What is so special about MOPAR parts?

[adventureboss]

I've noticed the OEM MOPAR parts are getting quite expensive out there and it seems like whenever someone posts a thread as to which aftermarket brand is best, EVERYONE tells them they'd be doing the job several times over unless they spend 4x on a MOPAR part. Honestly, I don't get it. Maybe it's just me, but I've had just as bad luck with MOPAR parts as I have with aftermarket brands. For example, the previous owner had Pep boys replace the water pump at some point. I saw this in the records, got a little sketched out, and pulled it out and replaced it with a MOPAR pump. They appeared to be of similar build quality with the pep boys pump having a metal impeller instead of plastic. That water pump lasted 60k miles and was still good, just pulled it because of paranoia.

The new MOPAR pump as I was recommended to replace it with on here lasted 900 miles before the plastic impeller flew apart and it started leaking from the weep hole. Loved changing it out when it was 115 outside in Phoenix that summer haha. My MOPAR thermostat? Went bad too in less than 50k miles. Replaced it with a Robert Shaw and that's been great. That's why when it came time to replace the radiator too, I was told to spend $400 on an OEM MOPAR radiator but considering my other experiences with MOPAR parts, I instead spent $80 on a CSF and called it good. So far, it's been working great for the past 60k miles as well. So really, I don't understand. When I'm looking for what part to buy on these sites, I just see "MOPAR", blanket statement, as 100% always the answer.

Maybe I've just been unlucky, but just why? I would understand going MOPAR for something like a sensor that maybe has finer tolerances, but for something as basic as a water pump or a radiator, or even an idler pulley, does it really make sense to spend a few times the price as a reputable aftermarket brand?

 

[mrblaine]

I've noticed the OEM MOPAR parts are getting quite expensive out there and it seems like whenever someone posts a thread as to which aftermarket brand is best, EVERYONE tells them they'd be doing the job several times over unless they spend 4x on a MOPAR part. Honestly, I don't get it. Maybe it's just me, but I've had just as bad luck with MOPAR parts as I have with aftermarket brands. For example, the previous owner had Pep boys replace the water pump at some point. I saw this in the records, got a little sketched out, and pulled it out and replaced it with a MOPAR pump. They appeared to be of similar build quality with the pep boys pump having a metal impeller instead of plastic. That water pump lasted 60k miles and was still good, just pulled it because of paranoia.

The new MOPAR pump as I was recommended to replace it with on here lasted 900 miles before the plastic impeller flew apart and it started leaking from the weep hole. Loved changing it out when it was 115 outside in Phoenix that summer haha. My MOPAR thermostat? Went bad too in less than 50k miles. Replaced it with a Robert Shaw and that's been great. That's why when it came time to replace the radiator too, I was told to spend $400 on an OEM MOPAR radiator but considering my other experiences with MOPAR parts, I instead spent $80 on a CSF and called it good. So far, it's been working great for the past 60k miles as well. So really, I don't understand. When I'm looking for what part to buy on these sites, I just see "MOPAR", blanket statement, as 100% always the answer.

Maybe I've just been unlucky, but just why? I would understand going MOPAR for something like a sensor that maybe has finer tolerances, but for something as basic as a water pump or a radiator, or even an idler pulley, does it really make sense to spend a few times the price as a reputable aftermarket brand?

I have no idea what you are doing but I've done many cooling systems with 100% Mopar parts without a single failure and we've yet to see a failed plastic impeller. I use Mopar because I have a 100% success rate with 100's of their parts. If I didn't, I wouldn't use them.

 

[adventureboss]

I have no idea what you are doing but I've done many cooling systems with 100% Mopar parts without a single failure and we've yet to see a failed plastic impeller. I use Mopar because I have a 100% success rate with 100's of their parts. If I didn't, I wouldn't use them.

I too have also considered the fact that I might be an incompetent idiot when installing these parts. I don't think that is the case though, as other than the MOPAR thermostat and water pump, and one reman starter I bought from RockAuto, I've never had any other parts related failures and a ton of the aftermarket non MOPAR parts I've installed on my Jeep are getting close to 80k and still working fine.

Again, I could just have gotten unlucky. That being said, atleast from what I've learned from supply chain management in school, there will be no 100% success rate even with companies like Toyota and Honda. There will always be a very small sliver that is expected to be defective. Maybe I somehow ended up getting that and 99.9% of the time MOPAR parts are alright. Who knows.

I just wanted to share my experience though after reading blanket statements from people such as "You'll never have an issue with MOPAR parts and always have an issue with aftermarket" as I was extremely disappointed when that water pump failed after paying $150 for it and thinking it would be solid considering it's a MOPAR unit. I think I will have to lower my expectations next time I replace something and expect the possibility of failure even with MOPAR parts.

 

[Duck Doctor]

Where are you purchasing the Mopar branded parts? Possible you are buying bootleg parts from third party sources.

 

[adventureboss]

Where are you purchasing the Mopar branded parts? Possible you are buying bootleg parts from third party sources.

Yeah possibly, I wouldn't be surprised considering how rare Mopar branded parts are these days. I bought that water pump from RockAuto and the thermostat was from the dealership.

 

[KennethS]

Just about all the vehicle forums I have been on are similar, with recommendations to use only genuine OEM parts. On one forum folks pushed back and said not using OEM air in the tires could lead to a failure, resulting in crashing into a bus full of nuns and kindergartners.

 

[Gilaguy23]

I think this can be said about all OEM parts. Unfortunately I replaced some sensors on my PU with NTK and they crapped out in short order Put Ford OEM parts in and no problems since. IMO Mopar isnt worth the extra anymore as the last handful of parts where made in china. Same will go for ford or whoever when thay say made in china.

