Ebay body parts safe or OEM?

[White_Knuckles]

New to the forum, a quick intro. I just nabbed a '99 "Highlander" in Jade Green. Very cool and straight. I've always favored this Gen's lines. Now a (lame-o) fan educating myself here, this is a great resource. Surprised about the following for these buggers. Wow!

So she has a dent in the front, painted bumper. E-pray shows "kits" including the front bumper cover (primed), the lower valance, and the support section for around $300 shipped. OEM is considerably more of course. There were a few "Gray" options that look like the Ebay stuff repackaged. So, guessing the knock-offs are tricky to fit and suspicious quality but thought I'd ask.

Thanks for any tips or secret suppliers out there. Seems Toyota locks down (fixed) their pricing allowing only their dealer channels to sell them? They are all pretty much the same where only shipping by location can save you.

 

[pauldub]

I have a complete front bumper off of my 2000 4Runner that I should get on the stick and sell, price TBD. It has fog lights too. Not sure where you are in Washington but I'm in Lynnwood. PM if you're interested.

 

[Scramble]

New to the forum, a quick intro. I just nabbed a '99 "Highlander" in Jade Green. Very cool and straight. I've always favored this Gen's lines. Now a (lame-o) fan educating myself here, this is a great resource. Surprised about the following for these buggers. Wow!

So she has a dent in the front, painted bumper. E-pray shows "kits" including the front bumper cover (primed), the lower valance, and the support section for around $300 shipped. OEM is considerably more of course. There were a few "Gray" options that look like the Ebay stuff repackaged. So, guessing the knock-offs are tricky to fit and suspicious quality but thought I'd ask.

Thanks for any tips or secret suppliers out there. Seems Toyota locks down (fixed) their pricing allowing only their dealer channels to sell them? They are all pretty much the same where only shipping by location can save you.

Welcome, yes there is a massive following. The 3rd Gen 4Runner is the greatest SUV ever made.
Almost nothing is better than OEM on these trucks, excluding performance parts of course.
I have or had a few E-Bay or aftermarket parts & they didn't hold up. I guess it depends on how long you are going to keep it.
My E-Bay Chrome rear bumper ($90) is only 3.5 years old & is rusting faster than the original which lasted 11 years before it got a hole in it.
My Certifit hood which comes primed is rusting underneath at the seams & it was professionally prepped, painted & cleared. Who knows if it's cheap Chinese steel, how it was shipped & stored before I bought it. I think there was moisture in the primer, probably from age & improper storage. The rear OEM rear hatch that I got from the junk yard was sanded & painted with the hood is doing fine.
My friends Taco aftermarket hood is starting to rust at the seams too & he's the professional body & paint guy that does my truck.
I say go to the junk yard for OEM parts or buy new from Camelback Toyota in Arizona. 99% of the time they have the cheapest price & free shipping on orders over $150.

Edit: I also had an E-Bay lower front bumper plastic valance ($90) that didn't fit perfect but was passable with some modification from an exacto knife. It was fading quickly from the sun & started getting hard. I sold the front bumper & valance after I got my Shrockworks bumper.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I also suggest junk yards or salvage yards. If you are patient one in good shape will show up.

Unless you live in a rust prone area, then probably not.

 

[Scramble]

I also suggest junk yards or salvage yards. If you are patient one in good shape will show up.

Unless you live in a rust prone area, then probably not.

Almost everything is crap up here. I could see junk yard shopping in the South West like going to the mall.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Almost everything is crap up here. I could see junk yard shopping in the South West like going to the mall.

Except it's like shopping at Nordstrom's or something, these guys know the parts have value around here.

 

[White_Knuckles]

Thanks for confirming Ebay is well, Ebay for Toyota body bits. Back to OEM goodness.

Bookmarked Camelback, they do seem better priced and are West coast yea! I found one at the bone yard but they want $400 with a near white faded valance (throw away) and a painted but scratched, rusted, yeah. Factory bits will be fine as I dislike junk that you have fitment issues. I can send these straight out to paint and leave the Dremel in the box.

Thanks all!!