2008 Ford Explorer POV

[hawkspringsfire]

So I started in on my new POV today. Didn't get much done just installed the Whelen Inner Edge brackets and mount the front LP bracket with Whelen LINZ6s. Tomorrow will start the long process of stripping my old POV. Here is the thread to what is going to go in it and where. http://elightbars.org/forums/f13/new-pov-coming-soon-33561/









Will hopefully get more done this weekend or next week. Stay tuned for more updates.

 

[MPD 818]

I hope to be redoing my exploder here soon. Cant wait to see your finished product.

 

[Drewstang]

Can't wait to see what the inner edge looks like in there. I'm debating the same bar for my 02 Exploder.

 

[nerdly_dood]

Might I recommend that you replace the LINZ6 with a TIR3 with vertical optics? As it is, you've got plenty of up/down off-axis to the side, but that's pretty useless. If you used a TIR3 with vertical optics you'd be putting a lot more light where it's a lot more useful.


...But at least you've got a light there. Intersection warning is some of the most important lighting on a vehicle, so any little bit there helps. Looks great so far. :thumbsup:

 

[hawkspringsfire]

Got the Inner Edge installed today. Took like 15 minutes to run the cable and get everything ready for the drop in console. Will hopefully get started on the console and wiring on Wed. or Thur.

 

[SBFD-E-9]

Looks great so far! I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product!


Dan

 

[hawkspringsfire]

Ok got everything mounted the way it will be when it's finished. Also started on the in console wiring.

 

[Storm4200]

looks great so far. i like the pair of linear optic modules on the IE

 

[Luismariadarlene]

looking good.

 

[hawkspringsfire]

Spent a good part of the day getting the console wiring done before I install the console tomorrow. I also got to install the D8 in the grille. First off it was a pain in the butt to remove the front grille. I broke 2 cheap plastic clips on the grille and lost a plastic tension screw. I had to cut some of the plastic behind the grille just to get the D8 to fit in there. After about an hour and a half of trila and error I finally got it mounted and tried it out. I am not impressed with the output due to the slants in the grille blocking the light. I have been looking at a aftermarket black grille on eBay and this makes me want to buy it even more. The Ford symbol also blocks the light, and this other grille I have been looking at has no symbol on the front. After I get the new grille I will install it and see if that will make a difference. If not I will probably end up selling the D8 and looking for something else to put in the grille. I do not want to buy a grile guard as I had one in the past and want to keep my POV as low pro and possible. I wounder if some Sound Off Ghosts would fit in the slants? Anyways here is a crappy cell picture I took. I was eye level with the D8 as it is still pointing down a little bit.

 

[Hoff]

Some Ghosts would fit. Our investigator vehicle used to be an Explorer and they had four in the grill with what looked like the U brackets. Should work if you decide to go that route.

 

[cbpdogboy]

I have a 2007 Explorer. I have two Ghosts laying around that I could take some pics of them in the grill slats for you. They fit really snug if you take off the rear bracket. You could even use the double back tape that comes with them to make sure they stay in place without having to use brackets...

 

[hawkspringsfire]

Got the console installed today. Still have to get the wiring done. I have been thinking and will probably go ahead and sell my when Dominator 8 and get 4 sound off ghosts for the gille.

 

[hawkspringsfire]

Here is just a couple pictures of my wiring job so far. I am not done with it yet so it's a work in progress.

 

[C420sailor]

Really digging it thus far. It's going to look great with less in the grille. Sometimes less is more.

 

[NFD-102]

It looks really good so far. I would definitly suggest going with the ions or ghosts. I just bought some ghosts for my side windows and love them. They punch through 5% tint. I bet they would be really good in the grill.

 

[cbpdogboy]

I had two Ghosts lying around...here's what they look like in my vehicle...they fit really snug on their own...a little 3m autumotive tape and they will not move a bit.

 

[spc2315]

Go with 4 ions in the grill. That dominator would look good in the rear roof rack tho

 

[SeanC898]

In the first Version of my truck I had Whelen 400's behind my grill. They were a pain to mount because like you said the grill fights you everyway. I liked them back there and they were leveled perfectly that the dual layers punched through the slats in the grill with no problem. The off access was good as well. Here's a couple before and afters.

















Here's Mine. http://elightbars.org/forums/f34/my-2007-ford-explorer-xlt-updated-4-18-11-a-26/

 

[hawkspringsfire]

I set up the antennas the way they are going to be installed just to get a preview. I am going to replace that stainless whip on the last antenna with a black one as soon as I order one. From front to back here are the antennas: Sirius Radio, Wilson Cell Amp, VHF Digital, Scanner Antenna, Analog VHF.

 

[Drewstang]

Can we call it "The Mohawk," just kidding man looks great.

 

[hawkspringsfire]

Ok I finally got a lot finished on my install. I spent a good part of the morning drilling and installing my 5 antennas. I hit a few snags but finally got it done. It took a while to drop the headliner and get everything ready for the antennas. After I finished the antennas I installed the license plate bracket and then finally installed the TA.


I got all the wires ran from the back to the front and was pretty glad..until I went to go move my car. It turns out one of the antenna coax cables was too close to the steering wheel under the dash. When I went to turn I head a snap. It turns out it snapped one of the coax cables in two. What would be a easy solution for this?


