I am looking to update a few chrome parts on my 79 F150. I have selected a new grill and head light Bezel parts. Anyone have an opinion on their parts?
Thank you.

 

LMC has some cheap qualitly stuff. I've bought some cab lights from them that are not to good. I'm wanting to buy this setup.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/78-79-FORD-Truck-Bronco-CHROME-GRILL-DOORS-Grille-3Pc-/150411795591?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item23053ddc87&vxp=mtr

 

You can buy those 3 items from Rockauto for $49.

The grille shell is $162

 

Look into Dennis Carpenter Tim

 

1978/79 F100/350 & Bronco: Grille shell (8200) is anodized aluminum, headlamp doors (13064 [bezels]) are chrome (or black) plastic.

Grille insert (8150) is plastic, three different versions: Bright Argent, Bright Argent & Charcoal Gray, Chrome & Light Argent.

 

If you found the LMC stuff cheap you are going to hate the stuff you get off of ebay IMO

 

Plainly stated, when it comes to sheet metal from LMC, you're going to get a much lower grade product than OEM. The steel is all Taiwan tin. I've purchased a new set of doors from LMC, and they were the thinnest things I've ever seen. I could push dents into them with my finger. So, I chucked them, and found a good set of junkyard doors.

As for the grille shell.....they now make a steel version which has GOT to be more rigid than that aluminum mess they make. I bought the aluminum one, and it was extremely flimsy. I managed to find a guy in New Jersey that had an original Ford grille shell still in the box, so I went with that instead (and yes, I paid top dollar for that). When I got the OEM grille shell next to the LMC one, there was no comparison. I could squeeze the LMC shell with two fingers, and the OEM one wouldn't budge.

LMC may offer a lot of parts that serve the purpose quite well, and I've bought a lot of parts from them, but I will never buy sheet metal products from them again. I've seen them up close, put hands on them, and they're an inferior product compared to OEM. Granted, you can't always get OEM, but I'd shop around a lot before I'd settle on LMC.

Now, back to that steel grille shell. That would probably work as the steel will make it rigid enough, but you have to accept that when you get your first few rock chips, the chrome will probably give, and you'll have little rust spots on the shell after a while. My guess is that their chrome on the shell is about the same quality as their replacement bumpers, which isn't anything to write home about. I bought one of their replacement bumpers, and it had rust starting after only a year......I wasn't thrilled.

Anyway, you wanted perspective on LMC, now you have it. If anyone here works for LMC, or knows someone who does, I don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings, but my position is that if you build a superior product, you won't have to worry about goofballs like me criticizing them.

 

What do you guys think about other LMC parts...such as interior item like door panels, rubber pedal covers, window roller handles, dash pad cover, etc. Those are a few of the LMC parts I am considering.

 

It's the same made in Asia CRAP! These parts were first imported to the US in the late 70's, early 80's. Allstate (for one) told claim adjusters they would only use these cheap crap parts.

The Asians were using Ford part numbers in their catalogs, Ford sued and won. Then Ford patented some of the parts in attempt to keep them from being imported, Asians ignored the patents.

LMC is a "middle-man" operation, reproduces next to nothing and despite all the parts shown in their catalogs, has very liitle of it in stock.

LMC uses the J. Paul Getty method of making money. When you send in your order, they use your money to buy the parts elsewhere, from other repro parts sellers/auto parts stores.

Compare LMC's prices with Blue Oval Truck Parts, NPD, Carpenter, Truck & Car Shop and etc...before buying anything.

inre to made in Asia chrome parts: Chrome is plated onto bare steel, no copper is plated on first like genuine Ford parts were. Keep the crap waxed, cuz if you don't, pitting will soon begin.

 

As said by many, I've had less than spectacular luck with LMC. IMHO, overpriced junk. If I can find NOS through a dealer, it is always my first preference. Otherwise, I've had pretty good luck with National Parts Depot. NPD offers both NOS and repopped items. Sometimes, they show prices for both in their catalogues.

 

Thank you for your reply and also for other sources of parts.

 

Shop, compare, and ask questions. LMC is typically my last resort because their customer service sucks donkey, their shipping is uber expensive, and parts quality is hit or miss. I've received parts from them with Dennis Carpenter labels.

I like wrecking yards for NOS quality. Sometimes I bite the bullet, keep my fingers crossed, and hope for the best with parts houses.

Caveat emptor.

Parts Vendors & Resources
Jeff's Bronco Graveyard
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The Early Ford Store-San Dimas,CA
Truck & Car Shop (Orange, CA): 48-86 Ford Trucks, 66-86 Ford Bronco
C&G Early Ford Parts: 32-79 Ford Trucks (Escondido,CA)
John's F-Fun Hundreds: 48-79 Ford Truck Parts
Sacramento Vintage Ford
Flashback F-100s: 48-2008 Ford Truck Parts
Vintage Pickup Truck Parts & Restoration Resources Directory
Green Sales Company - Vintage NOS & OEM Parts

 

I buy small things through them like a glove box lol but bought a fender from them and as stated above, Taiwan junk, never again wayyyy to Expensive for what I got, I would have rather beat out the bent up OEM and bondo it (hit a Deer) before I ever buy major bodie parts from them again.