why are some truck parts so expensive

Parts are almost always more expensive at a dealer,...

When I was running my truck I always went to NAPA and had them cross reference the part numbers and saved myself some money,...

 

Brand specific parts are always the most expensive... my dipstick tube broke and a new one was just shy of $100.00... I welded the old one and it's lasted 5 years so far.

I move the exhaust from the back of the cab on my FLD to the right side behind the door... the two brackets were over $300.00! My Pete's hood hinge bolts were $141.00 ... I replaced them with generic parts the last two times but opted for the gennie parts this time.

Parts that are universal...starters, alternators, batteries, filters etc. are priced lower because dealers have to compete with each other for the business. I used to buy many parts for my FL at a Farmall dealer... way cheaper than Freightliner and they actually had the parts in stock... something Freightliner hasn't learned to do.

 

The more odd-ball the part is the more money it will be. A dipstick tube is a rare part to change. Most trucks will never need a tube ever. This is the main reason why it is so expensive. Dealership or not, if the part is not a volume sales item it will cost more. Every truck will go through 3, maybe 4 alternators in its life, but a dipstick tube?

 

yeah & freight charges will apply also if part has to come from other state.

 

For things like a dip stick, you really want to call around and get a price from a few people and get the price quote number. For an engine part, they bought it from an engine dealer and marked it up. Sad but true, you have to shop around and get quotes, just asking for a quote, will get you a better price. Just a thought!

 

KW wanted $700 for a new radiator shroud! C'mon, it's just a piece of fiberglass

 

Crash parts are the most expensive because the insurance companies pay for most of them.

 

try truck salvage yards, I needed a new windshield wiper switch, freightliner 285 bucks, salvage yard 10 bucks.

some of my gauges had the faces with pinholes where the light had burned thru,
freightliner wanted over 300 bucks, salvage yard charged me 25 bucks and even included a handful of circuit breakers and a switch for my power mirror that had broken some years ago

 

That's a good idea! I was just thinking that.