Spare Parts Organization

[Green Bean]

To all of the Mud Dads, happy Fathers Day! Okay, I admit that I have a problem. I can't seem to bring myself to throw away old parts. This, combined with a whole host of "extra" new parts, combined with my poor memory, are causing a problem. I keep my "spares" in 2 large plastic tubs with lids. It is a total hodgepodge. No organization whatsoever. A typical search usually culminates in dumping the contents of both tubs on the garage floor in search of some part that I think I have. Combing through the mounds, I usually discover things that I had long forgotten about. I need a different solution. I know, part of it involves just throwing stuff away. What is everyone's preferred method of storing/finding your spare parts?
Thanks.

 

[devo]

Yea, I feel your situation. I probably have the same tubs, those yellow top ones?
I keep a list of what I have, what tub they are in and then take a photo of the part. Then put the photo in an iPhone “LandCruiser Parts” file.
Seems to be working okay!

 

[pb4ugo]

Just 2 large tubs? You're just getting started. There's no real solution. I try to keep like items in the same areas or containers and label them.

 

[charliemeyer007]

I have like about 100 of the free large fixed price USPS boxes. I taped the bottom seam inside and out. I labeled the boxes on all six sides so I can read the label no matter what "A1" is ammo #1, T11 is tool 11 etc. Next I inventoried the contents of each box and entered it into a searchable data base such as Keep. I also took a pic of each box contents named with the box #.

So when I want something I search my "Keep" first, then go to the pic with the box # to check and make sure its what I want.

Yes I have tubs/totes, ammo cans (tupper ware for men) same system

 

[Green Bean]

Good suggestions. I think that rather then just chunking stuff in the tubs with the mistaken assumption that I'll remember it; I will implement an inventory system. The first step will be to totally empty the contents of both containers. Nothing goes back until it has been properly cataloged and labeled. It won't totally solve the problem and inevitably the part that I'll be searching for will be on the bottom of the tub, but at least it should help somewhat with my failing memory. Yes, I have discovered, that I've purchased parts that I already had in one of the tubs.

 

[middlecalf]

Sell or give away those spare parts. Especially ‘65 and earlier parts. Then you don’t have to store or inventory them. Done. You’re welcome. I’ll send you my mailing address in a bit.

 

[sleepycruiser]

I have a few large containers. Most of the parts came with the FJ when I bought it and I have no idea what most of it is and it isn’t all 40 specific. Anyone local to Asheville is welcome to scavenge. Bring beer.

 

[B y r o n]

You can try creating a spreadsheet. Break the list down by location on the vehicle or function. Set up a column for where the part(s) are actually stored. You might also want a column to list if new or used.

I haven't done it and have parts scattered in the garage attic as well as in the vehicle and around the garage.

 

[Vae Victus]

Yeah I'm getting near the end of my project and looking forward to getting rid of some of this random crap. Once I know it doesn't go on my truck, it's going bye bye.

 

[igotta40]

I have dragged all mine through 7 apartment & house moves since 1980. Now I have a shop with dedicated storage shelves. Most of my stuff is new spares- water pumps, carb, alternator, brake cylinders etc. labeled in big lettering. Plus a 4 speed trans and the 3 speed and vacuum shift transfer from the 71 exwifey wrecked in 1985.

 

[Chungas Revenge]

To all of the Mud Dads, happy Fathers Day! Okay, I admit that I have a problem. I can't seem to bring myself to throw away old parts. This, combined with a whole host of "extra" new parts, combined with my poor memory, are causing a problem. I keep my "spares" in 2 large plastic tubs with lids. It is a total hodgepodge. No organization whatsoever. A typical search usually culminates in dumping the contents of both tubs on the garage floor in search of some part that I think I have. Combing through the mounds, I usually discover things that I had long forgotten about. I need a different solution. I know, part of it involves just throwing stuff away. What is everyone's preferred method of storing/finding your spare parts?
Thanks.

I’ve always enjoyed storage bin “bingo”…

 

[RevISK]

I use the boxes when I buy new stuff to store the spares or to be installed parts and write all of the contents on them in sharpie. Once I pull a part I scratch it out.

 

[Green Bean]

Phase One begins: Emptying the '"Tub-O-Parts" on the ground and begin sorting. Nothing goes back until it has been determined to be tub worthy and properly inventoried for some sort of spreadsheet. Unfortunately, we have a old shoebox for a garage with very limited storage. Here's an idea...throw some stuff away. I definitely need to get rid of the extra rear third member, 3-speed transmission and transfer case.

 

[B y r o n]

You know as soon as you throw something away you're going to find a use for it and regret doing it.

 

[Unimogguy]

I have the same yellow top tubs (Costco) on metal racks. Each tub is numbered. The numbered totes have inventory sheets and prices that I paid. Not that I’m looking to resell. Seems to work fairly well….

The precursor to this was me buying multiple parts I needed but I had already apparently purchased them and forgot I had them.

 

[kenjera]

The life of a hoarder is usually fraught with angst a few years ago l worked at a timber mill & had 2 containers rammed with stuff, 1 with various car/truck/bike/plumbing/electrical parts l'd accumulated over years the other with projects.. furniture restoration/wood work etc going into either was like stepping into Narnia all kinds of magical & mystical things could be found. l'd attempt to 'sort it out' but usually it involved chucking the boxes away & keeping the stuff inside for a new stronger box. If l was really conscientious l'd have jars with various smaller items stacked on shelves nuts bolts screws etc & tubs with rubber hoses, wiring etc. When the business went bust so did my storage space. l'm in the process of planning a 12x15 lean too extension to my 1 'usable' workshop where stuff can stored against the fixed walls & the 2 ends have doors, being a considerate neighbour it'll let the shepherd get access to the gate behind it to get into a field...if he gives me lip about it.....l'll put up a toll

 

[Paul_A]

If you're going to be a horder, it helps to also be OCD. Works for me

 

[Sky King]

I grew up in a family that never threw anything away because 1 "That cost money" and 2 " You might need that some day". and those words carried over into my adult life. My 45 years as a building and remodeling contractor had me bringing home all manner of "perfectly good" doors , windows, plumbing fixtures, hardware, you name it, until there was no room in my garage for vehicles, finally one day ( well it took weeks) I got rid of everything. My hobby projects with trucks and motorcycles still has me backsliding a bit but recently I took the time to dump out and sort multiple 5 gallon buckets that over the past 30 years I had tossed in extra nuts and bolts. For those of you that may remember Granville King and his humorous off road magazine columns he referred to those as ''Hell Buckets''. Need a 2 1/2'' 5/8 coarse thread bolt? Just start fishing in one of the buckets, when that doesn't work you dump it on the floor. I'm still adjusting to my new life of organized and categorized hardware!

 

[Living in the Past]

If I was any type of a salesman I could retire and live of selling parts.

 

[trainbufftony]

I just drug home another 55, stuffed with parts. The struggle is real.
I dumped my hardware collections all on a cookie sheet and sorted them out.
The smaller parts got put into identical boxes with the approximate contents written on the end. Door parts. Electrical, lights and fixtures, brake hardware front, brake hardware rear. You get the picture.
The trick is to use identical boxes and they stack much easier.
Post office can get you boxes.
Another thing I do: every time you go through your parts, look at them for half a second. Many of them will be broken or have defects, and rather than hoarding them, throw them out.
A parts hoard must periodically be gone through and organized, so it stays useful.
If you can't find what you're looking for, quickly, it's cheaper to just buy a new one (when you can) because time is money!