 Seller Spotlight:
The seller with the most parts at the best prices around for our '84
restoration: Lake Chevrolet, Lake Elsinore, California, (909) 674-3116. Lake Chevrolet
has had THE BEST prices for many of the parts we've purchased for
this
restoration--pretty surprising since this is a Chevy
dealership! Service was second to NONE. |
NEW
Interior 84-89 C-4 Parts
New Dash cover: $24 Ebay:
landman69@earchlink.net.
Best price on the planet. This
was large enough for me to bend the edge closest to the driver/passenger down to cover the crack on the edge of the dash pad. MUCH cheaper and looks
great! Very helpful dealer. Contributed by
author.
(CLICK
HERE)
Top Dash
Pad: The best deal is the
Dash Pad "cap" which starts at $46 on Ebay--bidding usually ends before it hits $100.
Read the adds about shipping--it's NOT included. This is a plastic cap that fits
over the old cracked dash. Query
"corvette dash pad" or "corvette dash cap" on Ebay. You can
find a used dash pad for $240 from Matt at
1-800-909-8388 or at one of the used parts
sellers
listed below, but it's used, 20 years old, and apt to crack soon as well. A place called justdashes.com is suppose to do VERY good work but is also expensive-don't know
if they are more expensive than buying one new. New: $489.84 at Lake Chevrolet:
http://www.auto-parts-for-less.com/.
Best price I found anywhere. I haven't purchased one yet, though...gotta
wait until I fix or replace the guage cluster, though. Pounding on the dash pad
with my palm and fist to get the guage cluster to come back on is what cracked it! UPDATE: Folks on the Cross-Fire Injection Vault (http://www.crossfire.homeip.net/)
tell me that this thing rattles after the glue has gotten hot and cold a couple
of times. It may look nice, but they say it's NOT worth it and DON'T
recommend it.
Contributed by author.
New Automatic shift bezel where the ashtray sits:
$40 used anywhere (use the email
addresses at the bottom of the page), but I recommend buying it new if you're planning a decent
restore--especially if you're buying any other dash piece new. Old dash pieces
next to new ones REALLY look bad. The Last Detail
www.corvettepartsdepot.com
1-888-527-8338: $94.00.
Best price I found anywhere on a new one. I
bought one for $22.87 from "c4store" on Ebay that came with a boot, clear plastic
indicator, the shift pointer that tells what gear you're in ($39.00 new just for
the pointer!!!), and an ash tray door in good shape. I used the door,
spring, door hinge (make sure if you just buy a door, that it comes with the
hinge pins--2 pins but 4 total pieces.
Each pin has a center pin inside it), pointer, and rubber bumpers.
I saved a bundle! I also took the rubber bumpers out of my old bezel
using pliers to break the plastic. Don't try to pull them out!
Contributed by author.
New Gauge bezel: $99 at Art's Corvette Parts
http://artscorvetteparts.com/.
Best price I found anywhere. Art's Corvette Parts has always been helpful
with speedy service.
Contributed by author.
Digital Dash Gauge Cluster
Repair:
$FREE! I repaired my Digital Dash Gauge Cluster using these
two guides and about $30 of stuff from Radio Shack.
REPAIR GUIDE #1
REPAIR
GUIDE #2 It really is EASY--REALLY! Read the guides first and follow
the directions. It will save you up to $350 or more if your cluster is
acting up. DON'T hit the cluster or slap the top of your dash board to try to
get your Digital Dash Gauge Cluster to come back on when the lights go
out, when the digits flicker wildly, or when the two turn signals and high
beam light come on brightly--I did that and cracked my 20-year-old dash
pad--THAT'S ANOTHER $500 FOR A NEW DASH PAD!!! Read about my experience
with the guy who supposedly fixed my guage cluster:
New Center dash bezel where the radio sits:
$153.20
from The Last Detail
www.corvettepartsdepot.com
1-888-527-8338. THE PRICE ON THIS PART IS GOING DOWN
DRAMATICALLY SOON! Not a bad price when compared to other
sellers--it's the best price I found. The Last Detail WILL BE
lowering their prices even more on this item as well as improving its quality, according
"James"--keep checking back with them. The part I received has several
defects on its face. The defects make the part's surface appear
inconsistent as if the plastic was either scuffed or molded improperly. I
had contacted The Last Detail about this twice before I received a response.
