What is the most difficult replacement part to source for a GQ?

[soulburner2000]

Hi, I've had my tb42 auto for a few years, but only started driving it as my main vehicle 6 months ago (before that was in storage). It is my first Patrol. I was pulling various bits off it today to clean/replace, etc., and it got me wondering if there are any highly sought after/difficult parts to find which may need replacing someday. I wasn't thinking of anything specific, could be interior, exterior, engine, trans, whatever. They are getting on a bit now, and I know from experience (I also have an EK Holden & an XC Falcon Hardtop) how difficult some parts are to come by after a while.

It's not that I need help obtaining anything, but would be handy to know for future ref. Feel free to include any variation (eg Diesel, etc). Thanks, peeps...

Oh, quick edit: pics where possible please

[taslucas]

AB posted a while ago that the plastic head light covers were a highly searched for item on eBay.

FanTapstic!

[soulburner2000]

great, seems there's very little I'm going to be chasing for a while yet. Hooray

[taslucas]

Yeah there is good aftermarket support for the patrol as they are popular and becoming more popular id say.



FanTapstic!

[douglarv]

Speaking as a Canadian, a lot of parts are hard to find. Oddly enough, I have found that air filters are currently the most difficult (and most commonly needed) replacement part.
We don't use plastic headlamp covers here much anymore (they are incredibly hard to find for any vehicle in Canada). Cut and stick covers made of fairly thick flexible plastic are more common and seem to hold up to a lot of rock strike.

[threedogs]

Funny you say you have an EK, walking one of my dogs I came across a pile of FB/EK chrome parts
complete tail light assy, l+r, ,I kept these for a long, long long time. I my self love early Holden wanting
A FC wagon as a project, but I've picked up a One tonner for free {253}. back to your EK. I threw everything away
one concil hard rubbish day. rang every one and could not give them away, All I have left is the heater radiator OE.
and no one wanted that cause of new after market stuff. If you want heater radiator PM me its yours.

[soulburner2000]

Funny you say you have an EK, walking one of my dogs I came across a pile of FB/EK chrome parts
complete tail light assy, l+r, ,I kept these for a long, long long time. I my self love early Holden wanting
A FC wagon as a project, but I've picked up a One tonner for free {253}. back to your EK. I threw everything away
one concil hard rubbish day. rang every one and could not give them away, All I have left is the heater radiator OE.
and no one wanted that cause of new after market stuff. If you want heater radiator PM me its yours.

Thanks. I only just noticed this post but I don't know how to PM, so I'm letting you know that I'll definitely take it. The tail lights would've been great if you still had them, one of mine has started pitting and lost a bit of chrome. I wish I hadn't read that part about you throwing all that stuff away.

But I can top that: I bought an EK panel van about 17 or 18 years ago, and the guy I got it from had been an EK enthusiast for years. He'd become a family man and had no time for 'projects' so he filled the back of the panel van with EVERYTHING he had! I'm talking doors, windscreens, dash clusters, glove boxes, every chrome strip/badge/trim/hood ornament/door handle/window winder - you name it, it was there- in multiple amounts. Not only that, there were parts for the ute, wagon, panel van models, and even earlier Holden model parts, such as your FC, as well as FE, FJ and FX. Also some EH and EJ.

So the van sat around for a while. I got a few bits and pieces out and put into storage (front and rear windscreens, couple of stone trays, maybe a door, but bugger all really). My ex had wanted the van for herself, but couldn't drive a manual. My EK sedan has a Hydramatic and the plan was to swap them over. I needed to find a 'hump' or something to fit the auto in the van - couldn't find one and couldn't be bothered doing it anymore. So like a moron, when I decided to sell it I couldn't be bothered cleaning all the bits out of the back. I asked the buyer if he didn't mind taking it all with him, and he was most grateful to be of assistance. Goodbye to countless thousands of dollars.

Now in my defence those parts weren't worth anything like they are these days - there was even a couple of wreckers yards in Brisbane that still had them with bits to sell. But I had a job at the time that paid very well so a bunch of old car bits that needed cleaning up and storing seemed like too much work.

Nowadays, I struggle to make ends meet, and early Holden spare parts cost a small fortune to purchase - and I feel like quite the fool...

[threedogs]

The most difficult part to get will be the one you need to get it on the road and can't find anywhere.

Back to early holdens A mate does up early F100 56-58 and considered a guru on them, anyway he offered me
an EH wagon not a spot of rust anywhere for zero $$. I was into motorbikes and riding with a club at the time so declined.

[threedogs]

@ soulburner 200 heres some pics and measurments

[soulburner2000]

The most difficult part to get will be the one you need to get it on the road and can't find anywhere.

Back to early holdens A mate does up early F100 56-58 and considered a guru on them, anyway he offered me
an EH wagon not a spot of rust anywhere for zero $$. I was into motorbikes and riding with a club at the time so declined.

Maybe we should start a 'what were we thinking?' forum....