Ok, So I'll be that guy....

[Josh N]

So here it is, I have been reading on here for about two years but didn't get an actual account until I bought my 80. Time and time again I have read that Toyota parts are the only parts to put in these trucks. Why? What kind of stresses are everyone putting on parts that only the factory parts will suffice? Is it that the after market is so small? Or that after market manufacturers just aren't reputable? I do realize I am primarily talking engine parts and electrical etc, nothing like suspensions and bumpers & what not, but is the difference that drastic?

I am not saying they probably aren't the best quality but, I have been driving for a little while now and never found that after market parts for any other vehicle I have owned were detrimental in anyway. Yes, I know the argument could be made that if after market parts were so good why aren't I still driving the same vehicle....long story short, military and I have been stationed overseas a few times, each time I sold the vehicles I had and got something else when I got home.

So there it is, its out there and I am wondering. Yep, I am that guy.

 

[timer00]

BANNED !

j/k.. anyways I think the overall argument is that some aftermarket parts are fine for some parts and other more mission critical parts its not such a great idea.. ie birfield's, major suspension parts, etc

 

[cubiclecaptive]

I think that most would argue that if the OEM parts got you to 150K+ in mileage then the few dollars more for Genuine Toyota over rebuilt/new XYZ replacement parts is mony well spent.

When my Tahoe barely made it past factory warranty (60K) on items such as alternator, a/c compressor, CV axles, etc. then why would I show up at the Chevy parts counter? But when my Land Cruiser hits 185K on the factory radiator (and went south on fluke) then the difference in Toyota vs. internet was an easy choice. When everyone said go factory on the o2 sensors, that is the way I went. The experience of many can guide the few when the time comes.

That being said, lots of folks have had great luck with NAPA brake calipers, internet radiators and remanned alternators on their 80s. Often times $$ and location/urgency play a key role in deciding what to buy and you can't fault anyone for opting non-factory in those situations.

my $.02

 

[MadTripper]

I think that most would argue that if the OEM parts got you to 150K+ in mileage then the few dollars more for Genuine Toyota over rebuilt/new XYZ replacement parts is mony well spent.

When my Tahoe barely made it past factory warranty (60K) on items such as alternator, a/c compressor, CV axles, etc. then why would I show up at the Chevy parts counter? But when my Land Cruiser hits 185K on the factory radiator (and went south on fluke) then the difference in Toyota vs. internet was an easy choice. When everyone said go factory on the o2 sensors, that is the way I went. The experience of many can guide the few when the time comes.

That being said, lots of folks have had great luck with NAPA brake calipers, internet radiators and remanned alternators on their 80s. Often times $$ and location/urgency play a key role in deciding what to buy and you can't fault anyone for opting non-factory in those situations.

my $.02

x2

In addition, parts from Dan and American Toyota are typically as cheap as the local parts stores. I had a miss around 1800 rpms (still have it actually) so I replaced my wires, plugs, cap, and rotor from Napa (I think Beck Arnley), the miss showed back up less than a year later. Needless to say, I just ordered OEM parts from Dan last week. 300K miles is not uncommon for these units if maintained, not necessarily babied, but maintained. That speaks volumes in my opinion so I'll keep on giving Toyota a couple bucks every month or so.

Tripper

 

[freshspecbluegt]

I've been burned too many times now using aftermarket replacement parts. My time is worth too much to have to go back in and fix it again. I know that the OEM parts will work and so I stick with them. Not that OEM parts never fail, but I have yet to have a bad experience with any Toyota OEM replacement part.

 

[96beast]

It just makes sense to buy Toyota parts. You can get them for a good price through C-Dan and they just work.

 

[G-Cat]

Bumpers and suspension...definitely go aftermarket...Toyota doesn't make lifts or off-road bumpers.

Many aftermarket parts are made in China. Toyota parts are made in Japan, just like our Cruisers.

Basically, you get what you pay for...in performance and longevity.

That said, I do know of folks who have found things such as brake calipers at Autozone, for 1/3 of the price, to be re-packaged OEM Toyota ...so it doesn't hurt to be a smart shopper.

As others have noted, cruiserdan and other Toyota parts guys on ih8mud give great discounts!

 

[Josh N]

Fair enough. Seems to be a mixed bag. Obviously some things will make more sense and the point that the originals are lasting so long is a strong argument although I can't speak GM since only my wife has had one and we have replaced a good few parts at only 60k and 8 yrs old, but that was never the case with my fords which until this last return to the country was all I drove but now I'm driving Japanese vehicles.

I suppose I should be banned now for blaspheming

 

[aclos3]

Most of us are attracted to these trucks because of their 'take-you-through-the apocalypse' durability. We like how they can take a beating and still be trusted to get us home. They are overbuilt for ultimate reliability with no expenses spared. Since I bought my 80 for these reasons, I shy away from putting anything in that could be deemed lower quality.

