'Noob' Question: What parts do you buy locally?

72commando · **Joined:** Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:47 am **Posts:** 17

Hey everybody!
Let's get this out of the way:

Just bought an 06' Liberty CRD, 88K - $8500. This is Turbodiesel Jeep #2 in my fleet, I've spent the last 5 years restoring a 1972 Jeep Commando - then dropped a 3.9L Isuzu 4BD1T Turbodiesel into it. Pretty sure I'm in the only one in the country to have ever done that!

..cool part is, it's been my daily driver for 4 years. Suffice to say, I'm used to owning "LOST" Jeeps. Heck, I don't even think the Commando is even considered on this forum - how's that for LOST??

Here's 65 years of family Jeeps:

Ok, so I'm planning and preparing all the maintenance the PO never did - buying fluids, pricing and ordering parts, etc. Essentially, he did nothing other than change the only at regular intervals. As an example, when I picked up the Jeep I brought a fuel filter with me, and swapped it for the one he never changed...in 90K. It was completely plugged and black.

I'm wondering what parts everyone buys locally at their Autozone/AdvanceAuto/Oreilly/NAPA. The reason I ask is that the parts seem SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than mopar parts available online. for example:

Serpentine belt: Moparonlineparts.com: $94.52 vs. Advance: $32.99/$23.99 vs. NAPA: $51.99
Water Pump: Moparonlineparts.com: $184 vs. Advance: $56.59
Alternator: Moparonlineparts.com: $341.55 vs. Advance: $152.99 vs. NAPA: $249

Add to this the fact that I can order online from places like advance to be delivered to the store (no shipping costs), use coupon codes found online, and save over 40% on these parts. Not everything is available, and I know that in some cases we're talking re-manufactured vs. new, but I can't ignore price differences like this. Just wondering what you guys think about buying local?

Also, here's a list of things that will be serviced immediately - if you see anything I need to add or check, chime in!
1) Coolant Flush
2) Front/Rear Differentials
3) Power Steering Flush
4) Trans filter(s) Replace and Flush
5) Transfer Case Flush
6) Oil Change
7) Brakes - Pads, bleed, etc.
8 Tire Rotation
9) Serpentine Belt
10) @ 100K - well, you know.

jdorris · **Posted:** Thu Mar 17, 2011 1:31 am

I installed the advance auto alternator, lifetime warranty, no problems so far, 15k miles, managed to mangle my old one in the process of replacing the pulley, so I just bought a new one. I have the napa serp belt, no problems here 15k too, but some like the mopar better, they may chime in. I can't remember if I got the trans filter kit at advance auto or napa, I think it was AA. There has been quite a bit of discussion about the water pump, mopar or after market, reman or new. You might do a search to see what others have said, argued over etc.

Nice commando by the way. I had a 72. Had to thin the herd a while back though. I miss it in the summer.

Welcome aboard.

gtommec · **Posted:** Thu Mar 17, 2011 2:42 am

I just want to say that that is a nice collection of Jeeps!

72commando · **Joined:** Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:47 am **Posts:** 17

Ah, so as it turns out they were just screwing with me. No $60 water pump at AA.

I'm still interested to hear what other stuff people buy locally!

Question #2

I have a small coolant leak in the vicinity of my water pump (can't see it well from any angle, this engine compartment is CRAMMED!). I'm about to roll it over 88K, if I find out the water pump is bad/leaking should I go ahead and do the 100K timing belt service as well?

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:32 am

In my opinion... if you have to do the water pump, you should do the timing belt too. You have to tear down half of the engine just to put a new water pump on, so at 88K miles it would be wise to go ahead and change the belt while you are in there (and idler pulleys/tensioner too). That way..with luck you won't have to get back inside the engine for another 100K miles.

Remember, these engines used to have 60K intervals on the timing belt. Most other engines with timing belts also have 60K intervals. There is nothing wrong with changing it at 88K. It's cheap insurance.

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:02 am

I get fuel filers at Napa around $30 or less I think
Oil - wal-mart Rotella T6 $19.50/gallon
oil filters - Napa gold $6.99
Coolant - Napa
Trans filter kit Autozone -was under $20
Best price on ATF+4 I found was Autozone in the Coastal brand
I have Advance's gold battery for over a year with no issues $105 with taxes

I found that http://www.moparonlineparts.com/partloc ... &year=2006 is cheaper than mopar parts America. I recently got a thermostat for $100.68 They are Westbury Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep in New York..... Long Island I think. I had no problem with them and my order came quickly. they are closer to PA than Part America so ground shipping was pretty fast. I know many like Mopar Parts America but I tried to call them to get a price and order a part with a part number I could not find online and was on hold over 30 minutes on 3 different tries and once was on hold when they closed and got the message after holding that they were closed and the call disconnected so I wont call them again or order there.

I have had good luck with parts from advance and auto zone so I would check there first and buy there if they can get what I need. I like Napa too....

Nice Jeeps Too BTW the Commando looks awesome :JEEPIN:

72commando · **Joined:** Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:47 am **Posts:** 17

LibertyCRD wrote:

It's cheap insurance.

This is generally how I like to approach things. Consider your advice taken!

mikey1273 - Thanks for the info, that's exactly what I was looking for! Just wanted to make sure I was sourcing things properly. I've built up a nice, expensive shopping cart full of 100K service stuff at moparonlineparts.com. Now to find the guts (and funds) to pull the trigger!

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 18, 2011 3:40 pm

You are welcome. I should clarify that I have had good luck with parts from advance and autozone for other vehicles I haven't needed to do much repair to the Jeep so I have not tried alternators or starter. just brakes and the normal stuff.

Napa also give a discount if you are a AAA member. the average is 7% off, but some items are discounted more and some less. most fluids don't get a discount. oil and fuel filter get the AAA discount but oil dosen't same for antifreeze and trans fluids.

'Noob' Question: What parts do you buy locally?

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