Frame and Body Mounting

Frame and Body Mounting
The frame consists of 2 steel-channel rails, 10 crossmembers for Explorer Sport Trac or 8 crossmembers for Explorer/Mountaineer including a front crossmember, transmission support crossmember and a rear crossmember (trailer hitch). New side rails and welded crossmembers, including the trailer hitch, are not installed separately. A front frame rail repair kit is available if the front rail is to be repaired and a rear crossmember (hitch) repair kit is available if the rear crossmember or rail is to be repaired.

The 1B crossmember and transmission crossmember are included in assembly to the frame but can be serviced separately.

Frame-Mounted Heat Shields
The frame-mounted heat shields are attached to the top of the frame and crossmembers with bolts. The body must be lifted off the frame enough for access to the bolts that attach the heat shields to the top of the frame.

Structural Enhancement - Explorer:

Structural Enhancement - Explorer Sport Trac:

The purpose of these inserts is to enhance the structural rigidity of the frame in this area. Inserts cannot be repaired or installed new.

CAUTION: When removing upper body mounts, enough adjacent body mount support bolts and nuts must be removed to prevent damage occurring to the vehicle.

NOTE:
- Body mounts must be held with a wrench on the bottom while loosening the bolt from the top.
- Do not reuse body support mounting fasteners. New fasteners must be installed for each fastener that has been removed or loosened.
- No lubricants of any kind are to be used during body mount support installation.

Body Support - Front End Sheet Metal:

Body Support - No. 1:

Body Support - No. 2:

Body Support - No. 3 (Explorer/Mountaineer ONLY):

Body Support - No. 3 (Explorer Sport Trac ONLY):

Body Support - No. 4 (Explorer/Mountaineer ONLY):