2004 Explorer install - Update 07/06

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007
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What radios do you own?: W7 FPP lowband MaraTrac w/AES

2004 Explorer install - Update 07/06

Post by 007 »

Here are some pics of a friend's '04 Exploder install we did a couple weeks ago. He made the console and speaker rack from alumuinum plate and/or bar stock, then primed and painted it black. There are no holes drilled, and uses only stock mounting locations.

There are three 1/4w antennas (V/U/800) in black, in a row down the middle. NMO mounts are Antenex with double shielded RG58A/U feedline.

Radios are 110w V/U 128 mode X9000's and 15w B5 800 Spectra.

Power is 6ga battery cable to the rear, with a 100 amp breaker under the hood and fuses in the rear. The radios are mounted under a false floor where the 3rd row seat used to be. I'll add those pics when I get a chance...he had the rear end loaded so I couldn't get at the radios.

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Last edited by 007 on Wed Jul 06, 2005 8:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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akardam
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Post by akardam »

Nice! That is a damned clean looking install. Where did y'all get the bezels for the X9000 and Spectra heads? Or were those custom made as well? I'm looking for a source for those.
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007
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Post by 007 »

He made them....everything that is metal he made himself. He originally was looking at the Jotto Desk console, but decided to try and make his own. It turned out very nice, considering it is hand made. The faceplates were custom fit, and the rails they mount to were drilled and tapped...no nuts to worry about.
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ESDA20
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Post by ESDA20 »

Nice install. /NICE/ yellow pants! :)
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davkenrem
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What radios do you own?: STX, Spectra, Maxtrac, MTS2000

Re: 2004 Explorer install

Post by davkenrem »

007 wrote: I'll add those pics when I get a chance...he had the rear end loaded so I couldn't get at the radios.

Please take some photos of the entire vehicle when you get a chance also. Very nice install.
Davkenrem
N8DKR
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apco25
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Post by apco25 »

Jimmy,

You guys have really outdone yourselves.

That console is just as nice as the Jotto or Havis-Shields factory version.

In fact if you had not mentioned it was custom made I would have assumed it was either the Jotto or Havis product.

OUTSTANDING!
"Some men just don't know their limitations"
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Splat
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Post by Splat »

Only thing I'll say, besides Nice Job!, is you might want to reconsider where that power switch is. For whatever reason, if you get sparking, etc., up there you may not be able to get to the switch. You may not be thinking so much about your radios then, but I'd still place the switch, or another one, inside the passenger compartment.
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007
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Post by 007 »

As promised, here are the pics of the rear end...

The factory 3rd row seat was removed, and a piece of 3/4" plywood was cut to dimension and covered with heavy black acoustic carpet. When the new floor is in place, it lays flat on rails that were installed on the bottom, and doesn't move at all. The half moon that is cut out is for accessing the spare tire release.

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The radios and power distribution equipment are mounted to a piece of fiberboard to facilitate easy removal for service, etc. The white cables are the Antenex Teflex coax, and we used an existing seat bolt/stud for the master ground. We still have to install a Sys9000 amp and run speaker wire to the grille, where my old Dynamax will be installed.

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Close-up of the power distribution:

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Better shot of the antennas:

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apco25
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Post by apco25 »

Jimmy,

SWEET!

Get some split loom though!

:lol:
"Some men just don't know their limitations"
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007
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Post by 007 »

When it's complete, the wiring will be cleaned up...we are waiting on an Sys9000 interconnect cable to arrive for that to happen.
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tvsjr
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Post by tvsjr »

Very nice, but I have one nitpick. Is that black wire feeding your +12 bus (fuseholder/distribution panel)? Bleh...

Also, I'd be careful of the A+ off that Spectra running underneath that metal ground lug - that would be a good spot to get a little chafing going on and end up taking out the Spectra's fuse.

And I'll ignore the butt connector on the Spectra's ground. :lol:
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kb0nly
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Post by kb0nly »

I was just going to ask that myself, why Black for the main battery feed to the rear fuse panel instead of Red?

Don't mean to nitpick here either, but just curious about the choice.
Duct tape is like the force, it has a dark side and a light side and it holds the universe together.

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007
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Post by 007 »

My associate went to a NAPA and got 25ft of black 6ga.....beleive me, it wasn't my choice either :evil: That what happens when I don't go shopping...

Tvsjr: I won't ignore the butt splices! They piss me off, but there wasn't a budget for new power cables - mostly because I didn't know they needed to be replaced. Those 3 radios were installed like SH*T in his old truck...by another installer. Every time something was added the power wires were hacked and butt spliced :o

As for the wire routing, it got fixed this morning when the Sys9000 box was installed...pics to follow.
Do not make Sig angry...he'll just keep ringing the bell.
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RadioSouth
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Post by RadioSouth »

Very nice indeed, master metal worker. Would suggest the mini-UHF to UHF adapter on the Spectra be eliminated. Mini-UHF installed on the RF cable would be best or you could use that pigtail adapter that Motorola makes long as it's not the 800 radio. Spectra antenna ports don't hold up well to the added weight of an adapter and PL259. Also the cross bars on the roof rack should go, probably altering the radiation pattern somewhat.
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tvsjr
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Post by tvsjr »

Ahh, OK. Hate to nitpick on people's installs, but I'm a picky SOB, especially when I'm about to start building on a new truck of my own. Good to see we think alike.

Now, time to go type up this $4K order for Whelen lighting and Havis console/laptop mount. Ow.
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kb0nly
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Post by kb0nly »

I will say one thing, it's nice to see some X9000's for a change. I was starting to think i was the only one on here that installed some this year!

Seems like Spectras are mostly the norm now.
Duct tape is like the force, it has a dark side and a light side and it holds the universe together.

"I Reject Your Reality And Substitute My Own!" - Adam Savage
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STEVE W
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Re: 2004 Explorer install - Update 07/06

Post by STEVE W »

I just got an 04 splorer, how easy was it to put the holes in the roof and run the cables., and how did you run the cables to the back, never had a ford product before. Any help and advise would be appreciated.

Thanks
Steve
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007
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Re: 2004 Explorer install - Update 07/06

Post by 007 »

STEVE W wrote:I just got an 04 splorer, how easy was it to put the holes in the roof and run the cables., and how did you run the cables to the back, never had a ford product before. Any help and advise would be appreciated.

Thanks
Steve
The trim pieces snap in/out, the headliner only needs to be loosened up to pull the coax down the C-pillar and there is plenty of room on the passenger firewall to run cables.

In short, it's not hard. The only b*tch is getting switched ignition power from behind the stereo.

FWIW, since the thread got brought back from the dead....the 800 Spectra is gone, stopped using the system it was on last year so to be legal it was removed. There are now cupholders that the owner made there.
Do not make Sig angry...he'll just keep ringing the bell.
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High_order1
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Re: 2004 Explorer install - Update 07/06

Post by High_order1 »

Be careful and look before you pop your holes. There are stiffeners where the dome lights are, and it makes it a LOT harder fishing through there. It can be done, but had I known, I woulda moved an inch.

-Shawn
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