James said he'd replace it free...had to contact them twice before I received
the replacement part too! It took a full 3 weeks to receive the
replacement!
Contributed by author.
New Passenger side dash pad:
bowtyeace@aol.com
This was by far the best deal I found. I've seen this pad for
$189.00 new. I got a new one for $19!!! How? I mistakenly
queried "corvette dash pod" instead of "corvette dash pad".
And the guy selling it listed it as a dash "pod", rather than a dash
"pad". No one bid on it except me! It was new in the
box! I had just purchased a really nice one for $65.00 that I resold for
about the same amount. Try doing queries with common misspellings!
Contributed by author.
New
Center console door/lid: $133.60 at Lake Chevrolet in California: (909)
674-3116. Corvette Central sells a plastic cover for this door for 39.95.
Probably would look good with the dash "cap". I bought a new
door from Lake Chevrolet for $130 and restained it with spray stain ($12) from
The Last Detail. DON’T DO THIS!!! The stain is really just spray paint. Absolutely everything I’ve painted looks
like crap whenever it gets scratched. I
gave everything I painted several coats and even used primer too and it still
scratches really easily. The console
door doesn’t take stain/paint at all!!!!!!!!
The chemical make-up of the rubber doesn’t work with the stain/paint, I
think. It looks like it never really dried—a
bit sticky. It really appears like the
paint or primer wasn’t shaken up enough before I used it, but I know that it
was. Maybe the paint or primer was old
or something. But that doesn’t figure either
because I painted my sills with the same cans of primer and stain/paint and
they dried fine (except for the new scratches in the paint)… MY OVERALL ADVICE—DON’T BUY THIS PART. EITHER BUY THE BLACK PLASTIC COVER FOR THIS
DOOR OR WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE STARTS MAKING THEM IN PROPER FACTORY COLORS!
Contributed by author.
Interior
"dye": $12.00
from The Last Detail
www.corvettepartsdepot.com
1-888-527-8338. I ordered three cans of this "dye" in two separate
shipments. I received a different color/shade in the second shipment, even
though there was only one shade of 'saddle' that came on '84s. Even though
I bought the "dye" from The Last Detail, the label on at least one of the cans
read, "Corvette America 84-87 saddle"!!! Here's the really bad thing,
though: How do you think I found out that the color was different? Yep--it
was after I had removed and primed several parts and begun spraying. In my humble opinion, this "dye" is really just spray paint!
You really can't "dye" that rubbery-plastic stuff that the center console door
is made of, for example, as you may have surmised! *And if you plan on
"dying" your sills, as another example, even if you use primer, the paint...er..."dye"...will
wear off almost immediately if you drive your Vette very often. I drive
mine every day and the paint started wearing off in less than a week.
Contributed by author.
New Sun
visors: Everyone is now selling NEW sun visors with a
small mirror on
the passenger side that's different from the original. These
have a hard
(plastic) center/interior piece rather than fiber board like the originals.
These should last
longer and they look pretty good. You can find these for under $100--usually
around $85 for the pair--on Ebay.
Contributed by author.
New Rear window plastic trim/cover:
$33.47 from Lake Chevrolet in California: (909) 674-3116. Best
price I found anywhere on a new one.
Contributed by author.
New Front ($9 at The Last Detail) and rear speaker grills ($30)
at Lake
Chevrolet in California: (909) 674-3116. Best prices I found anywhere on new
ones.
Contributed by author.
New Delco/Bose plastic logo tags:
$8 each
from Lake Chevrolet in California: (909) 674-3116. Best price I found anywhere
on a new one.
Contributed by author.
New Carpeting:
$378.00 Ebay: parts4corvettes.
This was for a complete front and rear mass back set! DON'T buy used or
anything but MASS BACK. I'm told that mass back is the best. Some
stuff even comes without any backing whatsoever-just some kind of funky carpet
fiber all meshed together. I haven't installed this yet. Got any
tips, let me know! UPDATE: I just
installed all of the carpeting. Aside
from taking the seats out, this was pretty straight forward. Easy if you take your time. Time consuming. Well worth it. Again, old
used parts next to new ones really take away from a restoration. EVERYTHING inside my baby is brand new—or at
least LOOKS brand new!
