Body Work & Detailing

Hello, I have a 2004 XLT. I have noticed that while driving I just a consistent amount of noise, regardless of road conditions from the lift gate area. Like the door is slightly ajar. I believe I have read somewhere that this may be related to the cracked trim panel below the lift gate window (not sure how to check this). I was wondering if could be related in some way to tired hinges or similar? Any ideas? Thank you

Pretty quick video on how to install the front license plate mounting bracket and doing it WITHOUT any special tools, such as a plastic rivet gun:

Anyone have a detailed picture of what the rear doors look like so I know what to order to put it back as a personal vehicle? Not interested in speakers in the rear just want the door handle and locks to work for passengers in the back. What have people come up with that isn't so expensive for the center (horizontal) console with the arm rest? Ford wants over $1K for a new one.

Hey all, I searched the threads here and watched some videos on youtube but I have a few remaining questions before I start. If I buy the full OEM rocker panel replacements (here) do I need the dog leg as well? The replacement looks like it includes the full dog leg except for just a bit at the top, which my explorer doesn't need. And since they are already painted, should I worry about repainting and properly clear-coating these pieces if I don't cut or scrape any paint off? Here's my plan: First I will cut out or scrape off all rust, and seal any exposed metal with Eastwood rust encapsulator. As you can see in my first image, an area on the "inner" rocker panel is deteriorating (or is it called the uniside? The large panel which the...

Recently purchased a 2013 Explorer XLT. I had the car washed a few days after purchase and then noticed this film/haze on the windshield which was not present when I bought the truck. In hindsight, I wanted to dry off the windshield upon getting back to the house and just grabbed the nearest towel to do so. That towel was one I have used in the past to wipe off gas and oil from our portable generator. So I think this may be some sort of oil or gas stain on the windshield. I have tried using dish soap, Goo Gone, and a couple other suggestions I have seen online, but nothing has worked to date. Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations of how to remove this from the windshield? Thanks.

For those that like to detail their Explorer or other vehicles, I just bought this new foam gun. I've tried several that hook up to your garden hose and just don't cover very well. This is my first that hooks up to your pressure washer and my god does this thing work amazing. Power wash with water first, swap out the nozzle for the foam gun, soak the whole vehicle and then use a bucket of water and a mit. The foam turns to this soft silky liquid with the water and easily wash the whole vehicle. You can obviously see the difference between what is washed and what is still foam so you never miss a spot. I did my wife's ST and my gt350 with incredible results. This is the gun I bought if anyone is interested in getting one...

Hey, need a simple answer to a simple question. I'm about to venture into the realm of painting with a paint gun, as opposed to rattle cans. I've got about all the equipment I need (thanks to friends at NAPA), but I can't get a straight answer on mixing the paint/reducer/hardener. I get the ratios, know how the cup works, but I get different answers. Is paint mixed paint first then hardener then reducer (thinner) or is it Paint-reducer-hardener? I'm kinda leaning toward paint/reducer/hardener cause that makes more sense to me. But, I'll let the experts/professionals tell me if I can get a consistent answer.

Hi, Does anyone know which colour is used on this bumper? Thanks :)

My 06' has had some bad rust on the rear dogs legs and now this had transfered over to the rocker panels. I have scoured the internet and I can't seem to find rockers that are not slip ons. Also do they not make dog legs for 06-10 they seem to stop at 05'. Any suggestions?

Hey everyone, I'm currently stuck with a problem that was completely my own doing; I managed to get the liftgate stuck closed on our 2005 XLT. I was repairing the linkage for the liftgate glass and like an idiot I forgot to reconnect the metal rod (the one with the yellow plastic fittings on each end) to the main release handle, so now the liftgate won't open. So far I have had little success with trying the find a solution to this problem that doesn't involve a locksmith or Ford dealer. I was hoping to be able to remove the main handle and try and reach the mechanism through the hole, but it's held on by two bolts but I haven't been able to identify. I initially thought they were pin-in-head hex bolts however this doesn't seem to be...

I just had my '17 Explorer Sport come out of the body shop. Someone lightly sideswiped it, but just enough to make me want to get it fixed. As part of the repair, the body shop replaced the driver door outer shell, but in general did some work on both driver door and left passenger door. Fast forward to today. I've been back to the body shop 3x asking for adjustments because when I drive, even at lower speeds (20-30) it sounds like the window or door is not fully closed. The body shop thinks I'm insane, but I know something isn't right. Then when I drive on the highway I get a very slight reverberation in my ear (almost like the back window is cracked) and it drives me crazy. I've done all I could to try to isolate the problem...

Hello, I have a 2015 Ford Explorer and the passenger side windshield side molding has ripped off while driving down the highway. I have purchased replacment parts and have a question about installation. Attached are two pictures. My question is about the thing shown by a red arrow in attachment #1. In the youtube video I watch this glob isn't present. I am wondering if this is just a big glob of silicone that I can remove? If so, how is the best way to remove it? I think underneath it is a clip hole? The second attachment shows what it looks like in the video. Thanks for any input.

Has anyone had problems with water getting under the weatherstripping causing rust. I noticed the channel on the roof of my Explorer was allowing water to gain access to the body causing a small amount of rust where the windshield lays. Here are some pics...

2000 Explorer XLT 2WD 4.0L SOHC JOB1 Engine. I've searched all of the parts houses... and online... but I cannot find Door Striker Bushings for the front doors. Everyone has the "Part Number 38424" kit that contains 2 bushings that fit the rear hatch. Nobody has bushings that fit the front doors. The bushing are: 7/16” ID - 9/16” OD - 13/16” L Who sells the? Thanks for your help.

Got hit on my driver side. Looking for a driver front and rear door for my black 2014 PIU. Anyone know of a cheap place to get a set or a salvage yard, preferably in FL, that has some? Body shop quoted me $1900 a door