07-30-2009, 02:08 PM
Looks like I may have found a replacement, keeping fingers crossed until it arrives and can be verified as the right one. Talked a bit more with my mechanic, turns out the filler pipe was a one year only part. Only thing that helps was that it was used in the Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth versions of the model.
As for parts, used to be Chrysler that was good at keeping most at least 10 years in their supply chain or arranging for an after-market manufacturer before they dropped a part. Even then a lot of older parts could still be found through the dealer part network if you waited. With all of the dealer closings and the bankruptcy, who knows what got lost or has not been ID'd and inventoried for sale yet by whoever got the parts. Chrysler may have made the situation worse by not agreeing to take back inventory from the 100's of dealers they issued closing notices to as part of the bankruptcy.
As for parts, used to be Chrysler that was good at keeping most at least 10 years in their supply chain or arranging for an after-market manufacturer before they dropped a part. Even then a lot of older parts could still be found through the dealer part network if you waited. With all of the dealer closings and the bankruptcy, who knows what got lost or has not been ID'd and inventoried for sale yet by whoever got the parts. Chrysler may have made the situation worse by not agreeing to take back inventory from the 100's of dealers they issued closing notices to as part of the bankruptcy.