Wheelers offroad, not doing buisness again

I bought a 2000 dollar lift kit from them for my 95.5 taco... went to install the kit, they sent the wrong shocks. The shock was 2 inches too short at full extension... it lacked 2 inches of being able to fir on the axle. so for 6 days I call the place and ask why and what they are going to do. They insisted that the shock is correct even after I send pics... Finally they send me new shocks that fit... case closed right? not so fast! I mentioned the year of mfg when I was ordering the kit and specifically asked if this kit would fit my truck. Absolutely we have sold a ton of these it will fit like a glove!! Nope, sent me the leaf springs for a 1998 taco which are 4 inches too large! So, back on the phone and I get "Well what you need to do is cut off the spring perches and move the front one 2 inches forward and move the back one 2 inches back" HUH? I have to cut on my truck, but I asked if it would fit... cutting and moving spring mounts is not fitting. I was then told to pound sand, they wouldn't send me the correct springs (OME CS019r) and the was all.

 

In order to fix this issue I had to order new springs from 4wheel parts for 5 bills

 

I ordered new front springs and shocks from them, website wouldn’t let me order the combo I wanted with assembly, so I emailed them. They sent me a link to the combo, I bought it, but the invoice said “unassembled”, so I emailed them back and he pulled up my order and verified that the were all the right parts and would be assembled. This was June 1st.
On June 17 nothing had shipped yet so I asked if they could make sure the 5100s were on the lowest setting when they assembled them, and he sent me a screenshot of the note he added indicating that.
Guess what showed up today?
Loose springs and shocks in separate boxes. Also you have to order the ‘Strut Bolt with Nut and Washer’ separate, so I ordered two.
Only got one.
I emailed the rep but haven’t heard back.

 

Wow, I have ordered from them for years and never had any problems. Hope it all works out for you both.

 

Thanks, I hope they make it right. I checked here before I ordered and it was all good reviews

 

I hate to say this, but this happens over and over and over in niche offroad parts suppliers or fly-by-night online vendors.

If you're doing business with a small or relatively unknown vendor, cover your ass so you can sue for damages if you need to.

1. Call them first. Talk to someone on the phone. Figure out which parts you need and confirm with them verbally that they fit your vehicle.

2. Send a follow-up email that says something to the like of, "Per our phone conversation on xyz date you mentioned that zyx parts would work for my vehicle for xzy price. Can you kindly confirm that what we spoke about was accurate?" Do this before you ever place an order and get a response in writing.

I'm not advocating that you should ever sue someone, but it's always best to have that card in your back pocket and all of your communications documented when dealing with companies that could disappear if they have a slow month of revenue.

 

I've ordered from them a few times & never had any issues with parts. delivery has always been pretty quick (considering they're west coast & I'm east coast)

 

I spoke with them 3 times and was assured that I would have no problem with the lift that they wanted to sell to me vs the ome kit that I wanted... they sold it all the time never a problem! I bought other things from them and had no issues so I thought I would go with it. The last conversation (with trevor) he told me that I would probably be able to get my money back selling the springs that they sent... so you acknowledge that they don't fit...

 

Wheelers went down hill when they sold out to Trail Gear. Avoid them like you would Fail Gear, All Poo et al. They’re all the same ‘family’ now.

 

Always better communicating over the phone. I had 4 part numbers ready to ask if in stock. Only one was. And it arrived the next day. Best part is no tax!

 

yup they were awesome when they were their own deal but I haven’t heard anything good since they were bought out and consolidated with trail gear and all pro.

 

OP, did you order the kit with the correct springs in the first place?

Wheelers does list suspension kits and springs for '95.5-97 models separately from '98-04 (because the former use Pickup springs). If you did and it was a shipping error, then that really sucks and their response is unacceptable. If you ordered the wrong kit and proceeded to install the parts without double-checking, then it still isn't great (suggesting that you cut & move spring perches...?) but they do have a return policy that isn't particularly conducive to returning leaf springs so you kinda would be in a tight spot.

I'm sure there's more to the story, but I've always found them helpful over the phone (both before and after joining TG/AP/LR) in my experiences.

 

I called them and asked for a lift kit for a 95 tacoma, wanted ome, they told me the all pro lift kit was better and more complete... I had them spec the kit and they told me it would fit a 95 Taco, so I ordered it... I asked 3 times if this was the right kit for my truck and they answered absolutely. after I got the kit and called them to say " PART NO FIT" I was informed that with this kit I needed to relocate the spring perches... so the kit did not fit... spoke with 4 people was assured this was the go to kit would fit no problem... to put it succinctly they lied to me.

 

Yeah that's just bad customer service then. Sorry to hear.

 

Sorry to hear that. I've ordered a number of items via All Pro, Wheelers, and Trail Gear sites and all has gone well. A pair of Trail Gear mugs, recovery strap, and my big three items ordered at separate times this year: bed stiffeners, front IFS skid plate )aluminum black powder coated), and this afternoon's delivery and install of a gray HDPE tailgate insert, that my knees are very happy with. Having worked with Dad and Mom during their fifty years on the ranch at Victor, Montana, I'd say it was a good thing that All Pro Off-Road moved from there to Fresno with Trail Gear. Closer to the source of materials for manufacturing, and more resources for better customer service and support. Since China has diverted production from export to internal consumption, we've been watching inventories decline and ground shipping getting faster (3 days from Fresno compared to 5-7 days). Hang on for a bumpy ride!