2017 Ford Explorer

[ke0hfc]

Pretty simple overhead mount. The hardest part was routing the wiring to clear all of the airbags and getting power thru the firewall for the FT8900R.

 

[K7MFC]

Nicely done - do you have any antenna pics? How are you liking the SDS-100? I have an Explorer as well, but my wife has vetoed all radio installs for the duration of its servcie life

 

[ke0hfc]

I know it's not optimal, but it works well for us. We use different antennas for long road trips. These work great in our daily travels.

 

[Ubbe]

How's that mounting plate done? Is it sheet metal and stuck there to press fit or perhaps screwed in place?

/Ubbe

 

[AK9R]

A reminder, discussions of non-radio related car issues go in the Automotive forum: https://forums.radioreference.com/automotive/

 

[ke0hfc]

Pretty simple overhead mount. The hardest part was routing the wiring to clear all of the airbags and getting power thru the firewall for the FT8900R.

How's that mounting plate done? Is it sheet metal and stuck there to press fit or perhaps screwed in place?

/Ubbe

Yes, it's simply folded over and slipped over the edge of the headliner. The radios are attached with industrial strength Velcro.

 

[03msc]

This looks really neat and the radios would be hidden from view from outside the vehicle unless someone was really looking hard for the radios. Nicely done.

The only thing I would have changed if it were me is to have mounted the antenna for the radio on the opposite fender from the scanner antenna just for good separation. In other words, one on one fender and one on the other. It may not be an issue but many suggest keeping transmitting antennas a good distance away from scanner antennas. Again, this is just my observation and view; obviously it's not my rig and not my decision.

 

[ke0hfc]

My mounting is limited to the left because no one makes a right side mount and I'm too lazy to make my own.

 

[03msc]

Oh, OK, so they're the vehicle specific ones. Those are nice and make it easy. I understand the dilemma.

I know a guy who has a GMC Sierra and he got the vehicle specific mounts (yes, designed for the left side) but we ahead and put one on the right - it fit. It may be different for the Explorer, though, depending on the angles. I assume you tried it.

 

[Dann]

Nice....

 

[kjfswkr]

My mounting is limited to the left because no one makes a right side mount and I'm too lazy to make my own.

Looking good! Can’t you just turn the mount around for other side?

Kevin

 

[ke0hfc]

Nope

 

[03msc]

I'm assuming this is the mount you have?

https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/ford-explorer-police-interceptor-2015-2017-8157

Or is it something different?

 

[ke0hfc]

I'm assuming this is the mount you have?

https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/ford-explorer-police-interceptor-2015-2017-8157

Or is it something different?

Yes, those are the mounts. They're angled so if you move it to the passenger side, the antenna tilts forward.

 

[03msc]

Yes, those are the mounts. They're angled so if you move it to the passenger side, the antenna tilts forward.

Yeah, that's what I figured was the case.