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Install Info and Pics for 2003 Ford Explorer

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 10:31 am
by echelon0911
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.

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:34 pm
by AZScanner
:D 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

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:25 pm
by echelon0911
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.

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:46 pm
by EOppegaard
Nice look, almost seems as if you have a lo-jack on the car!

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 2:20 pm
by apco25
Very nice, looks great. Why are you getting rid of the 90 series Kenwoods?

How much are you asking for them?

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 2:44 pm
by nmfire10
Very nice looking. Black trucks with black antennas look great :wink:

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 6:16 pm
by echelon0911
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.

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:17 pm
by ESDA20
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. :)

Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:23 pm
by KC8NIY
Nice job! Functional, yet not over the top. Classy look, well done.

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:28 pm
by apco25
Are you from the Sangamon county area?

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:47 pm
by echelon0911
Close .. McLean County

Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 1:01 pm
by ESDA20
We're the closest you can get to Normal.

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 8:50 am
by EMS12
Nice looking install :D

Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2004 5:04 am
by familo77
Very professional, looks great!!

Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2004 6:42 am
by echelon0911
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.

Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 6:37 pm
by echelon0911
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)

Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 7:21 pm
by ESDA20
No no, you dislike your job.

I hate my job.


It looks nice. :)

Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 3:07 am
by NodrogCop
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

Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 6:08 am
by fireradio
Very nice looking, I'm jealous!

Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 9:42 am
by apco25
looks even better this time, but hey! get some split loom on those exposed wires!

Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 10:13 am
by echelon0911
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.

Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 1:54 pm
by c17loadsmasher
Nice job...black vehicles always look great....