Wilcox VS VBandP
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Wilcox VS VBandP
Hey everyone. Taking a look at rebuilding the front suspension on my 79 Vette. Talking tie-rods, ball joints, a-arm bushings etc. I see that Wilcox has a rubber kit for about $220 but VBandP has a kit for $320. Thoughts and opinions? Why pay the extra $100? Thanks everyone!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Big difference in ball joints. Moog are , IMO, the best but I don't know if any kits come with them. Dana are OK. Some (most?) kits come with Chinese no-name parts. These I would avoid. Ball joints are one of those parts where a failure can be sorta catastrophic...
So whatever you get, contact the vendor and ask what ball joints and tie rods they use.
So whatever you get, contact the vendor and ask what ball joints and tie rods they use.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 878
Likes: 2
Do a web search. there's a lot of Chinese junk flooding the US market. Labeled as MOOG when it's anything but. It's not always the vendors fault. There are posts about owners opening a MOOG box to find something else in it. You have to ask and you have to check to make sure you get MOOG's good stuff. I haven't been able to confirm but i heard MOOG has 2 different quality level parts as well. One thing you can do is check a local parts store. Often they will have old stock on hand and you can ask for MOOG open it up right there and confirm it's the good stuff. You might pay a bit more but do you really want a cheap Chinese ball joint to let go on you driving down the road?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
I learned the hard way about ball joints. Ordered rebuilt upper and lower a-arms from Van Steel. I've used them quite a bit. Anyway, did not think to ask what ball joints came with them. Turned out they were the Chinese stuff. So, I had to drill out the ball joints... on my new arms... and installed better ones. Wish they would have asked me which ball joints I wanted at time of order. I would have gladly paid up front for the higher quality ones.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Thanks a bunch to everyone that has chimed in. Just found Willcox's USA made front end kits. I think I'll contact them and VBP and see what each uses for their kits. I appreciate all the help everyone!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
I really like both of the vendors you mention above and agree totally with everyone else on getting USA made parts. But what about this front end rebuild kit from duntov:
http://www.duntovmotors.com/frontsuspension.php
F020
$179.00 with free freight
anyone called on this one and see what ball joints and tie rod brands these are?
Willcox does have both USA made kits and import made kits
Sully
http://www.duntovmotors.com/frontsuspension.php
F020
$179.00 with free freight
anyone called on this one and see what ball joints and tie rod brands these are?
Willcox does have both USA made kits and import made kits
Sully
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 878
Likes: 2
I really like both of the vendors you mention above and agree totally with everyone else on getting USA made parts. But what about this front end rebuild kit from duntov:
http://www.duntovmotors.com/frontsuspension.php
F020
$179.00 with free freight
anyone called on this one and see what ball joints and tie rod brands these are?
Willcox does have both USA made kits and import made kits
Sully
http://www.duntovmotors.com/frontsuspension.php
F020
$179.00 with free freight
anyone called on this one and see what ball joints and tie rod brands these are?
Willcox does have both USA made kits and import made kits
Sully
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
The kit we carry is all USA made and as gwank said.. it is moog lowers, federal mogul uppers. All the parts are either moog or federal mogul... The kit at this link is the only kit I will install in my shop. http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=25857
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
Thumbs up to the Wilcox kit. 
I did the urethane bushings . The ball joint weren't offered in moog so I had to take another members advise to use amazon and rockauto for the best price! It was a PITA but some vendors were selling the moog joints for almost double of what I paid. I'm sure Wilcox will be fair and the real deal!
I did the urethane bushings . The ball joint weren't offered in moog so I had to take another members advise to use amazon and rockauto for the best price! It was a PITA but some vendors were selling the moog joints for almost double of what I paid. I'm sure Wilcox will be fair and the real deal!