Your Experience With Aftermarket Body Parts
 

Hey guys, I'd like to get your input on your experience with perhaps purchasing, installing, quality/grade, and use of aftermarket body parts. How was the comparative cost? How was the quality of material and/or workmanship of manufacture? How was installation? Did it fit or match up properly? Were modifications necessary? How did it hold up to use or abuse? and most importantly, would you recommend the purchase and/or use of aftermarket body/exterior parts and body panels? Are they worth investing in? Are there any things we really need to know before using them? Are some good and some not?

This is merely for our information of what we should know or expect about and before buying or using aftermarket parts on our vehicles. Thanks

I can't comment on rangers specifically but I've restored a few old cars where NOS parts simply aren't available so it comes down to salvage hunting or using aftermarket panels. Some aftermarket body companies buy factory dies and tooling directly from the auto manufacturers. Obviously these aftermarket parts are almost indistinguishable from original parts. Generally only very popular vehicles have these quality aftermarket parts available though. Cheaper companies make their own molds and dies which arent always on par and tend to make each panel a little "off". They may also use thinner, cheaper grade steel.

basically in a nutshell it comes down to anything else in life... do your homework before buying, and you get what you pay for. I would never hesitate to buy aftermarket panels/parts from a good company using good tooling.

It's good that you have lots of restoration experience but you've offered no factual information on that experience, i.e, nothing we can use.

No common knowledge or advice on how to shop. We're seeking specific factual experience information, not a general auto parts chat. Know a great brand or dealer? Let us know. Know a bad one, same thing. This thread is intended as a help effort for Ranger owners and mechanics who may need the info.

I could say my step dad's cousin's girlfriend's brother told me something but that's not the kind of info we want. :D lol

ahhh sorry i misunderstood... you want specific detailed answers to a question about unspecific parts to an unspecific vehicle. gotcha.

Oh, you're just trying to be rude now. In case you don't realize it, this is the Ford Ranger (the specific vehicle) forum and we are seeking info on Aftermarket body parts (the specific parts). Your attempted insult displays ignorance. Follow the forum rules please. No rude smart alecs. Please refrain from returning to the thread.

You're neat.

What is the difference between branded automotive parts and aftermarket automotive parts? Which are the best and how?

well anything stamped out off the same production machinery and GOOD dies (not the factory rejects that get sold to aftermarket companies when they are worn out) should fit identical to the production line parts. Sometimes aftermarket parts are made of thinner metal to make their dies last longer (set of lets say fender dies may be $250,000-$500,000), might have tacked on hex nuts instead of caged square nuts or speed nuts because its easier to produce but will function the same.

if you want factory fit use factory made parts (ie get parts from junkyard and repaint to match) - if you want new fender now or flat out cant find a good original fender due to rust or all damaged then a repo fender will work and some are made exceptionally well but they all have tell tale signs (missing stamped part numbers or ford logo for instance - just not as clean punched out, etc - things you get used to looking for when you browse used cars as much as i do)

Im sure like many other makes and models certain aftermarket body part manufactures stamp out hundreds if not thousands of different car parts from all years, they may do a short run of 3 weeks or a month to refill the worlds need then no more till next year or 2 years or 5 years etc. Like i said before company A may make the absolute best fender for a 1970 chevelle as they have new crisp dies that do a wonderful job while the same company stamps out fenders for a bronco that the dies are worn out and nearly unuseable so they make a fair to poor fitting/looking part. Company A may only make front fenders where company B makes rear fenders that are exceptional for the same bronco years but couldnt stamp out chevelle rear quarter panels worth a darn. So you cant go by whos a good company in the aftermarket sheetmetal field, its gotta be word of mouth about how that particular part fits. (yes left and right fenders are 2 seperate dies and one can be great while the other side fits like crap due to worn out dies)

But rangers are relatively new in the scheme of things so alot of places find a good used factory made fender they can strip and repaint so they know it fits like a glove.