Contributed by author.
New DELUXE door panels/panel components:
$580
from Matt at 1-800-909-8388
(I didn't write down what the name of the company this was, sorry).
AWESOME price. Includes 2 panels with top trim, top grill, arm rest and
carpet.
Contributed by author.
2 NEW door lock switches: $12 total
from
Matt at 1-800-909-8388.
GM replacements, not the crappy after market ones, according to Matt, that have
thin plastic that breaks. That must be
the kind I had purchased about a year ago!
Contributed by author.
New inner door bezel: $39
from
Matt at 1-800-909-8388.
The cheapest I could find.
Contributed by author.
New Interior Screw Set:
I searched everywhere
for the cheapest set: tinknocker333 on Ebay: $20.99 with "Buy it
now".
Contributed by author.
USED Interior 84-89 C-4 Parts
Floor mats: $12 Ebay: redneck43
Rear View
Mirror: $10-$15 from any junk
yard! The 84-89 C-4 uses THE SAME MIRROR AS THE Chevy S-10 Truck!!!
Oh yah--sure beats $65+ from ANY of the major Vette parts sellers!!!
Contributed by author.
Seatbelts: $24
each on Ebay: "sc4668". These were REALLY dirty but I cleaned them up pretty well. This is one I don't suggest you buy on Ebay. The seller was correct when he said that they were dirty. He
also said that they should clean up ok. He was right there, too...I guess. If
I had it to do over again, though, I would buy new. They were a pain to
clean and the outside plastic case was scratched from normal usage. I was going to
send them back, but my wife started scrubbing on them and I was surprised how
much gunk came off. We scrubbed for days. Oh--and the passenger side seat belt never worked at all!
|
Seatbelts
Update: NEW SEAT BELTS FROM TABER FOR $45
EACH!!! Actually, I had emailed them asking about NEW ones, but
for this price they’re probably used.
That’s the price they sent me, though.
*I just visited the Taber web site and the seat belts are advertised for
$35! --Probably just the belt itself??
Taber
Corvette Parts: Toll Free 1-877-349-2838.
Contributed by author. |
Flat
covers for the sun visor bolts/nuts:
I didn't save a cent. Actually, I got ripped off. I bought them from
someone in Saint Charles, Missouri for $10
each--and one of them was cracked just like the one I wanted to replace. I
asked the guy, of course, if these used parts were cracked or broken--and he, of
course, told me that he would "find me some good ones" (that weren't cracked or
broken, right?!) I was in a hurry that day and wasn't concerned about $20.
Contributed by author.
Tilt
steering wheel lever: $15 from the guy in Missouri.
These go for $15 used everywhere. Use the email
addresses below or Ebay and ensure that the one you find is in good shape.
This is the only part I didn't have a problem with from this seller.
Contributed by author.
Black
plastic covers for the targa top storage holders:
Copy the email addresses at
the bottom of this page into the "To:" block of an email message requesting
these--don't forget to ask for the price of the part or some of the sellers will
simply write back that they have it. You obviously want to be able to
disregard those with higher prices immediately. This has worked great for
me so far.
Contributed by author.
Shift boot: $12.95 Ebay: redneck43
steven.morgan4@worldnet.att.net. Great
deal! Ensure that it looks good and DOESN'T HAVE ANY HOLES. When
you get it, dye it with leather dye, then take some black shoe wax to it
several times, then use some neutral shoe wax. Better than new, in my
opinion. Try some leather dye and black shoe wax, in that order, on your
steering wheel as well.
Contributed by author.
Automatic Shift knob:
$9.95 Ebay: redneck43
steven.morgan4@worldnet.att.net.
This item is about $50 new. This was a great deal. I haven't put in
on yet, though. They say you have to pry up the button and take off a
retaining ring. If the button breaks, The Last Detail has buttons for
under $10. *I just put it on and it was
really easy. Looks great!
Contributed by author.
Under
dash panels: $25 Ebay: dcmock1. Probably a good price but I
don't know. Mine were broken--these aren't.
Contributed by author.
Fuse
panel bezel: $10 Ebay: cross-fire84. Part was
NOT
in great shape…it was cracked but I fixed it with some super-duper stir-it-up kinda glue.
