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Fri May 11, 2012 11:55 pm

So I am stationed in Hawaii but I will be in San Diego for a a few weeks and was wanting to pick up some parts and bring them back on my ship to save some $$ in the ridiculous shipping to Hawaii. Any one know any good parts places in the San Diego area?
Looking for:
alternator conversion kit
SVDA Dizzy
Exhaust that will work with heater boxes and an autostick trans
and a battery tray pannel.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Sat May 12, 2012 9:44 am

Karmann Ghia Parts & Restoration in Ventura for everything but SVDA. Aircooled.Net for SVDA< but they are in Utah and shipping is slow. Also see cb performance.Alternator kits other than bosch require some modification, so be prepared.

Sat May 12, 2012 4:12 pm

I would love to make the trip up to Ventura but as I will be reliant on local friends for a ride and working everyday I dont think it is in the cards, I did find "Vee Parts" on the web anyone have any experience with them? They have 2 shops in the SD area. the shipping on the svda shouldn't bee too bad so if nothing else I can order that, I really want rid of that 009 though. The flat spot off the line is bugging me. I was planning on a Bosch alt as I have heard too many horror stories about the Chinese ones shitting out after 2 weeks.

Sat May 12, 2012 5:35 pm

^ did you mean vee dub parts in Huntington beach? I got a few items from them. their tin pieces were crappy, but then so is anything non oe. were very helpful other than letting me eat 1 really crappy tin piece.

Sat May 12, 2012 6:41 pm

No, Vee Parts has a shop in El Cajon and one in National city. there website is pretty sparse http://www.veeparts.com/ just wondering if anyone knew how their stock was, how they were, or if there were any other shops in the San Diego area that they recommend.

Sat May 12, 2012 10:10 pm

I've been to both. The guys in El Cajon are 100% easier to deal with than the National City location. Not sure if the older guy is the Owner in National City, but he's real difficult. They are also pretty expensive. Unfortunately, not a lot of choices for stock parts in SD. JBugs in Oceanside might be another option.

James

Sat May 12, 2012 10:32 pm

Thanks Jmiddle. The El Cajon location is the easier one to get to for me anyway so that works out. as for expensive, I live in Hawaii where milk is $8 a gallon and it will probably still be cheaper than having it shipped from anywhere else. Seriously an $80 exhaust was quoted at $200 to ship...Nope, I can wait. Making the run up to O-side should be doable, I got a buddy up there too that has a buggie so it would be cool to swing by and see him. If I can manage a whole day off and an early start I might rent a ride and road trip it up to ventura... to the Karmann Ghia parts mecca...

Sun May 13, 2012 11:26 pm

looks like I may be renting a car for at least 1 or 2 days. Any personal thoughts on carcraft or kustom1warehouse? I know there is a review thread but I am looking for personal input, I find that people generally only post reviews when they have had a bad experience, so it may not be an accurate reflection. Thanks.

Sun May 13, 2012 11:47 pm

Rocketmonkey81 wrote:
alternator conversion kit
SVDA Dizzy
Exhaust that will work with heater boxes and an autostick trans
and a battery tray pannel.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

If you are going to have a rental car I would call VeeDub Unlimited(in Huntington Beach) before your trip,and have them order it all and then just go pick it all up. The Ghia battery tray they would have to order for sure.
Making the trip to KGPR cost you more in gas but they have a lot of Ghia only stuff. Again I would call them and let them have a box with your name on it.

Mon May 14, 2012 12:23 am

Thanks, but I am already out to sea on my way. I have internet but no phone access. Guess I shoulda planed ahead a little further. I am gong to bookmark their sight though, as she is an ongoing project!

Thu May 17, 2012 9:02 pm

So I have been continuing to look and I thought I would throw up a few places that have good reviews in the area that haven't been mentioned for the San Diego locals.
Discount Foreign Auto Parts in Le Mesa
7200 El Cajon Blvd
(between 72nd St & Harbinson Ave)

and

West Coast Metric Inc.
24002 Frampton Ave.
Harbor City, CA 90710

WCM is in the LA area and has great reviews for quality and service if you walk in, not so hot reviews for the web business.

Fri May 18, 2012 11:19 am

WestCoastMetric isnt near San Diego, its near LA/LongBeach.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&bav=on.2,or....CAkQ8gEwAA

All kinds of shops in SoCal, LA area if you decide to drive up from LowCal.

Sat May 19, 2012 10:39 am

Darrel, that was actually the last line of my post. ;)

Mon May 21, 2012 11:17 am

So I made it to Vee Parts in El Cajon not bad but kind of a limited selection and Discount Foreign Auto Parts in Le Mesa That place ROCKED! Rudy super nice and knowledgeable, willing to answer all my questions and becasue I was buying so much threw in soem freebies! I recommend this place to anyone in the SD area that is looking for parts. One man operation, showed me a stack of parts he has pulled from sell because he has had complaints about quality, stand up guy that refuses to sell you crap. cant recommend this place enough. going to make a post in the buyer/seller feedback forum as well.

Tue May 22, 2012 7:53 pm

JBugs (Jbugs.com) is up in Oceanside. I have bought a few things from there when Rudy didn't have what I needed. Their prices are decent and as long as you don't buy online, their customer service is pretty good.

Tue May 22, 2012 9:09 pm

rocket did they have the Ghia sheet metal in stock? Did you get everything?

Wed May 23, 2012 12:51 pm

No, they didn't have the sheetmetal in stock but he said he could order it. If I was going to be in town longer I would have gone for that. I got the Dizzy from a mechanic in Santee/lakeside area, it is a used bosh with new points for $50. He had everything else I needed and some stuff I just wanted. even spotted the rubber piece that goes behind the headlight, wasn't looking for that but I needed one so I picked it up. Hit Vee parts in El Cajon while I was in the area, some of their prices were a little lower but not nearly as well stocked or pleasant to deal with, I don't mind spending a few extra bucks for good service. The guy at vee parts seemed like I was wasting his time when I asked questions, might just be his demeanor but it was a bit off putting. Just my $.02, wouldn't have an issue buying from them but I would have to be going in for something specific.

Sun Jun 10, 2012 1:37 am

Anyone know if the Discount Foreign in the 7200 block on El Cajon blvd is the the same bunch of guys that was on El Cajon Blvd between the 805 and Texas street back in the late 80s? I used to go there all of the time and they were great.

To the Original poster, glad you got some parts at least. But since you were out this way by Vee Parts, you were also 5 minutes away from Off Road Warehouse and Fibertech. They cater to more of the off road crowd but do have VW parts as well, just an FYI for next time...