Explorer Brush Guard On A Trac?

[LBJ75]

I found a brush guard locally for a 2002 Explorer, made by Go Rhino. Will that fit on my 2001 Sport Trac? I checked the website and the pics won't load so I can't compare that way. Also, some of the part numbers are the same and some are different and without pics I can't tell which is which. Has anyone tried this yet? Thanks

 

[MidnightRebel07]

No, the frame rail widths are different and the '02 Explorer is the fullsize Explorer model.

The '01-03 Explorer sport will work for the '01-05 Sport Trac.

 

[OffTrac]

Unfortunately, for NCRanchero more than me (luckily that worked out), they do not. Sorry again Steve!

I bought one on a last second whim, found a full brush guard that I really wanted in the first place, before ever trying to fit the Explorer push bar, and sold the first one to Steve. He found out, after much frustration I'm sure, that they do not fit. Can't be made to fit, either.

You're doing the right thing by asking here. Wish I had. Live and learn.

 

[LBJ75]

Thanks guys!

 

[ncranchero]

LOL Hugh! It all worked out. I got another one from a member and another member got one for his Explorer.

One thing I will add for the benefit of an owner new to Sport Tracs is that the SPORT and SPORT TRAC are pretty much identical EXCEPT for the obvious bed on the Trac. So IF that 2002 is a SPORT then it will work.

The grille guard I have now came off of a SPORT.

 

[LONO100]

hey ranchero, not to hijack the thread but i like the grill guard you have on the bottom picture on your post. i was wondering if that grill guard bolts onto the same flat tow hook stamps that the tow hook stamps bolt onto with 2003 sport tracs. the reason why im asking is that i recently bent the tow hook stamps that my tow hooks were bolted to (03 sport trac), and was going to try to get them bent back where they are supposed to be. i have also been thinking about getting a true grill guard and removing my tow hooks, but im not sure where grill guards bolt to on these sport tracs. if there is another spot on the sport trac where grill guards bolt to, i want to just bypass repairing the tow stamps where my tow hooks were, and just getting a grill guard.

this link has pictures to where my tow hooks were mounted and the bend i put in the frame stamps that they connected to. is this the same spot that i would be bolting a grill guard if i were to get one? if so, i guess i have no choice than to get these bent back into place, if not and there is a different spot to bolt the grill guard to, i will just bypass getting these frame stamps fixed and just get a grill guard. any help and advice would be great!

 

[ncranchero]

I just unbolted my tow hooks, put the guard brackets up there, put the tow hooks back in place and bolted everything up together. I saw your bent hooks and to me they do not look like the factory cast hooks, IDK. But yes, it all bolts up in the same place. Remove your bumper cover and straighten the frame back out of get someone to do it.

 

[LONO100]

ok, thanks. scratch that plan! i guess theres no sense in trying to avoid fixing it.

 

[LONO100]

ive been searching around on the forum and on google but i cant find a good diagram or schematic on how to properly remove the bumper cover on a 2003 explorer sport trac. anyone know where i can find that, or has any knowledge on how to take that thing off without hacking it all up? any help would be great. thanks fellas.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

To remove the front bumper cover there are two screws on the back adges of the b.c. at the wheelwells, the lower valance has ac ouple screws and there are a couple screws on the top of the b.c. above the grille.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

This is from a B.L. project on the ST site.

Remove the airbag fuse – fuse #6 in the side of the dash on driver’s side.
In order to make things easier, I removed both front and rear bumpers first. This allowed me to have more room to work, as
well as a better view of the vehicle from underneath.
The front fascia will have to be removed to get at the front bumper. This can be done by popping the hood and removing the
black plastic on top of the radiator and grill assembly. There are three pieces of plastic mounted to the bottom of the fascia
which make up part of the inside fender and duct air into the radiator. These need to be removed . There is a bolt and a pop
washer on each side of the bumper where it meets the fender. These will need to be removed as well. The fascia is ready to be
removed. There are clips that hold it to the grill. Push down on them and they will release. Set the fascia somewhere that it
will not be scratched or harmed throughout the rest of the project.


The rear bumper can be removed by first removing the two screws that attach each wheel-well to the bumper. You will want to
disconnect the license plate lights and trailer harness if equipped. There are four bolts that attach the bumper to the frame.
Removes these four bolts and the bumper will come off. Once again, set this where it will not be scratched during the rest of
the project. The plastic is relatively soft and will scratch easily.

 

[LONO100]

thanks rebel, i will be needing to remove my front bumper cover if im going to get these tow hook stamps straightened out. im currently looking for a guy that can heat it up and bend them back straight so i can get my hooks back on properly.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

The brackets are what you'll need welded back to the frame, they were originally "stamp-welded" to it but those were ripped away from the frame. Just a heads up for when you talk to the welder so he doesn't look at you funny and ask why you want stamps welded to your frame. LOL

 

[LONO100]

thanks man, i was going to go over there today, but there was a big fire where the guys shop was and the road was closed off. ill post pics of how it goes.

 

[ncranchero]

Check your mail

 

[LONO100]

thanks ranchero!

 

[Christrac]

I just unbolted my tow hooks, put the guard brackets up there, put the tow hooks back in place and bolted everything up together. I saw your bent hooks and to me they do not look like the factory cast hooks, IDK. But yes, it all bolts up in the same place. Remove your bumper cover and straighten the frame back out of get someone to do it.

View attachment 251092

Hi I’m looking for a brush guard like this for my 2002 ford sport trac what is a good brand and where is a good place to get one