Front End Damage

[BenBrausen]

OK so I hit a deer this weekend and the shop says it'll be $5000 to repair it. Lookin' at it, all it looks like is I need a new upper core support, a new radiator, new headlights, and a hood. If I goto a junk yard will the upper core support for any old Taurus work on my '93 SHO? And can I use the hood off any old Taurus? I've heard that it works and I've heard it doesn't clear the DIS... Who's done it? Please lemme know if you have any ideas... Thanks a ton.

 

[Shoboy3]

Sounds like you will need a new header panel as well. Below is a quick run down on new Ford parts prices....I just went through the same thing and fixed it myself (its not 100% but it looks OK).

Header-$189
Headlight-$272/each
Turn Signals-$39/each
Hood-$767

My main problem is I wanted to fix it as cheap as possible and no salvage yards near me had any parts and their locator found the most outrageous prices. I went with an aftermarket header $100. I just purchased a used headlight off Ebay $65 and I purchased an aftermarket turn signal $25.

As far as the aftermarket quality, I can't tell the difference from a Ford turn signal to the aftermarket one except it doesn't have Ford stamped on it.

If your car has seen winter be prepared for the bolts that hold the bumper bracket to the fender to be rusted. All but 2 of mine broke (6 total) and since I am cheap I just drilled out the old bolts and replaced them instead of buying new brackets. You will need new pushpins also because they hold the bumper cover to the header and to the bumper reinforcement....they are a one-time use part.

I have also heard the regular Taurus hood can be used but there has been some talk the bracing is different and eventually it would crack the DIS module.

P.S. If you need a new radiator then I would imagine you need a new condenser as it sits in front of the radiator. If you want working A/C you will need the system recharged (if there are no other leaks). The radiator crossmember will be the tricky part.....my only suggestion there would be to see if it can be bent out. My local salvage yard told me a place in MI had a complete front clip from the windshield forward for like $1500 but as I said I thought their prices were outrageous.

<small>[ June 11, 2002, 07:33 PM: Message edited by: Shoboy3 ]</small>