I need some stock parts just to make my truck how I want - has anyone actually found the stuff they need at a pick and pull?

 

The pick-a-part places around here are generally older cars and trucks. Nothing as new as 2000-2002. I think 1 of the reasons is the "pickers" do so much damage to good parts in getting the parts they want off. I've seen them just fold perfectly good hoods back just so it's easier to work on. You couldn't have them doing that on, say, an '04-05 vehicle. They would destroy more good parts than what they bought. Generally, depends on what you're looking for, you might luck out and get a bargain. I saw a BRAND NEW radiator in a car once- it would cost you the same as a used one- the only problem is it was a Daewoo. It's a crapshoot, depends on what you need. It's probably worth the admission price just to see what's there.
It probably would be a good idea to put your data on your site, we don't know whether you're looking for parts for a '56 or an '06.

 

Try Certified Auto Recycling. I saw them on Trucks! the other day and they do newer as well. They buy up the wrecked cars from ins. companies and strip them down. You can order nationwide I guess.
I need a tailgate but I need to find them on the internet soon. Computer is down too so my surfing is limited.
Good luck.

 

Since he is posting in the 04-08 forum I'm guessing he is looking for parts for those years. Probably not going to have much luck at the pick and pull. I went looking for a jack to a Jeep Liberty a few years ago for my mom's friend and all I could fine were Jeep Libertys with the interior gutted to the bare metal... no jacks.

 

you have to call wreckers or dismantling yards.

 

rich04150, you stole my line I was going to say certified auto recycling. I too saw it on trucks this past weekend. lol

In Baltimore MD we have several rather large junk yards, or pick and pulls if you will, and I have had great success going to them, and some of them you can even call ahead and request a part and they'll pull it for you (for a price). Most of the ones around here cost $1 to go in, you can bring whatever tools you can carry and you can stay as long as you want. The cool thing is if you do find something that you'll looking for, but need to raise the vehicle up then I find tipping the yard attendents is the best bet. Additoinally they are very knowledgable, and always willing to help. Also, before I go, I find out year other model years and vehicles would share the same part that I'm looking for. (IE The Sable and Taurus share almost everything)

 

I've had good luck, My whole interior and power swap was all from a junkyard

 

The major Pick-A-Part in my area has ALL vehicles in the yard elevated on heavy supports (really heavy, no danger of them falling), about 15-18 in. Makes it really neat to get underneath if you have to.

 

i only found one junk yard within 100 miles of me that has any 04-08 f150's. i got most of the stuff i needed from there but they are kinda picky. i wanted a new front bumper but they wouldnt sell it by itself, i would have to buy the entire front clip. i wanted some interior door panels and power mirrors but they would only sell a complete door unless the door was damaged, then i could get parts from it.

 

There was a 2wd 04 stx in a local you-pull-it yard near me. Front was smashed. Dash cracked up from the impact. Bed, engine, transmission pulled from the truck before it even entered into the yard.

 

You know, another untapped resource for parts are Tow Truck yards. If you make friends with a tow truck driver, or attendent, they have access to wrecked vehicles first. A good friend of mine is a tow truck driver, and he's always had vehicles go unclaimed in his yard. So they simply sell them to pick-n-pulls for whatever the unpaid bill is, so you could in theory get parts from them cheaper.