Wrecked Ex....Need advice

[BossRoss]

These pictures are of my '97 Ex. The Wife totaled a brick mail box. My brother and I are going to attempt the repair and would appreciate any advice, suggestions, tricks, etc. that you can offer.

Thanks,
Ron

 

[410Fortune]

easy! New hood, grill bumper, lights! OUCH

How far back does the damage go is the first thing to check out, then you will know more

 

[BossRoss]

Your just a bundle of laughs, Fortune...lol

The damange is from March 1, 2005

 

[explorer99xlt]

i think he meant hoe far back in to the explorer not the date

but thats just my guess

 

[410Fortune]

hahahaha holy crap, no seriously you need to look behind the grill etc to see if the header panel was damaged, geesh.

Hoods, grills, and bumpers are not as expensive as you may think and would be the prefferred method to fix this damage, you may be able to pull that out of the hood, but the grill and bumper? beyond repair....

 

[BossRoss]

Sorry... I thought the pics would show enough...
The damage is pretty much surface. The radiator and TA cooler are not damaged. There is a slight flare-out of the front fenders. Also, the front end was knocked out of alignment from the accident, but I don't know if there is any suspension damage. It drives fine, but the steering wheel was knocked off center.
Ron

 

[BossRoss]

Am I correct in assuming that the thin painted piece below the grill is part of the header panel? If so, then I definitely need a header panel.
Ron

 

[410Fortune]

yes it is
I kept my eye on craigslist.org when I needed these parts, I ended up with a complete nose from a 97 Merc for $300, both fenders, hood, headlights, header panel, grill, bumper, hardware, mounting brackets, hood shocks and struts, etc....for $300
just needs paint.

 

[MONMIX]

This thread should be a lesson for every one here.

PERFECT PHOTOS !!!!!!!!!

410 forgot to mention you will need a header panel as well.
Oh yeah I saw you picked up on that on your own.

Well my work here is done