front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

Hey guys, Im looking to get some ball joints, tie rods, pit man/ idler arms ect ect... all the good stuff up front. I'm going to get drop spindles from ECE, but is it worth getting other, stock replacement parts from them? or should I just run down to the local auto parts store and grab them in stock.

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

I just put the full ECE rebuild kit on my 70 truck. One of the local auto parts store counter guys (45 year old street rodder not the typical 25 year old that can't speak truck)said he had recently ordered everything needed for another truck and he could get me all hooked up and save me money. When I actually went in with money the parts store owner said to just avoid the hassle and order a kit. He said the previous time took a lot of searching and some parts sent back a few times to get everything together. He said there was no cost savings and a lot less hassle even if he didn't make a buck.

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

autozone duralast is reboxed moog parts.

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

not worth paying shipping when you can easily by from your neighbors and add to the local economy

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

Doesn't ECE just sell Moog parts? I deal with one local parts house for everything but what they don't have. The result is I get the best parts for the less than any discount store selling inferior parts. Not to mention the convenience and comradery found nowhere else.

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

I take a look at rockauto.com too....sometimes it's cheaper even with shipping and they are they same parts, or reboxed

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

We sell the front end parts also. However I to would just buy them locally. If you have a NAPA. I would use them. The shipping is really not a big issue to me. Time is worth money. It is convenient to have everything come in one order. I like supporting small local business. if we don't all we will have is large wallmarts:lol:

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

I bought napa. Other than the upper ballpoints didn't fit very well (had to router out the upper ball joint hole a little) they worked fine for me.
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Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

just be sure that you ordered the correct parts with them.

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

I agree with Tim. Being on first name basis with the local parts store folks is good. And as stated before, you're helping the local economy.
As long as they have the part, and it's cost effective, I go local.

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

GO Local!
The smaller parts stores, the one that greet you by name, are struggling against the big chain stores. I get better service from them than the other guys. If they don't have the parts on the shelf, it only takes a day to get them. Never had that with the chain stores, usually will take a week. I usually do some homework before I go any parts store. That way I can usually get a better price and feel better getting the parts from a local NAPA or Delco store.
I remember looking a front end kit from one of the online shops. I took that price with me and got a better deal.
Good Luck

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

So is Star Auto's Partsmaster.

Go local.

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

We just did the front suspension on the Cheap Bastard truck. I went with my local NAPA store because they are local, they treat me right and I am the counterman there. Got everything right the first time, no questions, no problems..

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

Im not trying to bash here but can anyone verify this or at least throw in their two cents. Seems too good to be true to be able to buy AZ Duralast tie rod ends or whatever for 40% the price of the Moogs that come in the Moog box.

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

Yep, local Napa Stores are the way to go, quality parts at a good price. I have worked at Auto Zone and O'Rielly Part stores and like Napa parts better. O'Rielly's parts seem to be better than Auto Zone and the availablitiy is better, but a lot depends on the counter person.

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

most all auto parts companies rebox parts. Including NAPA. JFI

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

Yes, I know.

Are they rebranded crap or are they actually rebranded Moogs? Companies change their OEM all the time too. Yesterdays Moogs may be some Chinasian thing tomorrow.

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

The only way to find out for sure is to open up the box and compare the parts....that's what I did. I have seen Moog boxes recently that were stamped "Made in Mexico"

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

When i rebuilt my front end i pre ordered everything from rock auto. I never opened the boxes until the install because i assumed the parts i ordered where the parts i needed. During the rebuild i realzed they sent me two left inner and two left outer tie rods. the ball joints were screwed up too. All MOOG parts in MOOG packaging.

I was forced to go to AZ, as they were the only that had the parts on hand. I reluctantly bought duralast, but i was in a bind. When i got home and was installing, all the instructions and grease boots had MOOG written all over them. the part numbers stamped on the parts where MOOG numbers.

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck....it has to be a duck.

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

Before you buy parts make sure you are going keep what you have. I bought tie rodend's then for my 70but then I put a 72 crossmember in to get disk brakes and they changed them in 71. I have new inner and outer tie rod ends for a 70 on the shelf now I can't use.

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

I went rockauto, saved a ton of money, over 150 from what napa wanted, and everything came in perfect, and somehow ended up with an extra tie rod I didn't pay for :)

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

i work at autozone and that is true our duralast parts are re boxed moog parts plus if you dont wanna buy our durlast parts we now carry raybestos parts but on my 1969 truck that i converted to a 72 5 lug system i used all duralast parts and they fit like a charm and plus there is that always important LIFETIME WARRANTY thats a good plus. and when we have to special order our duralast parts they come fedex and they have fedeal mogual shipping labels with them and they state that they are moog

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

Get moog or trw "only" replacement parts. The quality is 100% better. Hence the higher price.

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

Go to your local auto parts store and compare the different brands so you do not overpay for a "box" that the part comes in, that is the bottom line.

Re: front end parts... NAPA or Early classic for front end.
 

Moog is not what is was a couple years ago. I have read where several people have found their moog parts to be made in China recently. I had an issue with a moog tie rod end twice when I rebuilt my front end a while back. I ordered my rebuild kit form ECE and was very happy with their support. They now carry Rabestos as well. I believe they picked up Raybestos because of the decline in moog quality. Just my .02. Your mileage may vary.