Does anyone know if Ford offered a police or ambulance package on the Explorer? I know the police cruisers used to get upgraded suspension, brakes and so on. I think they called it an Interceptor package. The reason I ask is I was working on my Explorer this weekend and noticed the sway bar and brake rotors seem massive. (Brake rotors seem very thick rather than larger diameter.) The owners manual makes a reference to the Explorers being equipped as an ambulance but I haven't found anything to show any changes that may have been made to them.

Doubtful that the brakes are any larger. The stock diameter of the 95-01 Explorers rotors is 11". That's front and rear. The 01+ Sports and Sport Tracs got 12" front rotors.
Don

A user here, "Crankcase" has one (or more?) ex-police Explorers. However, I do not think that Ford made special models for police/ambulance use. I think that Crankcases trucks (XL models) were taken by the local police there and modified. You'll have to ask him to be sure though. The only external thing I can see on his truck are driving lights installed flush in the grill, and fogs in the lower holes.

Doubtful that the brakes are any larger. The stock diameter of the 95-01 Explorers rotors is 11". That's front and rear. The 01+ Sports and Sport Tracs got 12" front rotors.
Don

Does that mean you can swap front and rear rotors?

I just mentioned the sizes for comparison on a "police" Explorer. Front and rear are different, but they're the same diameter(small).

I'll get the 12" rotors on my 93/99 mail vehicle shortly. When I get it rebuilt, I'm going to find a pair of Corvette calipers, and make a bracket to fit them onto 96 Cobra rotors, onto my 98 Mountaineer. ;)
DonW

I think the "police" versions came with dual batts too IIRC?

Police versions are out there. I've seen them. 1st & 2nd gen. Now if Ford had a special order code for that, or they were bought them modified, I don't know. I know the full size Bronco's for police duty were stripped XL's

i've seen police explorers, but the ones i've seen were just XLTs modified by the local department

Cool, thanks for all the input. I just wanted to make sure I didn't have to make multiple trips to the parts store to get special parts for it. Thanks again for the help.
Ray

LOL....The Police get regular Explorers and modify them at their own outfitting shops.

Thye usually get the base model with all the power options, and no fancy trim or wheels. They get them at thge end of thge year run, as they get fleet prices.

My family has 4....one was barely touched, only had a radio or something.(we found golf course receipts in it :rolleyes: )

Mine had dual batteries, red and blue lights in the grille and rear glass, dual antennas, some sort of brushguard, and other radio stuff all over.

I put the lights in the bumper slots LOL.....and In the grille where the red and blues WERE.

The other two were similar, with one having the Cop antenna hole through the roof.

I think they called it an Interceptor package

in the City of Venice, Fl. I have asked this and this is what i was told: all the cars are interceptors "AKA can go fast to intercept something" but the 3 gen explorer 4.0 sohc :rolleyes: and their F-150 are not "AKA they are too slow" and use them to tow, so NO.

I just mentioned the sizes for comparison on a "police" Explorer. Front and rear are different, but they're the same diameter(small).

I'll get the 12" rotors on my 93/99 mail vehicle shortly. When I get it rebuilt, I'm going to find a pair of Corvette calipers, and make a bracket to fit them onto 96 Cobra rotors, onto my 98 Mountaineer. ;)
DonW

Why Corvette calipers? Why not just use the Cobra calipers/rotors?

Why Corvette calipers? Why not just use the Cobra calipers/rotors?


I agree! Why waste money on vette calipers? Unless you get a steal of a deal, not worth it. All of us Grand Prix guys upgrade to the camaro disks and calipers. Some have gone to the vette calipers, mostly for looks, as you see through the wheel, the "corvette" logo on the dual piston calipers.... They do brake a lil bit better, but not substantially better than the camaros...

we have a 2nd and 3rd gen explorer in our fleet and they are just like what was mentioned earlier. base models with power locks/windows, A/C, and 4wd. our crown vic's are the police interceptor packages. the impala's are a factory police package (only thing i notice is the surveillance mode switch to cut all exterior lamps off). they pretty much suck. we also have a few blazers that no one likes at all.

LOL....The Police get regular Explorers and modify them at their own outfitting shops.

Trust me folks, this ^^^^^^^ is the definitive word. :D :D

I like the way the driving lights are in the grille, crank--on that ava. pic you have. I oughta get a junkyard grille, and cut it for lights; and then I could interchange my grills if I wanted...hmm. <wheels turning in head>

For the best brakes, I've been wishing for a decent size four piston caliper that is for the Mustang(cheaper, and resellable). Basically all of the Mustang calipers are smaller than the factory Explorer calipers(piston area). We have 1.75" pistons, so changing calipers would be a waste of money if the piston area got smaller.

The older four piston Corvette calipers are easily found, serviced, and they are large enough for the Explorers. I've seen them for as little as $150, rebuilt with stainless sleeves.

I already have 1996 Cobra brakes as spare parts, and I've had the rotors machined to fit my front hubs. All I need are the calipers, and to make the brackets/brake lines.
DonW

If you used 4-piston Corvette calipers, would you have to also change the master cylinder to match?

I'm hoping not, the piston size is about 1/8 inch larger. A smaller size would be a wash, with a larger rotor. I'd prefer a four piston caliper with the same size pistons. The larger rotor would be the gain. If someone thinks of a close to 1.75" piston, four piston caliper, let me know. Price and availability are the big factors.
DonW

Trust me folks, this ^^^^^^^ is the definitive word. :D :D

I like the way the driving lights are in the grille, crank--on that ava. pic you have. I oughta get a junkyard grille, and cut it for lights; and then I could interchange my grills if I wanted...hmm. <wheels turning in head>


The secret: The grille removed: http://www.explorerforum.com/data/3018/6909Lights_No_bumperP9120623.jpg


They are actually pretty cheap lights.....If you want to do this though,The only part of the grille that gets chopped is the dark grey part in between the chrome, and some of the black bar things BEHIND the lights for clearance....you can't even see the difference really.