Is there a best parts supplier
 

I have started a full restoration on my 2nd series 55 SB and it seems as though im going to need quite a few body parts ...what i was wondering , is there a best parts supplier ......i have received price quotes from Brothers , LMC ,Classic Industries and Tucker Trucks ......all the quotes are close ...LMC offers free shipping while the others don't ....

I as told that mopst if not all of the body panel are stamped in the same factories .....

I am just looking for some direction ...Im spending a lot of money and i just want to get the best products and customer service and i know there are people on this forum who have done more restoration projects than I

Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated

thank you

Re: Is there a best parts supplier
 

It depends, for box parts, tailgates, floors, crossmembers etc... it's hard to beat Mar-K. My front fender patch panels and the AMD rear step side fenders both had "Key Parts" labels on them. If you have Facebook check out https://www.facebook.com/search/top/...k%20stop%20inc

I placed an order with them recently, their prices and shipping were reasonable and the customer service was excellent.

Re: Is there a best parts supplier
 

I'd say that from what I see the prices from those you mentioned are reasonably competitive. The shipping may be what you need to keep a close eye on.

I'd also agree with Black Sheep on Mar-K on bed parts. That is what they do and they do i well.

One of the guys I am on FB with redoes and flips a lot of AD trucks and gets most of his parts from National Parts Depot. https://www.npdlink.com/store/catalo...-100000-1.html I've never done business with them but he buys truck loads of parts at a time from them. You can't have too many options to check out though.

Re: Is there a best parts supplier
 

Re: Is there a best parts supplier
 

rosa is reported..

Re: Is there a best parts supplier
 

Unfortunately it’s all the same Asian made junk. Everything is inferior to 70 year old OEM with the exception being Mar-K beds. I would suggest picking a vendor with good customer service. I suggest you stay clear of classicparts.com since they sent me a duplicate order and insisted I pay return shipping and a restocking fee. Kinda crazy!

Re: Is there a best parts supplier
 

it beats the alternative of no junk at all :D
i've worked on these task force trucks since the early 70s when the only parts were rusty junk yard parts
the 80 got worse, 90s were hard to find any parts, even 00s the new patch panels were limited
we are getting spoiled with the availability of every part new and shipped to our homes within the week

Re: Is there a best parts supplier
 

I appreciate all the input and like someone said , spending this kinda $$$$$ I should exhaust all options ..thank you again

Re: Is there a best parts supplier
 

...another big endorsement for Mar-K.

Re: Is there a best parts supplier
 

Typically the smaller vendors, mom and pop shops will give you the best deals on large orders, Shipping on orders of 2k should be free shipping or close to depending on where you are and if a truck can get to you. We like dynacorn as a first choice, Key parts and Dynacorn fill out each other's lines.

The best supplier is the one your most comfortable with and to find that out the best way is to call the vendor and see how they respond to your requests and the comfort level you get from talking to them.

If you're a first time restorer find a vendor that actually installs the parts you are getting so if you're stuck on a fitment issue they can help you out or help you find the answer if they don't know.

Make your list and shop it.

Re: Is there a best parts supplier
 

Mar-K is the bomb on bed parts! Hard to beat.

You might also consider going to major swap meets to eliminate shipping costs. Just be sure to call the vendor a couple of weeks in advance so they can bring what you want. You may even get a show discount.

Re: Is there a best parts supplier
 

I'm with Jesse Z, I've purchased most of my parts from Classic Parts for my 56 2nd series. In a lot of cases, their prices were lower as was their shipping costs.

Re: Is there a best parts supplier
 

I think I have used them all over the last 10 years or so of my build.

A couple of them stand out with Summit on top of the list. Best and easiest return policy. Others I have liked are Mar-K, LMC and Eastwood for sure.

Living north of the border and having to drive down to Montana to pick them up I like to be able to receive an invoice in advance to bring with me and also being able to track them so I know exactly when to go down.

For returns I think Summit wins hands down. No real questions asked!

I also like summits web site for doing part searches before ordering from them or others when they do not have the parts. Funny but about the only part I have needed lately, the vent cables, they do not have. I have to go back to classic for them.

I have been playing with these trucks for over 40 years and we have certainly come a long ways.

Re: Is there a best parts supplier
 

Some tips I tell my buyers is

1. Large panels ( doors, fenders, bedsides) are expensive to ship so buy as much as you can in one order $ wise. Most often @2K shipping is usually free or heavily discounted. One fender can costs as much as an entire cabs worth of panel to ship. You can get a lot of items on one pallet.

2. If you have a business or a freight terminal close by that can accept your freight and has a forklift ask for a rate to that place, most often its cheaper especially in rural areas. Farms are not considered businesses nor are home businesses, they must be in a normal business area. Tailgate Service always adds $75 to a $100 to the cost so having a way to unload is important. Don't send the wife out there with your 10 year old. You can break down the pallet on the trailer but you need to be quick about it or they charge waiting time.

3. Normally your first conversation with the vendor is going to tell you how it will proceed from there. Some of the companies above are good to buy from but like all companies they do have that one PIA sales guy that's rude and always has a bad day.

4. Errors in order picking, shipping and billing occur. Don't blow up at the vendor or sales guy right off the bat if something is wrong or late or missing. Explain what happened and ask how do we proceed from here. Very often you end up with what you need.

5. Don't be afraid to bargain for the best price. The space is so competitive. if you get a quote from XYZ corp to be afraid to hang that over the next company you get a quote from.

6. Don't waste their time trying to have them look up part number and them ditch them, Do your own homework, I alway ask they not give me apart number so if it's wrong there is no one's fault but mine or the picker. If you give me a wrong part number its on you and if its a fender that gets expensive to return and reship.

Re: Is there a best parts supplier
 

Ad windshields to the list of big parts if you can't get them locally. Those who live near the sellers are the most fortunate. Just got a love note that shipping rates are going up again soon. Again customer service is first as you may have to take back a few to get one that works. IMHO most aftermarket body parts seem like 80% finished AR lowers. The shape is there but you have to do substantial work to make them fit.

Re: Is there a best parts supplier
 

I am not a reproduction part guy, I say search for original, they aren't as hard to find as you think.

But LMC is one that I have done business with and found them to have an amazing customer service, they will do anything for you!


Brian