How do I take out the right cargo panel?

[97Sportrac]

So I have a 97 Explorer Sport... there is no room to mount the amps under any seats... the amp is too big to fit on the left hand side panel because there is a big metal box there. The only option is to take off the right hand cargo box and putting the amp in there.

What is the easiest way to take this thing off?

 

[wired_af]

The pocket is held on in a way that u have to remove the whole right side panel. You might as well just take off that whole panel on the right side. It will be a whole lot easier to install the amp with the whole side off.

The upper part of the seat belts need to be removed, along with the little screw in the coat hanger holder thing. There are also 3 or 4 screwes along the bottom of the panel that need to be removed. Also, you will have to remove all the little plastic plug things all over the panel.
I have done this twice, the first time is a b!tch

, but the second time is a breeze.

Have fun!

 

[Hokie]

Originally posted by wired_af
I have done this twice, the first time is a b!tch Have fun!

Haha.. yeah, I remember my first time... Heck I've done soo many amp by-passes on X's that I can have that cargo cover panel off in 10. It really isn't that difficult, just be careful when you start pulling on it b/c there will be screws that you probably didn't see.

Also, for getting out what we call "Christmas trees" (the plastic clips along the door seam and under the rear most window), take some side cutters or dykes, and use those to hold the clip from under neath the 'head' so to speak. Then put a screwdriver between the cutters and the plastic panel, and pull out the clip. Basically, you're using the cutters as a lever, and the screw driver is the fulcrum. Be very gentle with these clips because they are notorious for breaking (too the point where we would keep a bin of new ones in the install bay).

Hit me up with any questions, I've done many a system in an X and I've got both amps + 1 farad capacitor behind my cargo panel.

 

[97Sportrac]

Well I kind of took of the belt and all that stuff but I didn't take the panel off. I peeled it back just enough so that I could run the wires under the door still etc...

Should I go to Ford and pick up more of those plastic pins?

The question is once I take the cargo net out how do I cover the opening nicely?

 

[Hokie]

I believe auto parts stores can probably get you new pins. Did you break some?

And for covering the pocket, lemme see if i can get a pic of mine up sometime today after work. I didn't have the cargo net, my pocket used a plastic piece, but i'll show you the cover i fabbed.

 

[Black Magic]

Originally posted by 97Sportrac
Should I go to Ford and pick up more of those plastic pins?

Just take your time and be careful.

The question is once I take the cargo net out how do I cover the opening nicely?

You can use plexy glass or just put the trim ring back on.

Here is a piss poor pic of someone's from the board but you get the idea.

 

[Black Magic]

Here you go review this thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53333&highlight=amp+pocket

 

[Hokie]

Thats where mine are (in the link Magic posted)... But i've got a nice cover made so you can't see the amps but the mesh still allows for cooling... I'll scan em when I get home tonight.

 

[fordtruckin]

when you haved removed the side panel, what exactly do you attcach the amp to keep it in place??

 

[fordtruckin]

when you haved removed the side panel, what exactly do you attcach the amp to keep it in place??

 

[Hokie]

I fabbed up some metal brackets for mine The tops of each amp are mounted directly to the frame under the window and the bottom of the amps are mounted via the metal brackets that go between them and the floor.