My latest Boneyard Find

[bmerr98]

I was at the local Pick-a-Part the other day searching for a blower fan for my '06 Expy when I happened across an early '90's Exlporer with a brush/grille guard hanging off it. I figured it wouldn't be a direct swap to my '98, but I bet it'd be close enough. Had to work a little magic getting the bolts for the brackets off. I didn't have a 3/4" box wrench to hold the bolt heads which were inside the frame, but I got lucky eventually.

Anyway, this is what I brought home.

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One can of paint later...

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Installed

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I looked around a little and a comparable grill guard would be in the $350 range. I paid $43 + tax and bought a $6 can of paint. I also got to try out the welder I got for Christmas. Nothing fancy, a Northern Industrial mig which I loaded with Hobart .030 flux wire. I won't post pics of the welds...not very pretty. Welding overhead is always exciting, isn't it?

Good to be in the right place at the right time!

 

[wildbill23c]

Damn, grill guard looks pretty stock to me LOL. Great find.

 

[bmerr98]

Thanks! The headlight sections are removable too, so I can change my look now and then. Bonus!

 

[wildbill23c]

You can find some really cool stuff at these pick-a-part lots. Just wish I had the time and money to go over more often, probably could grab several good parts regardless of make and model and get some pretty good sales on ebay.

I hate going to those lots because it seems like when I go I always find a vehicle that shouldn't be there. Last time I found a 1970 Ford Fairmont station wagon, body, interior were in excellent condition so either someone didn't want it or it had a major engine or transmission failure.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

That's awesome, I need to go to junkyards more to find some parts I can use.

 

[bmerr98]

They're called junkyards, but they're more like Wal-mart for guys. Anytime I go I end up getting more than what I went for. Gotta get to the Nashville Pick-a-Part. I hear it's awesome.

 

[wildbill23c]

Yep, last time I went I was going for a radiator for my B2, ended up with not only a radiator, but I always end up bringing home parts that I don't necessarily need, as well and a bunch of bulbs, fuses, nuts, bolts, etc.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

I should stop at the one I pass by that has a yellow 03 ranger sitting out in front.

 

[bmerr98]

I hate going to those lots because it seems like when I go I always find a vehicle that shouldn't be there.

No doubt! Half the stuff in there is newer than what I'm driving. Cash for Clunkers (courtesy of the Obamassiah) vastly depleted the quality used car supply, thus making the remaining ones more expensive. Some would say that it's just another example of the unintended consequences of Government meddling, but I believe the ill effects on the national economy are very much intended. Big O isn't stupid, but his constituents are.

 

[Road Angels]

Big O is stupid, proved by the foot prints on his head from bankers and investment firms walking on it, any way I got lowering blocks, helper springs, and 3 inch lift blocks, off trucks in a pull and pay for $15 cause the guy didnt know what they where, now I can go up, down, when I want and just play around when I want for cheap, you never know whats in these places

 

[adsm08]

No doubt! Half the stuff in there is newer than what I'm driving. Cash for Clunkers (courtesy of the Obamassiah)

Now now, I am as quick as any of us to lay screw ups at O-Bummer's feet, but lets give credit where credit is due.

C4C was Bush. It happened during the last summer I was working at Hoffman Ford in Harrisburg. Obama wasn't elected until the following November.

 

[bmerr98]

Now now, I am as quick as any of us to lay screw ups at O-Bummer's feet, but lets give credit where credit is due.

C4C was Bush. It happened during the last summer I was working at Hoffman Ford in Harrisburg. Obama wasn't elected until the following November.

Idk man, Wikipedia says the idea gained popularity from an op ed piece in the New York Times in July 2008, presented to Congress in a paper in November 2008, and signed into law (with a couple billion dollars of extra funding added along the way) in August 2009 by President Obama. It ran out of funding a few short months later at a deficit (cost to benefit ratio) of around $1.4 billion.

Not insisting on being right, but I've always associated C4C with Obama. However the idea seems to have originated while W was still in office.

 

[Road Angels]

I was referring to the dumb arse putting the foxes back in charge of the hen houses, and then throwing parties on my tax dollars evey one knows who started it, oooopps lets get back to the thread, grille guard looks awesome, but I would like to see a pic of the welds so I know weather I need to be driving in front of you or behind you is safe,LOL, I would love to have the lift thats in the pic

 

[RangerSVT]

Which yard did you get this from, queen city? Nashville pap is ok, but you gotta get up there within 3 days of the truck hitting the yard, otherwise the mexicans pick it clean...

SVT

 

[bmerr98]

SVT, I found it at QC pap. Was quite surprised to find it. I almost had to leave the brackets behind, but I got lucky. And a three day window for picking in Nashville? Add it to the list of reasons to secure the Southern border. The only Border we seem to be able to close in this country is a bookstore.

RoadAngels, I'll post a weld pic soon, but like I said, they aren't too pretty. Seem strong enough. I've yanked on it (the grille guard) and it didn't budge. I wouldn't put it on the road if I didn't think it'd stay on Oh, and the only lift I've got is three full turns on my torsion bar screws. Other than that the suspension is stock.

We could go on for days talking about Fedzilla...