Finding parts to fit your truck can be a hassle, especially if you're trying to buy them online. Photos of parts are often small and it's hard to tell if a pictured part is what you need. Your mechanic or dealership may have the part you need, but their prices are often relatively expensive. Knowing which brands and styles fit your truck will help, and you can access this information for free without having to call your mechanic.
Call a local dealership that services your truck's make. Some car manufacturers sell replacement parts that are guaranteed to fit your vehicle. Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Subaru vehicles all take Mopar parts, and Ford uses its Motorcraft brand parts for its vehicles. In-house brands will fit your truck, but it is usually much more expensive to purchase from a dealer than if you purchase them online. The Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealership in Simi Valley, California, gave a quote of $100 for a side-view mirror replacement part, but the same part is listed on amazon.com for $35. Research thoroughly to ensure that you get the best deal.
Visit a reputable auto parts retailer's website to be sure that you are getting the correct information for your truck. Sites such as costco.com, amazon.com or motors.ebay.com offer various auto parts and free searchable databases of parts by year, make and model.
Enter your truck's information, including its year, make and model, into the corresponding fields. If you are looking for tires, costco.com's database will tell you which types it has in stock that will fit your truck. Motors.ebay.com allows you to search by part type, such as "brakes" and "interior parts" for your truck's year, make and model, and amazon.com's "Part Finder" will tell you if a specific part you view on the site is compatible with your truck.
Purchase your part. When you receive it, bring it to your mechanic to double-check that it will fit your truck. He can install the part if it is a direct fit. If you are installing the part yourself, compare it to your current or old part to see that it is the same size and style before you install it.