Anyways here are the pictures from today.

 

[dcfrmp255]

Let's see that puppy in action! :thumbsup:

 

[hawkspringsfire]

Let's see that puppy in action! :thumbsup:

Hopefully by the end of today or tomorrow I will get everything wired up and tested out.

 

[hawkspringsfire]

Ok finally got the Cencom and the radios/scanner all wired up yesterday. I ran all of the remaining wires into the console and wired everything up. I have decided to not install the Whelen LAW2s (now up for sale). I ran all of the wires under the carpet to the console, and there were a lot of them. Below is a picture of the Cencom, note this was taken before everything was wire loomed and zip tied.

 

[smokechaser75]

MORE PICS !! ADD A VIDEO ! Pleaseeeeee...

 

[hawkspringsfire]

Got everything done today and it all works great. The only thing I am missing is the 4 sound off ghosts that will be added to the grille and set to an X pattern. I couldn't find a spot for the 3 external speakers until I got to thinking. There are 2 bolts on each side of the console, so I drilled the hole out on each of the speaker bracket and I think it turned out great. The third and final speaker was mounted under the passenger seat. There are just a few things here and there that I have to get done but I am 95% done with it. Anyways here are a few shots of the finished console, I will try and get a video next week of the lights in action.

 

[julietbravosierra]

Got everything done today and it all works great. The only thing I am missing is the 4 sound off ghosts that will be added to the grille and set to an X pattern. I couldn't find a spot for the 3 external speakers until I got to thinking. There are 2 bolts on each side of the console, so I drilled the hole out on each of the speaker bracket and I think it turned out great. The third and final speaker was mounted under the passenger seat. There are just a few things here and there that I have to get done but I am 95% done with it. Anyways here are a few shots of the finished console, I will try and get a video next week of the lights in action.

Looks like a squad car! I bet you're proud to call that vehicle yours, it looks great!!!

 

[Az_Medic]

New Video???

 

[evac41]

Cool!! I see your console did the same thing mine did. Where it doesn't meet up evenly in the front there by the shifter and cup holder. Is that normal like that for the Explorers and Havis Console's?


Shawn

 

[cstoof]

I know I went to WLEA with you for some damn class. Help me out and tell me what one it was.... I remember riding around in your old POV but I just can't remember what class we were there for.

 

[hawkspringsfire]

I know I went to WLEA with you for some damn class. Help me out and tell me what one it was.... I remember riding around in your old POV but I just can't remember what class we were there for.

Was it law enforcement spanish? Didn't you drive a white impala?

 

[cstoof]

Was it law enforcement spanish? Didn't you drive a white impala?

Oh ya. Thats what it was. Ha Ha that POS impala!

 

[hawkspringsfire]

New Video???

I will get one made as soon as I get the 4 Sound Off Ghosts installed in the grille. They will hopefully be here by the end of the week.

 

[hawkspringsfire]

I finally got to install the divider in the back to keep the box from sliding around. I spent a total of $30 on the project. Had to buy the board, carpet and L brackets. Overall I think it turned out rather well. I decided to install 2 mag lights and one map light for the back. I still have to run power back there, but that will be later on. I will hopefully get the 4 Sound Off Ghosts installed in my grille tonight. Will update with pictures when I get them installed.

 

[hawkspringsfire]

Ok finally got the 4 Sound Off Ghosts installed in the grille. First off let me say that the programming of the lightheads were kind of confusing. I spent a hour trying to get the X pattern with no luck. I just ended up getting them set on a pattern that looked ok, but not great. The mounting of the lightheads were kind of hard too as the slants in the grille pointed down and no matter how much I pointed the lightheads up they were still facing down (it was the two top lightheads). The bottom ones I used the U brackets and hopefully they will hold. Other than that I am almost complete with the install and will get a video real soon.

 

[NYBLS]

What do you keep in the black box in the back?

 

[xcrownvicx]

I just got four ghost lights in yesterday and i gotta say there bright as hell. Now the only problem i don't like is EVERY pattern is a split pattern. I don't have them installed yet but i was playing with the patterns. I plan on putting them in my grille as well, two on the top and two on the bottom like yours. Overall i like the product its small and compact but theres no SOLID flash patterns. Next time i am going to get the Whelen Ions. I like the set up too very neat and professional. I like the CenCom as well i have a HHS2200. Can't wait for a video....

 

[hawkspringsfire]

What do you keep in the black box in the back?

All of my tools and extra gear.


I moved the lights again today and aimed them up....and let me tell you they are blinding now. Will post puctures later tonight. I will work on getting a video tomorrow.


As for getting the heads to a solid pattern set them to the righ ID per the instructions. I too agree with you on them being confusing, that's why I usually buy Whelen.

 

[xcrownvicx]

All of my tools and extra gear.

I moved the lights again today and aimed them up....and let me tell you they are blinding now. Will post puctures later tonight. I will work on getting a video tomorrow.


As for getting the heads to a solid pattern set them to the righ ID per the instructions. I too agree with you on them being confusing, that's why I usually buy Whelen.

Wait you can get them to a solid pattern?