EXHIBIT 5.1


                                 December 2, 1998

Transportation Components, Inc.
Three Riverway, Suite 200
Houston, Texas 77056

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      We have acted as counsel to Transportation Components, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and filing of a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, relating to an aggregate of (i) 2,909,173 shares (the "Shares") of the
Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock") , to be
offered upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in (i) the
Transportation Components, Inc. 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the
Transportation Components, Inc. 1998 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan (the
"Plans") and (ii) 669,894 warrants to purchase an aggregate of 669,894 shares of
Common Stock in (the "Warrants").

      We have examined such corporate records, documents, instruments and
certificates of the Company and have received such representations from the
officers and directors of the Company and have considered such questions of law
as we have deemed necessary, relevant or appropriate to enable us to render the
opinion expressed herein. In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness
of all signatures and the authenticity of all documents, instruments, records
and certificates submitted to us as originals. We have not independently
verified any matter of fact relating to this opinion.

      Based on such examination and review and on representations made to us by
officers of the Company, we are of the opinion that (i) the Shares have been
duly and validly authorized and will, on issuance and delivery against payment
therefor as contemplated in the Plans, be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and (ii) the Warrants have been duly and validly authorized and
the shares of Common Stock issable on exercise of the Warrants will, on issuance
and delivery against payment therefor as contemplated in the Warrants, be
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

      This firm consents to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. This opinion is delivered solely for your benefit and
may not be used or relied upon for any purpose by any other person or entity
without our express prior written authorization.

                                          Very truly yours,
     

                                          Bracewell & Patterson, L.L.P.