Parts That Don't Fit And Our Efforts To Smoke Out The Rats Of The Classic Car Industry

The disaster of a 1960 Ford Pickup we featured the other day is only the latest of dozens like it we have encountered like it, where an unsuspecting customer is taken to the cleaners by classic car dealerships and unscrupulous body shops. Now we think it's time to take action and really do something about this epidemic of thievery that ultimately hurts us all.
#classiccar #ford #f100 #mopar #musclecar
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*SOCIAL MEDIA:

[billyduffany]

I feel so bad for the lady with the 1960 ford pickup truck. I wish she could take that shop to court and get her money back so she can get it fixed right.

[animoetprudentia]

Went down that road with my Dad's classic car after he passed. It sat basically unused for a few years, and once the great reset began in 20' I convinced Mom to let me fix it up and sell it (52' Ford crestline Victoria). Beautiful paint, chrome up the wazoo, crager wheels, high quality upholstered interior, but ran like crap, and was scary to drive - loose steering and meh brakes. I figured no big deal, wheel bearings, tie rods, brake rebuild - done. Boy was I naive. Whoever restored it (probably mid 80's - cassette stereo, and late 80's mustang power steering pump) converted it to 12v, dropped a 289 in it, C4 auto, Edelbrock 4b/intake, front disc, A/C, headers, aluminum rad, etc. But they cobbled the steering linkage and hydrologic lines/cylinder from a scrap pile 60's and early 70's Ford and Lincoln parts, all leaking and worn out. Both kingpins were original stock, and roasted. Front hubs were built by a trailer manufacturer no longer in business. Ignition was used duraspark ll components, but no ballast resistor, and they kept the original 6v cloth ignition wiring, just buried it under layers of electrical tape. I had to be Sherlock Holmes just to figure out the origin of the some of the worn out parts, and modify a bunch of them just to put it back together. Took me 3 months of work and headaches, but when it finally rolled out of the shop it ran great, and handled like a different car. It was fun to drive! I only wish Dad could have been there for that liftoff. It would have put a smile on his face.
This weekend is the 2yr anniversary of it's sale. A guy drove from 3 states away Thanksgiving weekend to purchase it. Hope he's enjoying it, took a lot of blood sweat and tears to bring it back to life.

[Yo-mamashouse]

Uncle Tony and Uncle Kathy have a wonderful Thanksgiving

[KIUJO]

I've dealt with the steering box issue on a few vehicles.... the most memorable was my 1990 GMC K1500. I went through two Rockauto boxes - while they did fit, both had essentially as much slop as the original. I ended up putting in a Red Head box and all was well. Later on, I was able to determine that a Rock Auto/Parts store box "rebuild" is just a seal replacement... never solving the slop that essentially all original boxes have.

[daviddavis]

Steer and Gear are GREAT! Rebuilt my 73 Dodge van steering box. Zero play!

[itneverwasme]

I think this is a great idea. Too many people getting ripped off, or are paying concours pricing for hack work.

[clydedenby]

I firmly believe that we do not need another government bureaucracy to ruin our hobby by creating a bible of worthless regulations. . What we do need is for these people to have their shady practices to be publically exposed. Good job on exposing Possum Holler as the first entry.

[MikeBrown-iipt]

I knew as soon as I saw them laying side by side on the floor that those steering boxes weren't the same. I've bought many parts from Rock Auto because they had them in stock where my regular suppliers were backordered for several weeks or, indefinitely. However, any time I order parts online, they're always name brand parts. I get the manufacturers part # off of the website (it's always there somewhere), then, I search the part manufacturers site to get the real applications for said part. It's not always quick doing so but, it's always faster than getting the wrong part and having to return it.

[michaelcuff]

Only bad thing that happened to my mom was in 1986 she bought a brand new 1986 Carice classic brogham. Took it to Jiffy lube where they over filled it with oil so bad that the belt came off. Everything was coated with motor oil. She wouldnt sue them. But over the years I had to change all the seals in that 350 chevy engine.

[timbabeu]

Quality control has gotten bad here lately. I got some injectors that leaked out the sides and an IACV for my truck that the plug was misshapen. Intermediate shafts for CV shafts that splines wouldn't mesh together. Just the general fit and finish is wrong on stuff so often now. It's frustrating.

[jimmyraythomason]

I use Rock Auto a LOT and have spent a lot of money with them. Yes, I have occasionally received parts that don't fit or are otherwise incorrect for my needs but Rock Auto has gone out of their way to make it right. They have even called me on the phone to make sure I was satisfied. Good company to do business with.

[eduards]

I died laughing when just after you got done saying not to mess with rockauto it cut to one of their commercials.

[jaredjohnston]

Sadly the old mopars are bringing big money nowadays. So the bottom feeder flippers are all over that. It is an epidemic! Love your channel as a mopar guy Tony! Hope you and Uncle Cathy have a great thanksgiving!

[abeneufeld]

Poor lady, she’s a lost car enthusiast now. Utg I’m in support of your idea mentioned in the last few minutes of this video

[jasonbose]

WAY TO GO UNCLE TONY, YOUR MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT FOR CHANGE, WE LOVE YOU!!! ps/ almost forgot Happy Holidays!!!

[WARDKUSTOMZ]

I don't buy anything from rock auto. They kept sending me the wrong fuel pumps. I confronted them about it and their excuse was that manufacturers use different brands. That still does explain why airtex pumps were put in Carter boxes.

[jholthenrichs]

I'm all for calling out shysters and criminals, and people who sell rebadged cars as the real deal (GTO badges on a Tempest, etc), but I have an odd feeling that once you start doing so, lawyers will bet involved. I tried this years ago when I bought a "performance carb" for my mild Buick 455, which turned out to be a POS. Once I posted about it a shit-storm ensued. I also got burned by an engine builder. A buddy reposted my rant and soon he got a letter from a lawyer threatening him with legal action if he didn't remove his re-post. I hope this "outing" of dirtbags here is allowed to run without threat of legal action. Great channel, UTG!

[thomasharvanek]

there's nothing like a known good box

[backyardbuilttrucks]

Lares and Cardone stuff is just junk, reman or new . We went thru 4 brand new steering boxes on a Chevy K20 finally bought a borgenson new one.

[xlmi]

Steer and gear does a good job! We've had good luck with their steering sectors.