99 explorer killed

[Rabid_Ford]

My 99 explorer was killed by a log on a backroad jamed into the front a arm pushing the tire into the fenderwell also managing to bend the whole frame... damn it.. well the transmision was rebuilt a few months back and the engine is a 4.0ohv with only 100k on it so im thinking of finding another explorer in need of a engine and trans and doing a swap. What years will this limit me to. also would it be possible to go into a 4wd body? any sugestions would be apreciated.. ive been told its a hard job with all the wiring and such some say not even worth the trouble does this hold true or just bs?

 

[Rabid_Ford]

btw how much could i get for this thing if i sold it to a junk yard or something? since the transmision was rebuilt could i get 1500 or so? if not i may part this thing out profit would goto another vehicle.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Junkyards usually only pay bottom dollar. The frame can't be straightened on a frame machine? I think your motor, and tranny would fit in Explorers from 97-2000(maybe?) without modification. I'm pretty sure from 1995 and 1996 have some different wiring issues (egr maybe). I'm not sure when they dropped the OHV from the motor lineup. You would need the tranny modified to work on a 4wd vehicle. You might just need to have a tailshaft put in it, but the bellhousing may be different as well. Someone will know for sure. Sorry my info is partial, and may be incorrect.

 

[Rabid_Ford]

Junkyards usually only pay bottom dollar. The frame can't be straightened on a frame machine? I think your motor, and tranny would fit in Explorers from 97-2000(maybe?) without modification. I'm pretty sure from 1995 and 1996 have some different wiring issues (egr maybe). I'm not sure when they dropped the OHV from the motor lineup. You would need the tranny modified to work on a 4wd vehicle. You might just need to have a tailshaft put in it, but the bellhousing may be different as well. Someone will know for sure. Sorry my info is partial, and may be incorrect.

frame machine? can you give me more details.. I think the front end was pushed back about an inch on the drivers side. on top of the a-arm and such being bent completly back. How much would it cost to have it straitend? I brought it to a ford stealership and they said it couldnt be fixed that the front end is bent, the rest of the body is fine it runs good, overall its in good shape over than the front drivers side..

 

[Mbrooks420]

There are collision places with frame machines. They put the truck on it, take measurements of the frame and pull or push it back into place. The a arm would have to be replaced,(and some other things that were damaged from the wheel being bent) The only person I know that has had something straightened was a unibody Sunbird that was pretty bent. The front of the car had a severe upward slant and they straightened it. I think that was only $750. I don't think anything was replaced, just the front end straightened. It was never 100% after that, but I don't think it should have been fixed in the first place. I think the ladder frame would be easy to work an inch. I'd be tempted to try and pull it an inch myself depending on where the damage is Look under collision repair in the yellow pages. Is it drivable at all?

 

[exploded99]

I'll mention this just for grins.... If you have comprehensive coverage on your auto policy it will be covered. Collision coverage is usually limited to hitting another vehicle. I assume you did not have insurance cause you are here.....

I think Ford was telling you that the truck could not be fixed cause it would cost more than the vehicle is worth.

Frames can be straightened on a frame machine, they bolt the truck frame to a big machine and then measure it, attach chains and pull the frame until it is straight. However, yours may need new a-arm mounts cause of the damage. That is a much more involved problem to fix.

But then you have the cost of replacing all the other front end parts that were damaged - I assume you have pretty much trashed your driver side axle and wheel assembly. Then the body and paint work.

So parting it or doing a swap may be your best bet.

 

[BigDakota]

You have a pics? We could give you a better idea about what to do, maybe!!
Frames can be corrected and it all depends on where and how it was hit.

 

[MONMIX]

Full frame vehicles such as the Explorer are WAY different beast than the popular uni-body. Full frame pulls are VERY limited on how much and where they can be pulled.
Like Dakota said the big issue is WHERE the bend in the frame is.

 

[Rabid_Ford]

im going to try to get some pics up. the log was hit doing about 45-50 not really a log but a part of a tree that had been cut in the middle of the road it was about 10 inches wide or so. I may just go with a swap. Those of you who have done it how hard would a swap be? I have access to a a frame and such since the transmision was recently built could pull the engine and tranny in one piece. on older vehicles this is a few hour job but never have messed with a newer model. any input?

 

[MONMIX]

a frame swap !?!?!?!?

 

[IAmTodd]

Find a donor truck and I don't think swapping frames would be that difficult if you had the resources.

 

[MONMIX]

I don't think swapping frames would be that difficult if you had the resources.

You have never done one have you ?

 

[Mbrooks420]

I would have assumed that a frame would be easier to manipulate than a unibody. How do they pull on a unibody? Do they just pull on suspension mounts and such?

 

[gijoecam]

I suspect that what's bent is the cross member where the front inside pivot point for the lower control arm is. I have yet to see one of those sucessfully straightened back out once it's moved.

-Joe

 

[MONMIX]

I would have assumed that a frame would be easier to manipulate than a unibody. How do they pull on a unibody? Do they just pull on suspension mounts and such?

Well, if need may be. The car is droped in clamps at the pinch weld under the rockers. The we just use clamps or hooks depending on which way we need to pull it. Yeah Unibodies are WAY easier.

 

[MONMIX]

I suspect that what's bent is the cross member where the front inside pivot point for the lower control arm is. I have yet to see one of those sucessfully straightened back out once it's moved.

-Joe

That far back is very difficult, but still possible.

 

[Rabid_Ford]

well after going to a few salvage yards each place recomended me to the same person. They told me if the engine and transmision are good and the body is strait it would be cheaper and less work to bring it to a guy that does frame work. Each one recomended the same guy so i may load it on a trailer and get an estimate. One guy told me that hes seen worse get fixed so i may try that. I know im going to need a new a arm but from the looks when the log hit it hit right where the a-arm joins the front crossbar so it bent the a-arm back and left a piece of wood james in between the a-arm and frame. it put a small dent in the back rim (guessing when i went over the log the back end caught some also. It also looks like the rear end may be kicked to the side some but the back tire is low due to the dent leaking air so im not sure. will up date on how it turns out just for you guys kicks..

 

[Green98XLT]

How in the hell did you not see this monster log and why were you going so fast on a logging road?

I'd turn it into insurance if you have it...

 

[BigDakota]

I would say that was good news on getting the possible repairs done. Did he give you an estimate of the cost to repair your X?

 

[Rabid_Ford]

How in the hell did you not see this monster log and why were you going so fast on a logging road?

I'd turn it into insurance if you have it...

was a normal road (after huricane katrina) turned into i guess you would say logging road came over a hill barley cliped edge. no insurence but i have yet to bring it to get a estimate will do it next week will update then. to add insult to injury someone decided to take my amp and punch dents in my sub took my cell phone also and left a nice message on the back glass i belive it was something along the lines of your ####ed.