front end damage 97 explorer sport

[dynamite196]

Recently I had a little 'boo boo' in my ex and looks like i'm going to need: a hood, bumper, grille, and the bottom grille trim piece. Since the truck is 10 years old and I'm not overly particular I was thinking going to a salvage yard and picking up parts in the same color. As long as the grille and hood are close I'll be happy saving the 600+ of a paint job. So my question is, has anyone done this and what were the results? Also, roughly what am I looking at for parts? Thanks.

 

[MONMIX]

I have done it 100's of times.
Not a super easy task, but not over welming either.

Let me know when you get the parts I'll walk you through the process.

Do you want new or used parts ?

 

[dynamite196]

Probably gonna go with used parts since shipping makes it too expensive to paint new ones but i took a closer look at the bumper today and was thinking i can probably straighten it out pretty close, at least it's worth a shot. BTW, do u know if the parts are the same for the sport and the 4 door trucks? thanks.

 

[410Fortune]

97 sport is the same hood/fenders/grill/bumper as 95-2001 4 door ex and 95-97 mountaineer

they did some changes to grill types and bumper/bumper covers over the years.

heck even the 01+ Sport and Sport trac bumpers/fenders/hood.lights etc will bolt on

 

[dynamite196]

thanks for all the help guys! one more quick question what's that piece that goes between the bottom of the grille and the top of the bumper called? It's painted the same color as the rest of the car (red).

 

[MONMIX]

it is called a header pannel

 

[dynamite196]

that runs the entire front of the truck?

 

[1996explorerxlt]

You know... you could replace the header panel, grill, headlights, corner lights and bumper with mountaineer parts and have a real nice front end like 99sportx.

 

[dynamite196]

You know... you could replace the header panel, grill, headlights, corner lights and bumper with mountaineer parts and have a real nice front end like 99sportx.

true but i'm looking to do this for as little as possible right now as i'm a little pressed for cash.

 

[MONMIX]

that runs the entire front of the truck?

Yes, it is the exposed piece below the grille and above the bumper. It also holds the headlights, and the grille.
Eight times out of ten if an Explorer is hit in the front the header panel, which is fiberglass, takes some of the damage.