Non-Mopar Idler Tensioner?

[Not_Invented_Here_]

Heyyyy it's another budgeting thread - looking to replace my idler and serpentine belt. I am assuming I should do the tensioner at same time as I have just over 100k and it doesn't look like it's been done before.

I see that there is a Gates option for a tensioner and a Dorman option for idler. Haven't found another belt yet besides Mopar but I've also never looked before. I think of Gates and Dorman as solid brands - anyone used them? I know the recommendation around here is go Mopar whenever possible...Any other belts worth a look?

 

[Daryl]

Nothing wrong with Gates. Dorman is hit & miss.

 

[T_Hase89]

I’d run them without thinking about it again personally. At the end of the day, the newest TJ is 14 years old and the mopar pipeline is drying up. Run it and let us know how it goes.

 

[ejay]

My Dorman has started to pit after a few years.

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

Nothing wrong with Gates. Dorman is hit & miss.

This is what I'm also getting as I browse the reviews...

 

[Chris]

Gates is good

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

Appreciate the feedback, went Gates for the tensioner and Mopar for the idler + belt. Cheers

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Nothing wrong with Gates. Dorman is hit & miss.

I agree with the first sentence. Gates does what Gates does and does it great.

I do my best to avoid Dorman. Not that I ever got a bad part the few times I used them for whatever, it's just that they offer so many different kinds of parts for so many different kinds of vehicles I end up with "Jack of all trades, master of none" on repeat in my head.

 

[MountaineerTom]

I’ve always got good products from Gates.

I’ve had good luck with Dorman replacement parts for various vehicles over the years, until just about a month ago. I ordered some headlight housings for my 20 year old Silverado. They looked great, but the little bracket/ring things that you twist the bulbs into and it locks them in place we’re bad. Between the left and right housing, all 4 bulbs locked in at a different location and one wouldn’t lock at all because the ring set to high away from the housing. Returned them through amazon with no problems and orders a set from Classic Industries. The label on the box says TYC for the company. They seem to be better built so far just looking at them. Haven’t tried to install them yet though.

Coincidentally, I just ordered a MOPAR idler earlier today.

 

[RMETeeJay]

Brand loyalty aside, you don't need to replace the entire tensioner. You can replace just the wheel/bearing and keep the original tensioner body. I just replaced mine with a Gates wheel and the tension indicator is still showing 'I' with a new belt.

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

Brand loyalty aside, you don't need to replace the entire tensioner. You can replace just the wheel/bearing and keep the original tensioner body. I just replaced mine with a Gates wheel and the tension indicator is still showing 'I' with a new belt.

Hey, I appreciate this - you wouldn't happen to know that part # or source would you? I ask because last night after inspecting everything more closely and talking with a friend, I realized I probably don't need to replace the tensioner at this time, just the belt and idler. Cancelled the Gates unit and just went with ordering the other two. Someday I will have to go back in and do it though...

 

[RMETeeJay]

Even though I can't order from Rock Auto (they won't calculate my local taxes), I find their site the easiest way to locate part numbers.

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

Even though I can't order from Rock Auto (they won't calculate my local taxes), I find their site the easiest way to locate part numbers.

View attachment 137197

Absolutely - I just don't always know what exactly I'm looking for. Much obliged.