2002 Explorer XLT Appliqué Panel

This past winter, I noticed that the appliqué panel on the rear lift door of my 2002 XLT had split down the middle, through the Ford emblem all the way from top to bottom. This appeared to be a common complaint last winter.

I went to a local dealership and I can order the panel for $50-55. They told me that labor to install it would cost between $250 and $300. There has to be an easier and less costly fix than that!

My questions are –

Is there a way that I can install the new panel myself, or do I have to get it installed by the dealer?

Do they make an installation kit for these?

Thanks!

Steve

I replaced mine this past summer, right after we bought the Ex. Ordered it on line, and did the same with the paint color and Clear Coat.

https://www.expresspaint.com/

http://www.trademotion.com/partloca...=2002&graphicID=MF02695&callout=2&catalogid=2

If the dealer will get you one for that price already painted take it....

I pried off the old one carefully. It's all glass underneath. Pulled off as much of the old glue I could and reapplied a new coat of glue.

It's still on there. But I dropped my comprehensive deductable to fifty bucks in case it cracks or falls off this winter..

Another vendor for spray paint with very competitive prices is http://www.towerpaint.com. Their spray tips are high quality "fan" type tips (at least they used to be..please verify) and this makes a quality job much easier.