96 Windstar bites the dust

[96wWindstar180K]

Hi everyone
I havent been around in ahwile very busy. Winstar had been running great no codes for over a year.

The only problem I had was a broken ball joint which actually could have been real bad but it broke while I was turning into a gas station. The wheel tilted out and the half shaft pulled out of the trans. I had it towed to Sears as they had replaced the lower control arm and I paid $130.00 installation. (Could have been life altering if it had happend at highway speeds.)

That being said my daughter ran the Windstar into a tree last Saturday. Air bags deployed no one was hurt. (minor Cornea abbrasion fron air bag)

I was still able to drive it home. No fluids dripping. (No codes) The front doors are badly sprung but will close.

Question
Any ideas of getting rid of it. I thought about parting it out. So many new parts.

Tires, fuel injectors, ccrm, alternator, idler pulley and tensioner, Left front window motor, misc engine sensors trans range sensor lots more.

96 3.8 same color as wiswind. I had a moon roof installed when I bought it. It still works great. Self closes when locked auto open if object in the way.

Mileage is about 200,000.

Any thoughts please reply.
Thanks for all the help over the years especially Wiswin whos still on top of everyones problems.

[CnlK]

Some of the scrap dealers in wisconsin are paying out by vehicle weight. Fluids must be drained, freon evacuated, and gas tank removed. They don't want the tires & rims either. Have heard of people getting $500 this way, vehicle must be delivered. Pull the catalytic converter & radiator & redeem those seperately. Some of the smaller items like ccrm could be sold via
e-bay. Glad your family is OK after the accident.

[96wWindstar180K]

CnlK
Thanks for the reply.
I just may do that. I may take off all new parts and put them on EBay. There are so many it would be a shame to just scrap it and let someone else benefit.

Battery, Alternator, idler pulley, tensioner, IAC, CCRM, Both temp sensors, fuel pump, window motor, window switch, tires, headlight housing, air cleaner box clamp, half shaft, brake rotors, front bearing and hub assembly both sides, wires, coil, not to mention all the body parts still in great shape plus more. I wish I new someone with an 96 lx that might want to take the whole thing. Caigs list or Ebay maybe. Thanks

[96wWindstar180K]

Im contiplating trying to repair the Windstar myself. I was looking at the damage and it appears its both fenders, the doors, right front headlight assembly, hood, bumper and both airbags. I wonder if cheap body parts are available? Its a shame even the air still works. No damage to the fans, radiator or other required engine componants.

[12Ounce]

I would bet there are plenty of Windstars in recycle parts yards.

[96wWindstar180K]

I bet the biggest expense would be the two airbags.

[chrispmay]

I parted a car on eBay and the only people that made any money were Exxon/Mobil and FedEx. The buyers got good prices on the parts but then paid for all the shipping. I put in tons of hours in labor taking stuff off and packaging/shipping and made almost nothing on it. So, from either the buyer's or seller's standpoint it was kind of a lose-lose. The shipping on a hood and fenders is ridiculous,even with FedEx ground. I promised myself I would never do that again.

After that experience, I would either sell it as-is or put a headlight assembly on it, make sure the hood latches, and drive it. Although, if you only sold small stuff (sensors, injectors) and then take the body for scrap you might do pretty well. I actually made half of my money on the PCM which was one of the easiest/cheapest things to ship. I think the cat will bring pretty good money if you salvage it seperately because of the platinum.

[96wWindstar180K]

chrispmay
Thanks for the response. I have been checking for used airbags online and found the set for $180.00 with sensor. Fenders are like $40.00, hood 110.00 bumper, with all parts $100.00. The biggest problem is the one door on the opposite side of the hit is sprung bad. It must have bent the hinges. The side that got hitis only bound because the fender is bent over it. Its hard to make a decision. If I parted it out I might get $1000.00 That maybe wishfull thinking. I may just start taking it apart and see how bad it is. I know the main squre tube support is bent. You can see its designed to bend and absorb the shock. That would be the hardest thing to straighten. Thanks