How to Find Parts in a Junkyard Like ChrisFix (Beginner's Guide)
Want to pull your own parts at a junkyard like ChrisFix does? Here's how to find the right donor car, confirm it's on the lot before you go, and pull the part yourself for cheap.
ChrisFix makes pulling junkyard parts look easy — because he does the homework first. Here’s how to copy the process as a beginner: find the right car, confirm it’s there, and pull the part without wasting a Saturday.
Quick answer
To find parts in a junkyard like ChrisFix: (1) identify the exact make, model, and year (plus any interchange) that shares your part, (2) confirm a matching donor car is on the lot using the Pick and Pull app before you drive out, (3) bring your own tools, and (4) pull the part yourself at a self-service yard. The step beginners skip is confirming the car is actually there — that’s what wastes trips.
Step 1: Know exactly what you need
Before you go anywhere, write down your vehicle’s make, model, year, trim, and engine. Then look up interchange — many parts are shared across several model years and even rebadged sibling models. Widening your search this way means more donor cars qualify.
Step 2: Confirm the car is on the lot (the ChrisFix secret)
Self-service yard inventory is a moving target — cars arrive, get picked clean, and get crushed within days. ChrisFix doesn’t gamble a drive on it, and neither should you. With the Pick and Pull app you can:
- Search participating yards by make, model, and year
- See which yards have a match and how many
- Check when each car arrived to target fresh vehicles
- View yards on a map with a search radius
Step 3: Go prepared
Self-service yards make you pull the part yourself, so pack like ChrisFix:
- Socket set, ratchets, breaker bar, screwdrivers, pliers
- Penetrating oil, gloves, and a bag or bin for parts
- Confirm the yard’s hours, entry fee, and tool policy first
Step 4: Pull it right
- Photograph the part and its hardware before removing anything
- Grab extra bolts and connectors while you’re in there
- Test-fit if you can, and check for cracks or wear
Set an alert for the hard-to-find cars
No match today? Create an alert for the exact make, model, and year, scope it to the yards you visit, and let Pick and Pull notify you the moment a matching car rolls in — so you’re first to the good parts.
Pick and Pull is free to download (5 searches a day, 1 alert), and Premium unlocks unlimited searches and alerts with a 7-day free trial. Get Pick and Pull on the App Store and pull parts like a pro.
Pick and Pull is an independent app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ChrisFix, Pick-n-Pull, Row52, or any salvage yard operator. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.
Frequently asked questions
How does ChrisFix find parts in a junkyard? +
The ChrisFix approach is: know exactly which make, model, and year you need, confirm a matching donor car is on the lot before driving out, bring your own tools, and pull the part yourself at a self-service ("pick-n-pull") yard. The confirming-it-is-there step is what saves wasted trips — an app like Pick and Pull does it in a few taps.
How do I find the right donor car for my part? +
Look up interchange — the other model years and sibling models that use the same part — so you widen your search. Then search self-service yard inventory by make, model, and year to find a matching vehicle. Pick and Pull lets you search participating yards and see which have a match near you.
What tools do I need to pull parts at a junkyard? +
A basic socket and ratchet set, screwdrivers, pliers, a breaker bar, penetrating oil, gloves, and something to carry parts. Most self-service yards require you to bring your own tools, so confirm the yard policy first.
How do I not waste a trip to the junkyard? +
Check that the exact vehicle you need is actually on the lot before you go. Yard inventory changes daily, so use an app like Pick and Pull to confirm a match and set an alert if the car is not there yet.
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