Spare parts availability for the future years

[Guest]

Re: Spare parts availability for the future years

I agree Ross.

I can't recall a Retro owner being unable to find a needed part. Some are harder to source than others, but everything needed is out there somewhere, just takes some patience and time searching.

[cewhite3]

Re: Spare parts availability for the future years

The A/C just went south on my bro/in/law's 2003 TBird. Ford no longer offers the part he needs.
.

I am curious - what part did Ford stop offering?

[jerrym3]

Re: Spare parts availability for the future years

I am curious - what part did Ford stop offering?

I'll ask him next time I see him.

[jerrym3]

Re: Spare parts availability for the future years

I'll ask him next time I see him.

According to my bro/in/law, couldn't get a new A/C condenser. They found one at a dealer in California.

He was talking to the dealer off the cuff, and the dealer told him that he had three retros in the bay that they were having trouble finding parts for. (Same parts issues coming up with the Lincoln LS.)

Now, I'm just reporting what I, and he, was told, but this is coming from a fairly large Ford, two location dealership in Northern NJ.

I use a different dealer. He's saying just about the same thing.

A third dealer (not from NJ) told me that they had to do some jockeying around to get an instrument cluster repaired and/or replaced for another retro.

But, I guess this is to be expected from a fairly low volume vehicle that is now getting on in age. Warehousing parts that are not in high demand is too expensive for any dealer.

[MATBird]

Re: Spare parts availability for the future years

Jerry: you said "A third dealer (not from NJ) told me that they had to do some jockeying around to get an instrument cluster repaired and/or replaced for another retro.

But, I guess this is to be expected from a fairly low volume vehicle that is now getting on in age. Warehousing parts that are not in high demand is too expensive for any dealer."

There's a member in our NEVT club that is also looking for an instrument cluster or repair. Do you have any more data I can pass on???

[jerrym3]

Re: Spare parts availability for the future years

Jerry: you said "A third dealer (not from NJ) told me that they had to do some jockeying around to get an instrument cluster repaired and/or replaced for another retro.
But, I guess this is to be expected from a fairly low volume vehicle that is now getting on in age. Warehousing parts that are not in high demand is too expensive for any dealer."
There's a member in our NEVT club that is also looking for an instrument cluster or repair. Do you have any more data I can pass on???

A Ford Parts Manager told me of a company called United Radio, Syracuse, NY. They perform electronics rebuilding.

Contact: mhubbard@unitedradio.com

Or, I think that an LS unit can be modified to work on the retro.

Let us know how your friend makes out.

[MATBird]

Re: Spare parts availability for the future years

Thanks Jerry, I'll contact him later today and PM you

[cewhite3]

Re: Spare parts availability for the future years

According to my bro/in/law, couldn't get a new A/C condenser. They found one at a dealer in California.

I'd say this was a problem for the Ford dealer becasue they needed to use an OE part. However Rock Auto lists numerous alternatives (including one from Motorcraft) so this really shouldn't be a problem for most owners unless they are using the Ford ESP. A Denso equivalent part is less than half the cost of the Motorcraft replacement ($70.79 vs $176.89 - the list price for the OE Is $296.54, although on-line dealers will sell it for ~$212). Denso supplies good quality parts. I would not hesitate to use them. There is even a decent chance they were the OE supplier.

Ed

[jerrym3]

Re: Spare parts availability for the future years

Thanks Jerry, I'll contact him later today and PM you

He's a She.

Missy

[cewhite3]

Re: Spare parts availability for the future years

A Ford Parts Manager told me of a company called United Radio, Syracuse, NY. They perform electronics rebuilding.
Contact: mhubbard@unitedradio.com
Or, I think that an LS unit can be modified to work on the retro.
Let us know how your friend makes out.

http://www.unitedradio.com/

Ed

[wcoates]

Re: Spare parts availability for the future years

http://www.unitedradio.com/
Ed

been 13 years since I've been part of the auto industry but one of the last major segments I was associated with was getting us ISO (and QS9000) certified. Seeing that this firm is ISO certified would make it easy for me to trust their work.

[jerrym3]

Re: Spare parts availability for the future years

I read some of the customer comments regarding United Radio.

Mixed emotions. Good and bad reviews. But, the Ford Electronics Group contracts them, or so I've been told. I guess that's a plus.

(I'd check that out with your local Ford dealer first.)

So, if there's no OEM alternative, it's either look for a used part, or take a chance on United or a similar company that is local to your particular area.

[snowbird]

Re: Spare parts availability for the future years

May have found a parts car that I can get access to for a little 'picking'. Pretty sure it is an '02, so any thoughts as to what I should pull when I get there ?

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Spare parts availability for the future years

May have found a parts car that I can get access to for a little 'picking'. Pretty sure it is an '02, so any thoughts as to what I should pull when I get there ?

Everything!

[wcoates]

Re: Spare parts availability for the future years

Everything!

Martin,
Yes everything. When I parted out two toy cars the car guru for that model recommended anything that was called a "Module" , that thinking would probably apply here. He also advised me not to save the doors but rather take them down to the component level.

Sold everything to the point that frame (4 donut tires, rear fenders, cracked block-stripped, ) had to be winched onto a flat bed. All parts sold on Ebay or to members on the web site with none ever needing re-listing.

Martin wish you were closer so we could bring our socket set and help.
While Paul's comment might be seen as tongue in cheek by some, it is the correct answer---EVERYTHING.

Economics were that on one I could only get a $2000 offer and I was asking $3000. Parts totaled $7500 on one and $7200 on the other.---GET EVERYTHING .