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If you have a Ford Mustang, it deserves the best care that you can give it, and that includes good maintenance. Although owning a Mustang is a privilege, it can also pose some problems because of the number of changes that have taken place practically every year since that famous day in April, 1964, when it was released to the world.

Forget the demo models that were displayed at the various grand prix circuits from 1962; it was 1964 that can truly be regarded as the birth of the Ford Mustang as we know it. If you own of these original cars, then it is not only worth a fortune, but you will have a few problems finding parts for it. And that should get you thinking: if you are a Mustang owner, how do you get the proper parts for your car, new, used or aftermarket.

Many purists won*t even consider aftermarket parts, but they can be just as good as the original, and sometimes even better. They can certainly be cheaper, and usually are, but can also be inferior, and it is always good to know somebody that has found a good source of Mustang aftermarket parts.

It is also good to know a bit about your car, and you can gain a lot by knowing your Mustang and what makes it tick. It makes it much easier to get a good part from a breaker's yard and also to fit it yourself. However, many people prefer to find their parts online, mainly because it is easier to find the part you are looking for your year and model of car, and it also a lot less work!

There is no doubt that the internet has made it much easier to shop for auto parts, and you can find just about every Mustang part you are looking for online. Not only standard parts, but you can also locate add-ons to allow you customize your Mustang and make it personal to you. headlights, floor mats, fenders, transmissions, clutches, and even brake cables: you name it, you can get it online. However, you have to make sure that the site you are visiting is reputable, and are not selling cleaned-up used parts as new. It isn*t common, but it does happen.

You also have to be certain exactly what part you have fitted. You will need your model and the year, and there are also other things you might have to know in order to get the right part. Take your transmission, for instance. If you need a new Mustang clutch, you will have to know what type of transmission you have. Check out ID tag on the jam of the driver's door. Look for the letters *TR* to the bottom right hand side of the tag, and you should see from one to five letters and/or numbers below the TR. The first identification number or letter tells you the type of transmission you have, and you can then order a clutch for that transmission. You can also order a new gear shifter using that information.

For example, the 1996 * 98 Mustang Cobras and 1996 * 2001 GTs were fitted with the TD-45 five speed manual OD transmission which is identified with the number 6, while the more modern Mustang 2005-07 Mustang GTs were fitted with a T-3650, the same as the 2003-05 Mach1 and the 2001 Cobra. The T-3650 transmission is identified by the letter K. It is a great help to sourcing your clutch or gear shift parts if you know your transmission. Any other numbers after the first one relate to the front and rear springs, which might be useful if your springs have gone.

The door might not be original, of course, and to determine that compare the V.I.N. (Vehicle Identification Number) with that under the hood for models up to 1967, or on the dashboard for after that. Once you have the vehicle I.D. you should find it easy to get any standard part for your vehicle online.

All you have to do then is to carry out an internet search using your favorite search engine. You can be specific, by naming the actual part, or simply carry out a general search for Mustang parts. The site you choose will then lead you to the part you want by means of menus. You might be asked simply for the model and year, or for the V.I.N. number or something even more specific, such as the transmission reference as detailed above. Whatever method is used, you should be able to locate and order the part you want.

It is easy to find Ford Mustang parts online, especially if you go to a site that has a good clear navigation system from their landing page. The most important aspects of buying Mustang parts online are that you get the right part for your year and model, and that they are of good quality. Keep that in mind, and you should not go wrong.