1998 Mercury Mountaineer

SurfCityCar2

Member
Member
May 20, 2010
156
4
Jacksonville, NC
Posting on the new board from the old one.


Here are a few pics of my "new to me" ride. Used to have a 92 Ford Explorer XLT, and upgraded to this. V8 AWD, not bad for a 98 model and the price I paid for it.


Here is a pic of the console. It is a Havis 14" consolidator. Installed is a Brookings 6 switch panel, Icom IC2100 for 2 meter ham, and Motorola Spectra A9 and DEK for VHF fire and Sys9000 siren control:


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_GEDC0165.jpg


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_GEDC0167_1.jpg


Next is the Whelen 4 head Dominator, R/R/R/R facing the front for upper level warning. A push button was added to change patterns:


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_GEDC0168_1.jpg


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_GEDC0170_1.jpg


In the front grille are 4 Whelen 500 Series Split Tir6 Lightheads. The entire lighthead is configured to light the entire head. Please excuse the peeling paint on the brackets, as I didn't have time to repaint them after removing them from my other truck. The brackets were made from an aluminum road sign.


These lights are set to flash in an "x pattern" and are synched to the Dominator and the two LIN4s.


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_GEDC0173_1.jpg


On each side of the front corners, is a Whelen Lin4, solid red and of course HAW strobes. The HAWs are in the reverse lights as well, running on a Whelen CPS690:


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_GEDC0174_1.jpg


In the rear and side glass are paired Whelen Tir3s, Red & Amber. You cant see them through the tint until I turn them on. These are all connected to a ULF44 flasher installed in the small cargo pocket where the OEM jack and HAW strobe supply is mounted:


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_GEDC0178_1.jpg


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_GEDC0179_1.jpg


The siren speaker is a traditional standard style Code3/PSE 100w siren speaker. The speaker is easily mounted here on most Explorers & Mountaineers, lots of room to work with, but the plastic shroud on the speaker may need to be trimmed slightly with a dremel tool.


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_GEDC0182_1.jpg


A shot of the antennas for the 2 VHF radios. An 800 quarter wave will be added soon. The previous owner had a cheaper style cell phone antenna installed, and I removed the rusted mount when I got the vehicle. The mount was in the edge of a cross brace for the roof, so I plugged the hole, and will be painting the plug white sometime this summer.


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_GEDC0176_1.jpg
 
Update #1 effective 3 April 2010


Made a few changes.


I removed the standard switch panel and the DEK and Motorola SYS9000 siren and installed a FedSig SS2000.


I installed a SoundOff UltraLite Exterior 8 head LED bar on the rear luggage rack today. It is configured as a traffic advisor.


Pics and video are posted below. Sorry about the quality of the video, the higher quality one is 105mb and the conversion for photobucket cut the quality way down. I have the HAW strobes flashing in the "double double" pattern for day time and the 5 flash for night time.


Since I lost a switch by removing the other panel, I installed a small pushbutton momentary switch in the faceplate for the Motorola Sys9000 head to control the pattern on the strobes. The slide switch on the SS2000 controls the arrow patterns on the TA and the last switch on the SS2000 (marked HAZARD) turns on the warning pattern.


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_GEDC0277_1.jpg


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_GEDC0280_1.jpg


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_GEDC0281_1.jpg


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_GEDC0283_1.jpg


Here is a link to the video:


http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u68/nc_115/98%20Mountaineer/?action=view&current=Movie2010-0001.mp4


This link no longer works for the video, the link above appears to work for now.


http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u68/nc_115/98%20Mountaineer/?action=view&current=Movie2010-0001.flv
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Update #2 effective 8 May 2010, minor


I needed to add a couple of power outlets to my vehicle as I was tired of having things plugged into the outlet on the dash.


I purchased a dual outlet setup from West Marine (they have a store near me), and removed the mounting bracket.


I was originally going to install these into the passenger side wall of the console, but didn't feel like drilling any holes in the console.


I figured I could use the remainder of the plastic factory console to install these, since when I get rid of this truck, the factory cup holders and such will cover these holes.


I have one wired to be hot all the time and the other is switched with the ignition. I have a 120 amp fuse panel inside the console, so that one was easy to wire up. I also have two cigarette outlets installed inside the console to devices that have a cig plug but I can't cut the plug to hard wire them. The GPS mounted to the windshield is powered by an outlet inside the console that is switched with the ignition, this way I dont have to turn the thing on and off, it does it by itself. If i need to turn it on when the ignition is off, the internal battery handles it.


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_IMG00245_1.jpg
 
Install looks good. My only bit of critisism is I would move your badge from your visor to your glove box. Having your badge there tells a cop that your using your position for "professional courtesy" and also makes a nice target for thieves. Lots of crimes are commited with stolen badges even fire badges.


I understand that you probably have it there just because its easy to grab though. You do have fire plates on your ride so I don't really see a need to have it accessible while you are driving.
 
Mike L. said:
Install looks good. My only bit of critisism is I would move your badge from your visor to your glove box. Having your badge there tells a cop that your using your position for "professional courtesy" and also makes a nice target for thieves. Lots of crimes are commited with stolen badges even fire badges.

I understand that you probably have it there just because its easy to grab though. You do have fire plates on your ride so I don't really see a need to have it accessible while you are driving.

That's just where my badge has always been. Putting it in the glovebox would easily get it scratched up. I purchased my badges myself and they are 14 karat gold plated. I have my spare in my jewelry box for use on my class A uniform.
 
