The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk LMC Truck review?

Need to order tie rod and ends for 1960GMC K10. LMC is about the only place for the rod itself. The ends are sold many places. As far as mechanical (non sheet metal) components like these, what is your opinion of LMC? The prices are very reasonable.

I'd go with Moog. Moog is a good name. If you buy through LMC you have no idea who made the parts until they arrive..... if the manufacturer is even marked on them at all.

Maybe try Rock Auto and then compare to your local NAPA...

The rod is nowhere to be found. Tried all those sites because I suspected what you said about quality. But I am so far stuck with LMC. They are getting back to me with the OD of the crossbar/rod so I can see if it is a least the same Diameter. I believe this part would be hard to screw up by off shore makers except for the type of steel. I could make one or have one made from threaded DOM tubing but not for $40. To be clear and fair: I have nothing against them, yet. Looking for some members who got hard parts from them, steering, suspension stuff. That part is a low quantity, specific years (K10:60-63), item that moog may not bother with? Would be glad to find. I could try to bend mine back straight but I would have to use a tree crotch and a winch... but for $40 new?

Have you tried National Parts Depot? No experience with them but hear they are "coming on strong"??

About all you can probably save is shipping if you find it locally but I'd suggest finding an Advance Auto Store and got TO THE BACK and talk with the COMMERCIAL guy...or gal. Here we have a lady who has been doing the commercial end for many many years and can find about anything. Sometimes its not cheap, sometimes you have to pay shipping, sometimes not. It may be worth a try and I know they handle Moog.
...or just bite the bullet and order from LMC. I personally have been in LMC and toured their warehouse and see how they operate. For my opinion they may be cheap on a tie rod but I've read here, as well as called them, and they are sometimes the most expensive of anyone.....Sounds like you've done your homework and gas isn't cheap so "move forward". Your call.

Thanks Alvin. NPD does not have the Chevy truck section up and running yet. Advanced Auto Parts did have it under "rare parts", $321.99.

I always start with Rock auto. Their prices are good and as well shipping rates, ship on time.

LMC is hit or miss with a lot of their quality. I've had good and bad luck, depending on the part. That can be said about a lot of vendors tho'. I was not impressed with their customer service, the one time I called them with a question. That was several years back tho', but I haven't bought anything else, either.

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a lot of old truck folks I know use Rockauto for a lot of things.

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If you have some actual part numbers, you can check the various online auction sites... and some of the parts store webpages if you can find the correct area.

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as always tho', shop around :

parts vendors list here at the 'bolt

The Chevrolet & GMC Trucks Parts Vendors List by Woogeroo

used parts searching tips

good luck,

-W

No luck at Rockauto or speedway. Trying to find someone local parting a truck. If not, it probably will be LMC. They have not emailed the OD yet. The orig is about 1 3/16, odd size, thought it was going to be 1 1/8. Maybe the tolerance took it to that in 1959-60. If LMC says 1 1/8, I'm in. Woog, checking your links, thanks a lot.

I often discover that when only one vendor says they have the part... they really don't have the part. With few exceptions, the vendors don't make anything, they re-sell. So if one guy has what you are looking for, then someone else will also and the decision of who to go with comes down to price. The "lone wolf" vendor may be misinformed, have the part miscategorized, or not really understand what they have (or what you want).

my $0.02

I thought I was paranoid but that is exactly what I was thinking and I have run into that before. I should be able to determine something if they get back with a measurement. You never know until you order and receive.

A bunch of us "Bolters" have been to and had complimentary tours of LMC, Jim Carters and Classic Parts. LMC is by far the largest of the three, and I'm sure they have parts coming from many different sources (including China). But, that's pretty much the way it is almost everywhere anymore.

The bottom line is, these are all good companies and I'm sure you'll get good service from any of them.

Here's an idea. Meet up with us in KC next week and I'm pretty sure that you'll find someone willing to tag along on a parts run with you.

John

Yes I'm getting into the "beggars can't be choosy" zone on it now. Wish I had a truck that could make it that far. have fun, looking forward to the pics.

Ken,

You don't have to drive or even bring your truck. Last year was the first year for John to drive (with Gort). We have several that come in personal vehicles.

It's worth the trip. There is so much you can learn from the other Bolts and members of the Kansas City Chevy / GMC club. There are lots of amazing trucks there. I believe the others will tell you, there is a good amount of exchange of information and how-to's going on all weekend.

And ... like John said, you can go visit any of those big parts places. Jim Carter has a booth right near our Stovebolt hooch and he is more than happy to talk trucks.

Peggy

Thanks Peg, very nice of you, just can't make it this time. What channel will it be on? ESPN, History?
Hey that reminds me, when will that movie, staring John Milliman and his truck, be out? Sorry, getting off topic big time.

I used LMC years ago to get some new studs for the back of my 51 1 Ton. It took them about four tries but they eventually got it right. I was happy that they went to the trouble to make it right.

They answered me, said OD=1". Well mine measures 1.17 (odd number, I agree) Probably 1.187 minus tol. Anyway, they probably measured with a wooden ruler and said 1". Probably OK and at least they did measure an actual part, which could mean they have it? maybe. thanks everybody for the support and info.

or, rather than measuring, they looked at a spec sheet that said 1", which for the TF series would be the heavy duty item, if the ends fit, it should do OK if yer not doing a bunch of rock crawling

Bill

You are probably correct, that's why it took so long. Nobody reads Chinese...and it said 25.4 mm

Try rare parts if they don't have it,they can make it. You use to have to order through oreilly or other parts houses. They may sell direct to the public now,I used them years ago and was very pleased.

Parts and quality. It really doesn't matter where you go for parts, its all the same. Napa? They sometimes just mark up the price of the same old china made parts that you get everywhere else, Napa is sometimes less expensive than Oriellys on stuff too.

You got that right. The law says the country of origin has to be given on parts. You can't trust the parts unless made in USA or Canada. But we have to sometimes. China IS getting better just like Japan did. We have taught them, or they have stolen, methods re: casting and machining and tolerances and precision and cleanliness. But they cut corners big time. The quality control department is also the bathroom.

try Brothers. They list that part in their catalog. About $50.

I am surprised that a big jobber like NAPA would not have them. I bought wheel cylinders for my 49 off the shelf at NAPA. Shoes too.

As an outsider it never ceases to amaze me..just the fact you can go to your FLAPS (Napa,Autozone etc) and order/buy parts for these old trucks in the first place.

Here in the UK you'd be hard pushed to get anything from our local parts store older than 1990 European cars never mind a Chevy!
Mention that name here and they automatically think of re-badged Daewoos.

In saying that i've had good results dealing with U.S. suppliers,LMC included,more so than some UK based suppliers i've had experience with.

The main downside obviously for us foreigners is shipping and timescale.