Install in a pristine 1999 Mountaineer

[pjbenskey1]

I bought a used 1999 Mountaineer to replace my even older E150 van. I know I'll never be able to get as much equipment in the Mountaineer as I did in the E-150 (a whole boatload of stuff including a full size computer and a 17” monitor ). I built a console for the E-150 but that was easy as I had a flat floor and and plenty or room. The biggest problem was cable management.
After tearing into the console of the Mountaineer I can tell if I want a install that even looks even half way decent I'll need to install a commercial console to go over part or all the original.
Which brings up the burning questions. Where does one find a console for a 1999 vehicle (they made a lot changes in the Mountaineer/Explorer in 1992 and most of the current stuff, even if I wanted to spend that much money, won't fit. I did turn to Google but didn't find much. One other problem I see, after peering under the hood, is where to bring in the power wire. I'll need about 25A so with wire and gromment it won't be a tiny hole and I really didn't see any options. Antennas are not a problem – drill baby drill.

 

[canav844]

One other problem I see, after peering under the hood, is where to bring in the power wire. I'll need about 25A so with wire and gromment it won't be a tiny hole and I really didn't see any options. Antennas are not a problem – drill baby drill.

ARRL RFI book has an example of FORD (as well as a few other brands) recommendations for radio transmitter installations, included was where to route and run the power lines through.

Also there's lots of Explorers with similar body style in the photo forum that should be able to give you some ideas. Some good measurements and I don't think it would be terribly hard to fabricate what's basically a box with a funky bottom.

 

[jim202]

You should be able to poke a hole in the rubber grommet where the emergency brake cable goes
through the fire wall. I try to get a drill and open up a hole with a drill bit. The rubber boot will close
around the hole you just drilled. But now you have a path through the boot. You might have to tape
you power cable to a short piece of metal coat hanger and push it through your hole. A good trick to
use to make the wire just a tad easier to get through the boot hole is to wipe it with a wet cloth. The
water will act as a lubricant to help slip the wire through. It dries and no one is the wiser.

Don't forget to fuse the wire at the source under the hood.

Jim

I bought a used 1999 Mountaineer to replace my even older E150 van. I know I'll never be able to get as much equipment in the Mountaineer as I did in the E-150 (a whole boatload of stuff including a full size computer and a 17” monitor ). I built a console for the E-150 but that was easy as I had a flat floor and and plenty or room. The biggest problem was cable management.
After tearing into the console of the Mountaineer I can tell if I want a install that even looks even half way decent I'll need to install a commercial console to go over part or all the original.
Which brings up the burning questions. Where does one find a console for a 1999 vehicle (they made a lot changes in the Mountaineer/Explorer in 1992 and most of the current stuff, even if I wanted to spend that much money, won't fit. I did turn to Google but didn't find much. One other problem I see, after peering under the hood, is where to bring in the power wire. I'll need about 25A so with wire and gromment it won't be a tiny hole and I really didn't see any options. Antennas are not a problem – drill baby drill.

 

[pjbenskey1]

Thanks for the tips. Both are useful and will use them.

 

[N467RX]

Not sure if you can still find new consoles, but there were plenty of agencies using Explorers in the late 90s (including Federal Agencies), and they did make consoles... maybe surplus?

 

[SCPD]

All console providers still offer consoles for those trucks. I just got ne from Jotto for a friends mountaineer. In addition Troy sells a console for that truck also. You should be able to go to any radio shop and order the equipment with no issues.

 

[izzyj4]

I owned a '98 Mountaineer similar to yours. There are plenty of grommets through the fire wall and also I was able to run some cables through a grommet located on the side panel right near the hinges of the front door for my cowl mounted antennas.

As for mounting radios, scanners, ect in the Mountaineer, there is no aftermarket console made specifically for those years that I know of, but I may be wrong. I forget when they changed body and interior styles for the Mountaineer / Explorer (not sure if it was 1999 or 2000). Many people replace the AM/FM radio with a single DIN unit and mount a scanner in the second DIN spot. Usually the mounting kits for an aftermarket AM/FM allow for this with little to no modification.

Also you can by a generic Jotto Desk or Havis shield console, or even make your own. Pull the factory one out and drop the generic one in. The only problem you will have is the vent and climate controls on the back of the factory console for the rear seats will be gone. I have seen on other forums pertaining to Explorers and Mountaineers enthusiasts some mods they did by re-ducting the vents under the front seats or through a new console. I'll see if I can find those threads.

Antennas are easy to mount as the Mountaineers prior to 2007 are all metal, newer Mounties like I own have carbon fiber fenders. And of course, the headliner is not that hard to remove so you can pop holes in the roof for antennas also. Just make sure if you have a sun roof that you leave enough room and it retracts between the roof and headliner.

 

[N467RX]

In 2002 they moved to the next generation, 2001 for the Sport / 3dr version. 1997 saw exterior upgrades, but I don't know about the interior.

I have a feeling tha there HAS to be a console, maybe you can't get a new one now, but looks like there were quite a bit of Explorers used for Public Safety that someone had to equip. Someone here did an install, awesome looking, in a 2000 Explorer but I can't find the thread