LeathersR
Member
- Joined
- July 5, 2024
- Messages
- 11
- Reaction score
- 7
- City, State
- Smithfield, NC
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2015 PIU and 2020 ST
I've benefitted frequently from browsing these forums, so its about time I register and contribute a liitle bit.
My name is Ryan. In 2019, my wife and I purchased a 2020 Explorer ST and have loved it. She is the primary driver, which is a good thing, because I'd probably have tickets and insurance problems if it was my daily driver. Its just too tempting to drive this thing like a race car.
This vehicle is perfect as is, and remains entirely stock.
A few months ago, I picked up a 2015 PIU from auction - the AWD 3.7L variety. I'm pleased with it so far. It is mechanically in great shape and has required very little work so far. I have no plans to push its limits off road, but I have taken it camping and done some light off roading. It hasn't let me down once.
Here is the work I've done or had done:
Changed all the fluids - including the PTU which was a major pain in the butt
Replaced the brakes.
Removed all the left over police decals and surface junk - many hours with an eraser wheel
Had the doors and pillars painted black to match the rest of the body
Tapped the roof rail anchor points and installed OEM Explorer rails sourced from a wrecking yard
Removed left over police center console and other steel armor elsewhere in the interior
Started tracking down and removing wiring harnesses for systems that are no longer needed (just the ones running down the middle of the vehicle so far)
Added custom fitted rubber floor mats
Modified the Non-Synch stereo system by adding a physical AUX port and enabling it in ForScan
Made a handful of other small changes in ForScan to make it behave more like a civilian vehicle than a police vehicle (dark mode, remote unlock, etc)
Here is the work I'm currently planning to do:
Replace or modify the rear door panels in order to expose the rear speakers. I'm not going to replace the stock stereo, but I do want to be able to hear 4 speakers.
Install remote start.
Replace the front grill. I have some cut outs up there where police equipment was installed, and I want to tidy things up.
Add fog lights. I probably wouldn't bother, but since that grill is coming off I will take the opportunity to add the fogs.
Install a VHF/UHF radio, HF radio, and multi-band scanner. I'm a ham radio operator. I want to be able to operate from the comfort of this vehicle.
Install 3 antennas for these 3 radios.
Figure out a power control and distribution system for the 3 radios plus support some accessories like a tablet, GPS, USB C PD, etc.
Source or build a custom center console to support the radios and accessories
This may be overly optimistic, but I'm anticipating updating my progress here in the forum as I go, and will of course be happy to receive input and suggestions, or respond to questions and offer explanations for anything I figure out.
My name is Ryan. In 2019, my wife and I purchased a 2020 Explorer ST and have loved it. She is the primary driver, which is a good thing, because I'd probably have tickets and insurance problems if it was my daily driver. Its just too tempting to drive this thing like a race car.
This vehicle is perfect as is, and remains entirely stock.
A few months ago, I picked up a 2015 PIU from auction - the AWD 3.7L variety. I'm pleased with it so far. It is mechanically in great shape and has required very little work so far. I have no plans to push its limits off road, but I have taken it camping and done some light off roading. It hasn't let me down once.
Here is the work I've done or had done:
Changed all the fluids - including the PTU which was a major pain in the butt
Replaced the brakes.
Removed all the left over police decals and surface junk - many hours with an eraser wheel
Had the doors and pillars painted black to match the rest of the body
Tapped the roof rail anchor points and installed OEM Explorer rails sourced from a wrecking yard
Removed left over police center console and other steel armor elsewhere in the interior
Started tracking down and removing wiring harnesses for systems that are no longer needed (just the ones running down the middle of the vehicle so far)
Added custom fitted rubber floor mats
Modified the Non-Synch stereo system by adding a physical AUX port and enabling it in ForScan
Made a handful of other small changes in ForScan to make it behave more like a civilian vehicle than a police vehicle (dark mode, remote unlock, etc)
Here is the work I'm currently planning to do:
Replace or modify the rear door panels in order to expose the rear speakers. I'm not going to replace the stock stereo, but I do want to be able to hear 4 speakers.
Install remote start.
Replace the front grill. I have some cut outs up there where police equipment was installed, and I want to tidy things up.
Add fog lights. I probably wouldn't bother, but since that grill is coming off I will take the opportunity to add the fogs.
Install a VHF/UHF radio, HF radio, and multi-band scanner. I'm a ham radio operator. I want to be able to operate from the comfort of this vehicle.
Install 3 antennas for these 3 radios.
Figure out a power control and distribution system for the 3 radios plus support some accessories like a tablet, GPS, USB C PD, etc.
Source or build a custom center console to support the radios and accessories
This may be overly optimistic, but I'm anticipating updating my progress here in the forum as I go, and will of course be happy to receive input and suggestions, or respond to questions and offer explanations for anything I figure out.
