Compatible front end parts for an '02 Taurus

[bradleyheathhays]

Damn, it took 30 years of driving to cause my first accident, and on Friday the damn 13th.  Did a low speed rear end into the back of a lifted truck and got into it's trailer receiver.  The only place it made contact with was at the very front center of the hood close to where it latches.  Unfortunately the impact was enough that there's a longitudinal hump in the middle of the hood now, bowed 6 inches on each side above the quarter panels, which weren't involved at all thank God.  Both my headlights are cracked at the top, but not because they got hit; I think it was because the hood and it's latch was pushed back during the collision possibly deforming the support structure, causing the to separate.  The hood is lifted up about 3 inches above each headlight and when looking in at the support material just behind each headlight, one side shows cracks and the other cracks and about a 1/2 gap in the material.  Can't tell but it may resemble fiberglass, not really sure?  My best guess is that the whole front bumper is gonna have to come off and that entire front support piece be replaced.  Any advice on how hard this can be?  I do a lot of my own work but I really don't want to be getting into this especially with the weather getting so bad now.

 

When I go junkyard shopping for parts, what year Tauruses are compatible with my '02?

[Brian715]

Car-part.com is my go to for figuring out what year's interchange. Just plug on your year and part you are looking for, and it will show you junkyards that are advertising that part for sale and what year it is out of. I just scroll though the first page and see what year's they are saying to get a range. 

[davester]

I would go to a junkyard and pull my own parts, it's cheaper and I also can get all the fasteners as well as get some experience with how it comes apart.  Get the hood up and see what else is damaged, like perhaps the radiator support (hood latch is commonly bolted to that).

 

As well, you could sign up for an online subscription to the full-service manual for you vehicle.  Not particularly expensive, and should tell you what needs to be done to replace various parts.