Can the National VCA help with this!!!!

[A1998]

Having been a monitor of this board for quite some time I have been paying extra attention to the recent post of the prices of parts we need for our Vipers. I really appreciate the database that a few are trying to put together showing what parts will cross reference with other brands at a much lower price. Now we all know this as well as Diamler Chrysler. We also know our parts are becoming obsolete before our vehicles are reaching 10 years old. My question is Can the VCA and their body, board, members, etc get Chrysler to reconize this and amend this terrible practice. I know it took every penny I had to buy the car, I shouldn't be penalized for the parts I need at a later date. Something needs to be done now because in the near future the parts will be obsolete and we will pay a fortune (If we can find them) for the parts we will need. Used parts are at a premium now!! I would hope the VCA can channel this to the proper heads and get something done. Pass this along to someone who may be able to help our Viper community.

 

[RedGTS]

Re: Can the Natl VCA get away with this!!!!

Just a suggestion, but they might be a little more receptive to your plea if you would change the title of your post.

 

[v10kingsnake]

Re: Can the Natl VCA get away with this!!!!

i agree but it is a point that fails to see the flip side of the coin. assuming i agree with what you say regarding the parts shortage and i really dont. but then again i havent replaced any stock parts lately so thats not fair. the flip side is that you now own a vehicle with parts so scarce and costly that what do you think will happen to the resale value of your car...hmmmmmmm maybe it goes UP! look, routine maintenance and proper care should yield you plenty of years of use with no problems, if you smoke a clutch they have tons of applications availabe, if you burn up tires, buy new ones, again no shortage, if you rip your seats buy gen 3 or go on ebay, i always see them there. or call my buddy chad at snake hydes up for a set custom. engine goes by-by call arrow for a rebuild, drop a drive shaft, halfshaft, every aftermarket viper guys sells ones capable of taking twice the stockers abuse. so what are you worried about. enjoy the car. you bought a winner.

 

[slaughterj]

Re: Can the Natl VCA get away with this!!!!

This is a very significant issue. There will be a parts shortage, and I think this is exactly the reason for something like the VCA to exist - to help address this, a most fundamental issue, for Viper owners.

 

[Joseph Houss]

Re: Can the Natl VCA get away with this!!!!

We're way ahead of you!

Rich H, our VCA National VP, has been working on this project for years. I'll try to get him to post the latest facts about this.

 

[TomSlick]

Re: Can the Natl VCA get away with this!!!!

A friend of mine that buys wrecked Vipers and rebuilts them says you cannot buy a factory windshield for a Gen II car. Anybody else had that problem? Seems like they should still have those available.

 

[Big Medicine]

Re: Can the Natl VCA get away with this!!!!

Anything can be made.

 

[v10kingsnake]

Re: Can the Natl VCA get away with this!!!!

i think he meant it isnt easy getting a windshield for one but not that its impossible to now get. anyway its troubling but this is the price you pay to drive an exotic. you wont be able to go to pep boys for complex parts! how different do you think it is for lambo owners when they breay glass, or ferrari owners, you think they can call safelite or a dealer to schedule an appointment, NO they have to source the glass from another country first then ship it halfway accross the world to be replaced. and trust me, it is no better then our situation only worse. there are wrecked cars out there and many part guys who sell and source these replacement parts way better than the dealer can!

 

[glenn hofstetter]

Re: Can the Natl VCA get away with this!!!!

I had a problem that included my windshield and it was replaced immeadiately. We didn't wait for it at all.

 

[RobHook]

Re: Can the Natl VCA get away with this!!!!

The only people who are really going to have problems are those who want a concours correct Viper. So far, I don't think I've seen ANY of those people on this board. Everyone here is too busy talking about their mods. I like to use original parts on my car unless there is an obvious design flaw. Only then will I go to using an aftermarket part.

Honestly, my Viper is plenty fast enough as it is. I don't need a louder exhaust, ported heads, supercharger or any of that. If I want a faster car, I'll buy a [******] or a Gen 3. There's also the feeling that I just don't want to corrupt something that people like Carrol Shelby and Bob Lutz had a hand in designing. If they say it should be done a certain way, I yield to their judgement.

On the other hand I often get the urge to go all out and put twin superchargers on it. I just control those urges.

Having said all that, I am in the process of creating several parts that are no longer available. There's a piece on the bottom of the seatbelts that is probably broken on 90% of all gen I Vipers. With this piece broken, the seat belts will not stiffen in certain types of accidents. I'm also putting together a kit to add a bearing to the pedal shaft and maybe reproduce the shaft entirely to eliminate the cheap plastic bushings. But these are minor things that, while important, would never be noticed, even in concours judging.

As for things like windshields, yes it's hard to find originals. However, aftermarket ones are readily available last I checked.

Another consideration is that, sadly, there is an abundance of wrecked Vipers out there. We've all heard the stories of brand new Vipers getting wrecked within view of the dealership by an overzealous buyer when he takes delivery of it. It happened at least once just here in Virginia. Those Vipers had very low miles and most of the parts will still be like new.

--Rob

 

[A1998]

Re: Can the Natl VCA get away with this!!!!

Case in point is the recent post of 2FAST4U, He is needing weatherstripping for his doors and is forced to buy the whole stanchion part at a cost of between $250.00 and $500.00

http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB14&Number=462431&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

A1998

 

[BluBite]

Re: Can the Natl VCA get away with this!!!!

I had to replace my windshield. I was told it was the last one in stock. I got lucky, didn't have to wait.

I was told by my local Dodge Dealer that all requests for windshields now have to be manufactured and the wait could be as long as 3-4 months

 

[v10kingsnake]

Re: Can the Natl VCA get away with this!!!!

so drive around with you trap shut. whats the big deal!!!

 

[Joseph Dell]

Re: Can the Natl VCA get away with this!!!!

I had my windshield replaced today. Called on Wed and made the appt. I was expecting a long wait to get the glass... they said it was going to take an extra 2 hours to get it b/c they had to source it from MOPAR... and that one costs a few bucks less. Actually, the windshield went for $320. go figure?

that didn't seem that unreasonable...

JD