2014 Ford Explorer install help

izzyj4 · Sep 23, 2017

Hey all.

Well after 229,000 miles its time I retire my 2008 Mountaineer. I'm picking up a 2014 Explorer (5th generation) and looking for some advice and ideas for installs. I'm putting in a Yaesu FT-7800 and a Uniden 996 Scanner for now, keeping it simple. Also I'm not looking to replace the center console with a Jotto or Havis unit. I want to keep the truck clean looking.

One thing I'm not sure of yet is putting an antenna on the roof due to the fact I have the vista sunroof and have a limited area to mount it.

One thing I am am looking for is the firewall access between the cabin and the engine compartment. I have heard of the one port behind the glove box, are there others?

I'm also looking for mounting placement / ideas for the radios. I have only come across a few threads about 5th generation Explorer installs here. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Tech792 · Sep 23, 2017

The port up behind the glove box is the easiest I've found. (Unless you have the police package wiring).
Behind the glove box, its up high and to the right. Its white plastic and easy to drill through.

lou9155 · Sep 23, 2017

be carefull with holes to the engine bay, 2011-2017 explorers have a problem with exhaust gas entering the cabin very dangerous they still havent fixed it , check safercar.gov or google.

AK9R · Sep 23, 2017

lou9155 said:
be carefull with holes to the engine bay, 2011-2017 explorers have a problem with exhaust gas entering the cabin very dangerous they still havent fixed it ,

Those leaks are probably coming in from the back of the vehicle and are probably the result of tailpipe emissions being sucked back into the flow-through ventilation system which has vents at the back of the vehicle.

There should be no exhaust leaks in the engine compartment (which is close to the grommetted port that Tech792 mentioned). If there are leaks there, they would be before the O2 sensor which the engine computer would sense.

CptCrunch · Oct 17, 2017

This is how I installed my Yaesu FT-8800 in my 2015 Explorer. I used the 3M tape to secure the mounting nest to the dash. To ensure a strong bond I lightly scuffed the top of the mount and under the edge.
The chassis is secured under the drivers seat and the speaker is mounted to the trim piece on the drivers seat next to the console. You don't even know it's there, it's pointed up so excellent sound.

The speaker is plugged directly to the radio and the separation cable goes under the carpet, under the drivers trim, under the dash to come out by the opening under the dash. The console will come loose with some gentle prying so it hides the cable.

I had a stereo shop drill the firewall to run the power wires since I didn't know about access on the passenger side until recently.

CptCrunch · Oct 17, 2017

With the way I mounted the control head I still have access to the storage bin, although it doesn't open as far. I store the power cord for my GPS there and the Apple cord for the stereo system, the cords stay there so I don't have to keep plugging or unplugging them.

izzyj4 · Oct 25, 2017

Thanks for the ideas and input everyone. More is appreciated.

CptCrunch, I like your idea for the head unit but I do use that center storage area a lot. So it is an option doing the same thing like you did.

I'm still trying to decide where to put the FT-7800 head unit. I've also considered mounting it up on the headliner near the sun-glass holder and moon roof control, as well as mounting the head unit on a bracket (like one used for a SiriusXM radio or cell phone) on the dash near the radio controls. I have a Wouxon KG-UV920-P-A I bought a few years ago for my home shack but haven used it, so I was thinking on possibly using that two-way instead.

As for my scanner, I'm going to place it in the center storage console. That seems to be the best place for it and I have seen a picture of one mounted in there. Just trying to figure out the best way to mount it.

More ideas, advice and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

As for

Markscan · Oct 25, 2017

I have a 2013 Explorer with the vista sunroof as well. There is plenty of room for an NMO antenna mount. Worked out well for me.

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2014 Ford Explorer install help

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