When you need a part for your truck, you want to be sure that the part you get is going to work for your needs and still be the best value for your money. There are several ways to buy the parts you need, so you need to consider the best options for your situation and obtain the truck parts that meet your needs.
New Factory Truck Parts
Truck parts are available for sale to the general public through factory service centers and dealerships all over the country. In many cases, the parts you get from your local dealer are the same parts that are used in the factory when the truck is assembled.
The cost of factory replacement parts can be a factor in choosing the parts for your truck, but if you need truck parts that are an exact fit and will perform like the original parts, buying truck parts from the dealer may be the best solution for you.
Many times a truck that is still under warranty will get factory truck parts because the manufacturer is replacing the parts as a part of the warranty program. If you want to keep the truck under warranty, you need to use the factory truck parts, so there is no question of damage occurring to the truck as a result of lesser parts.
After Market Truck Parts
Aftermarket truck parts are not always lower quality parts. In some cases, the parts may be more reliable or more durable than the original parts that came in the truck. An aftermarket suspension system, for instance, may use heavy-duty parts, but the specification may be different on the parts so they may not meet the factory requirements for the truck.
The truck parts are not bad, but they would not be accepted as warranty parts, or if the truck is still under warranty, they may void it. Make sure that if you are considering aftermarket parts that you check with the dealer or manufacturer to see if they are going to affect your warranty in any way.
Used Truck Parts
Buying used parts for your truck can be an excellent way to save some money, but used truck parts should be reserved for trucks that are no longer under warranty or are older, and you do not want to spend as much money on them.
Used parts are often easy to source from a salvage yard or may be something you want to buy from a flea market or swap meet. If you are buying used parts, make sure that the part you are getting fits the truck properly, though, or the part may not be a bargain at all.