Do you find the Parts Database a useful tool?

[russellw]

Obviously these take a lot of work to collate and I am thinking of extending it into other models. It presently covers XA - AU Falcons and their derivatives but could be extended to include other selected models (e.g BA, Territory, Focus etc.) if there was sufficent use for them.

Your input will be useful in assessing whether this is a worthwhile exercise.

Multiple choice is allowed.

Cheers
Russ

[460cixy]

news to me i dident know there was one . where is it?

[russellw]

For those who don't know it can be found HERE

[Casper]

Absolutely. I would look at something or other on it at least twice a month. It is one of the best resources on the forums!!

[neb]

yeah i think its good, havn't really had to use it much but its helped me once before

[mik]

never new it existed, looks good russ good work

[outback_ute]

Voted 'yes' and 'needs work' simply because it can be hard to find things because of the strange way some of the descriptions work

[rodderz]

It's certainly useful Russ

Those wishing to know parts prices can look it up rather than phone dealers etc. Another good example of these forums being a great resource for those searching for info too

Adding parts for current models (eg. BA, Focus etc) would be fantastic too. Only thing is people will have to be patient with how much personal time and effort is put in by Russ before it is put up

[12]

Very useful Russ. I'm always checking for parts and prices in there. One of the best features of the site. Bookmarked as a favourite for easy access too.

If I could make a suggestion, this may prove to be highly unlikely, or might be very time consuming, but is it possible to have a photo of the part aswell? Same as the Ford Database at a dealer? This way one would be able to know 100% it is the part they're looking for. This would obviously only work if you were to type in a single exact part number.

For example, if you were to type in TAUTVE 18045 A, a photo of the part such as this would also appear on the page. This would be very very handy, but as I said.. might be very time consuming to set up. Is it possible Russ?

Also noticed the part numbers on the database are not exactly the same as the scans in the gallery, and vise versa. For example, the above part # TAUTVE 18045 A is shown in the scan as 8402 18045 AA. Why is this so Russ?

[parawolf]

I'll definately be using it when i get my next car...

[professorsabre]

Although I don't use it, not owning a Falcon, I think it's a good idea. I use something similar on a site in the states to get oem part numbers and approx prices for my Cougar. Would be nice if extended to other models.

Cheers

[MO]

Russ;I have not had the need to use the db and I Commend you and the others that put it together.
It is things like this that make this forum strong,keep up the good work guy's it's not wasted.

[max^power]

Originally Posted by Casper

Absolutely. I would look at something or other on it at least twice a month. It is one of the best resources on the forums!!

I mostly agree, while i dont use it as much, it's certainly very helpful. it'd be great if it covered the BA, but while i've got the AU, it's fine the way it is :

Although i think that the best resource on the forums is the actual users that contribute and make it such a wealth of knowledge. Well done everyone that contributes!

[russellw]

Originally Posted by AUGZMK

If I could make a suggestion, this may prove to be highly unlikely, or might be very time consuming, but is it possible to have a photo of the part aswell? Same as the Ford Database at a dealer? This way one would be able to know 100% it is the part they're looking for. This would obviously only work if you were to type in a single exact part number.

For example, if you were to type in TAUTVE 18045 A, a photo of the part such as this would also appear on the page. This would be very very handy, but as I said.. might be very time consuming to set up. Is it possible Russ?

Also noticed the part numbers on the database are not exactly the same as the scans in the gallery, and vise versa. For example, the above part # TAUTVE 18045 A is shown in the scan as 8402 18045 AA. Why is this so Russ?

It is technically possible but you also have nailed the very first problem with it - the numbers used in the original diagrams do not match the curent "International" numbering convention which makes cross matching them almost impossible. This doesn't matter to a Microcat user as they simply click on the small number next to the picture and it leads them to the right part but it would be hellishly difficult (if even possible) to build the massive cross reference that would be required. Having said that though it is possible I would think to put up the section diagrams which should provide enough information for most people to suss out what they are looking at. Will see what can be done.

