I tried to buy local....

[GH85Carrera]

My trusty old El Camino came from the factory with the crappy Air Shocks for load leveling. They were only good for 12 months or so and it was time to replace them. After several rounds of that, I switched to Air Lift 1000 part number 60733 that fit up inside the rear springs.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CFS02S/ref=pe_2640190_232748420_TE_item

Just remove the large bolt through the lower shock connection, drop the suspension lower than possible with the shock in place, and the entire spring comes out with no issues. I switched to them 20+ plus years ago. It was necessary to change to Bilstiens to get a good ride, but that is easy.

The air bags seem to last 8 or 9 years, and then they develop a leak. So pull the spring, and swap out the bag. I was sure that last time I did that I only replaced one airbag and I had a spare on the shelf. Nope, just the box for the part number, and some of the hose and fittings. Crap. The one airbag sure enough has cracks in the side, and leaks air instantly.

So I figured perfect time to buy local. I called several dealers and no one had them in stock, but one dealer mentioned that the Air Lift company REQUIRES any dealer to install them, the customer can't install them. They are not allowed to sell direct to the customer.

Summit Racing and Amazon don't seem to care about those rules. Since I am a Prime member, I ordered them from Amazon to get the free shipping. The local dealers will miss out on the sale. I tried.

Advance Auto Parts does sell them to customers, but they had none in stock, and it was going to be the 24th before they could get them in and they were going to be 108 bucks to boot. So I save 20 bucks from Amazon and get them tomorrow.

So Amazon will deliver them to my door tomorrow.

[Sooner or later]

I buy most of my auto parts from my local full service/repair gas station

Been dealing with them for 20 years. They can get anything within a couple of days. It may cost me 10 or 20 bucks more but if I break down I get priority service. If I need a moving dolly, trailer or box truck rental I get great prices.

My long term relationship with the local guy is worth far more than anything I can get from Amazon.

[asphaltgambler]

Being (not) the devil’s advocate, but don’t think you’ll find anybody local or otherwise that stocks those. The local aftermarket parts stores all go blank when you tell them the year of the vehicle you’re working on is pre-2000.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

Being (not) the devil’s advocate, but don’t think you’ll find anybody local or otherwise that stocks those. The local aftermarket parts stores all go blank when you tell them the year of the vehicle you’re working on is pre-2000.

Yea, one guy actually looked up the part number and said it shows it is for a late 70 to 80s GM product. I said yep, 1986 El Camino. He said they work on RVs not cars, and still would not sell me one since it was against the manufacturer rules.

I figured it was a long shot to find it local. Water Pumps, and brakes and alternators are super easy and cheap, but not a non stock item for a 30+ year old car.