Rust repair

[Andy Kasik]

I’m looking for info on repairing rotted out rear quarters on a 98 explorer 4door. Having a hard time finding the right year replacement quarter panels, as well as installation options. Please help!!!

 

[Rick]

Your best bet may be to find a boneyard outside of the rust belt that would be willing to cut off the rust free sections you need and ship them to you. Welding them back in is really the only way to do it right.

 

[Andy Kasik]

I wonder if I could just find a whole rust free body. Is that possible?

 

[Rick]

I wonder if I could just find a whole rust free body. Is that possible?

Sure, there are rust free Explorers here in AZ that go for cheap due to bad transmissions, engines, etc.
phoenix for sale "1998 explorer" - craigslist

 

[Andy Kasik]

Any idea hoe to go about getting one of those shipped to Chicago & how much it would cost?

 

[Rick]

My parents pay $1000 to transport their car to Phoenix from Chicago's North Suburbs. That is a professional hauler. You may be able to find better rates.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Since you aren’t having a pristine vehicle shipped, you might want to toss an inquiry on uShip. Sometimes people will haul vehicles fairly cheap. I bet you wouldn’t have to go far from Illinois to find a pretty good body.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Depends on how good the rest of the truck is. How rusty is the frame?

2000 Ford explore $800

You could also also trade up

2001 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER 4WD - EXCELLENT CONDITION

And make your Explorer the parts truck. That’s what I did.

 

[J_C]

Are you looking at doing a complete restoration or ??

I'm wondering because if you have a thing for this generation, so be it, but it's one thing to try to find a couple hundred dollars worth of sheet metal and another to spend more than the bluebook value.

I'm just saying that these completely restored, don't seem to have much resale value like a Bronco or x.. would. Owner value is a completely different thing but if that's the thing, be sure to insure it for your valuation, not the bluebook.

 

[XLTrunner]

I had my Explorer shipped from Scottsdale, AZ to Mpls about 6 yrs ago and it ran me about $800. Money well spent IMO as I hate driving/working on rusty vehicles. Might also look in OK and TX for rust-free vehicles. May be a little cheaper to ship.