When you drive any vehicle on the road it becomes susceptible to wear and tear, and when you own a truck you have responsibilities, from insurance and repayments to having to replace parts and have your truck serviced regularly. When it comes to spare parts, some truck parts are made to last longer than other parts, either way if the parts aren’t used in the proper manner and well maintained they will have a shorter lifespan.
Regular and proper maintenance of your truck is important because it is an engine that requires repairs and maintenance to prevent it from breaking down. A truck off the road is money being lost. If you want to keep your truck in good shape, not only do you need a reliable mechanic you also need one who understand the ins and outs of working with your brand of vehicle.
The best way to get your truck up and running again is to replace broken or damaged parts with new ones. When you are shopping for spare parts for your American truck, there are some things to look for – or to at least consider.
- Find a reliable seller – one of the best ways to ensure you get the right quality part for your truck, is to always buy from a reputable seller. By choosing someone you trust you will enjoy that peace of mind of knowing the part you’ve purchased isn’t just the RIGHT part, but, that it will last a long time. It’s also a good idea – if you can – to buy the part from a place that can also FIT the part you have purchased.
- Research the part or parts you need – as with any product, do your research first, if you don’t know much about the part you need, look into finding out what the part does, before you make your purchase. Remember that some parts are unique to certain engines and transmission combinations. By taking the time to do some research before you buy, you’ll minimise the risk of ordering the wrong part.
- Take time to shop around – be aware of the going or recommended retail price for the part you are looking for, don’t be ripped off by someone offering a part for more than its standard price. While your mechanic should always try and get you the right part as quickly as possible, you can do your own research.
- Inspect the part – Just before you finalise your purchase take a few minutes to open the box and take a look at the part inside. Check for any possible defects or problems with the manufacturing of the part. Be thorough and ensure the part is *perfect*. The last thing you want is the part damaged and breaking soon after it’s been fitted.
- Know your numbers – It’s important that you know your VIN number, model, make and year your truck was manufactured. If you don’t provide all the correct information you run the risk of receiving the wrong part, this will delay your trucks return to the road. Simple mistakes such as this can end up costing a lot of money.
- Get a warranty – it doesn’t matter if you are buying an original manufactures part or a used/reconditioned part, you need to ask for a warranty. You need to know that should there be any issues after the part has been installed that you are covered for parts and labour under the warranty.
- Compare New VS Old – if you have the time available, it’s a good idea to compare the prices of an after-market part Vs a reconditioned part Vs Original Manufactures part. While you are comparing prices, also check for availability, you maybe able to get a reconditioned part faster than an original manufacturers part which means you can get your truck back on the road sooner.
- For rare parts always buy in person – today it’s common for people to purchase truck parts online, finding and buying parts on line is faster and a lot more convenient, but if the part you need is *rare* it’s best that you buy them in person. Not only will you get the part you need, you are assured that the part will work and is a good quality part
When it comes to buying spare parts for your truck it pays to be as meticulous as possible. If you take that extra time to find a reliable seller and do a little research into the part you need, you can rest assured knowing that you are spending your hard-earnt money on a good, top quality part, that’s right for your truck.