 

[jynx]

Have to agree with the above, some things you can go aftermarket, but as was stated, I like knowing that my parts are not coming from China. I also have had some bad experience with aftermarket sensors being replaced more than once until I finally went back to OEM and solved the problem.

Also as cubiclecaptive said, if the oem has lasted for 150k-200k then why would you want to replace it with something with a 12k mile warranty..... My time is worth more than the difference.

Just preference in the end.

Tucker

 

[Flank]

I think you can rationalize OEM vs Non like this:
To what standard and with what proof do OEM parts for your Land Cruiser hold? Your proof and standard are that the truck does not need that part for 150K, 250K, 300K miles.

To what standard and what proof are the aftermarket held to? Anyone? Anyone? Some parts will have a great reputation (x brand of brakes are tested to hold up and stop better... Bosch starters have a reputation... yada yada), but many will not.

It breaks down to this, if you are mall cruising or not putting any stress on your vehicle, a lot of aftermarket will probably do just fine... But most of us, or at least a lot of us are buying these with high mileage and want to make sure they last and are reasonably reliable when we are miles from nowhere. It is easy to get caught up in the dogma (I even did it in the early days of the mid ninetys with my Explorer on an early and very established news group - remember those?)

You can take the advice of those that have been here and seen stuff break or not work, or you can test yourself. What is your threshold for risk? For drive critical parts, it may be a bit less, for not so critical parts it may be a bit more. Me? I like to know it will fit, it will work, and that can trust it the first time I fix it.

But then again, you are not driving a 15 year old beater that you picked up for $7grand, you are driving a 15 year old high end, high dollar vehicle that still has the appetite for high end parts. Would you put aftermarket on an old Ferarri? An old Porsche? An old Mercedes? These trucks cost about what those did new.

Now go bang your expensive luxury vehicle on some rocks and break it to justify this thread!

 

[Nottajeep]

Look, it's real simple. OEM parts go through the original Toyota engineer design process and must pass all of the rigorous testing for environmental, design, and reliability verification standards. Any aftermarket yahoo can come out with a cheap part at Autozone, Pepboys, etc... and produce the part anywhere in the world with uncontrolled methods and unverified materials. To me? No Thanks. Give me the Yoda stamped parts. I'll fix it once and take my confident butt down the road.

Aftermarket has it's place for roof racks, adding lockers, bumbers, etc... but anything that needs a straight 1-up replacement is going to be Toyota on my ride.

I

 

[lndcruz]

Its all about quality.

Who wants to me miles away from civilization and break down because of some cheap part? OEM through american toyota is only a fraction more $$$ than aftermarket.

With that said I have had a failure with a Toyota Denso remanufactured alternator with only 2 years and 20k on it which does make me question some things.

 

[RichElliott]

Josh N = That Guy.

 

[Brian894X4]

Many of the parts sold by Toyota are not made by Toyota, but are contracted out to major parts manufactures. In the case of our Japanese made Toyotas, most parts are made by Japanese based manufactures, as opposed to the American made Toyotas, where many parts come from parts sourced all over the world, including American based manufactures.

But as for where the part is made, it could still easily be made in China. Recently, especially in the last few years, Japanese manufactures have outsourced a HUGE amount of product manufacture to China. Brands that were normally exclusively made in Japan are now made in China, or other Asian countries like Malayasia, etc. Although some of the more high end stuff is still made in Japan. The only way to know for sure is to read the parts box. Japanese parts maker Denso was in the process of shifting all or nearly all production to China in the mid 2000s, which was suppose to be completed within 5 years, so, right about now.

Since the same parts manufactures that supply the Toyota dealers also make the very same parts for retail parts stores, you could theoretically get the exact same part from a regular parts store as you get at the dealer, but for a cheaper price...the C-dan discount not withstanding. The problem is knowing which manufacture actually makes the part that the dealer sells as OEM and then finding a parts store that will tell you which manufacture sells the various versions of the same part.

It's often just easier to go to the dealer or to C-dan and you know that where ever the part was made or by who, you at least got the best version of that part that is available today. Whether it's as good as the original part that Toyota installed on the vehicle or not, who knows.

 

[firetruck41]

When you buy a set of OEM spark plug wires, or an air filter, and compare it to the aftermarket stuff out there, you can see a difference. There are some things which I feel fine going to the aftermarket, and others, which I will stick with OEM.

Before you spend a lot of dough on a part, do a little research here on 'mud, and you will probably find some consensus on which way to go (OEM vs. aftermarket) for the particular part/application.

 

[dnp]

OEM all the way.......to copy an old marketing pitch: "There are no unimportant parts"

 

[nicholas]

I'm not sure if OEM are better than aftermarket, but I do know that there are a few starving dogs in Albuquerque that could use my help. I'd hate to see the poor mutt's go unfed, so I buy OEM parts from their owners. If we stop buying OEM parts from American Toyota, the dogs will resort to licking Keystone residue out of the recycle bin.