How does the junkyard process work?

[Elkins45]

That was most likely an employee of the junkyard. They harvest the catalytic converters first for recycling which essentially offsets the $300-$400 they paid for the scrapped vehicle. While it may be unenforceable, U.S. federal law prohibits selling and/or installing a used catalytic converter on a vehicle other than it was originally installed.

I don’t think so because it was the only vehicle nearby that was done that way.

 

[97prizm]

Im doing a manual swap on my 2007.5 dodge ram 2500 with the 6.7 cummins. I need a pedal assembly, steering column cover for a manual, and a manual console assembly for a 2wd truck that has a pocket in place of where the transfer case lever would typically go. Figured it would be easier for the mechanic if I had most of the parts he needed. Now with that being said, how does this whole junkyard thing work? Are the vehicles organized in anway? I know some yards you remove your own parts and others I guess they do jt for you. Ive heard they aren't alwahs so nice when they remove things. Cutting wires instead of unplugging them etc.

Usually by make and model. Some are in Import, truck, and domestic sections. If it's a pick your part type place then the vehicle could be in various states of parts removal. Yes sometimes people cut harnesses and wires to get parts out quickly. Always a gamble.

 

[Nessism1]

It's been some years since I've last visited, but the Pick-a-Part in my area had a massive yard. They would prop up vehicles on steel wheels welded together, to make a stand. I kept a bucket of tools and some coveralls in the car. Pay the entry fee, get your hand stamped, and walk the rows, looking for the parts needed. If I found some good donor vehicles, I'd exit, get the bucket and don the coveralls, then go back in. Before leaving, you go to the cashier and pay. Parts are listed by generic cost. Alternator = $xx. Doesn't matter if said alternator came from a BMW or a Chevy. Great fun!

 

[andrew_j]

Before “figuring” suggest making a clear understanding who supplies parts. It can get messy fast if you supply bad parts as your mechanic is hourly to install then remove and reinstall parts. Be full clear up front.

If it were me I’d have mechanic supply parts as part of job even if double price as this is not normal work

 

[MaximumMini]

The used parts prices have gone through the roof. They nail you with the environmental fees and "core" fees etc.
Expect to spend more than twice what you were expecting. At least at the location in west Palm.
Last visit I went in roughly expecting $100 and the total was nearly $400
If you maintain older vehicles you'd be better off finding a private seller with the desired vehicle selling parts or just buying their entire vehicle.

 

[The motor guy]

The used parts prices have gone through the roof. They nail you with the environmental fees and "core" fees etc.
Expect to spend more than twice what you were expecting. At least at the location in west Palm.
Last visit I went in roughly expecting $100 and the total was nearly $400
If you maintain older vehicles you'd be better off finding a private seller with the desired vehicle selling parts or just buying their entire vehicle.

Ive never understood the whole donor vehicle thing. I already got the transmission. Just need the existing driveshaft shortened, I need a cross member from like an 05 dodge ram that had an nv5600 manual, shifter knob, clutch pedal assembly. New dual disc clutch and they come with the hydraulics already. Steering column cover, and the cup holder assembly that goes around the shift tower. I dont see why this stuff couldn't be stolen off a couple of vehicles at the junkyard.

 

[PF52]

The used parts prices have gone through the roof. They nail you with the environmental fees and "core" fees etc.
Expect to spend more than twice what you were expecting. At least at the location in west Palm.
Last visit I went in roughly expecting $100 and the total was nearly $400

+2

Often, they'll charge you for each item separately if they're all bolted together, say for example a steering knuckle, wheel bearing, strut and spring. Add all those up and it's a lot of money so if you really only want just one of those items (wheel bearing for example) you're better off if you have the tools needed to separate them.

A funny story.... A friend of mine went to the junkyard so often he was given a special discount on parts, like maybe $75 for a whole wheelbarrow of parts regardless of what was in the wheelbarrow. But once in a while the big boss would be there and they wouldn't honor the discount and the price was itemized and the total would be like $500.

