Help: Saleen XP8 Carbon Fiber Hood - issues - need advice

[MuscleJunkie]

So I purchased the Saleen XP8 Carbon Fiber Hood off I believe 1998-023. The XP8 had alot of rust so the hood catch has alot of rust and there is cracking in the (Fiberglass?? or Carbon Fiber) around the rivets that hold that piece in as well as the hood hinge mounting points.

BIG WHITE (my 2000 Limited) is currently at the shop for paint & installation of the hood and Saleen Wing and some things came up that I am hoping that someone here might be able to offer some input.

* Have others seen this type of cracking on the Carbon Fiber Saleen XP8 Hoods - https://www.dropbox.com/s/lxa7wjne2a...BB4Dh.jpg?dl=0 and https://www.dropbox.com/s/8bvxikst0o...KIj5h.jpg?dl=0 are pictures. The shop seems to think that this cracking is a safety issue. I asked about replacing the rusted hood latch mechanism and they say they really do not know how they would do that. Is there a way?


* They also said that even if they repaired the cracking that it "will" crack again and they feel it is a safety issue and a design flaw in this hood. Has anyone with one of these hoods had a issue?

Thanks in advance for any input or advice on how to proceed with this.

[MuscleJunkie]

Here are photos per mods request

[MuscleJunkie]

One more photo

[MuscleJunkie]

Ok had this looked at by another party and have been assured that the strength is there and there should be no problem since they seem to be surface in what looks to be the top (Gel?..) coat. The hood is being fully refinished and hopefully I should have some pictures early next week. I didn't notice it before but apparently these things weren't made all that well as there were a lot of imperfections in the surface (not talking about the paint). It makes me curious who made these hoods for Saleen and what was the process that they did it.

[MuscleJunkie]

Well the hood was worked over the weekend and I have some updated photos.

PICS: Start of new project- Installation of Saleen XP8 Carbon Fiber Composite Hood and Spoiler on 2000 Pearl White Limited

See post #2 for the hood pictures

The hood is coming along quite well. There were a considerable amount of inperfections from when it was made by Saleen that have been addressed. Top side is done and I believe the bottom side will start today.

[MuscleJunkie]

Ok, the underside of the hood has work done on it - its looking much better.

Pictures below
Pictures of the underside of the Saleen XP8 Ford Explorer Carbon Fiber - Composite Hood refinishing

We left the black material now as is. I've thought about maybe clearing it - what do you all think? Leave it as is or ????

[Dave]

Originally Posted by JLAF

We left the black material now as is. I've thought about maybe clearing it - what do you all think? Leave it as is or ????

Leave it "as is."

[MuscleJunkie]

So today's update

Some disassembly of the front end. Test fit the spoiler - wing and started prep of the parts to go to paint tomorrow.

Pics
July 15th update - front end disassembly, test fit of spoiler

Its coming along nice. I am also having the front license plate bracket removed off of my front bumper and the ugly holes filled since it is being painted as well.

We checked over everything now that things are removed and no rust or other issues that need to be addressed while it is apart. Thank Goodness.

[MuscleJunkie]

Friday update

Just a couple pictures today. Some test spraying on the underside of the hood and refinishing on the wing - spoiler in preparation for paint next week.

Big White - Explorer Project Friday Update

[MuscleJunkie]

Some updated pictures for today.

Did some test fitting of the Saleen XP8 Wing/Spoiler and Carbon Fiber/Composite hood. The hood was able to be lined up quite well on the initial test fitting and we were able to take some of the underside trim (the rubber dust strip ,etc) and mount it on this hood as well which gives it a "what would have been as stock" look.

The wing was mounted but obviously is going to be adjusted for flush fit with the gate. This was just an initial test to see how it is going to look and check a test spray of the White Pearl Clearcoat Metallic Paint for matching

Pics
Monday Update - test fitting of Wing and Saleen Carbon Fiber Hood

[my1stang]

Great to see all the work being done to preserve these ultra rare parts

[MuscleJunkie]

Originally Posted by my1stang

Great to see all the work being done to preserve these ultra rare parts

Thank You!

