Brands for Serpentine Belt?

[harriw]

So, I'm going to need a new Serpentine Belt soon.

What's everyone's take on brand? Are Ford OEM belts any better (i.e. do they last longer - not really any performance gain possible) than the cheapy stuff you find at autozone (duralast, valucraft, etc.)? How about "gatorback" (significantly more expensive, though I'm not sure how it compares to OEM)?

I don't want to waste money if there's no difference at all, but don't want to install garbage that's going to break on me either.

 

[Hypnotic Toast]

Many people swear on Gatorback belts, but I've never used one so I can't say for sure. My dad only buys Napa products and their belts have worked out fine so far. I've had people say that Gatorbacks are just as good, if not better, than OEM or Napa.

I have, although, used the cheap Autozone belts and they squeaked like none other. I steer clear of them.

 

[Destroyer000]

ive been running daycos.. great belts.. even in my sled.. dayco!

 

[dusto2]

dayco or gates for me. something about the gatorbacks having all those cuts/ribs makes me think it isnt going to grab as good but thats just me

 

[kossdust]

I am running gates and seems to be working great for me.

Heck I still have the OEM belt after 170K miles I figured I might as well change it.

 

[PickupMan04 FX4 L2]

Napa belts and hoses are all manufactured by Gates.

And are occasionally sourced by Balkamp.. But its still a gates product.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

gates or dayco. my store stocks dayco, but my dad has always used gates so that what i use on my personal stuff. both brands are top quality so you cant go wrong with either.

 

[kamps989]

I put a gatorback on about 2 months ago, no squeaks or complaints. But too soon to tell durability.

 

[triumphrider-1]

I'm running a gatorback and have had no problems with it (almost 3 years). Do I swear by it, no, but do I think its a good belt, yep.

 

[ryan]

i've never noticed any brand squeaking or failing more than any other. any time my belts got squeaky it was because there was mud/grime in there, or because it got loose at some point on my 2.9

 

[4x4junkie]

The Dayco belt I put on my '94 Ranger some 6-8 years ago is still holding up fine.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

I've run Dayco Gates and Goodyear belts. The only one I haven't had an issue with yet was the Goodyear, I try to always run them but stores that sell them (and give my discount) aren't always open when I need one. Thus, the Dayco currently on my engine has reminded me why I buy Goodyear. 3 months and it squeaks, and yes it is the belt. Granted I put my belts through hell with offroad muck, but the Goodyears take it alot better.

On the other hand I do use Dayco pulleys and hoses, and have no problem.

Also I change out the idler pulley, belt tensioner and pulley, and serp belt all at the same time. I do it not only with my truck, but highly recommend it to every customer getting a new belt. I've never had a squeaky comeback with new pulleys, tensioner, and a GY belt.

 

[94STXRanger]

You will never get a performance gain from a belt, but i have had and sell the Gates belts and never had any come back unless a pulley destroyed them.

 

[holyford86]

I was eating the cheap belts on my truck, I swapped to the dayco top cog belts, I still eat belts at the same rate, must be 130 amp alternators and single "V" belts were never meant for each other. The belts on my OBA compressor and power steering last forever though.

 

[dominj]

Also I change out the idler pulley, belt tensioner and pulley, and serp belt all at the same time. I do it not only with my truck, but highly recommend it to every customer getting a new belt. I've never had a squeaky comeback with new pulleys, tensioner, and a GY belt.

Urban, I was wondering if you by chance used Dayco tensioner Pulley's as well? and if you were do you by chance have that part number laying around?