Contributed by author.
Ash Tray Door:
FREE: Since they don't make
this item any more, buy a couple on Ebay and sand and repaint the best looking
one with FLAT black paint, then put dash protectant on it like you do the rest
of your dash when you detail your car. Sweet! Resell the one you
don't use-this is a GREAT way to ensure you get the best used parts and recoup
or even make money on the part you don't want. *The amount you get for
it is highly dependent on how you word your Ebay add. Something to
think about…
Contributed by author.
NEW
Exterior 84-89 C-4 Parts
Door handle
covers:
Outright dishonesty?
These covers were ordered by _________, a Corvette Forum member, but never
received. He made several attempts to contact the business which all met
with negative results.
Contributed by _________. Here's the thread at
CF: _____________.
Here's a link to the web site where he ordered the covers:
http://www.C4dhr.com
New Universal power antenna:
$15 Ebay:
bass_sales. I haven't installed this yet--AND DON'T PLAN TO EITHER!!!.
This thing would make my any Vette look ghetto! When the antenna is in the
lowest position, the antenna is still sticking out about 3 inches!!! It's new,
though, and by far the
best price I ever expected to find on an antenna. If you happen to be
looking for an antenna that looks ghetto, this one's for you!
Contributed by author.
New Weatherstrip kit--7 pieces--$410 from 1A Auto
1-888-844-3393
http://www.1aauto.com. AWESOME savings. When installing the rear
hatch weatherstrip, be careful to get the two corners seated as
deeply as possible. You have to remove one end of each strut. ONLY
use adhesive at the two turns on the left and right rear
on either side of the gas door. Apply glue per instructions, , and make
sure you have pre-fitted the seal first--once you push it on, you CAN'T get it
off!!!
I had a long
conversation with a guy from Astrotops who told me that the two weatherstrip
manufacturers you DON'T want to buy from are A & M and Metro Molded Parts.
Why? He said because, "even though the weatherstrip is thicker than
weatherstrips made by other manufacturers, who cares if they last forever if you
can't close the doors and it leaks like a shower!"
I immediately called 1A autos, the place I bought mine from, and learned (to my
immediate dismay and suspicion) that I had purchased Metro Molded Parts
weatherstrips. Hmmm...then I thought about what the Astro Tops guy said
and considered the source.
New, thick weatherstrips on the roof panel WOULD add significantly to the
problem of closing the doors until the weatherstrips become a bit more plyable--ESPECIALLY
at the top of the window where the thick targa top weatherstrips are located. I
haven't installed the targa top weatherstrips yet. He's right--these suckers ARE
thick. The hatch weatherstrip is so thick that it sticks out too far in the
corners and I was afraid to slam the hatch for about 2 months without stuffing
the weatherstrip up around the inside of the window from the corner up on the
sides.
As far as leaking goes, I've heard that no matter what you do they're going to
leak. In fact, the local Chevy dealership here WON'T EVEN INSTALL THEM FOR ME
because they can't guarantee them (whatever brand they sell/use) not to leak.
NOTE: You MUST seal between
the windshield trim and the windshield--otherwise water will leak between the
trim and the window into your car at the front of the doors/sides of the dash
where the side windshield trim ends!!! The trim will act like a scoop and
force the water under the trim where it will drain out by your rear view mirror
and at the lowest point where the side windshield trim ends.
And as far as the doors not closing, he's got a point, but I didn't install all
of the different weatherstrips all at once. First the door weatherstrips, then a
couple of weeks later the windshield weatherstrip, then in a couple more weeks
the roll bar thingy weatherstrip. I haven't installed the Targa Top weatherstrip
because I need to replace the top...but NOT from Astrotops
for $450 (plus $30 to ship it there and another $50 for them to ship it back).
Even though that's the best price around, Astrotops uses rubber trim to replace
the aluminum trim that goes around the circumfrance of the plexiglass. The
rubber stuff rips when you put the top in its storage position under the hatch.
Anyway, I had no PROBLEM with the doors not closing (just leaking!!!). The door
weatherstrips WERE a bit stiff, but they are a bit more pliable now. I just
installed the roll bar thingy weatherstrip last weekend and the passenger window
doesn't want to go all the way up by itself (gotta open the door to get the
window all the way up, then shut the door).
