Junkyard Journeys

[SatiricalHen]

I love wandering through old and new junkyards and seeing what I can find. There’s cool aftermarket and stock parts that you can run across and save some parts from the scrapper. Currently I go to Clemson and my parents live in the Greenville, SC area and it just doesn’t seem like there are many yards in the area. Anyone know of any yards within like 1-2 hour drive of either location that would be worth checking out?

Here are some of the things I found interesting along the way when I remembered to actually take a picture

 

 

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[mjeff87]

Sometimes I just go junkyarding to see what's there, not needing anything in particular.  My buddy is an old Mopar nut, and I look for stuff for him.  This past weekend I was looking for a set of XJ tow hooks for Minuit in my local yard, and spotted a land ark a few rows down.  Went over to investigate and saw it was a 65 Coronet.  It had the 440 emblems on the front fenders and I got really excited.  Until I popped the hood and saw that someone previously swapped in a wide block (Poly) 318.  While that's a bit of a rarity in itself, it's not a 440.  My buddy was halfway to his truck to come down and pull it, lol.  He did ask me to check to see if it had disc brakes, but it had drums all around.  Or actually, just drums on the front.  The PO actually REMOVED all of the drum hardware on the rear brakes and capped off the lines.  Holy hell, I couldn't imagine trying to stop that thing with only front drums, especially if flogging it with that original 440.

[SatiricalHen]

Sometimes I just go junkyarding to see what's there, not needing anything in particular.  My buddy is an old Mopar nut, and I look for stuff for him.  This past weekend I was looking for a set of XJ tow hooks for Minuit in my local yard, and spotted a land ark a few rows down.  Went over to investigate and saw it was a 65 Coronet.  It had the 440 emblems on the front fenders and I got really excited.  Until I popped the hood and saw that someone previously swapped in a wide block (Poly) 318.  While that's a bit of a rarity in itself, it's not a 440.  My buddy was halfway to his truck to come down and pull it, lol.  He did ask me to check to see if it had disc brakes, but it had drums all around.  Or actually, just drums on the front.  The PO actually REMOVED all of the drum hardware on the rear brakes and capped off the lines.  Holy hell, I couldn't imagine trying to stop that thing with only front drums, especially if flogging it with that original 440.

I never really know what is actually worth anything or outside of the normal. I know a decent bit of Cherokee/Comanche stuff, but beyond that I never know what’s worth sharing. I just like looking at cool old stuff and sometimes pulling parts as wall hangers. I wish I knew when I found something someone could use because I hate seeing good parts rot.


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[mjeff87]

I hear that.  About half my MJ was built from the junkyard, LOL.

 

This is the beast of a Coronet.  It was a mudpit down there this past weekend because it rained all day here last Friday.  There's a KJ with a brand new set of loaded front struts in it, which mine doesn't need yet (but will eventually).  It was too muddy/cold for me to want to mess with them.  If they're still there next weekend, I might go grab them.

 

NOT a 440 but sure does look like one.  It's a small block 318, but it's the "wide" version made mid 50's-mid 60-'s.  As wide as a big block Mopar (383 wedge) due to the heads.  They are "polyspherical", hence the nickname Poly 318.  Also has the dizzy in the back of the block (BB's have them in the front) and a 2BBL manifold.  Those, plus the shape of the valve covers are a dead giveaway.

 

[500 MJ]

I'm right with you guys on this. I love to spend time at a yard when I get the chance. I drive all over the southern half of Wisconsin for work and there have been many days that I take my lunch break to quickly walk through a yard that I am driving past. 

 

 

[Minuit]

The sense of adventure is the best part of it. You never know what you're going to find these days. I built one truck out of junkyard parts, and I'm working on another. These days I've seen almost everything, but when I was a kid the adventure used to be so much better.

 

The shiny paint on my truck and the tires date this picture to early 2014. The inventory actually went about a quarter mile or so behind the camera.

 

That's a yard about 30 minutes from my house. The owner passed on a couple of years ago and the new owners are no where near as chill. Apparently you now have to be escorted to enter the yard, and the prices haven't come down any either.

[jdog]

I hear that.  About half my MJ was built from the junkyard, LOL.
 
