CIC Data Base Inquiry
Reference No. 123
1998-00 Ford Explorer and Ranger
R&R Inner Fender (welded apron panel)
  Date of Request: June 21, 2001
Original Date Posted: July 12, 2001
Update–MOTOR's response of Aug. 21, 2001, posted Sept. 16, 2001

CIC Reference No. 123
Data Providers: Mitchell International, Motor Information Services, ADP Claims Solutions Group
Original Time Allowance:
Mitchell 4.0 hrs (with bolted parts removed) for both Explorer and Ranger
Motor 4.5 hrs (with bolted parts removed) for both Explorer and Ranger
ADP (See complete explanation below under "Responses".)
        Ranger (rt.) 4.0 hrs (with bolted parts removed)
        Ranger (lf.) 4.8 hrs (with bolted parts removed)
        Explorer 5.6 (with bolted parts removed)

Issue: For Motor and Mitchell: Although both vehicles are basically the same, having many common parts and labor requirements, there are differences that should be recognized. The apron is an example.
  1. In the Motor and Mitchell data bases, time allowance to R&R the welded apron (inner fender) is the same for both vehicles. The Ranger apron is a single piece unit with upper reinforcement attached to apron panel. The Explorer apron and upper reinforcement are serviced separately, requiring additional time when the apron is serviced.
  2. Time allowance for the left and right apron on the Ranger is the same. There are additional spot welds that must be removed on the left apron due to the battery tray.
Suggestion: Motor and Mitchell:
  1. Include the time to drill-out the additional spot welds and install the upper reinforcement for the Explorer.
  2. Include the time on the left apron for the additional spot weld removal.

Response:
  • Mitchell–Mitchell agrees with the need for additional time to transfer the Panel Reinforcement on the Explorer as it is serviced separately from the Inner Panel. Therefore, the allowance has been increased from 4.0 hrs to 5.5 hrs, after bolted parts are removed. The Ranger Inner Panel is serviced with the Panel Reinforcement and requires no adjustment. However, the Ranger left Inner Panel has been increased 0.5 hrs for transfer of the battery tray. These changes will be reflected in the UltraMate 01.09 CD.
  • Motor – MOTOR agrees there is a difference in the two vehicles. MOTOR time on the Explorer inner fender is 4.5hrs and 2.0hrs on the reinforcement, that's a total time of 6.5hrs.
    2.0hrs on the reinforcement as a stand alone operation is low and has been increased to 3.5hrs. Nomenclature on part names was updated (inner fender to inner panel & reinforcement to upper rail). The chapter was missing the standard overlap operations as found in other chapters, these have been added. R&R upper rail with inner panel off deduct 2.0hrs and R&R inner panel with rad support off deduct 1.0hr. Sectioning operation was also added for the inner panel.
    The Ranger labor time allowance was found to be realistic, however overlap needed to be added to the fender structural components & rail section.
  • ADP–Ford Explorer - ADP provides 5.6 hours for the base time on the inner fender panel after bolted parts are removed. The full replacement times are 10.8 hours for the left inner fender panel & 11.3 hours (0.5 hr add for the R & I of the air cleaner and w/s washer-coolant tank) on the right inner fender panel. There is a 2.0 hour detach & weld time for the inner fender to the reinforcement. This time is allowed only for the Explorer and not the Ranger because you're correct that the reinforcement is supplied with the inner fender on the Ranger.
    Ranger - ADP provides 4.0 hours for the base time after bolted parts are removed for the right inner fender. The left inner fender receives 4.8 hours base time after bolted parts are removed. This is a difference of 0.8 hr between the right & left inner fenders to allow for the detach & weld of the battery tray and a reinforcement only on the left side. Full replacement times are 9.1 hours for the left inner fender panel and 8.6 hours for the right inner fender panel.
    Special notice: In the course of researching this item, ADP discovered the right inner fender panel was missing the R & I of the left side marker for the Ford Ranger. This operation is needed for the R & I of the headlamp panel. This correction will be reflected on the August 2001 CD.
Results/Change:
Mitchell July 2, 2001 Mitchell agrees with the need for additional time to transfer the Panel Reinforcement on the Explorer as it is serviced separately from the Inner Panel. Therefore, the allowance has been increased from 4.0 hrs to 5.5 hrs, after bolted parts are removed. The Ranger Inner Panel is serviced with the Panel Reinforcement and requires no adjustment. However, the Ranger left Inner Panel has been increased 0.5 0.5 hrs for transfer of the battery tray. These changes will be reflected in the UltraMate 01.09 CD.
Motor Aug. 21, 2001 On the Explorer, MOTOR has increased the stand alone operation on the reinforcement (upper rail) to 3.5 hrs.; updated the nomenclature on part names (inner fender to inner panel & reinforcement to upper rail); added the standard overlap operations as found in other chapters. R&R upper rail with inner panel off deduct 2.0hrs and R&R inner panel with rad support off deduct 1.0hr.
Sectioning operation was also added for the inner panel.
The Ranger labor time allowance was found to be realistic, however overlap needed to be added to the fender structural components & rail section.
ADP June 21, 2001 ADP has different times for this operation on the Explorer and Ranger. See complete explanation under "Responses".
In the course of researching this item, ADP discovered the right inner fender panel was missing the R & I of the left side marker for the Ford Ranger. This operation is needed for the R & I of the headlamp panel. This correction will be reflected on the August 2001.

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