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Each of the times that my cars have been to the body shop (thanks to my bride), only FORD OE parts are used as specified by my insurance company and myself whether they come from the factory or are pulled from a salvage is irrelevant.
As for mechanical replacement parts, I rarely use OE parts as they are extremely high priced and only carry the basic 12/12K warranty. The warranty is where the aftermarket industry kicks the OE guys square in the teeth.
I've also found over the years that if you bought a used non Ford from a Ford dealer and it needed repairs, the parts very likely came from Carquest or NAPA as they are less expensive, similar quality and more readily available.
Just my nickel's worth.
__________________ Tim SCPO United States Coast Guard Retired
2011 F-150 XLT 4x4 Ecoboost
2010 Ford Focus
2004 Expedition XLT 4x2 FTE Guidelines
OEM is the only way to go for outside body panel parts. The aftermarket parts just don't line up correctly and are not of the same gauge thickness as OEM.
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1978 F250 Lariat 4x2
2008 Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x2
Would I want OEM or aftermarket parts? It depends. For safety components (i.e. the airbag video), I would only want OEM. As far as everything else goes, I think it all depends on the part in question and how much the vehicle is worth. I wouldn't pay twice as much for an OEM body panel on a x< $5k truck. If I had a $15k+ truck, I wouldn't want a $h1tty aftermarket panel that didn't line up properly. My take on mechanical components is the same.
My commuter vehicle is a Saturn (yeah...lol). I laugh at people on the Saturn board that say "only buy OEM parts." Seriously...you're talking about spending more than twice as much money (in most cases) for a OEM part...for a vehicle that is essentially disposable (mine is a 2002 and I only paid $2,200 for it). Now for my wife's Acura TL...yeah...I would do OEM. I'm not going to throw Autozone parts at that.
Would I want OEM or aftermarket? It depends. For safety components (i.e. the airbag video), I would only want OEM. As far as everything else goes, I think it all depends on the part in question and how much the vehicle is worth. I wouldn't pay twice as much for an OEM body panel on a x< $5k truck. If I had a $15k+ truck, I wouldn't want a $h1tty aftermarket panel that didn't line up properly.
If you have experience with aftermarket body panels I don't think you would want them on a $1,500 truck. The metal is paper then, dents by looking at it. A used OEM panel is worlds better than a new aftermarket panel, IMO>
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1978 F250 Lariat 4x2
2008 Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x2
If you have experience with aftermarket body panels I don't think you would want them on a $1,500 truck. The metal is paper then, dents by looking at it. A used OEM panel is worlds better than a new aftermarket panel, IMO>
If I had a $1,500 truck...I wouldn't be wasting my money by replacing a body panel. That's why I would have a $1,500 truck...so I wouldn't have to concern myself with things like aesthetics.
If I had a $1,500 truck...I wouldn't be wasting my money by replacing a body panel. That's why I would have a $1,500 truck...so I wouldn't have to concern myself with things like aesthetics.
To each his own. I know a lot of older F150's (pre 1980) that are worth $2,000 and at that I would not put on China made parts if at all possible.
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1978 F250 Lariat 4x2
2008 Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x2
i agree it really depends. often the price difference makes it a no brainer. also depends if your paying out of pocket or insurance is paying. if its worth a decent amount of money still then yeah a OE part is the way to go.
i know i used a aftermarket tailgate on my f-250 when i repainted it. have not noticed any difference in durability over stock. although it is much lighter it has held up to 4 years of work with no damage.
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Russ-
02 Excursion Limited V10 4x4, 2.5/2" lift, HIDs,20" DC wheels on Cooper LTZ, Daily Driver
01 Explorer XLT Sport V8 AWD
98 Expedition XLT 5.4 4x4,HIDs,16x8 ultra wheels,led taillights, Daily Driver
91 F-250 lairat 4x4 5.0, 7'6" BOSS snow plow, Back Rack, Strobes, Work lights
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That's why I would have a $1,500 truck...so I wouldn't have to concern myself with things like aesthetics.
