1997 Explorer XLT damaged
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New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3
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From: Rochester NY
1997 Explorer XLT damaged
I hit a deer the other night. I was not going too fast, so the damage was all to the "plastic" pieces...ie: grill, headlight and turn signal, and the lower valance. There was no metal damage at all.
My questions:
1.) how difficult is it to replace these plastic parts? and is there a place I can go on the internet for instructions to do it?
2.) How do I determine if I need a new header panel? ( The base for all the plastic stuff...)
Any help will be greatly appreciated as I will avoid an insurance claim.
Thanks and Peace,
Gerry
My questions:
1.) how difficult is it to replace these plastic parts? and is there a place I can go on the internet for instructions to do it?
2.) How do I determine if I need a new header panel? ( The base for all the plastic stuff...)
Any help will be greatly appreciated as I will avoid an insurance claim.
Thanks and Peace,
Gerry
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Good idea not to ivlove the insurance company since there is only the deer to complain of your accident. Lucky you..
I have the same 1997 XLT as you which I recently bought this December,2003 but it is still running with 80,000 miles on it.
I think the plastic head lights and casing is easy to replace. I would go to a wreck yard to get all the parts and wash them clean because plastic parts looks pretty new and shining even if they are old so That is where I will go. Rake out all the screws off, and the take out the wire bulb and take it out. I think that's how to do it. I don't know exacly how but I recently changed the bulb on the rear brake, it is so easy to replace even the plastic casing. Let me know if you have finish. Thanks.
I have the same 1997 XLT as you which I recently bought this December,2003 but it is still running with 80,000 miles on it.
I think the plastic head lights and casing is easy to replace. I would go to a wreck yard to get all the parts and wash them clean because plastic parts looks pretty new and shining even if they are old so That is where I will go. Rake out all the screws off, and the take out the wire bulb and take it out. I think that's how to do it. I don't know exacly how but I recently changed the bulb on the rear brake, it is so easy to replace even the plastic casing. Let me know if you have finish. Thanks.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 886
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From: Cincinnati
There are aftermarket parts
available from places like www.autobodypanels.com The Taiwan headlights and turn signals are just fine but the other body parts are a little funky. I got a grill for my 97 that I was not too pleased with the quality of the plastic. One tab broke easily and had to do some filing. Only cost me $50 because it had some scratches. There are these body part distributors in every city.
