ProLine vs Genuine

[mcb]

I'm going to replace the rear driveshaft and tie rod ends on my Series lla. The Proline drive shaft is $245 cheaper than the Genuine shaft (which is currently on sale at $425). The Proline tie rod ends are 1/2 the cost of Genuine ends. What experiences have fellow Land Rover owners/mechganics had with Proline parts? Are they a quality part or.............?

Thanks - C. Brown

[kevin-ct]

I have used Proline a lot. I had never had a problem with any Proline thing that I purchased. Mark (owner of RN) is very OME type of a person and it took him (and staff) to come out with an aftermarket line. If it is good enough for Mark, it is good enough for me.

[Terrys]

Genuine means it comes in a Land Rover package, but don't automatically assume it's at the top of the quality column, simply because it came from Solihull, and not Westford. I have purchased a lot of proline parts, and for Rangies, Discos, Series trucks and my 110. I have yet to have an issue of any kind, period. Honestly, I wish there were more Pro-Line alternatives for Defenders.

[alaskajosh]

Genuine isn't always "all that"--

I have been burned more than once with ill-fitting, crap quality "genuine" parts... not saying that's the rule but it surely happens.

To my thinking you essentially pay a surcharge (usually quite steep) to "stay genuine" and it's more a prestige (or collector's authenticity) thing than an issue of quality.

Who's to say that Proline, Allmakes, etc. don't have every chance of meeting or beating LR's sometimes antiquated/crude manufacturing?

One man's opinion--

Kind regards, Josh

[Jeff Aronson]

I love to have Land Rover Genuine Parts on my Rovers but at times, the exchange rate between the pound sterling and the dollar makes the LR part too expensive.

I use my Series Rovers daily and need to have parts that fit and hold up under service. Whenever a Proline part has been sent to me, it has accomplished both impressively.

Jeff

[BGGB]

i've been rebuilding a 65 over the last 4 years and i've used a couple of proline parts. they are pretty good quality or else rn wouldn't sell them is my theory. however i haven't used a proline driveshaft or tie rods, but i think they will be just what you need...and cheaper too.

[jac04]

I've always been a big "Genuine Parts" person, but the price of some Genuine parts has just gotten absurd - like the drive shaft you are looking to buy, which is 'on sale' for $425 versus the original price of $603.37 . Luckily, I needed a new front drive shaft, so I just sprung the extra $130 for the Genuine Part. However, I went with the Proline U-Joints for repairing my rear drive shaft. We'll see what they look like when they arrive.

Like some others have said, it is my understanding that RN does their homework on the Proline parts and have deemed them to be best that the aftermarket has to offer. So far, the few Proline parts that I have purchased seem to be of high quality.

I specifically purchased the Proline tie rod ends, and they are made by Lemforder. Check them out at:

http://www.zftna.com/lem_usa

[yorker]

Didn't KevinNY get his shaft's made by Tom Woods? I think I remember him saying that was what he did. I'd go there or look locally before paying $600 for one. It isn't rocket science it is a drive shaft.

[alaskajosh]

Didn't KevinNY get his shaft's made by Tom Woods? I think I remember him saying that was what he did. I'd go there or look locally before paying $600 for one. It isn't rocket science it is a drive shaft.

That's a good point. If I needed a drive shaft I'd be visiting my local drive-line shop.
It'd probably be better for cheaper. Longer slip joint and all that without the shipping.
Of course it wouldn't be genuine

Kind regards, Josh

[siiirhd88]

Didn't KevinNY get his shaft's made by Tom Woods? I think I remember him saying that was what he did. I'd go there or look locally before paying $600 for one. It isn't rocket science it is a drive shaft.

I had Tom Woods build the custom length driveshafts for the wife's V8 / R380 109. I ordered them on Friday, they shipped on Monday and I had them on Wednesday. They have the Rover flange, extended splines, and their heavy duty Jeep size U-joints allow easy purchase of replacements. The price was reasonable, compared to original or Proline shafts. They have plenty of options, including double cardon joints for extreme angles. When the Disco started to vibrate, I figured I would replace the rear shaft with a Tom Woods unit to replace the jubber joint. The Tom Woods unit would have less than 1/2 the cost of the replacement. When I went to measure, it had already been replaced with the factory upgrade shaft, that just needed new joints.

Of course, the Tom Woods units won't be original, if that is how you intend to keep your Rover. On the other side, I have no problem using Proline components. They are a good value for the money.

Bob

[Eric W S]

I think it's better to answer the question

"Can I improve upon the LR part?" If so then replace it if it is not offensive to you. It's your truck. Build as you see fit.

Woods' drive shafts, all of Pangolin4x4's parts, Series Trek parts and modern ignitions are a no brainer.

[TeriAnn]

I'm going to replace the rear driveshaft and tie rod ends on my Series lla. The Proline drive shaft is $245 cheaper than the Genuine shaft (which is currently on sale at $425). The Proline tie rod ends are 1/2 the cost of Genuine ends. What experiences have fellow Land Rover owners/mechganics had with Proline parts? Are they a quality part or.............?

First, Check with Great Basin Rovers first & compare prices. You can go stock or custom. I have Great Basin Rover propshafts front & rear. Mine have longer slip joints & high angle U joints.

Second, Land Rover doesn't make that much themselves. They mostly source components from other companies. So a lot of the time you are paying extra for the box and sending the part through LR's inventory/distribution system. Never assume it is better than that part that follows it down the assembly line and goes into another colour box.

That said, my only objection to Proline is that RN refuses to say who made the part they call Proline. There are some manufacturers, such as Bearmarch that I like to stay away from and there are others such as Mintex that I prefer to purchase from. Sometimes I can only go by the reputation of the manufacturer to guestimate the quality of a prospective purchase. The Proline umbrlla takes that away from me.

[Oscar]

I wonder how many parts in Rover boxes come from "the others" and are EXACTLY the same when bought from "the others" except for the box or bag.....

[Terrys]

I wonder how many parts in Rover boxes come from "the others" and are EXACTLY the same when bought from "the others" except for the box or bag.....

Like the charcoal evap. cannister on a Range Rover (Rochester Products), $235 Genuine, or same part, same make, same numbers, from NAPA for $45?

[mcb]

Thanks to all for your advice! Question, is stock slip joint length an issue on an 88" Rover with 3 leaf rear parabolic springs and 2 leaf parabolics in front?

By the way, I did discover that front 2 leaf parabolics can be overstressed with the weight of a Koenig winch. I had to install a third leaf as the 2 leaf orginals flattened out.