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OEM parts vs aftermarket/reproduction.

PavementPrincess

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Oregon
We all obviously own old jeeps now since the Cherokee hasn’t been made since 2001. A lot of you probably have lots of experience repairing/replacing things as they fail. As far as most parts repel or aftermarket I’m sure are fine. What parts should I only use OEM for? I’m assuming most engine sensors. What about coil packs, fuel pumps, starters. Stuff that regularly fails on old rigs?


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In general observations;

OEM is mostly best, but better even still when there was an updated OEM replacement version of such an OEM part so shown to have a premature failure rate, and thusly OEM replaced. For example(s); The 4.7 liter OEM intake manifold gasket for the '99 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ was replaced for a better OEM one. Same for some years of the XJ's 4.0 liter head, (Tupy replacement recommended, etc.).

Parts made in china I avoid due to central planning, and red army managed slave labor manufacturing.., and the fact that quality control is substandard. After spending much time, and energy, I swear at those bastards when I must replace a new commie part for another, i.e., hit and miss mechanics.

Unfortunately for me; the nearest junk yard in which to scavenge OEM parts is a 450 mile round trip.

Fortunately for me, some parts stores can still offer quality U.S.A. made parts, although those sources are drying up. EBAY is also useful, and of course google searching is helpful.

I would like to see a list of the best made parts, but I am in no position to provide said.

I trust the other members here who from time to time recommend specifically identified parts when asked. Examples; Bosch fuel pumps over most of the rest. Japanese starters seem ok. My bias leans towards OEM parts, then German, or Japanese made parts, rather than those made in china.

Some here have tested new parts from china that fail OEM specs out of the box, (worse still when installed as such), thus your assumption(s) are correct. :us:
 
Mopar parts are superior to any Chinese clone parts, even the parts with a "Lifetime Warranty". For lots of fixes I would rather try a used genuine Jeep part than buy a Chinese part with inferior construction, inferior materials, and sloppy quality control. The best parts are made in North America, Germany, and Japan. FYI, the Chinese will build parts to whatever quality level you ask for, however most Chinese parts available in the US are built to the lowest bid, thus are the lowest quality.

Cheap parts are cheap for a reason.
 
Mopar parts are superior to any Chinese clone parts, even the parts with a "Lifetime Warranty". For lots of fixes I would rather try a used genuine Jeep part than buy a Chinese part with inferior construction, inferior materials, and sloppy quality control. The best parts are made in North America, Germany, and Japan. FYI, the Chinese will build parts to whatever quality level you ask for, however most Chinese parts available in the US are built to the lowest bid, thus are the lowest quality.

Cheap parts are cheap for a reason.

Pull your head out of your ass.

 
Mopar parts are superior to any Chinese clone parts, even the parts with a "Lifetime Warranty". For lots of fixes I would rather try a used genuine Jeep part than buy a Chinese part with inferior construction, inferior materials, and sloppy quality control. The best parts are made in North America, Germany, and Japan. FYI, the Chinese will build parts to whatever quality level you ask for, however most Chinese parts available in the US are built to the lowest bid, thus are the lowest quality.

Cheap parts are cheap for a reason.

I am running a $6 GM-Jeep-MAP sensor (OEM is about $100) off of ebay, straight of mainland china, with new Weatherpack connectors on the 30 year old harness, all from China, with zero problems. Most of the new parts on my 290,000 mile 30 year old rigs, are from China, not made in the USA and doing fine. My computer hard drives are made in Asia, Singapore, and some are still working after 10-15 years. That said, parts from AZ have dropped from zero problems 20 years ago, to a 50 / 50 gamble, on rebuilt and new parts. 95% of the time, I have never used OEM parts in 45 years, not worth the money to me, except in rare occasions which I can usually find out about online in blogs like these.

I do not use China fuel pumps or water pumps, only Japan and German, Bosch....for example.

Pull your head out of your ass.


LMAO!!!!!! Good one sir!!!:D
 
I have had serious recent issues with brake part quality from aftermarket stores like AZ. But the good parts came from their competitors, non OEM or the AZ shelf.....

