I'm missing a part from in front of radiator.

[Havalilsi]

I have a 98 XLT 4dr 2wd. The car was hit in the front and my dad rebuilt the vehicle, tried to get my mother to drive it, and when she refused, I inherited the truck. Now, there is a piece missing from in front of the radiator, I went to Ford to see what it was and how much it cost, but the parts guy wasn't sure what I needed. Is there supposed to be a part to protect the radiator? You ca see my entire radiator through thegrill of my truck, but I noticed you can't see the radiator on other Explorers. Anyone have any idea what this piece is that I'm missing?

 

[badge49]

On mine there is a support piece in the middle and there was a plastic shroud around the radiator. I wouldn't worry much about whatever you're missing as long as everything runs right and you're not missing a hose or something. Good luck! :navajo:

 

[AMMO_HOOAH]

There is supposed to be a kind of splash guard, it's semi stiff plastic/ rubber stuff. Mine fell off years ago!

 

[Havalilsi]

There is supposed to be a kind of splash guard, it's semi stiff plastic/ rubber stuff. Mine fell off years ago!

I was worried about a rock or somethin getting up in there and damaging the radiator, but if you guys did ok with a naked radior for so long, then I guess I should be ok. Work out. Now I can spend my money on trying to make this ride hadle a bit better and not be so tippy.
Thanks for the replies.

 

[410Fortune]

actually what you are looking at is probably the AC condensor not the radiator.
When I rebuilt my 96 I left 100% of the plastic crap OUT, there are like 4 plastic shields up there, they dont so much protect the radiator as they do designate the path of the air to flow, I did not see teh need and still dont. My truck does not overheat at all.
All that plastic junk is for the birds.
If your dad rebuilt the truck its likely he knew what he was doing, just a guess.

Does the AC work?

 

[stang99x]

I'd say condensor too. All that plastic **** is just for air deflection. I pulled it all off for wieght reduction.

 

[Havalilsi]

actually what you are looking at is probably the AC condensor not the radiator.
When I rebuilt my 96 I left 100% of the plastic crap OUT, there are like 4 plastic shields up there, they dont so much protect the radiator as they do designate the path of the air to flow, I did not see teh need and still dont. My truck does not overheat at all.
All that plastic junk is for the birds.
If your dad rebuilt the truck its likely he knew what he was doing, just a guess.

Does the AC work?

No the AC does not work. My da said it he thought it had a leak, he really did not have a lot of time to troubleshoot it. I took it to a AC palce and they said it does hold freon, but the control inside does not turn on the compressor. They said it was a bad control module and it would cost about $300 bucks to fix. My dad said they full of crap because the truck does not have an electronic control and readout inside.
so I don't know whats up with the AC. Most everything in the sytem is new except for the blower thingy unneath the dash. If you put power to the compressor it does blow nice and cold in no time.
Funny this was going to be my next question. I never used to give Explorers a second look on the road, now Im all excited about doing stuff to this one.
1. Get the AC working
2. Fix the tippy feeling of this truck. lowering, shocks, sway bar
3. Figure out where I can get a better seat thats a bit more comfortable.

 

[Havalilsi]

does any one have an idea of what my AC problem is?

 

[410Fortune]

it could be the fuse, it could be the AC relay it could be the low pressure switch that will not let the compressor turn on until the system is charged.
I would try jumpering the AC low pressure switch and see if the compressor kicks on, if it does then the system just likely needs to be evacuated and re-charged to capacity.

Thats AC shop sucks

 

[MONMIX]

there is a black plastic duct, and then there is a cross grid grille looking thing. I might still have my old one laying around if you want it.

 

[Havalilsi]

it could be the fuse, it could be the AC relay it could be the low pressure switch that will not let the compressor turn on until the system is charged.
I would try jumpering the AC low pressure switch and see if the compressor kicks on, if it does then the system just likely needs to be evacuated and re-charged to capacity.

Thats AC shop sucks

Thats what my dad said too. They were ready to rip me off. The first thing he asked was why did they jump straight to the compressor. That pretty much leaves out everything else out of the loop. Hopefull this week we can look into it.

 

[Havalilsi]

Solved my AC problem

I know this is an old post, but I was asking about my AC, because I went to a AC shop and they told me my "ac control module" was bad an it would cost $250+ for the part plus the labour to take off the fender to replace the part. My dad said bs so went dug into the AC system this weekend, and we discovered it was an intermittent Ac relay. My dad found one in his truck, added two cans of freon and now the AC is cold as ice. Musta cost me $15 to fix. Man those guys were a bunch of crooks. Oh well, the couple hundred I saved will go into my suspension.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

That's why I do my own work on my vehicles.

My father-in-law does not understand this. He would rather pay out the a$$ for someone to work on his Ranger.

I wish I could afford a tire mouting machine & balancer so I could do my own tires. All I need are for six little numbers to come up and I will have them.