Ford Broke My Heart Today

[coastventures]

This morning I called several auto parts stores looking for the body to frame chassis bushings for the cab rear of my 1999 Ranger Extend Cab. No one knew anything or could tell me anything, just a bunch of young kids clicking keys and going by a computer with no parts knowledge or experience. Used to be we could call a parts supply house and they knew some stuff, what was going on in the auto trades and how to find most anything needed, even if it wasn't in stock.

Mind you I'm 60+ years old so I'm an old school kind of car guy. I do all my own work, have forever and others as well. So I called the local Ford dealership thinking they'd know and have the bushings. Same thing happened, younger generation with no auto anything experience in the parts department.

So I got smart and called a couple long term dealerships which I dealt with many years back home where I used to live. One particular dealership where the people always knew their stuff and most anything about cars, trucks, and the auto industries. In fact, they'd been in business for 80+ years at the same location.

Sadly, all the old school car guys were now gone. The Ford parts man told me that he couldn't find the bushings. The man actually instructed me to "go online to Amazon and buy one from the Chinese." My heart sank. It appears that the car trades are never going to be the same again and even that part of America and American car enthusiasm is long gone. The muscle car days too are finally over for good. I suppose that's why all you see nowadays is youngsters taking the proud and prized gems of Detroit manufacturing and so called 'upgrading' them with newer suspensions and monster power made in China and the like.

Like it always happens I guess, we can still remember the good days, but they ain't ever coming back. I can't be alone in my sadness, or am I?

 

[19Walt93]

Try calling back and asking for body mounts for a supercab, they're not bushings and it ain't an extended cab. If all else fails I got the body mounts for my 93 from LMC Truck.

 

[Ranger850]

You are NOT alone.
RockAuto.com is the parts house of choice these days. YES. it is an online parts house, but still a good source for quality parts, or cheap chinese parts. You can actually pick which brand you want delivered to your house. There are down sides, of course. waiting is the worse part.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Almost 20 years ago every parts store in town told me the rear shackle in my truck was dealer only.

Now they are all over everywhere for $30.

I used the Energy Suspension poly kit for my cab mount bushings. They are all the same age and I guarantee the others have deteriorated.

James Duff had a poly kit with hardware, it is a PITA to get the factory hardware apart so that might be a good option too. Not sure if they went that new though.

 

[fastpakr]

Isn't this what you need?

Amazon.com: Energy Suspension Body Mount Set - Std. & Extra Cab (4.4117G): Automotive

Buy Energy Suspension Body Mount Set - Std. & Extra Cab (4.4117G): Body Bushings - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[fastpakr]

Try calling back and asking for body mounts for a supercab, they're not bushings and it ain't an extended cab. If all else fails I got the body mounts for my 93 from LMC Truck.

You're still wound up about people calling them extended cabs?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You're still wound up about people calling them extended cabs?

This it the crowd that has to know if it is 4wd for wiper blades, very possible if the option given isn't the one in the book they "don't have it"

 

[fastpakr]

Fair point, though it isn't the first time he's tilted against this particular windmill.

 

[Ramcharger90]

I used hockey pucks and f150 rad core support brackets on my 90 before when I couldn't find them. A week after I did that LMC truck had the whole kit.

 

[MikeG]

Walk into the parts department and find someone with gray hair. If no one there is over the age of 50, go home and order online.

 

[fastpakr]

If they have access to Energy Suspension, the complete bushing and hardware kit is 4.4117g or 4.4117r (only difference is bushing color).

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If they have access to Energy Suspension, the complete bushing and hardware kit is 4.4117g or 4.4117r (only difference is bushing color).

Compare prices online, a good chance they will almost just be ordering it off of Amazon and marking it up for you too.

I only use parts stores for little stuff or starters/alternators for lifetime same day warranty anymore.

 

[fastpakr]

Certainly possible. I did notice that Advance Auto has it on their website in both options for about $279. With a coupon it's about the same as Amazon.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Ford broke your heart?

Break Ford's heart.

Replace Ford with Dodge.

 

[sgtsandman]

Then your vehicle is broke instead of your heart.