General Tips to Save You Money

        The first tip I have may be the best one, yet also the most overlooked. When searching for used parts, become knowledgeable about what parts on your vehicle interchange with other vehicles. Most salvage yards base their price on how rare the part is. Parts for early fullsize Jeeps are usually more expensive then parts for a late 70's Chevy pickup. Therefore, why pay more for Jeep hubs, brake calipers, or spindles when you can grab the same parts off a Chevy truck? You can check out my INTERCHANGE page for more detailed swap info. By the way, keep in mind that many Chevy car steering boxes are easily adapted for Jeep use. Ever priced a Jeep power steering box?

        When picking up parts such as starters, clutches, and master cylinders, don't automatically ask for remanufactured parts to save money. ALWAYS compare the cost of remanufactured parts to new. I have seen the difference as small as a few dollars, and on a few rare occasions, the new parts were actually less.

        If you are modifying your vehicle, try to use as many off the shelf parts as you can. Custom parts may be cool for bragging rights, but when it comes down to real world use, stock parts are much easier and cheaper to find. Which will be easier to find parts for late at night near the trail, a custom Curry axle shaft or a Scout II Dana 44 shaft?