hood, fender, dash

[scuzzdude2587]

3 problems:

#1 Sister hit a tree a while a back...big dent on front fender, had a rough time getting it off. Every bolt but one barried somewhere deep in the front bumpers came off...any ideas? Or will i just have to rip off everything?

#2 Sister hit a bike in our garage....twice...Hood has 2 dents in front that are impossible to pop out. I have found carbon fiber hoods for the truck, do I go with that, or do you guys know of any nice looking hoods that aren't over the top with cowl induction or something on them? DAMN SISTER :fire:

#3 Tachometer light burned out...how the hell do i get in there to fix that!?

Thanks for the help check it out http://www.cardomain.com/ride/833052

 

[Brian_B]

I think for problems 1 and 2 avoid letting your sister drive it.

#1 Without seeing it in person, I cannot even give you an idea of what to remove to fix it. If you post pics, MONMIX (resident body guru) might be able to help.

#2 I would go with an aftermarket OEM style hood or salvage yard one unless you plan on spending a lot of money. Explorer express has a cowl induction for the 2nd gen explorer, but its expensive.

#3 There are instructions in the useful thread are on how to get into the dash.

Hope that helps a little.


I just looked at the cardomain site. None of the body damage is that bad. The hood would be easy to fix and repaint. The fender, I would replace though, since its hard to get one perfect.

 

[Brian_B]

Note to mods: I am not uploading his pics. I am simply linking them from his site for him, since he is new.


Here are the pics he has:

 

[scuzzdude2587]

good deal, any idea how much the replacement fender might cost?

 

[Brian_B]

New aftermarket one....umm...just a guess but about $100 or a less if you shop around. I have not bought body parts in forever. Salvage yard one (if you can find a good one) should be cheap.

The body work and paint are the expensive part. You can do the R/R yourself. MONMIX even has a body work thread that would allow you to fix the hood. Then get it and the new fender painted.

Note to self: Be thankful you don't have a sister (who dents your truck).

 

[scuzzdude2587]

I think i'll wait on the body work until i'm sure the sister won't be driving it anymore, and fix that dash light first. Where do I find this "useful" thread for helping disassemble it?

 

[MONMIX]

Okay the fender has mostly 8mm bolts. Three or four across the top. One at the top corner inside the fender ( open the door ) then two on the bottom under the rocker cladding. You have to pull the header pannel out of the way. A couple a 8mm's on the front and a hidden 11mm where the header pannel meets the fender in inside the fender. This one is a PITA to get to. Think long extension and swivel.
There is also a 8mm on the side by the bumper.
Also you need to remove the phillips screws that hold the fender liner to the fender.
I would avoid after market fenders like you avoid a mouse trap on your private parts.

That hood is VERY repairable. Even for a beginner.

Check this link. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120559&highlight=body+work+101

 

[Brian_B]

I knew Kevin would show up.

Now for my question: Have the aftermarket panels gotten that bad, since I used to body work? I (we) used to buy them all the time and never had any big problems.

Here is a link to a 99 dash. I think its the same as yours.

Dead Link Removed

 

[MONMIX]

AM stuff is thinner and does not use as good corrosion protection as OEM stuff.

I have found on the explorer stuff the curves are not quite what they should be.

 

[Brian_B]

Hmmm...interesting. I knew the AM bumpers were way to thin to use. The guru has spoken.

I have not done body work (read: replaced panels) in years now. I have never done any on an explorer at all. Good to know. Thanks.

 

[MONMIX]

actualy it has been my experiance that bumper cover have been the opposite.

Too thick. Making them tough to fit tight spaces when you neet them to.

OEM is the only way to go.

 

[Brian_B]

We are speaking of two different things. I was refering to older stuff (been a while). The steel bumpers we bought for a few trucks were very thin. I have never bought a cover at all.

I am learning though.