Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Why do a lot of vendors peddle such crap?

astjp2

astjp2

TJ Guru
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I stopped into 4wp to get something that I ordered, everything on display was cheap chinese shit products except for 1 warn winch and I think it was the chinese version based on price. I get a email every day from extreme terrain, just about everything they have in their focused ad is TJ and I have an LJ, but the Magnetic body armor? WTF good is that? Or a hood wrap? Anything I seem to want is a special order, if I do that I might as well ebay it... I am not asking for high end stuff, but who in their right mind would spend money for a stick on body armor? Or I am I just losing touch with reality?
 
Somewhat related, I've heard distributors get a bigger profit margin from Teraflex products. So shops will push that brand on customers more than others. Anyone have any knowledge of that?
It's annoying when noobies recommend Teraflex to other noobies only because that's what their local shop talked them into as being the best.
 
T_Hase89 said:
At the end of the day, no profit means no business. Can’t only cater to the 5% when the 95% population likes the Chinese stuff.
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This x1000, it's the same reason that wally world is full of cheap chinese crap is because today's consumer only see's one thing, the $ tag. Quality doesn't mean shit to 95% of the consumers out there, only perceved "value".

Probably the same reason that we are seeing offroad manufacturers drop production for TJ's because it's hard to compete with the chinese imports for a shrinking TJ market (seems everybody is making stuff just for the more popular JK and JL now).
 
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Tony DiDomenico said:
As Robin Williams once said “ Reality what a concept”. Box stores only sell what sells the most. Most newer Jeep owners do not know a box wrench from a pipe wrench.
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That same comment has been in use since new Jeep models have been coming out. I watched the CJ guys say it about the YJ guys who said it about the TJ guys who said it about the JK guys who say it about the JL guys.
 
astjp2 said:
I stopped into 4wp to get something that I ordered, everything on display was cheap chinese shit products except for 1 warn winch and I think it was the chinese version based on price. I get a email every day from extreme terrain, just about everything they have in their focused ad is TJ and I have an LJ, but the Magnetic body armor? WTF good is that? Or a hood wrap? Anything I seem to want is a special order, if I do that I might as well ebay it... I am not asking for high end stuff, but who in their right mind would spend money for a stick on body armor? Or I am I just losing touch with reality?
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Magnetic armor is to stop pin striping for the weekend warrior who doesn't want to spend the next week with two cans of rubbing compound making it look nice again.

If it didn't sell, they wouldn't have it in the store. It sells.
 
I guess that I just dont understand why they cannot put a good quality, reputable product next (same advertisement) to the smitty built shit? I guess I am out of touch with reality, I like to only do things one time so pay me now or pay me again later once I replace it...
 
astjp2 said:
I guess that I just dont understand why they cannot put a good quality, reputable product next (same advertisement) to the smitty built shit? I guess I am out of touch with reality, I like to only do things one time so pay me now or pay me again later once I replace it...
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If you understood, you would have built up a multi million dollar business selling knock off crap and then sold it to Polaris for enough to make a rich person's eyes water. 4 Wheel Parts sells more crap accidentally than good companies do on purpose.
 
mrblaine said:
That same comment has been in use since new Jeep models have been coming out. I watched the CJ guys say it about the YJ guys who said it about the TJ guys who said it about the JK guys who say it about the JL guys.
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10-15 years ago I was like a kid in a candy store with a million options to buy whatever my heart desired for TJ upgrades. Looking around today I find many of those options have been discontinued or prices jump significantly for limited production items that have less market and less competition. I mean I understand why, but there definitely seems to be a time window to trick out a jeep with anything you want on a reasonable budget, and the TJ window is starting to close.
 
Because Amazon, walmart, target, etc and the average American [unintentionally] is more concerned with keeping the underpaid workers in China employed than putting Americans to work and have no longterm memory of the junk that they buy. Until all US governments, federal, state and local are forced by law to buy American to put us back to work as a creator of goods instead of a retailer and huge incentives are created for companies to relocate here we will have fewer and fewer decent consumables, tools and toys to purchase. When my oven went out last year I waited for 4 months to take delivery of an American made oven. Could have had it way sooner if it was s/s but I wanted white.
 
Baltimoreed said:
Because Amazon, walmart, target, etc and the average American [unintentionally] is more concerned with keeping the underpaid workers in China employed than putting Americans to work and have no longterm memory of the junk that they buy.
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They aren't really trying to keep the underpaid Chinese employed, they are trying to stretch every dollar they have just like the rest of us. The conscious thought of keeping either group of citizens working via where they spend their money does not exist for most and they don't see it that way.
 
GASnBRASS said:
10-15 years ago I was like a kid in a candy store with a million options to buy whatever my heart desired for TJ upgrades. Looking around today I find many of those options have been discontinued or prices jump significantly for limited production items that have less market and less competition. I mean I understand why, but there definitely seems to be a time window to trick out a jeep with anything you want on a reasonable budget, and the TJ window is starting to close.
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Complain all you want, but try building a vintage toyota and cry even more. Everything is boutque and limited run. A lot of parts are just NLA and hopefully you could find a used one that didn't have 300k on it.

Both bumpers and sliders for the jeep cost about the same as just the shipping charge on the fj80 bumper I wanted...
 
Consumer demand would push more quality products to made in USA You can mandate all the laws you want but if people don’t care live for today , only buy cheaper product no regard for craftsmanship. You won’t stop it
 
Davidtj said:
Consumer demand would push more quality products to made in USA You can mandate all the laws you want but if people don’t care live for today , only buy cheaper product no regard for craftsmanship. You won’t stop it
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I'll pay for craftsmanship... I won't overpay for it. Expensive doesn't equate to quality.
 
whitrzac said:
Complain all you want, but try building a vintage toyota and cry even more. Everything is boutque and limited run. A lot of parts are just NLA and hopefully you could find a used one that didn't have 300k on it.

Both bumpers and sliders for the jeep cost about the same as just the shipping charge on the fj80 bumper I wanted...
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I've been down that road when I was trying to restore a '75 MK1 Scirocco. Practically no pickings for salvage or nos early MK1 parts and no aftermarket support. Took too much time scouring random corners of the globe for parts that were only made for one or two years. A couple years just to find a pair of used front turn signals was typical. Much of the stuff was found through a guy who heard of a guy who might have a lead on...etc. I had to give up and sell it when the TJ needed a total restoration.

So yea, I know all about searching for obscure parts, and screw going down that road ever again.
 
Think pragmatically. If I don't intend on going on the hardest of trails and only want to spend the money on something that looks great but doesn't provide as much function, why would I pay hand over fist for the 'best of the best?' No one is preferring "Chinese crap" over craftsmanship. They are just getting what they want / need.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts
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