Starting to question the future availability of Explorer parts

[chuzie]

I have been pretty excited about jumping on the Explorer bandwagon with the potential to alleviate the dwindling Mustang parts inventory and provide much needed relief when trying to source parts at the junkyards.

Spent the last two days and souring 12 yards in Charleston, SC simply looking for an Explorer alternator. My results were dismal; not a single alternator in this town. A couple years ago the choices were plentiful and I had my pick from many V8 Explorers.

Is anyone else running into this issue or is this isolated.

 

[broncodriver99]

Most of the yards around here have started pulling alternators for cores or recycling. There are a lot of guys that have made a business of stripping vehicles at the yard and hocking the parts on ebay. The Explorer parts have become very popular for us as well as the Mustang and many other ford car crowds.

I don't think there will be a shortage anytime soon. Ford made millions of the Explorers. There may be a shortage of cheap pick n pull parts but any parts store will have no problem getting you one.

 

[R.P. Coltrane]

My local U-pull yards are only a couple dollars less than ebay power sellers who sell brand new alternators & starters.

 

[collinbrewer]

What broncodriver99 said. The old approach to salvage yards is becoming harder to come by these days. Now they are all proactive and are actively trying to sell parts. There are a couple around me that even keep inventory on a computer.

 

[chuzie]

The good ole days are over. :-(

 

[74fiberglass]

At my 2 local pick & pull there is at least 20-25 5.0 explorers at any given time .

 

[jckkys]

Maybe building a Bronco with Bronco parts will be the new bandwagon.

 

[broncosbybart]

I agree that the 5.0 Explorers will be getting harder to find. Most in this area are all 4.0's. However, salvage yards have been using the tele-type or have been interconnected for years now. It is a business that won't soon go out of business...

 

[WheelHorse]

Maybe building a Bronco with Bronco parts will be the new bandwagon.

That's just crazy talk.

 

[broncnaz]

Im just starting to see the explorers hit the yards in good numbers. A few years back they were rarely seen. Last weekend I saw 3 was really considering pulling one of the engines but I think Id rather have a 351.
Dont know for certain but I believe they use the same alternator on the 4.0. While I know Junkyard stuff is cheaper its also a gamble why not just get one from a parts store?