 

[The motor guy]

+2

Often, they'll charge you for each item separately if they're all bolted together, say for example a steering knuckle, wheel bearing, strut and spring. Add all those up and it's a lot of money so if you really only want just one of those items (wheel bearing for example) you're better off if you have the tools needed to separate them.

A funny story.... A friend of mine went to the junkyard so often he was given a special discount on parts, like maybe $75 for a whole wheelbarrow of parts regardless of what was in the wheelbarrow. But once in a while the big boss would be there and they wouldn't honor the discount and the price was itemized and the total would be like $500.

$500 is still cheap for a wheel barrow of parts.

 

[PF52]

$500 is still cheap for a wheel barrow of parts.

LOL For him it was half his life's savings! He was truly living check to check.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I can tell you they’ll rip interior trim to shreds to get something like a door switch or something in the dash. On one of the xB’s I pulled parts from someone had sawed through the exhaust manifold runners and the exhaust to get the front cat rather than unbolting it. Someone probably could have used that manifold but it was just a jagged menace. On another one someone had harvested the hood and valve cover leaving what was maybe a perfectly good set of camshafts and cylinder head to rust away.

The cat was yanked by the yard to sell prior to putting it on the yard. They do it to all of them here. If it’s bolted directly to the manifold then they cut the manifold. Depends on the setup and space.


As for the cams rusting they don’t care. The car will stay 2 or 3 months then get crushed. Good engines are yanked and inventoried prior to getting on the yard.

 

[The motor guy]

LOL For him it was half his life's savings! He was truly living check to check.

Have you ever got on ebay to see what they want for some stuff, pricing is outrageous. I bought a bunch of those 5 gallon blitz gas cans that didn't have the epa nozzles about 5 years ago and they were like $40 ea. Then I found out about fb marketplace and found they give these things away for like $10/ea all day long

 

[MaximumMini]

$500 is still cheap for a wheel barrow of parts.

Well,
Not when you coulda got the entire vehicle for that...engine, transmission and all inclusive
How much do you think the junk yard paid for that vehicle?

 

[The motor guy]

Well,
Not when you coulda got the entire vehicle for that...engine, transmission and all inclusive
How much do you think the junk yard paid for that vehicle?

Is that what the insurance company sells them for?

 

[MaximumMini]

Is that what the insurance company sells them for?

They buy them at auctions or from individuals...repo yards...police impound lots etc.
It's not always an insurance transaction.

 

[The motor guy]

They buy them at auctions or from individuals...repo yards...police impound lots etc.
It's not always an insurance transaction.

I figured a truck like mine would still be $2k just for a junker that does not run.

 

[MaximumMini]

I figured a truck like mine would still be $2k just for a junker that does not run.

I think it depends on a lot of things.
Year make and model
Overall condition.
Working motor or not (and condition)
Same with transmission
Collision history
Your motivation to seell
etc

Still, that might be a bargain compared to junkyard prices.

 

[The_Jeff]

I can tell you they’ll rip interior trim to shreds to get something like a door switch or something in the dash. On one of the xB’s I pulled parts from someone had sawed through the exhaust manifold runners and the exhaust to get the front cat rather than unbolting it. Someone probably could have used that manifold but it was just a jagged menace. On another one someone had harvested the hood and valve cover leaving what was maybe a perfectly good set of camshafts and cylinder head to rust away.

Have read about someone needing a shifter cable that's no longer available new or aftermarket. Every junkyard they found yanked the powertrains... and cut this cable.

Junkyards are in the scrap metal business; parts are just a sideline. They put the car out for a month to get scavenged then crush them to make room for something else.

 

[The_Jeff]

Just need the existing driveshaft shortened

Who is doing this work, specifically? WIll they balance it too?

 

[The motor guy]

Who is doing this work, specifically? WIll they balance it too?

Just an independent shop. I didn't ask for specifics. Still waiting on the transmission I ordered to get here. Can't get too many irons in the fire. Typically a driveshaft shop does all that.

 

[mk378]

How common are the manual trucks? Why would you need to modify the driveshaft rather than use one from a manual truck?