 

[Weasellee]

My theory when replacing a part that’s been on my vehicle for 100k+ miles I presume use the same part when possible. That said i put a “Napa” radiator in my Lj and my Yj when needed.

 

[Link]

Like it or not, Mopar is not synonymous with quality. Sucks because I really like my Jeep but their vehicles and their parts are crap. Theoretically, Mopar parts should be correct and OE quality...but when you are talking about Mopar....well that's not saying much. Just the way it is. I'm not surprised anyone is seeing Mopar parts failing. Aftermarket parts are a crap shoot too. But, I have had good luck with lots of name brand but aftermarket parts in many different brand vehicles so I use lots of them. Very rare for me to have a problem. I have my preferred brands of aftermarket parts and usually stick with them. When I have good luck with a particular brand, I stick with it as long as I keep having good luck with them. If they start going down in quality, I'll look for a different brand.

 

[LONGJP2]

Theoretically, Mopar parts should be correct and OE quality...

I doubt if too many OEM (Mopar) parts are still being made by the same original vendors for a 20+ year old vehicle.

 

[KennethS]

I doubt if too many OEM (Mopar) parts are still being made by the same original vendors for a 20+ year old vehicle.

And that same OE vendor provides parts to the aftermarket under the vendor’s name brand and not the OEM name. You just gotta know who made the OE parts - those companies are contractors to the vehicle manufacturer. It’s not like Chrysler/Dodge manufactures every single part on their vehicles.

 

[Link]

And that same OE vendor provides parts to the aftermarket under the vendor’s name brand and not the OEM name. You just gotta know who made the OE parts - those companies are contractors to the vehicle manufacturer. It’s not like Chrysler/Dodge manufactures every single part on their vehicles.

I try to figure out who make the OEM parts whenever I can and purchase them whenever possible. The internet has made it easier to figure out the OEM manufacturer.

 

[Yellow Fever TJ]

Case in point. Just ordered a Mopar crankshaft position sensor from Rock Auto. Part #56027865AB. It came baring the alternate part number #68407888AA and proudly stamped on the packaging under the MOPAR logo - "Made in China" To boot, the sensor plug was incorrect, it did not fit into the factory harness on my 2001 4.0 TJ. Be warned, double check the plug on any CKP sensor you plan to purchase. They look almost identical, but the shape of the inserted end is slightly different. The plug of the sensor they sent was more squarish on bottom.

 

[Jeepoftheseus]

That's a fair point, and also fighting words around here. I think Mopar is trusted because it was owned by and synonymous with Chrysler (it's owned by stellantis now). But I'd also argue that the fact that many of these parts, perhaps not as much recently, were made in America by union auto workers made a hell of a difference.

I'm a UAW member and I know workers at Toledo assembly # 2 where jeeps are still made to this day and at a Mopar Parts distribution center in southern CA. In both shops, the workers speak highly of the quality of the work that's done, and their unions have worked hard to win fair production and shipping quotas that don't result in people doing sloppy work that destroys their bodies, which is an enormous issue in non-union American auto.

now of course the men and women who work the assembly lines and the PDCs don't design the vehicles, choose where the parts are manufactured or how, or make decisions about the staffing levels of quality technicians and end-of-line workers on an assembly line.

But when your parts and your car come from a union shop you at least know that some of the variables that lead to shit quality (like package mishandling and rushed production) are controlled for.

I think the reason the quality of American and even global auto manufacturing has declined so much is the constantly changing emissions and efficiency standards. The 4.0l engine in our TJs is a bullet-proof, albeit horribly ineffient engine. It wasn't designed in a time where efficiency was king like it is now. The engineers were able to prioritize the longevity, horse power and torque of the design over fuel-efficiency.

Nowadays, everything is made out of cheap, flimsy plastic that starts rattling in the Arizona son after just 5 years because it weighs less. The water-based paint that just disintegrates in any kind of weather by 100k miles is less terrible for the environment (and the workers on the production line). Economy cars burn oil, then throw a rod at 120k miles because of the crazy temperatures and pressures of the GDI engines in them.

I don't really know enough to say whether we're seeing the end of the ICE engine or just some growing pains as engineering catches up to new standards, but I'm sure as he'll glad I've got a 98 TJ sitting next to the 2018 kia outside, because I know which car is going to die first.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Mopar, like Bestop, NTK, and others, had higher quality IMO when they were USA made.

 

[Weasellee]

I will say that I try. It’s not always easy or cost effective to buy 100% American. When possible and feasible I do.

When you get a chance, thank a veteran.

 

[acct21]

I bought (and sold) the hype. Figured the OEM radiator lasted 16+ years, so why not go back with another OEM?

Now I'm replacing the 3 year old Mopar water pump that's bleeding out of the weep hole, exactly one week after replacing the 3 year old Mopar radiator that separated at the top tank.

 

[Link]

I bought (and sold) the hype. Figured the OEM radiator lasted 16+ years, so why not go back with another OEM?

Now I'm replacing the 3 year old Mopar water pump that's bleeding out of the weep hole, exactly one week after replacing the 3 year old Mopar radiator that separated at the top tank.

OEM should be OEM quality. Usually they are….sometimes they aren’t. Mopar isn’t synonymous with quality anyway.

 

[Tray Burge]

I have no problem paying more for an American part.
I was really hoping Bezos was going to mark items on Amazon with the inflated amount due to tariffs because that way we could have been able to see what was actually made in America a lot easier.
Buy American when you can.

 

[Vtx531]

I have no problem paying more for an American part.
I was really hoping Bezos was going to mark items on Amazon with the inflated amount due to tariffs because that way we could have been able to see what was actually made in America a lot easier.
Buy American when you can.

Does Amazon still mix all their third party seller products together with their own products at the warehouses or did they fix that? I'm still under the assumption that any products purchased from amazon are possible counterfeit.