Help with the rear glass replacement

[primitiveman]

I have a 2002 Mountaineer....rear glass just exploded yesterday. While calling salvage yards and searching online, I've been told repeatedly that the rear latch glass on my mountaineer can only be replaced by one in the same production date range and only a mountaineer...not an explorer (mine happens to be only a few month window in early 02....Feb of 02 is when mine was built).

I've been told the only difference between the 02 rear glass is where the shock placement is on the glass. That being said, would the glass fit from a different production date if I simply removed the absorbers and did not use the hatch?

A step further.....would the glass from a different year fit or that from an explorer?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[jrford]

i thought there was a recall on those for '02. . .might want to check and see if its still covered or it applies to you.

i believe the shock uses a mounting hole thus they may not swap like you think, plus that would leave a hole. . .

salvage yards might have an idea but i usually find them 50/50 correcrt. The best thing is try and find a yard with a few Ex's/mounty's and take a look yourself. . .another trick is find an online Ford Parts Direct and lookup the part no. . .if match then yes.

 

[JCR]

Don't even bother trying to fix it yourself. There was a recall on the 2002's. Go to the dealer and have them fix it for $0 out of your pocket.

 

[primitiveman]

Dealer told me the recall didn't apply to my production date....go figure. Back to square one. I found an explorer window....same production month....any chances that will fit? I know the emlem is not for the mountaineer, but it's $250......beats the price of a new one.

 

[primitiveman]

For those of you dying to know......the explorer window fit like a glove. Only difference is that my mountaineer now says ford on the rear....oh well $250 beat the $425 for the one that says mercury.

 

[10isceeyankee]

Thank you primitiveman, been dealing with same thing here. Even heard the same thing from the dealership. Plenty of Explorers and not one Monty at the local salvage yards .

 

[lincolnshibuya]

not sure what year I got the explorer rear glass, it's not exactly the same as my 02 mounty (the strut hood mounting points are different) I just returned the glass.

 

[10isceeyankee]

Was there any way to relocate the sruts. Also, was the explorer the same year as your mounty? Thanks for any and all tips I get from you guys ( and gals ).

 

[TechGuru]

What were you doing when it exploded?

I am concerned about mine as I do have a crack in the panel. I just avoid opening it at all and just open the whole rear door. Considering disabling the switch. When I do open it I have to lift up on it to close it because the latch don't align.

 

[10isceeyankee]

When mine shattered l was simply opening the hatch, not the entire gate but just the glass , when it seem to explode. It was as if someone threw a brick through it, my son and I were both covered with glass. And of course ford will not accept accountability for it, so like so many others we are on our own to replace it .. Btw ours is a 2002 model .

 

[lincolnshibuya]

Was there any way to relocate the sruts. Also, was the explorer the same year as your mounty? Thanks for any and all tips I get from you guys ( and gals ).

you could probably tap a thread on the main lift-gate to re-position the lift struts properly if using the explorer glass on the mountaineer. the explorer is positioned on the lower portion while the mountaineer is on the upper.
or just get the whole liftgate and swap it, they will fit for sure.

 

[10isceeyankee]

Thanks, I will probably have to swap out the whole lift gate because ours has suddenly decided to stop latching closed. Really appreciate your info it's been a huge help.

 

[TechGuru]

you could probably tap a thread on the main lift-gate to re-position the lift struts properly if using the explorer glass on the mountaineer. the explorer is positioned on the lower portion while the mountaineer is on the upper.
or just get the whole liftgate and swap it, they will fit for sure.

I would just not install the struts and disconnect the unlock actuator and not use the thing. I avoid using mine as much as possible.