What front end rebuild kit should I use
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
What front end rebuild kit should I use
I am restoring my 72' and about to start the front end rebuild and I would like suggestions on what kit to go with. I am looking at the ecklers, Zip-corvette, and mid America kits. Any opinions would help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Avoid the kits and buy Moog parts from a local store, online at Rockauto or Amazon.
To elaborate why I say that, most kits have parts from unknown origin. Possibly made in China and reliability is not great. For the suspension and bearing stuff I like Moog and the made in the USA parts if applicable. For bearings Timken is the best choice.
For other corvette specific parts the venders are great to use. I just prefer high quality and reliability for mechanical parts when I can get it.
To elaborate why I say that, most kits have parts from unknown origin. Possibly made in China and reliability is not great. For the suspension and bearing stuff I like Moog and the made in the USA parts if applicable. For bearings Timken is the best choice.
For other corvette specific parts the venders are great to use. I just prefer high quality and reliability for mechanical parts when I can get it.
Last edited by Sigforty; Aug 4, 2015 at 05:01 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 550
Likes: 58
From: Columbus Mississippi
I like to buy what I can from the corvette suppliers that specialize in corvettes. May cost a few dollars more but they are suppose to be proven to fit properly. If we don't support these sellers they may not be there for long. That being said I bought mine from Paragon. I would not have an issue buying from any of the ones your stated. Just my own opinion.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 131
From: Spartanburg SC
I plan to do the same thing to my 72 this winter. After some searching, I've decided I'm going to buy the deluxe kit from Wilcox, who is a forum sponsor. Their website says American made. That's good enough for me. It is not moog, but, as someone said the other day "the originals weren't either". The originals on mine have lasted 43 yrs. American made. Mine is a garaged,never raced weekend cruiser. Keep it simple.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
What are you planning on doing with the car? If you are not going to road-race it, there is little reason to do anything other than replace the stock parts with direct replacments of good quality.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
It depends on what you want in correct or not correct or if it matters to you. If you want restored to correct factory OEM specs then you need to use what is acceptable to that standard. Someone in here knows what that is.
If you just want a rebuilt suspension for driving I like the Moog parts. Moog has proven over years to last.
If you just want a rebuilt suspension for driving I like the Moog parts. Moog has proven over years to last.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 53,937
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
I like to buy what I can from the corvette suppliers that specialize in corvettes. May cost a few dollars more but they are suppose to be proven to fit properly. If we don't support these sellers they may not be there for long. That being said I bought mine from Paragon. I would not have an issue buying from any of the ones your stated. Just my own opinion.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Avoid the kits and buy Moog parts from a local store, online at Rockauto or Amazon.
To elaborate why I say that, most kits have parts from unknown origin. Possibly made in China and reliability is not great. For the suspension and bearing stuff I like Moog and the made in the USA parts if applicable. For bearings Timken is the best choice.
For other corvette specific parts the venders are great to use. I just prefer high quality and reliability for mechanical parts when I can get it.
To elaborate why I say that, most kits have parts from unknown origin. Possibly made in China and reliability is not great. For the suspension and bearing stuff I like Moog and the made in the USA parts if applicable. For bearings Timken is the best choice.
For other corvette specific parts the venders are great to use. I just prefer high quality and reliability for mechanical parts when I can get it.
trust your local parts store, you cant go wrong. Plus, any problems are easily taken care of right away,,,and the prices are normally much better
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Our USA kits are a combo of Moog, Dana or Federal Mogal. They are the same kits we install in our shop too. (and they are on sale until Sunday).
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...year=22&q=su01
Willcox
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...year=22&q=su01
Willcox
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,318
Likes: 786
From: Redondo Beach, California
Our USA kits are a combo of Moog, Dana or Federal Mogal. They are the same kits we install in our shop too. (and they are on sale until Sunday).
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...year=22&q=su01
Willcox
https://willcoxcorvette.com/catalogs...year=22&q=su01
Willcox
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
And that would depend on the vendor's business model:
A. Make as much money as possible {ie, buy cheap junk that looks good; sell for a bit less money than paid for "good" parts}
B. Make a reasonable profit AFTER satisfying my customers {ie, buy good quality parts, sell for cost plus a reasonable profit; maintain business via resale to satisfied and/or recommended customers}
Based on what I've gleaned from posts on this Forum, Willcox is definitely a "Plan B" program.
A. Make as much money as possible {ie, buy cheap junk that looks good; sell for a bit less money than paid for "good" parts}
B. Make a reasonable profit AFTER satisfying my customers {ie, buy good quality parts, sell for cost plus a reasonable profit; maintain business via resale to satisfied and/or recommended customers}
Based on what I've gleaned from posts on this Forum, Willcox is definitely a "Plan B" program.