As a TJ and an XJ owner I notice there's a lot more places with a lot more choices for parts and pieces for Wranglers than there is for Cherokees. Where do you buy your parts? I'm a catalog guy. I like one in my hand to hold, look at, and dream about. Quadratec is ok but not nearly as much for Cherokee as they have for wrangler.

 

Have you looked in the vendor forum here?

 

Some sites like serious off road have a little bit of everything for both.Then you have some sites and vendors who stick to one type of part.Anything particular you looking for?

 

Whoever has the best price on exactly what I am looking for. I am an internet hound so I scour the net to figure out exactly what I want, then where I can get it for the best price. Am about to build up a front axle - I get the best price on Synergy ball joints from Synergy themselves, whereas the 4WheelParts is $100 cheaper than the next nearest place on an Eaton E-Locker. Guess who gets my business?

 

rockauto.com

 

My local NAPA.

 

X2. Find part number I want, do a quick Google shopping search/ebay/Amazon and get it from the cheapest place. I go AutoZone for fluids/dielectric greese etc. because after 100$ you get 20 free. Buy most of my OEM replacements at RockAuto.com- they are almost always the cheapest.

Quadratec and 4wd have great catalogs. I just would rather save some cash and put it towards my next purchase rather than "help" someone out who is trying to scalp me. No loyalty here lol.

 

SeriousOffroad has great prices and very fair shipping rates!

As for catalogs, CSE Offroad is the most comprehensive.

 

There are several companies that have GC/XJ Catalogs only Quadratec and 4 wheel parts (both price match) with free shipping that I receive along with there big books. Nice part with them is you can call and talk to someone anytime. I'm a big fan of Summit and Jegs as they will price match with anyone and free shipping also.

 

Oreillys, Napa & Advanced for the basic stuff, plugs, wires, oils, etc. I occasionally pick up things from Rockauto (sensors, motor mounts) cause its CHEAAAAAAP. Suspension is from the aftermarket guys. Iron Rock Offroad front springs, RE rear springs, Bilsteins through 4Wheelparts, got a custom driveshaft from a small shop.

 

Do you have the parts catalog?
I usually Google the part number, and see some choices.

 

I buy all of my replacement parts from Advance Auto Parts. It's just close, and I have a commercial account with them that saves me a bunch.

I buy aftermarket stuff online from Rough Country, Inspired Engineering, Quadratec, Ebay, Summit Racing, Harbor Freight, Tractor Supply, Rural King, and several other places.

 

I also buy all standard parts locally at the auto parts stores AutoZone, NAPA, as we have commercial business accounts at them as well as the Chrysler Dealership.

 

I use advanced auto as well for a lot of things. I usually order online, use some coupon code, then pick it up in store. Typically the coupon code is 20-30% off.

 

I usually do some research first to get an idea of what I'm looking for. Then:

If it's something I need in a hurry, I buy it from Advance Auto and use one of those crazy coupon codes to get a discount.

If it's something I can wait a while for, I'll do a regular search on eBay and SearchTempest.com (to search Craigslist) to see what comes up. I got ~25% discounts off new prices on my Mean Green alternator, my Kelley's battery cable kit and my Banks header by just watching and waiting.

If it's something I need next week, I'll sometimes order from RockAuto.com. I've bought a lot of regular auto parts from them.

However, Rock Auto doesn't always have the best price. If I know the exact part number and have time to wait, I'll start doing a frequent search for it on frugalmechanic.com. I have found some really good deals that way. However, you must be warned that several of the sites that come back in the search results are borderline shady and can take a long time to ship.

And don't forget Amazon. I have gotten several good deals on items through Amazon (with free Prime shipping) that I wouldn't have expected if they hadn't popped up in the Frugal Mechanic search. Now I search Amazon on its own just to see what they have.

As for the vendors here, I buy from them when they have what I want and have the best price on the item. I refuse to buy from anyone just out of some misplaced sense of loyalty, but the vendors here often do have the best deal, especially if they're offering a forum discount. It's definitely worth checking them out.