Anyone have experience with aftermarket front bumper covers?

[RR-sport trac]

So the gods are against me getting my ST fixed up.

Two nights ago I hit a wild pig going about 55 on one of our busy county roads. Basically the pig committed suicide by trotting directly into my path - it was about 10 at night and I did not see the black pig until it was basically there - thought pig - grabbed the steering wheel and hit it.

Sad thing is I just installed a bull bar after a hit a deer last summer which the pig barely touched. Broke up the bumper cover pretty good - shattered and ripped off the fog light and broke all the plastic parts in the wheel well.

Closest ST in a pick n pull is about a three hour drive and not sure what kind of shape the parts are in.

I have already ordered new fog lights and brackets and have looked at several sites for a front bumper cover. Prices range from about 125 to 300 for what looks like the same product in photos.

Any insights? These are unpainted but primed so I would have to paint them or get someone to do it. Sucks because the front was the best looking part of the truck.

Getting a topper installed as I type - then heading to get the tires checked, rotated, and balanced since I hit the pig head on with the drivers side tire.

 

[DILLARD000]

Grille\Cover\SteelBumper\Lamps\... relatively easy disassembly & back together in your own garage\driveway.
Should be able to get parts off Ebay\Amazon\Pick+Pull\...
Check+Clean+Tighten TransCooler+Lines\Condensor\Radiator while there.
Clean\Shine\Paint any rusty spots.
Consider upgrading TransCooler\Radiator\Lamps while there.
I'd do a stippled Semi\FlatBlack HiTemp Paint finish on new lower plastic & follow that all around truck.
A pig & you don't even live in Arkansas! Boars can get big+mean, worse than hitting Deer.

 

[RR-sport trac]

Grille\Cover\SteelBumper\Lamps\... relatively easy disassembly & back together in your own garage\driveway.
Should be able to get parts off Ebay\Amazon\Pick+Pull\...
Check+Clean+Tighten TransCooler+Lines\Condensor\Radiator while there.
Clean\Shine\Paint any rusty spots.
Consider upgrading TransCooler\Radiator\Lamps while there.
I'd do a stippled Semi\FlatBlack HiTemp Paint finish on new lower plastic & follow that all around truck.
A pig & you don't even live in Arkansas! Boars can get big+mean, worse than hitting Deer.

Thanks DILLARD000

I enjoy reading your posts - you probably have posted this before but do you have the part # for radiator and transcooler upgrades?

The pig wasn't that large - luckily

 

[Todd Z]

There are places that sell CAPA parts, these are certified to fit better then the cheaper stuff. Some ebay sellers also will paint to match prior to shipping....
Have to dig around the net. There are "crash part" sites or Bumper websites that do the same thing.

 

[DILLARD000]

...do you have the part # for radiator and transcooler upgrades?

You've got a 2002 4WD correct?
So near identical mechanicals as my Job2 2001 4WD, same original Radiator & TransCooler.

See my wiki page for details on the Radiator upgrade.
https://2001fordexplorersporttrac.fandom.com/Engine_Coolant_Radiator+Cap
On the TransCooler, I've simply doubled the cooling capacity as follows:
removed FactoryOE TransCooler, cut off mounting bracket, FordMotorCraft# 5L2z-7a095-a,
cleaned it up & pressure tested with 60psi air & gage overnight to insure no leak,
rotated it 90deg so HoseBarbs are pointed inward\left instead of down,
Bolt+RubberWasher mount on right inside of Condensor+Radiator support frame, near original spot,
bought 2nd FactoryOE TransCooler,
cleaned it up & pressure tested with 60psi air & gage overnight to insure no leak,
rotated it 90deg so HoseBarbs are pointed inward\right instead of down,
Bolt+RubberWasher mount on left inside of Condensor+Radiator support frame, mirror original spot,
both TransCoolers hosed up parallel with 10mmID
new 200psiMin HydraulicHose + 2 StainlessBarbTees + 2 WormClamps/Connection (Belt+Suspenders).

Original TransCooler shown on a FrontEnd being rebuilt.

 

[Emory]

The bigger question is, did you use a dry rub or wet mopped?

 

[RR-sport trac]

You've got a 2002 4WD correct?
So near identical mechanicals as my Job2 2001 4WD, same original Radiator & TransCooler.

See my wiki page for details on the Radiator upgrade.
https://2001fordexplorersporttrac.fandom.com/Engine_Coolant_Radiator+Cap
On the TransCooler, I've simply doubled the cooling capacity as follows:
removed FactoryOE TransCooler, cut off mounting bracket, FordMotorCraft# 5L2z-7a095-a,
cleaned it up & pressure tested with 60psi air & gage overnight to insure no leak,
rotated it 90deg so HoseBarbs are pointed inward\left instead of down,
Bolt+RubberWasher mount on right inside of Condensor+Radiator support frame, near original spot,
bought 2nd FactoryOE TransCooler,
cleaned it up & pressure tested with 60psi air & gage overnight to insure no leak,
rotated it 90deg so HoseBarbs are pointed inward\right instead of down,
Bolt+RubberWasher mount on left inside of Condensor+Radiator support frame, mirror original spot,
both TransCoolers hosed up parallel with 10mmID
new 200psiMin HydraulicHose + 2 StainlessBarbTees + 2 WormClamps/Connection (Belt+Suspenders).

Original TransCooler shown on a FrontEnd being rebuilt.
View attachment 2938

Thanks for the photo and description - will check it out - I appreciate the feedback

 

[RR-sport trac]

The bigger question is, did you use a dry rub or wet mopped?

I wish - where I live I have no place to butcher - if this had happened in Mexico I would have loaded the pig in the back - my father in law can carve up a pig in nothing flat and we would be eating chicarones - the pig was gone next morning so I am hoping someone better set up than me grabbed it and there is a well fed family out there

 

[DILLARD000]

PorkRibs HomeStyleCut,
tenderize with a sharp ButcherKnife,
a little OliveOil & rub in your choice of Spices,
then MesquiteWood smoked low+slow 225f 8hrs+.
Add your favorite PotatoSalad & ColeSlaw & IcyColdBeer.
Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm,..... life don't get no better!

 

[Duane Foster]

I'm a bit late here, but if you're checking salvage yards, include the '01-'03 2 door Explorer Sports in your search as they share the front sheet metal and bumper with the Sport Tracs.

 

[RR-sport trac]

Thanks - I looked around for both the sport and sport trac in local pick n pulls with no luck - wound up ordering one through Amazon - arrived in two days - seems to be high quality and sturdier than original - came primed - I spent roughly another 100 getting a local auto paint shop to make up some spray cans of I think high quality paint - primer, base and clear coat - came out well I think - probably not professional quality but looks better than the original before the pig came my way - I will wet sand after I get it installed - going to paint the bottom tomorrow - thanks for posting