Back-ordered OEM parts

[VehiGAZ]

I just this very minute sent Jerry an e-mail with the part numbers I'm looking for. So who is the Jerry guy, anyway? Does he have his own shop?

I'll post them here, too:

8970629711 Cage Assembly (for rear differential)
8970752163 Coupling
8943762611 Nut
8944080851 Seal

I'm calling Merlin next. Apparently, the parts manager still had nothing more to offer.

Thanks for the help everyone!!

[Locomigo]

Dont remember exactly Jerry's story, but IIRC, he was the service trainer for the SouthEast area (Atlanta, GA) for Isuzu America for years.

He knows his stuff, and we have gotten more help from him, parts, advice, information, etc than any other person ever. He is genuinely HAPPY to assist.

[WyldWeasel]

PS Weasel... me likey-likey your copper paint job!!! What color is that? Is it a stock color on another car?

That would be 1998 Isuzu Copper Orange Mica (838 code, iirc), a color that was seen on some Amigos and recommended by E Zoo Zoo One. I chose it because a) I like color, as opposed to white, black, or silver, and I was going to have to paint anyway; b) it works really well with the Ebony's red and black interior; and c) it was a stock Isuzu color, and I giggled every time I imagined some so called expert wandering over and saying I had a JDM model due to it being orange (The JDM color is a different color, I think it's called Sunburst Orange Mica code 766?). You can read the whole story in the VX Mod forum HERE

/end thread hijack

[VehiGAZ]

Well, Merlin is an amazing help!

I called him as suggested, and he was able to find 3 of the 4 parts through their "OE Connetction" part inventory service. In five minutes, he managed to do more than my dealer's parts manager has gotten done in 3 weeks. I'll give my dealer the benefit of the doubt on this point for the time being - maybe they do not subscribe to this service.

Secondly, he had me check to make sure that my dealer's part order was properly upgraded to "Customer Care" status with my VIN (meaning I'm waiting for it). I'm not sure that this was done, either.

Third, he had me call Isuzu Customer Service as an additional shake-the-tree measure. That's when things got confusing - the service rep said that he was showing those parts available, and he did not know why the dealerships were showing them unavailable.

I sent the part numbers to Jerry, but he hasn't gotten back to me yet. I'm still in need to the cage assembly, which doesn't seem to be available anywhere.

PS - Thanks for the info on the paint job, Weasel. I saw that thread a few weeks back but never read it, since I thought it was sacrilegious!! Now I see what great taste you have, and so all is forgiven. :-)

[VehiGAZ]

So get this...

After locating 3 of the 4 missing parts myself and calling Isuzu customer service and having them call my dealer directly, all of a sudden-like the missing parts are en route and should be there within 3 more days! Go figure...

Loco - Your man Jerry found ALL of the parts in one day (better than Merlin, indeed). Of course, I apparently don't need them now, bit still...

I'm trying not to think about this situation too much, because it's only going to get me pissed off - I should wait until I have my VX back before I analyze it any more. But from where I'm sitting, it certainly seems that the parts manager at my dealer was not doing his job, and only started to do it after I started looking for the parts myself. For me to be without my VX for FOUR WEEKS because he was being lazy about dealing with Isuzu just ain't right...

[mbeach]

You really can't blame someone for not wanting to deal with the black hole of stupidity that is Isuzu -I mean, what has Isuzu done for us lately?

However, he is the parts manager at a dealership that sells Isuzu parts. If he doesn't like it, he should find a different job.

I think that you should poop on his doormat.

[Locomigo]

COOL!

Like I say, EVERY Isuzu owner shoul dhave Jerry Lemond's number, email address, contact info within their outlook contacts, speed dial, cell phone and any other form of communications tool they use!

Without a doubt, Jerry has hooked up countless people... merlin does good, and is a handy fallback, but for my money/piece of mind, Jerry gets the nod.

Glad things are working to get your rig fixed and back to you. Unfortunate that people dont feel the need to provide GOOD service anymore. just one more thing that is FUBAR with this fine country of ours...

[Moncha]

Thanks Keith.. It's great to have additional resources.
Is there more info than just the email addy for Jerry?.. If there is, can you forward it to me?
I posted what we have in the Web Links and Parts and Accessories sections for easy reference.

[VehiGAZ]

I can't hate on my dealer that much in this instance - they gave me a FREE LOANER for the entire time my VX was hanging in the shop with its pants pulled down. The loaner is a 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara - which I used to take an old crapper to the dump. :-)

On the other hand, I actually checked under the hood and counted cylinders to confirm the "V6" claim on the back of it. It had a six alright - but only 2.5 liters. :-(

[Locomigo]

Dunno if I would be THAT thankful to them... Sure, its wheels, but I mean cmon! I would almost rather walk. I test drove one when we were shopping for Tia's ride and yeah, that was not a fun vehicle to drive, be seen in, or anything else... >;- )~