What is odd, is that sometimes the old tech hard part quality like a rear Wagner brand brake wheel cylinder, that sucks from China, that leaked air but not fluid is not rocket science, and the China electronics are awesome.

Oh, back to the lowest bidder issue, that is not a China socialist issue, that is a capitalism issue, using the lowest bidder,:D LOL. Not sure why anyone things Jeep would not use the lowest bidder, slave labor for OEM parts???

After all the Saturn V....etc that went to the Moon and back was built by the lowest bidder, LOL, from the Movie Armageddon ...:D
 
I know for sure the 3.7 (&4.7) mopar belt tensioners bearings are made in China. The Original part on 2006 and 2012 engines and the replacement part build circa 2014 were all Chinese manufacture.

It would be good to have a list for these XJ/MJ of what are good parts or OEM quality. For example the newer jeeps like Liberty and GC and Commanders, Gates is the manufacture to go with for water pumps, they are likely the OE suppliers and supply Napa house brand as well. NTK (NGK) for O2 Sensors and spark plugs.

After market standard motor fuel injectors for my Ford truck were identical to Motorcraft Injectors except for the motorcraft part # being blacked out.

There are reports of Auto Zone house name (wells?) having re-boxed surplus MOPAR parts.

A list of reliable parts for the XJ would be nice. Or even a parts for avoid list, cheap Chinese CPS, Ignition coils can leave you stranded .

BTW as Jeep Driver has said the parts for our XJ are bing coming scarce, especially the older AMC XJ. The junk yards around me haven't had these jeeps in years, so just popping down to JY to find a new wiring plug pigtail isn't a viable option any more. I've been collecting parts for years I think I might need maybe someday. Vacuum harnesses, Wiring harness, parts of wiring harness, ECU, distributors, sensors, gaskets kits, axel shafts, knuckles, drive shafts, linkages, tail lights (for the wagoneer), steering column, in a few years a lot of this stuff will be hard to find or hard to find acceptable quality parts.
 
I will type slowly so certain posters can read along without having to move their lips: The Chinese will build whatever level of quality a company contracts for. I would suppose that Chinese built Mopar parts are built to current Mopar quality standards. Most other Chinese Jeep parts found in the US, including "Lifetime Warranty" parts and Crown Automotive parts are built with inferior materials and sloppy quality controls.
 
I will type slowly so certain posters can read along without having to move their lips: The Chinese will build whatever level of quality a company contracts for. I would suppose that Chinese built Mopar parts are built to current Mopar quality standards. Most other Chinese Jeep parts found in the US, including "Lifetime Warranty" parts and Crown Automotive parts are built with inferior materials and sloppy quality controls.

I understood what you were saying, the problem is you have no idea what the difference is if there is a difference anymore.


Then there is the controversy over Great Wall offering to buy Jeep.
Which I still think is more likely than not.


Mopar has become shit, that's why I'm getting out.

OP, look for NOS, go 20 years back, huge difference.
 
I understood what you were saying, the problem is you have no idea what the difference is if there is a difference anymore.


Then there is the controversy over Great Wall offering to buy Jeep.
Which I still think is more likely than not.


Mopar has become shit, that's why I'm getting out.

OP, look for NOS, go 20 years back, huge difference.

Problem is all oem's are producing to a large extent in china. When it comes to auto parts and autos in general very little is made here. Maybe assembled but not manufactured.
 
So I’m buying tune up parts. Rockauto sells OEM spec stuff, but not a lot of mopar. I need a new coil mine is junk. Should I buy an OEM mopar one, OEM spec, or any brand.


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So I’m buying tune up parts. Rockauto sells OEM spec stuff, but not a lot of mopar. I need a new coil mine is junk. Should I buy an OEM mopar one, OEM spec, or any brand.


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Get rid of that silly coil pack and do the viper coil mod -- search here on the forum for the info on how
 
I have owned my 2000 for 15 years and my 1999 for 5 years. Over the same 15 years I have owned 5 other XJ Cherokees. I have found that Genuine Jeep sensors have performed the best and lasted the longest. If you plan on keeping your Cherokee, I would try to find a genuine Jeep coil rail. Some brief Google searching suggest that the TJ Wrangler coil rail will interchange with the XJ. I see no need for the Viper coil modification.
 
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