ProLine vs Genuine

[Eric W S]

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.

Could be. Para's add lift.

[greenmeanie]

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?

I've had the rear on mine for 6 years and the front got new u-joints about 4 years ago. The truck has done about 100K on parabolics in that time without issue. I'd say for a stock truck there are other issues to adress first before the slip joint.

[jac04]

That said, my only objection to Proline is that RN refuses to say who made the part they call Proline.

I hope someone from RN is reading this thread. We all know that the parts are made by one of the aftermarket companies. Like TeriAnn said, the reputation of the manufacturer will dictate whether or not we want to buy the part. So, to our hosts, PLEASE tell us who makes the part. If RN is really choosing the "best" aftermarket parts, then telling us who makes the part will almost certainly result in a sale versus going to another supplier who will tell you who the part is made by.

[I Leak Oil]

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?

The length of the slip joint is not an issue. Stock drive shafts work just fine with parabolic springs.
Jason T.

[alaskajosh]

Question, is stock slip joint length an issue on an 88" Rover with 3 leaf rear parabolic springs and 2 leaf parabolics in front?

I can't speak to the parabolic question, per se. But did you/will you upgrade shocks?
In my case, if I upgrade shocks, my front slip joint will bottom out harshly! My OEM shocks are what limit the suspension travel. If I do what seems obvious (upgrade to OME for more travel) I'll probably break something!

Kind regards, Josh

[I Leak Oil]

Josh, are you refering to the shaft bottoming out on the cross member or the slip yoke on the drive shaft coming un-done? It is a common problem for the drive shaft to make contact with cross member when the truck is lifted, even just slightly, but that has nothing to do with the slip yoke. My solution was to notch the cross member.
Jason T.

[Eric W S]

I hope someone from RN is reading this thread. We all know that the parts are made by one of the aftermarket companies. Like TeriAnn said, the reputation of the manufacturer will dictate whether or not we want to buy the part. So, to our hosts, PLEASE tell us who makes the part. If RN is really choosing the "best" aftermarket parts, then telling us who makes the part will almost certainly result in a sale versus going to another supplier who will tell you who the part is made by.

If I spent considerable time and effort as a vendor to source good quality affordable parts why would I divulge the source? I wouldn't. Another vendor could capitalize on the supplier and then what? A price war until one vendor wins and we all loose?

End of the day, buy from a vendor you trust. I trust ProLine parts, I trust RN to stand by them and I trust RN's customer service should a problem arise.

Personally, I find it suspect that TA, who has a more than casual relationship with a competing vendor, is so adamant that RN divulge trade secrets on the internet.

[alaskajosh]

No, the splined slip joint in the shaft bottoms out.

Luckily I don't seem to have a crossmember fouling issue.

Kind regards, Josh

[I Leak Oil]

That is unusual in a couple ways. First, if the transfer case and axle are in the right place the shaft should have plenty of travel. Second, if it bottoms out is should come apart ....

Maybe someone put a rear shaft on the front?
Jason T.

[alaskajosh]

That is unusual in a couple ways. First, if the transfer case and axle are in the right place the shaft should have plenty of travel. Second, if it bottoms out is should come apart ....

Maybe someone put a rear shaft on the front?
Jason T.

I think what's going on is that some previous owner installed a 2.25 FDS and what I've got here is a 2.6 frame. At any rate, a (reputable) local custom shop is going to be a "custom" fit for whatever mishmash any of us has. And probably as good or better than original in quality of parts.

Enjoy your weekend! Josh

[I Leak Oil]

That's most likely the problem then. Wrong combination of springs, driveshaft and frame.
Jason T.

[jac04]

If I spent considerable time and effort as a vendor to source good quality affordable parts why would I divulge the source?

From my experience so far, there isn't anything all that special about the manufacturer/supplier of the Proline parts. The Proline parts that I have received are made by the same manufacturers that the other competing vendors are already using. However, I do see your point.

[sayers]

If I spent considerable time and effort as a vendor to source good quality affordable parts why would I divulge the source? I wouldn't. Another vendor could capitalize on the supplier and then what? A price war until one vendor wins and we all loose?

End of the day, buy from a vendor you trust. I trust ProLine parts, I trust RN to stand by them and I trust RN's customer service should a problem arise.

Personally, I find it suspect that TA, who has a more than casual relationship with a competing vendor, is so adamant that RN divulge trade secrets on the internet.

Eric, you are exactly right. It's not anyone elses business. If you do not like what RN sells go somewhere else.

[TeriAnn]

Personally, I find it suspect that TA, who has a more than casual relationship with a competing vendor, is so adamant that RN divulge trade secrets on the internet.

Yes I am the web site designer for British Pacific. I live about 500 miles North of British Pacific so they are my "local" supplier (UPS ground gets to me second day). But I am also a Rovers North Customer and consider them my secondary supplier (7 days UPS ground). I'm on first name basis with several of the RN employees and think they are a good knowledgeable bunch of squared away guys.

But you know, there aren't all that many suppliers of Series land Rover parts and all the retailers know who they are. There is nothing "secret" about who supplies which part. Get BP on the phone and ask who made a part they offer. They'll tell you without hesitation because there is no special source secret. BP sources brake shoes & pads from five different companies just because some customers prefer different product characteristics for their brakes. It is not a big deal unless you are going with a company that makes cheap pattern parts and selling them as top of the line aftermarket parts. I'm not accusing RN of doing this. I'm sure they are sourcing quality all the way.

The Proline programme allows them to use a single part number for a product type regardless of brand. It saves inventory work, database entry work and simplifies part juggling. I think the concept is good. The negative thing for customers is that a RN generated part number with an unknown brand behind the part number makes comparison shopping very difficult as the RN part number doesn't map into LR's part numbering system and you never know if you are comparing Fuji apples with Fuji apples. Its just that when I shop at RN I would like to be able to ask the brand of the part I am shopping for. My concern is that of a customer and not because one of my clients is a competitor. As I said earlier, there are only a few manufacturers & everyone knows who they are. Just about anyone except RN will be up front on the brand on the shelf if you ask.

[TSR53]

I hope someone from RN is reading this thread. We all know that the parts are made by one of the aftermarket companies. Like TeriAnn said, the reputation of the manufacturer will dictate whether or not we want to buy the part. So, to our hosts, PLEASE tell us who makes the part. If RN is really choosing the "best" aftermarket parts, then telling us who makes the part will almost certainly result in a sale versus going to another supplier who will tell you who the part is made by.

I hope this helps address your concerns. Mark asked me to post this.

"We are building on our own quality reputation. It is extremely important for us to have the ability to change manufacturers smoothly when quality or availability issues surface w/o being subject to false advertising, or bait and switch.

Second, it is to protect our sources from competitors, manufactures, and major parts vendors who feel it is in their best interest to control territory, distribution and or pricing of their product.

Third, it helps reduce fraudulent warranty claims. We offer the best warranty in the industry and this requires us to label our parts in a manor that proves they originated from ourselves. Although this does not completely protect us from abuse it helps enough to allow us to support our customers at this level.

Please understand, I've been in this industry for 30 years. Often what is perceived as the best component sometimes is nothing close, and some of our best manufactures, many the same that supply to Land Rover, are completely unknown to the general public. Most of our manufactures are industry only w/ no branding or distribution retail / network.

In the end we alone are responsible to our customers. We are totally loyal to our customers and are building a quality product line they can depend on. In any case I am not aware of ever refusing to identify a manufacturer to a customer purchasing from us. So you are always welcome to inquire w/our sales team. I hope this helps address your concerns.

Respectfully,
Mark Letorney".