Russ

[russellw]

Originally Posted by outback_ute

Voted 'yes' and 'needs work' simply because it can be hard to find things because of the strange way some of the descriptions work

You and most of the rest of the English speaking world! Obviously these descriptions are inherited from days of old to some extent while others are internationally flavoured - I need to find somewhere to put a glossary where everyone can find it rather than have to guess.

One of my favourites is the use of the (Euro sourced) word HOOD - it would be ok if they used it everywhere but if you try BONNET as well you get a response for unique parts to this country - strangely they use BOOT rather than TRUNK but that probably shows how much the Euro influence has changed the numbering and naming system.

Cheers
Russ

[smciner1]

Originally Posted by russellw

strangely they use BOOT rather than TRUNK but that probably shows how much the Euro influence has changed the numbering and naming system.

Cheers
Russ

You mean they didn't call it a Deck Lid (tm)?

[Filthy GT-P]

Both of our cars are BA's so I have not used the database to date, but I would be very keen to use it if the information on the BA was there as well.

Regards

Steven

[RED_EL_XR8]

Great stuff, inclusion of BA would be a good move.
Is there any reason it stopped at AU. Embargo?, time & available info?, didn't see a need?

[FRDXR6]

Never knew about it, but now i do know i think its a great tool.

[NAK302]

i'm pretty thick, is there an easier way to do the search if you don't know the number or exact description?

[Psycho Chicken]

I've only used it once or twice, not counting the times I get bored and decided to laugh at what Ford charge for some parts.

Both times I've used it I had to ID a part I had lying around. AU radio suppressor, found it first shot. I forget exactly what the other part was, it was an XD part, I punched the number in and got nothing. I'll have to remember what the part was.

[rodderz]

Originally Posted by smciner1

You mean they didn't call it a Deck Lid (tm)?

I wonder if you looked up "ute tub" it would have it listed as "lorry tray" or "pickup" :

[LUXO_8]

i havent had a need to use it yet, but im sure it will come in handy if i do...

[russellw]

Originally Posted by nak351

i'm pretty thick, is there an easier way to do the search if you don't know the number or exact description?

The easiest way is to keep the search string to a minimum - for example try a single word as it usually provides a clue as to what the longer description might be - also use the model and variant filters as these reduce the results even more.

Russ

[chief]

Use it all the time. Sure the descriptions are difficult but rattle your brain and you should be able to figure them out. For a picture that would be ideal but the programing involved in cross referencing everything whoa.

Go to the dealership and say I think this the part i want and quote part # and the salesman will tell you if it it or not.

[russellw]

Originally Posted by RED_EL_XR8

Great stuff, inclusion of BA would be a good move.
Is there any reason it stopped at AU. Embargo?, time & available info?, didn't see a need?

Time as much as anything. As the models get more recent the number of available parts gets larger. XA-XC only has a list of about 750 available items (for example) while the AU has nearly 6,000! The BA (by comparison) lists nearly 23,000 entries.

Cheers
Russ

[FRDGAL]

I voted Yes. I've never used it myself (not that I can remember anyway) but I do think it's a useful resource to have though.

[RED_EL_XR8]

Originally Posted by russellw

Time as much as anything. As the models get more recent the number of available parts gets larger. XA-XC only has a list of about 750 available items (for example) while the AU has nearly 6,000! The BA (by comparison) lists nearly 23,000 entries.

Cheers
Russ

23,000 parts is a lot of entries.. Is there any way of add the most likely BA suspects as time goes on.. It's a great resource.

[max^power]

Originally Posted by russellw

Time as much as anything. As the models get more recent the number of available parts gets larger. XA-XC only has a list of about 750 available items (for example) while the AU has nearly 6,000! The BA (by comparison) lists nearly 23,000 entries.

Cheers
Russ

How are these records provided Electronic or Paper based?

[xceler8shun]

im constantly using it, but wish it would display more then 30 results