftermarket - mostly electrical parts and odds and ends are what I buy from them and free shipping over $25 helps. Some parts are still way too high, like sending units, etc. For hard to find obsolete parts you are often stuck with Vintage Parts.