TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Oct 30, 2002 6:25 pm

I need to purchase some sheet metal (floors, rockers, etc..) for my bus and I'm wondering if anyone out there has ever purchased parts from California Import Parts before? Is the quality close to that of Wolfsburg West, or should I just pay the little bit more and order from WW?
Thanks
Jordan

Wed Oct 30, 2002 7:48 pm

I have purchased from both and they both have quality products. In some cases it is the same product because they sometimes have the same supplier (eg. brazilian body parts) or the same aftermarket vendor. I would be up front and ask them who makes their parts. I find that these reputable suppliers will always be square with you and indicate if a part is German, Brazilian, Mexican or aftermarket and sometimes they will even carry two or more of the same part. For example I purchased new master cylinders from CIP a couple of years ago for both my Westy and Beetle...they carried both Brazil (VW) and German ATE brake parts. The German one cost twice as much but they indicated that both worked fine...I ended up buying German in order to keep the original all-German content. By the way, I've used CIP for what must be 20 years now and they have never disappointed me. Neither has WW, though they are a long ways away from me, so I only buy specialty parts from them once in a while.

Thu Oct 31, 2002 4:48 am

Very good point about the suppliers being the same for many vendors. I just ordered a cab floor piece and it was back ordreed. When it did arrive, it came from an entirely different supplier.. Rocky Mountain Motorworks. They even sent me a free poster. If you check the other recent threads here, there is a discussion about body panels and Cal Imports is mentioned. Their panels aren't that much cheaper when you figure in the packing fee they charge in addition to shipping. Maybe shipping isn't an issue in your case. I have a hard time with the packing fee. Is it really THAT much harder to throw a body panel in a box and fill it with peanuts vs. throwing a light bulb in box and filling it with peanuts? I have yet to see any special packaging with any body panels I have ordered other than larger boxes. O.K. ...I'll save the rest of my thoughts for the rants..... hehe

Thu Nov 07, 2002 6:04 pm

Donor metal is the best option. I did outer floor and inner/outer rockers on cargo door side with WW product. Fit real funky and really had to fit it to get it to look decent. In addition, the metal is markedly thinner than OG. Good luck

Doug

Thu Nov 07, 2002 6:12 pm

Damn Doug, better watch out you may be on the hit list for "cutting up good cars" LOL!
(see rants)...
Finding someone near you who stocks or will get metal replacement parts can save you in shipping and packaging fees or at least you can see the piece before you buy it...
Another source is www.rustrepair.com
Mill Supply Co. they are in Ohio and may be a good one for owners on the east coast or the midwesst Vs shipping from the west coast. I have had good luck with them and RMM on the weld in panels for bug/ghia and bus and floorpans...

Thu Nov 07, 2002 8:19 pm

Hey, check out www.metwiz.com. This guy fabricates excellant bus parts @ has a great web site with pictures of replacing different body panels. Don't know where you are located, but he is in central North Carolina.