Install Info and Pics for 2003 Ford Explorer

echelon0911 · Post by **echelon0911** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 10:31 am

I've been meaning to post this for a while .. but just got around to it.

http://landofzoz.com/explorer

As with most people here, it's a work in progress. It won't look anything like this a year from now. Saw a slick Orion remote-head install over the weekend. Wish I could implement that and include 2 of the radios and warning into one head.

AZScanner · Post by **AZScanner** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:34 pm

I like it! It's very clean looking - not like some weather wacker's car. The lights are just enough - not overkill like some. Nicely done!

-AZ

echelon0911 · Post by **echelon0911** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:25 pm

Thanks AZ. I'm a stickler for the clean look. Over the next couple weeks, the blue grille strobes come out and are being replaced with LEDs and I'm considering putting the remote heads back on the Kenwoods so they can sit further down. That last one requires a lot of work, tho. We'll shall see.

EOppegaard · Post by **EOppegaard** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:46 pm

Nice look, almost seems as if you have a lo-jack on the car!

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 2:20 pm

Very nice, looks great. Why are you getting rid of the 90 series Kenwoods?

How much are you asking for them?

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 2:44 pm

Very nice looking. Black trucks with black antennas look great

echelon0911 · Post by **echelon0911** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 6:16 pm

It's funny you mention the black truck + black antennas. I purchased this vehicle around the Jotto Desk and related installs. I guess you could say half the vehicle is for function and the other half for asthetics. Is that sad? Probably so, but I really happy with how everything turned out.

If I take the 90-series out and replace them with 150-series, that'll leave some room for a dual band ham rig. I don't plan on selling the 90-series if I can help it. I plan to put those inside the house.

ESDA20 · Post by **ESDA20** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:17 pm

Wacker! Wacker!... wait, he's my boss. I can't call him a wacker. Oh well. Yes, it's a very nice truck. Even if he doesn't have cup holders.

KC8NIY · Post by **KC8NIY** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:23 pm

Nice job! Functional, yet not over the top. Classy look, well done.

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:28 pm

Are you from the Sangamon county area?

echelon0911 · Post by **echelon0911** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:47 pm

Close .. McLean County

ESDA20 · Post by **ESDA20** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 1:01 pm

We're the closest you can get to Normal.

EMS12 · Post by **EMS12** » Wed Sep 15, 2004 8:50 am

Nice looking install

familo77 · Post by **familo77** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 5:04 am

Very professional, looks great!!

echelon0911 · Post by **echelon0911** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 6:42 am

It's funny that I waited this long to take the pictures and post them because starting last night and lasting into the weekend, I'm replacing or modifying just about everything. More pictures when that's all done.

echelon0911 · Post by **echelon0911** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 6:37 pm

I took Friday off work (mostly because I hate my job) so that gave me 3 days to update everything. Take a look -- http://landofzoz.com/explorer

Here's a quick rundown of what I did:

-- Split Kenwood mobiles apart into remote heads (rather than full deck in the console)
-- Replaced LS12s with Whelen Talons
-- Replaced Nova strobes with Nova LEDs
-- Replaced Galls light controller with Code3 3672L4S
-- Installed Jotto Desk laptop computer mount
-- Added gooseneck map light
-- Added power inverter (for laptop)

ESDA20 · Post by **ESDA20** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 7:21 pm

No no, you dislike your job.

I hate my job.

It looks nice.

NodrogCop · Post by **NodrogCop** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 3:07 am

That looks really good -- a job well done.

I don't know about the rest of you -- I like the job, it's the internal b.s., politics, and personalities I hate...

Gordon

fireradio · Post by **fireradio** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 6:08 am

Very nice looking, I'm jealous!

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 9:42 am

looks even better this time, but hey! get some split loom on those exposed wires!

echelon0911 · Post by **echelon0911** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 10:13 am

You aren't kidding. I looked at the pictures again this morning and couldn't believe I left a mess of exposed cabling. That's tonight's project.

Looking back, I probably should have cut out a board to put behind the back bench where I could have mounted all the decks.

This board was an inspiration for doing this as nice as I could muster.

c17loadsmasher · Post by **c17loadsmasher** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 1:54 pm

Nice job...black vehicles always look great....