2002-2005 Thunderbird Body Parts – If you own a 2002-2005 Thunderbird, you already know how difficult it can be to find OEM replacement parts. Many of the original Thunderbird parts have been discontinued, are out of production, and are no longer available from either Ford dealers or online auto parts retailers.
Aftermarket manufacturers have entered the market and now manufacture reproduction parts or OEM replacements for some of the more commonly-needed parts like belts, hoses, COPs (coil on plugs) and brakes, but what if your Thunderbird was involved in a collision and you need body parts?
Does Ford still make body parts for the 2002-2005 Thunderbird?
Well, yes … and no. If your Thunderbird was damaged in an accident and you need a new front or rear bumper cover, you can still get one from Ford. But if you need either a new driver’s side or passenger’s side door, you won’t find one. Ford discontinued them years ago. If you need a front fender, no problem. Ford still has them in stock. But if you need a rear quarter panel … you won’t find a new one of those either. Need a new hood or trunk lid? They’re still available, though supplies are very limited. But if you need a new hardtop, you can’t buy one from Ford.
Why does Ford carry some Thunderbird body parts but not others?
Ford, like other auto manufacturers, produces a limited number of replacement parts for any model car or truck they produce. The 2002-2005 Thunderbird was a fairly low-production vehicle, with only 68,095 built during the four model years. Manufacturers produce replacement parts based on the number of vehicles built, but can only estimate how many of any given part may be needed in the future. Inventories of replacement parts only last so long. At some point supplies run out, leaving owners without a reliable factory source for replacements. Based on current parts availability, Ford didn’t produce enough doors or rear quarter panels to meet the demand. But you really can’t blame Ford. At some point, even the supply of parts for much larger production cars runs dry. No vehicle manufacturer can continue to make spare parts indefinitely.
What if I need a body part that’s no longer available?
If a new part is no longer available from the manufacturer, body shops, including Ford dealer shops, look for used parts from salvage yards and dismantlers. Unfortunately, this is a ‘hit or miss’ proposition. Due to the fact that the 2002-2005 Thunderbird was a low production car, the number of ‘wrecked’ cars in salvage yards is also low. This makes finding used parts even more difficult, and the scarcer parts, like doors and rear quarter panels, typically sell quickly.
Why don’t aftermarket companies make Thunderbird body parts?
The simple answer … supply and demand. If you need an aftermarket body panel for a 1955-57 Thunderbird, they’re readily available. In fact you could practically build a 1955-57 Thunderbird from the ground up using aftermarket reproduction parts. Unfortunately, that’s not the case with the 2002-2005 Thunderbird. Body panels are expensive to manufacture. Both metal body parts and more parts made of ‘SMC’ or sheet molded composite, require expensive tooling and specialized presses and machinery to fabricate. Unless there’s sufficient demand for a relatively large run, the cost of production isn’t economically viable. Ford does license tooling to aftermarket suppliers and manufacturers, but unless the licensee can justify the cost of set-up and materials for a new run of a previously discontinued part, there’s no financial incentive to produce it.
What are my options if my dealer or body shop can’t find the part I need?
Call us! Powersport/Thunderbird Specialties is dedicated exclusively to accessories and OEM replacement parts for the 2002-2005 Thunderbird. It’s our only product line! We have a nationwide network of obsolete suppliers, vendors, dismantlers and auto salvage companies, and can locate parts others can’t. Even Ford dealers contact us for hard-to-find Thunderbird parts.
If you or your body shop are having trouble finding the body part, or any other OEM replacement part your Thunderbird needs, call or e-mail us. Use the ‘Contact Us’ form on our website’s home page, or call us at: 310-589-1000. We’ll give you a prompt price quote including shipping to you or your shop anywhere in the U.S. Browse our entire line of over 310 unique parts and accessories at: www.mytbird.com
