Fender help

[kenr74]

Somebody smacked into my Explorer and I need to replace the front passenger fender. I'm considering just doing the work myself instead of taking to a shop. I'm trying to decide if I want to mount a new fender and then have it painted or just have a shop do the whole thing. Does a Clymers manual cover body panel replacement? It looks fairly simple to remove but I don't want to get half way through it and find out I can't do the job.

I'm also wondering about some fiberglass fenders instead of going with the stock. Are they any harder to mount or paint?

Any advice would be great.

 

[section525]

The stock fenders, at least on my 96, are simple to remove/replace. Once you pull the headlights/grille out, its a matter of nine or so bolts.

But the thing is, if you're going to have a shop paint the fender anyway, it won't be much more work for them to just install it. It probably has a book install time of about 1/2 hour.

Fiberglass fenders are usually a drill-to-fit install and will need more custom work to get them mounted and aligned. But may be worth it depending on your build goals.

 

[kenr74]

Ok, thanks for the reply. It sounds like something I could handle I just wanted to hear from somebody who had done it. I'm leaning towards the fiberglass fenders and the mods you have on "stage 3". It's my daily driver so I don't want to go too crazy. Your truck looks great though.

 

[MONMIX]

I can tell you for a fact it is much more that .5 for a body shop to instal a Ford Explorer fender.
Probally more like 1.5 or better.
It is not a bad DIY job. I have done zillions.

If your Ex is black you are fine. If it is any other color the body shop will need to blend the paint into the door.
This will necisate ( if that is a word ) the removal of the mirror, belt moulding, and lock cylender.

 

[kenr74]

Yep, the body shop gave me a quote for just over $1000 and said 1.5 hours for changing the fender. For me that means more like 3 hours but I like doing it so that's not to bad.

I've been wanting to do a lift and some larger tires anyway so now is the perfect time. Is there anybody out here in Oregon that wants to help with a body lift!!

 

[MONMIX]

I'll be right over

 

[kenr74]

Ok, sounds good. I think I have a friend out here that may be able to help me out. He lifted his Ranger so I may be able to talk him into a fender swap/lift weekend.

 

[bubbatruck78]

kenr74, changing a fender on anything is not that hard. it shouldn't take you more than a bout 2hr.s but the down fall maybe hiden damage behind the fender to the fender wheel and aporin area. but the sheet meatal on to days cars and trucks are easy to tweek to get it right. good luck you can do it