[MuscleJunkie]

So finally some updates. Some pictures while in paint today.

BIG WHITE in paint today

[MuscleJunkie]

1st look - straight out of the painting booth this morning.

BIG WHITE - 1st look out of paint

[MuscleJunkie]

Here are a few more I took later this morning - shown with the hood closed.

Several - might take a bit for them all to load

More of Big White out of the paint booth - hood closed

[MuscleJunkie]

Well the XP8 hood is buffed and it has come out amazing.

Saleen XP8 Carbon Fiber Hood Buffed

[MuscleJunkie]

Rear window glass shocks / struts were modified today to keep the rear window glass from hitting the XP8 Spoiler Wing. Saleen no longer sells or produces the modified rear window glass shocks used on the XP8 Explorer.

Modified 2nd Generation Explorer Rear Window Glass Struts for XP8 Wing Spoiler (INSTALLED)

[MuscleJunkie]

Initial fitting of the front end parts today. Everything is coming together nice. Will fine tune the fitting before the pin strip goes back on along with the V8 Fender logos. Mylar was applied on the anticipated wear areas (based upon photos of other XP8 Saleen Explorers) on the bottom of the carbon fiber/composite hood as well as the mounting surfaces of the spoiler. The struts came out perfect and the glass opens to just before it would hit the wing.

Also noticed that the rear bumper has some areas under the edge of the step pad where grit has gotten in between the step bad and the bumper wearing the paint off. Decided to go ahead and replace and paint the bumper face bar while it is in the shop and use some mylar or other material to put between the step pad and facebar to prevent this from happening again.

Photos (pretty high resolution so it might take all of them a bit to fully load)
Front End Initial Fitting

[MuscleJunkie]

The rear bumper was started this week. Turns out you cannot buy the "Cyprus" bumper step bad for White Pearl Metallic 2nd Generation Ford Explorers (Code WF) nor bumper face bars - non-chrome with park assist cut outs.

Fortunately since the truck has been garage kept, the bumper step pad came off with no issues and the rust from the grit getting under the step pad seems mainly to be surface.

Photos
2nd Generation Ford Explorer Rear Bumper Removal for restore

[MuscleJunkie]

Rear bumper face bar was cleaned up and primed - ready for paint

Rear Bumper Face Bar - cleaned up and ready for paint

[MuscleJunkie]

Finally an update. The paint booth had some issues. Bumper is painted and some minor surface stuff behind the bumper was addressed as well

August 28th Update

[MuscleJunkie]

The Mylar has been applied to the finished rear bumper. Hoping that several (mm's) of material will keep the grit that gets under the step pad from rubbing through.

Everything should go back together tomorrow.

Pics
September 1st Update

[MuscleJunkie]

Well almost finished now. Only thing left is to apply the V8 Emblems to the front fenders and a full detail similar to what a guy did to another Pearl White Explorer Limited I read about at another detail forum

Here are a couple preview pictures before the detail

Almost done - preview photos

If you click the pics at that thread - they will open full resolution. Mobile just pinch to zoom.

[MuscleJunkie]

Finally had the wheels (The powdercoated Saleen XP8 Speedline Magnesium Rims I bought back in July) installed yesterday but still have to complete the lowering as I'm waiting for my U-Bolts and Camber Adjusters.

Everything is looking great - here are the latest photos before lowering.

2000 Ford Explorer Limited with Saleen XP8 Carbon Fiber/Composite Hood - Rear Wing Spoiler and Saleen Speedline Magnesium Rims

There is quite a few high resolution photos - so they might take a bit to load.

[MuscleJunkie]

Had some rain - so a bit dirty from the road grime - but looking much better after the drop

Included a before shot

[MuscleJunkie]

Went ahead and consolidated all the work on my truck on a Facebook page for those who are interested

https://www.facebook.com/BigWhiteExplorer