I Hit A Deer: Questions About Rebuilding

[cantornikolaos]

Last fall, I was threading the needle over and over and it seemed like the deer were on a suicide mission. Finally, my luck ran out. I added comprehensive to my Insurance policy a day late and a buck short. A trophy buck. Right at the begining of the hunting season, I hit a very beautiful 8-point buck that ran right in front of me while I was being blinded by some A-hole with HIDs. I can still drive the truck, but there is a lot of cosmetic damage. Also, the washer tank is broken and the passenger door cannot be opened.

I am slowly collecting parts to fix this thing. One problem is finding fenders for a 2004 Explorer at the junk yeard that aren't rusted away. I'm in upstate NY. My truck is from GA.

I recently had the idea of adding the front grille, hood, bunper, lights, and fenders from a 4th-gen Explorer. I saw where someone added tail lights from a 2006 Explorer to a 3rd Gen model, and it looked nice. Also, the parts lined-up well. Can I do that? Wil the parts bolt-up, and do the lines and contours of the body panels line-up. I need all the parts I just mentioned, so getting them off a newer truck would hopefully increase the chance of finding fanders that aren't rusted..

 

[TechGuru]

Rust? The front fenders and hood are all aluminum...(at least on mine, no idea if it's trim dependent)

 

[Mbrooks420]

Rust? The front fenders and hood are all aluminum...(at least on mine, no idea if it's trim dependent)

I’m pretty sure those fenders are steel.

 

[TechGuru]

I've checked them with a magnet before, won't stick to anything forward of the firewall...

 

[cantornikolaos]

Rust? The front fenders and hood are all aluminum...(at least on mine, no idea if it's trim dependent)

The hood is aluminum, but the fenders are steel. In a junk yeard there are lots of 3rd Gen Explorers with rusted fenders. Some are pretty much intact, but some are eaten-up. Among those that are intact, it would take a lot of work to repair the pitting.

My thought is, if I could use parts of trucks are much as 5 years newer than mine, it would make it easier to find fenders that aren't rusted. Also, there is the added bonus of a style upgrade. I need to replace all the body work on the front, anyway.

 

[TechGuru]

Why don't you just buy new ones? Rust would no longer be a issue, just the cost of painting them to match...

 

[96firephoenix]

The hood is aluminum, but the fenders are steel. In a junk yeard there are lots of 3rd Gen Explorers with rusted fenders. Some are pretty much intact, but some are eaten-up. Among those that are intact, it would take a lot of work to repair the pitting..

Must be a year-specific thing... my 02 has aluminum fenders and hood.

 

[czech89]

Wow! Learned something new. Just checked my '02 XLT with a magnet. Sure enough, aluminum front fenders and hood. I had no idea, and I've owned it for 18 years!

 

[Trollslayer]

My '03 has steel fenders and aluminum hood.

 

[MrPulldown]

Might try ebay.
Might get lucky and find the righ color

2002 2003 2004 2005 FORD EXPLORER FENDER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FACTORY | eBay


Then there are paint to match options. My FIL hit a deer and went the paint to match option. Not perfect due to fade, but close enough for a 15+ year old car.
New Painted to Match Left Fender for 2002 2003 2004 2005 Ford Explorer w/ HOLES | eBay

 

[imp]

I’m pretty sure those fenders are steel.

@Mbrooks420

Get a magnet........(or a ROPE!). imp