This is the beast of a Coronet.  It was a mudpit down there this past weekend because it rained all day here last Friday.  There's a KJ with a brand new set of loaded front struts in it, which mine doesn't need yet (but will eventually).  It was too muddy/cold for me to want to mess with them.  If they're still there next weekend, I might go grab them.
 
NOT a 440 but sure does look like one.  It's a small block 318, but it's the "wide" version made mid 50's-mid 60-'s.  As wide as a big block Mopar (383 wedge) due to the heads.  They are "polyspherical", hence the nickname Poly 318.  Also has the dizzy in the back of the block (BB's have them in the front) and a 2BBL manifold.  Those, plus the shape of the valve covers are a dead giveaway.
 

440 was a trim level, vehicle came from the factory with the poly. If the grill is in good shape would you grab it for me? Also pictures of the inside?

Stock 1988 swb 4.0 ax15 np 231.

[mjeff87]

There's all kinda something weird about that Coronet then (not an unusual sight in a junkyard, LOL....).  It's a 4-door hardtop, which would have been a "base" model (not a 440 or 500 trim), right?  It only had one "440" fender badge on it (passenger side).  Driver side had just the Coronet emblem, which I thought about grabbing.  Probably should have.  The grill, headlight bezels, and basically all the exterior trim are gone off it.  The only straight body panel on it (or without copious amounts of rust) is the passenger side fender.  Interior is basically still there, but in pretty poor condition.  I can run back down again and look for more stuff/take pics for you if you want but it won't be until Saturday.

 

I've seen some MUCH worse stuff in the junkyard that my buddy grabs and resells.  I don't run in those circles, but there's alot of stuff I'd classify as not worth pulling that apparently is.  I suppose it'll be like that with our MJ's, if it's not already halfway there....

[jdog]

Someone probably swapped the passenger fender on then. Pics would be nice, there are lots of one year only parts on it but most are larger items

Stock 1988 swb 4.0 ax15 np 231.

[Pete M]

4 hours ago, SatiricalHen said:

 Anyone know of any yards within like 1-2 hour drive of either location that would be worth checking out?

 

 

google does.    just type junkyard into google maps and they will pop up in the search area.  I've found tons of yards along my travels that way.  

[SatiricalHen]

 
google does.    just type junkyard into google maps and they will pop up in the search area.  I've found tons of yards along my travels that way.  

I’ve called/gone to all the ones that popped up in my searches and yes I’ve tried various things such as junkyard, auto salvage, and the likes. There are a lot of small mom and pop or private yards that don’t come up with an initial search. I’ve definitely gone to a few yards, but I know there are more out there. I know someone with a long list of junkyards, but he won’t share it with me, says he doesn’t want me to have all the fun checking them out before he gets to check them out. I’ve thought about doing like a weekend trip or something if I could find a few yards close together to check out.


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[eaglescout526]

14 minutes ago, SatiricalHen said:

I’ve called/gone to all the ones that popped up in my searches and yes I’ve tried various things such as junkyard, auto salvage, and the likes. There are a lot of small mom and pop or private yards that don’t come up with an initial search

Same. Can never find any near me except for what comes up down in South Phoenix or Apache Junction

[SatiricalHen]

I’ve actually found some yards by scrolling around on google maps and finding a field of cars


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[strictlyxjs]

7 hours ago, mjeff87 said:

Sometimes I just go junkyarding to see what's there, not needing anything in particular.  

This. My scores from this weekend. Paid 40 bucks

[SatiricalHen]

This. My scores from this weekend. Paid 40 bucks

There was an overhead console and stuff at one of my local junkyards, but last time I pulled one no one wanted it.


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[strictlyxjs]

1 hour ago, SatiricalHen said:

There was an overhead console and stuff at one of my local junkyards, but last time I pulled one no one wanted it.


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I had it listed less than 24 hours lol

[1987Comanche]

LKQ self serve in Greer

LKQ self serve in Greenville

Auto Parts U pull in Shelby

L&L U pull it in Shelby

Vic's classic car parts in Chesnee

[SatiricalHen]

LKQ self serve in Greer
LKQ self serve in Greenville
Auto Parts U pull in Shelby
L&L U pull it in Shelby
Vic's classic car parts in Chesnee

I’ve been to the lkqs and they never have anything to spectacular. I only go there if they something I need. I like the old yards that don’t go through stuff very quickly.


