Where to buy and what brand to get?

[kodiakisland]

I'm about to start a major project. I just bought my son a 91 Jimmy 4X4. It is in great condition with no rust, but has 155K miiles on it and 18 years worth of use. We are going to put in manual hubs and replace the drag links, tie rod ends, rotors, calipers, ball joints, springs and shocks. The good thing is we have a year before he starts driving and can take our time and do it right. The bad thing is the cost of this, plus everything else we want to do to it (interior, paint, etc).

My question is where is the best place to get parts and what brand are the better parts? I don't want to pay more just because it came from one stores vs. another, but I want good quality parts since my son will be driving it. I'd like to have all the parts for the front end before we start.

I've heard moog is good and others say not anymore, LMC is junk, NAPA is too expensive, etc. Are there any standards for quality that any of the manufacturers abide by?

So far the only parts I've committed to are warn hubs and skyjacker 2in springs.

 

[toomany]

For steering components, Moog is the way to go. You pay more up front, but you are getting a better product. Spicer is also good for U-joints and ball joints.

I use Napa brand parts all the time for customer cars. Never had an issue with any of them. I've even used Napa parts on one of my Camaros. I'd recomend them over Autozone/Advance.

Steering parts are one thing (brakes too) that you don't want to cheap out on.

 

[Stomis]

For steering components, Moog is the way to go. You pay more up front, but you are getting a better product. Spicer is also good for U-joints and ball joints.

I use Napa brand parts all the time for customer cars. Never had an issue with any of them. I've even used Napa parts on one of my Camaros. I'd recomend them over Autozone/Advance.

Steering parts are one thing (brakes too) that you don't want to cheap out on.

I would take napa brand steering parts over moog any day.

 

[jonathon]

Moog is good, Spicer Pro Grade is good. I won't use anything but Spicer for ball-joints or u-joints, mostly personal preference.

I get most stuff from Rock Auto.. locals can't or won't get Spicer

One thing I found funny.. my odd ball tre's from a 72 K10 4x4(for my crossover project..) came from Rock Auto.. ordered Spicers and one was a Spicer and one was a Moog in a Spicer box

 

[RudyO]

I've used Moog and like em. Rock Auto is definitely recommended. I've saved a lot of $$ on various parts from them.