So I went to order the left and right Stone Deflectors since I plan on taking the cladding off of my Ex when it warms back up a bit. I have been "re-sticking" the cladding back on with 3M tape, but they just start peeling back off after a month of rain and sun here in Florida.

Anywho...... I decided to actually call the dealership at the number given on the website to verify shipping costs. The parts guy who answered didn't have a clue as to what I was talking about (just like every, single, solitary parts guy at every dealership I've ever been to..... amazing really).

We went over year and make and model a couple of times. Wanted the last 8 of the VIN, but as I explained (twice), MY model is a limited.... I need parts from an XLT. He looked and looked..... and sighed.... and looked.... Then finally said the ONLY parts he could find in his computer for ANY Excursion was the black piece that goes between the bumper the and tailgate WTF??

So I told him thank you and got off the phone with him. Went ahead and ordered the parts using the online method. I sure hope I see the parts sometime in the next 6 months.

Lesson for me? Don't even bother calling the man behind the desk unless you are ordering a part that matches EXACTLY to your VIN. Incredible.

Sorry, just had to rant a little.

 

You need to ask for Steve when you call.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post13264545

Stewart

 

Thanks Stewart!

I will ask for Steve next time.

I suppose I should step back and give a brief edit to my original post:
I was not meaning to slam Autonation (Touseley) as a dealership individually... It was more the frustration with the standard parts people I seem to get as of late. If it isn't on the screen in front of them, then they are of no help. I have had to literally hold the hands of several counter guys near me and teach them how to cross-reference and find "other" inventive ways to get part numbers..... and they do it 5 days per week for a living?

Thanks again Stewart for the tip.

 

It is amazing that most parts people never seem to know about parts.

 

I try to find a picture of the part I need and email it to them, Mark Peine at Autonation. Works well.

 

So, I placed an order for the stone deflectors this weekend, and I just got an e-mail saying they just shipped the order. $11 shipping charge via UPS.

They should be here soon, and ordering from their website was almost too easy!

Good Luck with your order!

 

Thank you!!
That is exactly what I needed to hear.
I just hope you didn't get the last two in stock....

By the way, is your signature picture without the cladding? It looks great!

 

Thanks! It is only part way there. I still need to take off the cladding around the wheel arches. Once the stone guards are here, all the cladding will be gone!

 

I hate when I go to the parts stores here in town and am told not to use their computers... Half the people know me and are fine with it knowing it saves them loads of time but others feel I'm going to mess something up and get the wrong part.

 

The autozone in town here has a girl that's maybe 16 years old. The few times I have been assisted by her, she has shown more automotive knowledge than any parts person I have ever dealt with. I'm guessing she is making her dad very proud!

 

There's no shortage of clueless parts people. I had a guy at O'Reilly tell me that it was normal for my alternator to spike to 19.5v at WOT. I told him how wrong he was, and he told me that's why they are selling parts instead of installing them.

On a serious note the Tousley parts department is pretty top notch. I used to live near there and bought a car and a truck from them before they changed their name. The parts folks were always good to me, but if you ever go there in person you have to ask for the "internet price" otherwise they will charge you what every other dealer will.

 

Oh the guy I spoke with was very nice... he wanted to help, but just insisted that Excursion XLT Stone Guards don't exist as far as his computer was concerned, and that was as far as he could help me.

 

Another decent location to find parts images/numbers. The numbers are not 100% correct, but I've found most decent parts counters can find the correct number if you give them related parts so they can pull up images on their system.

Official Ford Parts Site | Buy Motorcraft & OEM Ford Parts Online | FordParts.com

 

Just a couple weeks ago I had a girl tell me I need to know if my truck had a 12v system to get the right starter.

 

That link is in the Excursion Tech Folder too.

Stewart