I have got my farming done for the year, so I can get back on the 42, I have been under the weather this past week so I was able to spend some time pricing and ordering parts. I am not a fool and I realize that to stay in business that you must make a profit, however I am not stupid either how in the world can their be in some cases 300% difference in the same part? I have loved working on machines that were in use when I was a kid, they bring me fond memories. I have my motor ready to go so I have been concentrating on thermostats, radiator hoses, senders and everything else that you need to get your engine in the truck and running. I am not wanting a show piece by any means as I have done this with a bike, 51 Ford truck and a tractor, I found out that once they are that nice you have so much time and money in them that you can not even enjoy them. This truck will have a strong flat head in it and a solid cab, good brakes, from there I will beat the dents out of it shoot some tractor paint on it and enjoy it. Since almost all of these reproduction pieces are coming from the land of almost right were do these vendors get the nerve to charge what they do for these parts. In your opinion do you think a lot of this comes from the purists or correct police or whatever you want to call them wanting a perfect period correct piece even though the parts are china built, kind of like the new cars are?

 

The price variance on some of the parts I searched for when I was resurrecting my grandfather's '46 tonner was quite an eye opener. I spent countless hours searching many websites and had similar sticker shock experiences. I found out early on that some parts were just going to be out of my budget range and that some were not going to be of the quality that I wanted or expected. I resorted to buying several "parts" vehicles that more than paid for themselves right away. I got original parts that took some extra time to clean, repair and bring back to almost new condition. Of course, you can end up with a storage issue doing it that way if you have limited storage capability and/or local ordinances preventing unlicensed or unregistered vehicles in the public view. I did have some engine parts for the G series 6 cylinder flathead that were only available for a price and did have to take a big gulp a few times and part with more $$$ than I would have liked. But in the end, the engine runs beautifully and the family history of the truck was worth a little extra $$$ here and there. The pain seems to relax a little the first time you get to drive a vehicle that hasn't moved on its own for decades. In my case, my 90 year old father and I got to ride in his dad's truck that had not run in over 45 years. The truck is not picture perfect, nor did I want to go the showroom quality route. The smile on my dad's face and the stories he shared were priceless. And my son and grandson have ridden with me in the old '46, too. Again, priceless beyond any comparison.

 

I still look at this truck restoration as a hobby. I don't buy many new parts unless it's absolutely necessary, but when I have to spend I like to think of the guys I know that play golf, buy an expensive boat and go fishing or buy season tickets to a sports franchise. They spend a lot of money to pursue these interests, but get nothing back (ok, maybe a 500 dollar salmon) in the end. While the truck money we spend doesn't always (ok, never) pencils out like a proper business, we have something solid and tangible in the end to be passed down or sold. In other words, this money is not lost for good. I understand that great friendships are often made in the other hobbies mentioned, but I have found the same thing here and in my community.

 

Even the parts for our daily drivers are substandard quality most of the time. Some of it you have to buy but I rebuild a lot of my stuff. Like the headlight and dimmer switches, easy to take them apart, clean up, lube and re=assemble.
I usually go to ebay first and sometimes a good old NOS part or even NORS just isn't that expensive. Rock Auto is always worth a look. The specialty houses are a last resort for me. They don't get much of my money.

 

I would like to add that this certainly does not just pertain to our hobby. I am rebuilding a 420 John Deere which is a two cylinder vertical motor, with a four and a quarter bore six rings three on a piston $75 after market, Mother Deere wants $65 each for intake valves

 

Are the JD parts made in America? I don't mind paying a bit more for domestic parts.

 

All I have gotten through the summer has been Mexico or China