There is a spectrum of auto parts suppliers.
At one end R some pretty esoteric suppliers that few of us hear of. Dwn the other end is the kind of places I frequent, work at, or are known to most of us. At the opposite end, still a lill familiar to us R all "the typical bronk vendors".
I stay away from that whole end as it is the most expensive (the items often going thru more 'middle men'), my self a near 40 yr owner & sometimes prts retailer (we call big box stores). Since the early '90s I've frequented these "on-line clubs' of bronks. Here I've learned abt specific oem replacement prts that fit for upgrades (shelby drop, Chuck's explanation of the cj & el dorado rear disc exchange). "Bronco Brothers" as a grp know so much more that I as a single individual. Some know the 'drop ship' vendors too.
They offer comradeship and tips that save me time'n money. Again, I'd suggest beginning at the neighborhood desk jockey (some 1 who just became employed as prts retailer, may not even B an enthusiast, only knows what a puter tell him/her) ina big bx store (AutoZone, advance, PepBoys, o reilly's).
They have these parts. Money'n time/mail costs unimportant? go up the scale - to 'typical vendor'. If more than a '60s tv star
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6PqrTZsho0
U may want to have a
full listing of suppliers who can meet ur needs for
long term ownership and daily driving. Nota recreation user, but some one who needed my "woods wrk truck" 8, 9 mo/yr, sometime 7/d/wk for wks @ a time 35 yrs - I needed to 'get 'er done' so needed something a lill different. HTH ~