I don't have any experience with any other brand. Make your own decision: Thick
and $400 or thin and $650+ for the 7-piece weatherstrip kit. One thing I'd do
differently, though, is try to have them include the little dash weatherstrips
on either end of the dashboard sides and/or the engine compartment weatherstrips
instead of the hatch weatherstrip. Tucking it up under the window every time I
open the hatch is irritating--especially when the hatch continues to leak!!! HOW
IS THAT POSSIBLE???!!! --It's a one-piece weatherstrip!
EXTRA TIP: use one of these three things to make your weather
strips last as long as possible: "dielectric grease" available at any parts
store; "SIL-GLYDE", part # 765-1351, a silicone lubricating compound available
from NAPA which also has a UV protectant; or "DuPont Krytox" available from
www.lesliespool.com for about $5. Credit for this EXTRA TIP goes to
http://www.crossfire.homeip.net/,
the BEST source for all things Crossfire!!!
Contributed by author.
New Outer
Door Window Seals/Wipes:
$59 for the pair from Matt at
1-800-909-8388. Decent
deal, but I've heard recently that you can get these on Ebay for under $20 per
pair -- now, THAT's a good deal!
Contributed by author.
New Windshield: $212 - any local car glass shop
ought to replace your windshield for $212, including installation.
Take off your old trim at home, wire-wheel the heck out of it, then prime/paint
and give it to the glass shop for installation. MAKE SURE they put it back
on the right side!!! New trim costs $250. New weather strip costs
$250. I'd thought it would be a lot more for the windshield itself.
Check around if they want to charge you more than that. I read about
another vette owner paying $275 for his recently. UPDATE: prices went up in February
2003. You’re looking at another $50-$100—and
trim is NOT included.
NOTE: You MUST seal between the
windshield trim and the windshield--otherwise water will leak between the trim
and the window into your car at the front of the doors/sides of the dash where
the side windshield trim ends!!! The trim will act like a scoop and force
the water under the trim where it will drain out by your rear view mirror and at
the lowest point where the side windshield trim ends.
Contributed by author.
New Hood/gas door emblems: $20/$28,
respectively, from The Last Detail
www.corvettepartsdepot.com 1-888-527-8338. Best price I found
anywhere. These are stock GM replacements. Don't buy used ones—new
ones make the car look brand new...well...unless you need a paint job, in which
case your car will look MUCH BETTER with new emblems! The rear one has
gummy stuff on the bottom of it so it doesn't rattle. Wax/buff your car
FIRST, then install.
Contributed by author.
New Rear
bumper emblem: $33.55
Ebay: redneck43
steven.morgan4@worldnet.att.net. I
haven't purchased this yet. This is the best price I've found--as are ALL
of the parts listed here. Wax/buff, THEN install the new emblem!
Contributed by author.
USED Exterior 84-89 C-4 Parts
Targa
Top/Transparent Roof: DO buy one on Ebay, used, for from
http://www.melroset-tops.com/roofs.htm.
Check out Melrose's 5 criteria for a good top. This is where I'm going to
purchase my replacement top unless I can find a place that will sell me just the
acrylic piece that meets Melrose's 5 criteria. Others say
NOT to buy one new from ANYONE else, especially from Astrotops, according to
Corvette Forum (CF)!!!
According to several posts at CF, Astrotops does not use thick acrylic AND uses a rubber
trip piece that rips when the top is placed into/removed from the rear deck holder.
No seller will sell only the acrylic top piece separate from installation
so you can get your local glass shop to attach it to your frame core. If
you can find a business who will sell you JUST the acrylic piece, you can have your
local windshield glass shop glue it to your frame/core--I had this done and it
works GREAT!!! *The part numbers for the COMPLETE acrylic top (core AND
acrylic piece) are
12370123-Blue and 12370124-Bronze,
according to Corvette Forum member, "sraft"
on CF.
|
Targa
Top/Transparent Roof
additional info:
According to "NoWorries" on CF,
The tops are all the same size, a
'96 will fit an '84, an '84 will fit a '96, the mounting hardware is all
that needs to be changed! Here's a graphic
posted by "LWesthaver"
that shows the different mounting hardware:
Now all you have to do is find a decent
top from ANY 4th Gen Corvette and swap-out your current mounting hardware! |
Left rear marker light:
$10.51 Ebay: redneck43
steven.morgan4@worldnet.att.net. Great deal.
