So I'm browsing RockAuto's catalog and for the most part, the categorizations of economy, daily driver, and premium should reflect increasing quality and price. However, I couldn't help but notice in some cases with certain manufacturers (such as AC Delco or Beck and Arnley) that they'll have a slightly different part number under the economy vs daily driver section, but when you zoom into the picture these look like the identical part. Maybe with a slightly different warranty. Some of these brands just rebox an OEM supplier's part, so would they really go through the trouble of having inventory of two separate parts for the same application?
As an example, I'm looking at an upper ball joint for a 1998 Toyota 4Runner and the AC Delco 46D0116A (economy line) appears to be physically the same as the AC Delco 46D0116 (daily driver line) but it's half the price. They both appear to be a made in Japan Sankei 555 part.
Thoughts? Has anyone noticed this? Do parts stores do this as well?
As an example, I'm looking at an upper ball joint for a 1998 Toyota 4Runner and the AC Delco 46D0116A (economy line) appears to be physically the same as the AC Delco 46D0116 (daily driver line) but it's half the price. They both appear to be a made in Japan Sankei 555 part.
Thoughts? Has anyone noticed this? Do parts stores do this as well?