I have been planning on changinng/replacing a few parts but was wondering if you guys recomend Junk yard parts or new.

Replacement parts include:
AC Compressor
replace aux, elec fan due to being out of balance
Possible replace main fan with the taurus elec fan.
lift gate shocks as in my gate wont stay up.

Thanks for any advise or opinions, We dont have any pick yourself junk yards around here so i cant just roam the local JY.

 

Mechanical JY stuff can be a gamble, if you can't test parts.

 

Out of your list I would say OK, except the AC Compressor. The reason why they go bad is because of contaminants and leaky seals. Also You would want to change out the dryer to new with the compressor. Over time it works like an oil filter collecting crap. Do your homework on the AC, it's back yard do able with the right instructions and an ac vacum.
Yards usually have an old battery around to test your fan, or test it before installing. Most places would take a bad one back.

 

i would buy the struts for the gate new, just because they are fairly cheap...plus used might not last very long. Most electrical i try to stay away from j/y...but you need to compare prices and see if u can return parts that dont work and see if u can test them out there

 

Where you gettin cheap strut?

 

I always get new parts and recommend it if you are keeping the car and cash flow is not a problem. Reasoning: Auto Zone and others have a lifetime warranty on most parts. When it shells out again R&R the part and it's restored to new condition. Used parts have an unknown life expectancy and the junkyard isn't giving you a free replacement.

 

thanks for the reply, so i will see about using mostly new parts for this list. only thing i forgot to mention on my list was i need a spare tire that ill get at the JY.

 

What part of Iowa are you in? I'm a native Iowan!

 

New struts are $20-$25 each. I've replaced (2) since it was new in 6/96. It only takes one bad strut for the liftgate to not stay up.

I would expect the aux fan from the boneyard to be fine. Likewise, the Taurus fan from the boneyard should be OK if you want to do that. I still have my original fan clutch!