When it comes to choosing between aftermarket and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, there are a number of key factors that will influence your decision to purchase. We've made it easy for you, with this guide that will help you break down what is important to you - and where you need to go from there.

Quality

Heavy duty aftermarket parts have been rapidly increasing in quality in the past decade, thanks in large part to an industry-wide focus on upping the high quality ante. While quality will vary from each aftermarket manufacturer, by sticking to branded parts (rather than unbranded) the level of quality is virtually guaranteed.

With OEM parts, the quality will be consistent with each brand. On the other hand, the problems will also be the same with each brand.

Selection

In the heavy duty aftermarket, competition is fierce and the parts you need for your truck will be far easier to come by - and you'll have much more choice. It's also highly unlikely that you would need to order your part and wait for it to come in.

OEM parts will offer very little selection, being restricted to only one or two different styles. This means you will have no other options to choose from.

Availability

As mentioned above, with such a large amount of heavy duty aftermarket parts out there, you will not need to wait for the part you need. You'll be back on the road in no time.

With OEM, the selection AND availability are limited. If the part you need is not in stock or readily available, you will need to order it and wait even longer for it to come in - extending the length of time that your truck is out of commission.

Price

Now to the meat of the problem - price. Price is always a concern, and the misconception about aftermarket parts is that you get what you pay for. Quality and competitive pricing can go hand-in-hand, so long as you do your research. The majority of heavy duty aftermarket parts will be less expensive than their name brand counterparts, and often at a higher quality.

OEM parts are higher in cost for two reasons: the first, you are paying for the name of the brand. The second is that there is very little competition in this market, and manufacturers can get away with charging far more for their parts.

When you're trying to decide what is best for you, the choice is clear: heavy duty aftermarket parts will save you money, time and give you the most bang for your buck.