What's up with this?

Hydrant.jpg
 
looks good,whats up with the hydrant in the background,lawn ornament :roll: :D
 
hawkspringsfire said:
I remember seeing these pictures on someone webpage along with their other installs. Looks great by the way. Do you happen to have that webpage address?

If someone else had these pics on their website, other than me posting them here or on the old board, they have stolen my pictures. All installs I have posted are my stuff and have been installed by me.
 
cbpdogboy said:
Probably "high velocity" urine from his dog! :lol:

Good one. The only thing high veolicty about my dogs is when they are running to the food bowl. My last Dalmatian is no longer with us so to speak, all I have left are two fat and lazy Bassett Hounds.
 
And yet another update as of June 2010.


Our County has joined into the Statewide 800 Trunked System for mainline communications with a VHF backup, so I was running 800 off a portable (which is a pain when trying to run code 3 and switch channels on the radio). Thanks to a FEMA AFG grant my department was able to purchase additional digital 800 equipment.


The XTL2500 is a remote mount version. I had to switch the Icom IC-2100 to a shorter bracket in order to make room for everything. I then got tired of the mic cords coming from the front of the radios so I modified the faceplates to allow the mic cords to go into the console and out of the bottom. I also changed the control head on the Motorola A9 Spectra 110w watt to the A4 style head with the rotary mode and volume knobs to make room as well.


I installed a 800 1/4 wave antenna on the roof in front of the first VHF 1/4 wave in previous pictures, just behind the track package for the sunroof.


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_IMG00275.jpg


Modified faceplate for XTL2500 control head:


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_IMG00280.jpg


Modified faceplate for Icom IC-2100:


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_IMG00281.jpg


Pics of mic arrangement on the drivers side. 800 Mic is the highest since it is now the primary radio, then the VHF Motorola and the PA mic for the SS2000:


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_IMG00278.jpg
 
SurfCityCar2 said:
And yet another update as of June 2010.

Our County has joined into the Statewide 800 Trunked System for mainline communications with a VHF backup, so I was running 800 off a portable (which is a pain when trying to run code 3 and switch channels on the radio). Thanks to a FEMA AFG grant my department was able to purchase additional digital 800 equipment.


The XTL2500 is a remote mount version. I had to switch the Icom IC-2100 to a shorter bracket in order to make room for everything. I then got tired of the mic cords coming from the front of the radios so I modified the faceplates to allow the mic cords to go into the console and out of the bottom. I also changed the control head on the Motorola A9 Spectra 110w watt to the A4 style head with the rotary mode and volume knobs to make room as well.


I installed a 800 1/4 wave antenna on the roof in front of the first VHF 1/4 wave in previous pictures, just behind the track package for the sunroof.


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_IMG00275.jpg


Modified faceplate for XTL2500 control head:


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_IMG00280.jpg


Modified faceplate for Icom IC-2100:


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_IMG00281.jpg


Pics of mic arrangement on the drivers side. 800 Mic is the highest since it is now the primary radio, then the VHF Motorola and the PA mic for the SS2000:


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_IMG00278.jpg

Looks good. I like that XTL. Where's the mic for the Spectra?
 
remote_medic said:
how did you secure the console in that location?

I used the universal brackets that came with console from Havis. The front is secured directly to the floor of the vehicle and the air duct that runs to the back of the factory console for the rear vents. The rear of the Havis is bolted to the air duct as well.


It doesn't move at all. Fits like a glove.
 
kadetklapp said:
Pics of mic arrangement on the drivers side. 800 Mic is the highest since it is now the primary radio, then the VHF Motorola and the PA mic for the SS2000:


ai165.photobucket.com_albums_u68_nc_115_98_20Mountaineer_IMG00278.jpg

Looks good. I like that XTL. Where's the mic for the Spectra?
 
SurfCityCar2 said:
Looks good. I like that XTL. Where's the mic for the Spectra?

The mic for the VHF Spectra is on the bottom right of the photo. The mic is plugged into the back of the control head, not the plug on the front. I have been looking for the rubber plug from Motorola, but that part is NLA from Motorola.


I love the XTL as well, a very solid radio. My department was originally going to go with the XTL1500, but I talked them into going with the 2500 instead. I'm glad I did.
 
I agree on the display and audio on the XTL1500. We have a few and I cannot stand them. I looks like a radio for an idiot or something. I have used an XTL5000 before, and didn't like the way it looked as well. The 2500 has way plenty options and I love using mine. The audio on the external speaker will blow your windows out when you turn the volume to the max. Being able to change the display color is an awesome feature too.


Now if I could just figure out how to add blue into the list of green amber and red....
 
As of the past few days, I have removed all equipment from this vehicle, as I have traded for a newer truck. I am getting a 2004 F150 Lariat 4x4 5.4.


Looking for ideas and suggestions for the newer F150.


I hated to see this one go, but it is time for a pickup truck, since my part-time job makes me loads of money by moving more and more traffic control stuff, so this way I can haul even more.
 
SurfCityCar2 said:
As of the past few days, I have removed all equipment from this vehicle, as I have traded for a newer truck. I am getting a 2004 F150 Lariat 4x4 5.4.

Looking for ideas and suggestions for the newer F150.


I hated to see this one go, but it is time for a pickup truck, since my part-time job makes me loads of money by moving more and more traffic control stuff, so this way I can haul even more.

do u have an updated thread with the new truck? :undecided:
 

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