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[SatiricalHen]

I had it listed less than 24 hours lol

I guess I need to get back up there and snag it.


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[PCO6]

"Junk yard days" is one of my favourite past times.   My brother and I go fairly often.   When one says he's going the other drops everything and goes too.   I keep a check list of things to look for in my junk yard tool kit.  I'm always surprised by the low prices.   I've put Hyundai Tiburon seats in a TJ, LJ & XJ for $35 ea.   Original TJ driving lights when you find them go for $7 because to them it's a "headlight" and valuable hardware, brackets, etc. often get thrown in because they don't want to price the items out.  I always look in the glove box.   I've found a lot of owners manuals and other interesting things.   

[87Chief]

There's a U-Pull-It in Rock Hill, SC (Carolina Salvage). Some days it's good when I go, somedays there's nothing. They have a "classic car" section, but it's mostly rusted out cars and such. Next time I go, I'll get some pictures for you to see if it will be worth the trip.

 

[schardein]

Junkyards are my passion as well, along with Jeeps, working on Jeeps, and off road driving in Jeeps.  I attend several Jeep Jamborees every year, and plan my trips out so that I can stop at junkyards all along the route.  Back when I travelled for work, I would do the same thing, even though my full travel costs weren't reimbursed since I chose to drive rather than fly.

 

I do a fair amount of reselling, as an extension of my love for junkyards.  There are some very mundane items out there that people are willing to pay for.  The trick is discovering what they are, for me that's part of the fun.

 

I also really enjoy finding an old, "true" junkyard with stuff that has been there for possibly decades.  In my experience, those places will often price their stuff out of a sale, at least for me.  The newer u-pull-it places might not have the cool older stuff, but I like the set prices and don't miss haggling with the guy at the counter like the old days.

 

One my favorite stories is when i was stationed in Hawaii, and went to a junkyard looking for a pintle hook.  I found one, the type with the removable ball as part of the pintle hook.  Pulled it, and then as I was walking out, spotted another pintle hook out of the corner of my eye.  As I got closer, it turned out to be a WWII Ford GPW that was on the ground with 3 cars stacked on top of it.  The only things I could pull were the pintle hook (with cursive "FORD" script cast in) and trailer wiring plug housing.  Paid $25 a piece for the pintle hooks.  Walked away smiling.

[SatiricalHen]

"Junk yard days" is one of my favourite past times.   My brother and I go fairly often.   When one says he's going the other drops everything and goes too.   I keep a check list of things to look for in my junk yard tool kit.  I'm always surprised by the low prices.   I've put Hyundai Tiburon seats in a TJ, LJ & XJ for $35 ea.   Original TJ driving lights when you find them go for $7 because to them it's a "headlight" and valuable hardware, brackets, etc. often get thrown in because they don't want to price the items out.  I always look in the glove box.   I've found a lot of owners manuals and other interesting things.   

I tried to get a set of tiburon seats for my cherokee and they wanted like $35 a seat, then like $15 each for the brackets and then core charges and stuff and I just said forget it and got a set of Cherokee seats with adjustable headrest. The tiburon seats were nice, but not that nice.


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[SatiricalHen]

There's a U-Pull-It in Rock Hill, SC (Carolina Salvage). Some days it's good when I go, somedays there's nothing. They have a "classic car" section, but it's mostly rusted out cars and such. Next time I go, I'll get some pictures for you to see if it will be worth the trip.
 

I’d appreciate that!


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[PCO6]

49 minutes ago, SatiricalHen said:

I tried to get a set of tiburon seats for my cherokee and they wanted like $35 a seat, then like $15 each for the brackets and then core charges and stuff and I just said forget it and got a set of Cherokee seats with adjustable headrest. The tiburon seats were nice, but not that nice.


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That's weird.   Did they jack up the price of the Tiburon seats but not the Cherokee seats?  I've never paid core charges for used parts but I guess some auto wreckers work differently.   You're right though, they are nice.  I have them in my TJ & LJ and also put them in my previous XJ below.   I have a great set of original leather seats in my current XJ but as far as comfort goes I'd rather put in a set of Tiburon seats.