Aftermarket or OEM?????

crazy96863 · 04-13-2011, 01:27 PM

Since I am not a huge fan of reshaping significant portions of any vehicle with bondo I am looking to replace a fender, a door, and part of the bedside that goes around the tire on my '75 F100. I figured I would post here as this topic may benefit others regardless of the model.

There are choices in replacement body panels are used, oem, or aftermarket. Considering the age of the vehicle, finding used in good shape is probably possible but it would be a hunt I don't feel like attending; no time or patience plus they would likely want pretty close to the aftermarket prices for anything I found.

So I allude to the simple question of Aftermarket or OEM replacement body parts... Is the savings worth it to go aftermarket? I have heard these parts can be made of substantially inferior metals and they may not fit or be shaped exactly right.

Please fill me in. Thanks!

Skyhawk · 04-13-2011, 02:02 PM

I did aftermarket once and will never do it again. The parts did not fit properly, were flimsy, and were not well made (the metal was thinner). With OEM the parts are sturdier, the holes are in the right places, and they fit properly.

crazy96863 · 04-13-2011, 10:48 PM

Would you go with oem even with slight imperfections over aftermarket? I am assuming this will likely be the case if I go oem cause I can't afford $300-$600 to replace a fender so used is the only option left.

Dominick · 04-14-2011, 04:11 AM

As long as the OEM fender isn't wasted by rust or severe damage i would go with it.
The insurance companies made us first go with aftermarket parts unless the owner raised heck about it.
I have to side with Skyhawk .
I've had techs jump my bones about the after market ones because they won't fit.
They make you try a couple of aftermarkets and then they will approve a genuine Ford part.
JMO
Dom.

smithredenbacher · 07-01-2011, 07:31 AM

I'd say it will still depend on who sells it. Gotta have to make sure that where you buying your parts are from the ones that can be trusted.

Pletchaj · 07-01-2011, 05:16 PM

I am doing the same thing execpt through LMC Trucks, does anyone know how they rank?

mark v · 07-03-2011, 11:40 AM

LMC is top end stuff. I watch Trucks a lot and they use LMC and they always show how good of a fit and finish it has.

Good luck finding anything OEM from 1975.

trhaus · 07-06-2011, 05:45 PM

im not familiar with the vehicle your using these parts on. i have used both aftermarket and oem parts, if the stamping dies are not wore out yet the aftermarket parts will fit just as well as oem parts. another thing to look for is a certification sticker, which is common on quality aftermarket parts. what is your vehicle? and what are u replacing? how much experience do u have at shiming or fitting panels. and are u expecting to have a daily driver or a show car?

carbuilder · 07-09-2011, 02:24 AM

i sugest that you go for OEM

jan2005 · 10-19-2011, 06:19 PM

The cheap ass plastic trim/molding is melting off of this car. I absolutely want the world to see this and I PROMISED FORD I would do just that. I want to thank everyone for viewing them and am hoping ANYONE out there will share a comment/suggestion or better still tell me if they are having the same problem. Ford of course said SORRY-not our problem.

ayrwolf · 10-19-2011, 06:31 PM

I would go with OEM. I bought some aftermarket stuff. It doesn't fit right, holes are off or the wrong size. I found some suppliers that have NOS so I consider myself lucky.

Dominick · 10-19-2011, 06:34 PM

Not that it matters its terrible
whats it on?

jan2005 · 10-20-2011, 04:24 PM

2005 Ford Escape with 59K miles

Parker · 10-27-2011, 10:28 AM

OEM all the way!

mark v · 10-27-2011, 03:00 PM

Those pictures look like some type of cleaner or solvent got on them and melted them. If it was a Ford defect the whole thing would be suffering not just spots.

jan2005 · 10-29-2011, 05:44 PM

Starts as small bubbles, then spreads out to the burn like mark, then curls up like melting. Owner has been sick for past 3 years and the car has only gone thru the car wash here and there. Nothing special and no chemicals or anything intentionally wiped on the plastic.

Stymees'mont · 11-05-2011, 05:23 PM

The one picture I see of the mirror (2nd to last) I can see a primer to finished paint line.....there appears to have been some repainting done. If you took a mirror off a new car...the finish paint would be complete behind the mirror...no "Tan Lines" . So seeing this it looks to me like someone used a chemical on them.

Stymees'mont · 11-05-2011, 05:26 PM

crazy96863, I would use OEM any time I could. If I owned a Toyota...aftermarket fits them perfectly......Made in China / Japan....etc....seems to fit them better then an American made car/truck .