84-87s are the same.
Contributed by author.
Side
windows: On Ebay or use the
email addresses below. You'll spend about half of the cost of new ones.
Contributed by author.
84 Crossfire Engine
Parts
New Radiator fan motor:
$35.23 at
www.carparts.com. This motor was over $80 at some places.
Contributed by author.
More to come:
New intake options, custom plates, info
about moving to wiper motor for an Offy intake install. Check my
Author's
Links for now
until I put this info here.
Contributed by author.
New alternator:
DO NOT buy a rebuilt!!! Ask the parts store to find you a larger alternate alternator that
will fit the 350. The larger one solves the known '84 overload problem.
*The original '84 alternator can't handle the car's electrical system--partly
due to the faulty digital gauge package.
Contributed by author.
New '85 fuel pump for the '84--NO MORE
HESITATION!!!: Please contribute this info if you've purchased this part!
Other Crossfire owners will tell you that the '85 fuel pump is the one to get.
I don't know why but they swear by it! You can identify whether your
Crossfire has the '85 pump by whether it has a plastic plug electrical
connector. The '85 has the plastic electrical connector.
Contributed by author.
Non-Original
Modifications
New Bulldog security electric door, hatch key chain
opener w/parking light flashing. It's a KE100. I had to buy two #775
relays. The total was about $50. Bulldog has a wiring diagram on
their web site
http://www.bulldogsecurity.com/ and is very helpful over the phone. UPDATE: I WOULD NOT PURCHASE THIS SUCKER AGAIN UNLESS I KNEW A BIT MORE ABOUT
AUTO WIRING!!! I’ve now got to have it installed
professionally because Bulldog can’t tell you what wires to connect to what
wires. You’d think they’d make it
easy since it’s a do-it-yourself kit!
No cigar—you have to test to see if you have a positive or negative hatch
release switch and search for several other wires that you have to guess at
since the car’s wiring diagram doesn’t match up with what Bulldog gives you for
instructions. In my humble opinion,
THIS KIT IS CHEAP (the key chain broke because of cheap
links and the plastic is really light-weight/cheap).
BEWARE!!! I wrote Bulldog email and explained in detail my beef over
two months ago and have gotten no response yet!!! If I ever do I'll place
it here.
Contributed by author.
More to come:
New intake options, custom plates, info
about moving to wiper motor for an Offy intake install. Check my
Author's
Links for now
until I put this info here.
ANYONE may contribute to this resource--parts
seekers/finders AND suppliers alike! Send us info on your best
part deal and we'll post it here and give you credit! *Make sure you
provide this information: name of part, price you paid, seller contact
information, your name and contact information, and a few sentences about
the part, installation tips, etc.! *Parts seekers/finders MUST
supply contact information to ensure the info on this site remains
credible and accurate! Tell us about your experience with the
seller as well!
*The Ebay user IDs I've listed on this page
can be queried at Ebay if you wish to contact the seller.
It's time to sit back and let the Sellers battle it out:
Cut-and-Paste these addresses into the "To:" block!
These
are email addresses for several of the reliable sellers I've purchased parts
from. Cut and paste these addresses in the "To:" block of an email message
and let THEM battle it out so you get the best prices! Aren't you tired of
being a consumer?! *If you find any of these sellers to be unreliable or
untrustworthy, PLEASE LET US KNOW so your fellow C-4 restorers don't get a
raw deal!
Vetteman904@aol.com;
cars2nv@ee.net;
vip@vipcorvette.com;
LDEENTERPRISE@aol.com;
kftaber@msn.com;
artpart@bellsouth.net;
willcox@bellsouth.net;
mbray01@yahoo.com;
marcel@marcelscorvette.com;
afc@corvetteusa.com;
DAW4PARTS@AOL.COM;
carolsauto@aol.com;
pratt@uniserve.com;
mike@corvettespecialty.com;
327@chevylandparts.com;
parts@pipersauto.com;
melthe1@cox.net;
CAROLSAUTO@aol.com
C4
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Author's
'84
Superior
Rival!
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