German Spec Explorer - What is this?

[NICE59FORDF100]

Found this on an old thread from 03 on our forum, so I started researching and found a pic of it on ebay.

Its the panel located to the left of the steering wheel, where your left knee would be. know what this is?

Also notice right below the hvac controls, that weird panel just sticking out there.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

Here's our thread:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=73389&referrerid=17554

and heres another photo from a german spec ranger:

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

and another pic...

 

[IZwack]

Also notice right below the hvac controls, that weird panel just sticking out there.

Any ideas?

Cigar lighter + ashtray

 

[Turdle]

German cars seem to be equipped with brighter fog lights, and bright red rear fog lights.

Another thing they use a lot in Europe are anti theft disabling devices.

Is this a multi fuel vehicle?

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

Ok, found this on German Ebay. That plastic peice just juts out there, and I can't for life of me figure out why, just interesting...

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

OK, this is the control that goes on the left side of the steering wheel. It appears to be a dim setting for the fog lights?

This is the only description i can find, both german and english...

Schalter Lichthöhe Ford Explorer 93-95

Switch light height Ford Explorer 93-95

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

Ok, i know many of you already know this, but its new to me. Apparently, cars and trucks over seas had the ability to adjust the level and height of the headlights, hence why the euro explorers (first gen anway) had different headlights then US-spec. the panel on the left of the steering wheel housed this. So now I am wandering how are it would be to retrofit the headlight adjuster motors to the adjustment screws on the us-bound first gens....

 

[92exp4x4]

I'm sure if you could find the parts lists and pics, it would be an easy retrofit. I'm sure the holes are in all exs. I have noticed the lights in the rear bumpers of euro trucks before, but these were 2nd gens.

Look for some german service manuals. I'm sure these will show the equipment as installed.

 

[Anime]

Most european countries have very strict lighting regulations, and the Explorer would have been a luxury utility vehicle over there, so it would make sense to not only have the required foul & fog weather lights and switches, but also some kind of manual or auto headlight leveling system for when the vehicle was towing or loaded. The addition of the dash pods for the switches was likely to have them facing up at the driver and within easy reach, rather the facing down if mounted to the stock US-style trim. The ashtray door extender was just to complement the styling of the additional trim on the drivers side.

The speedo is interesting, as is the steering wheel horn pad with the noticable lack of cruise control.


Also of note, the OHV V6 was designed and engineered in Cologne, Germany.
So all V6 Explorers are "German-spec", really.

 

[briwayjones]

The speedo is interesting

How is the speedo interesting other than the fact that it's in KMs which is to be expected?

 

[92exp4x4]

I like them, I want one!!

 

[Anime]

How is the speedo interesting other than the fact that it's in KMs which is to be expected?

It's still interesting to see one, when it's in an interior just like the one you drive in almost all the time.



That pic confirms what I suspected for awhile, the only way the Explorers headlamps were going to meet the european regs was to replace the poor plastic DOT housings with 200mm rectangular lamps and H4 bulbs. Probably with the Bronco II mounts. Now to find the european headlamp trim to do a conversion...