SOURCES FOR M5 TRUCK PARTS

Looking for parts for a 60 year old truck can be a challenge.  The good news is that many parts are available, either as reproduction or even NOS (new old stock) parts made by the factory way back when.  There are many vendors of Studebaker parts, some good, some better.  Generally, only one company or person actually makes a particular reproduction part and then it is wholesaled to many of the other vendors.  The best advice is to eventually pick one vendor you like and develop a relationship with him/her.   You'll get the best service and pricing that way. 

Your FLAPS (friendly local auto parts supplier) can get you many mechanical parts, though you may have to find the right store and the right person behind the counter and develop a relationship there, too.  If the counter guy says, "Studebaker - who made that?", then you have the wrong guy.  Franchised stores like NAPA have a good collection of catalogs that go way back, but it may take a "mature" guy to know where to look for them.  Many current parts are directly interchangeable with Studebaker parts.  Some of these items include spark plugs, universal joints, wheel bearings, engine parts, electrical parts, etc. 

Remember, too, that Studebaker bought many of their parts from the same suppliers as other car and truck makers.  You may find that parts made for other brands of vintage cars are identical to the Studebaker parts or are a close enough substitute.  Jeep parts have been a rich source.

You can't find the parts if you don't know what you are looking for!  That means you absolutely MUST have the Parts Catalog for your truck or car.  For some models, there is both a Chassis Catalog and a Body Parts Catalog.  You should also have the Service Manual.  If you own an M5, M15, an M16, or a rare M17, you should also have the manuals for the 1949-56 2R-3R-E-2E trucks because the illustrations are better, the shop procedures are explained better, and you can see what parts you can use from the later trucks.  Many of the Stude parts vendors have these catalogs and manuals.   They will save you money in the long run.  Studebaker International even offers them on CD-ROM, along with their catalog and additional info on the disk.   Also send the $3 to Studebaker International to get a printed copy of their catalog - it tells you what parts are easily available and shows you pictures.  Other vendors may have many of the same parts, but they don't have such nice printed catalogs.  You can get the catalog for free if you buy something from Studebaker International.  The web site is at http://www.studebaker-intl.com.   While they show many parts on line, it's not like browsing the catalog.   However, here's how you can get to the Studebaker International catalog in PDF format on their web site.

The Internet is an excellent way to find parts.  Try this: on Google, type in Studebaker and the 6 or 7 digit part number.  Frequently, you will be taken to one of the vendors web sites and shown the part you seek.  A number of the vendors sites are indexed this way, including Studebaker International (Ed Reynolds), Roscoe Stelford, and Chuck Collins' http://www.studebakerparts.com.  You can also go directly to those sites, and some others, and search by part number.  Of course, you do need the parts catalog to do this... 

Here are some of the things I have found on the Internet and their suppliers:

If you can help me add to the list, be sure to email the information to me.   Thanks!

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