I'm trying to put the finishing touches to an Explorer OHC into my 2005 FX4.
I have used the information from the site to get the bracket installed and have got most of the headliner cut out to the same size as the mounting bracket.

I have cut the matching slots into the windshield header support structure. All that remains is to finish cutting the headliner and popping the OHC into place.

My problem is I think everything is where it should be but when I try to push the console up and engage the front clips, the console profile does not match the headliner contour. It looks like the console has shifted back and no longer will nest with the area adjacent to the windshield.

I'll try to get a few pictures and post them and see if something jumps out at you guys that have accomplished this mod. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Pics is going to help. Mine did the same thing. I had to tweak the mounting bracket a little to make it look right.

 

Yeah, it can be little tricky. Make sure you test fit a lot and may have to shift the mounting bracket ever so slightly in one direction or another. I left a 1 inch+ area of headliner around the inside border edge to allow for any slight adjustments.

 

Um.... OHC engine from an Explorer? What exactly are you putting in? We had the OHV 4.0L, and a 4.0L SOHC... and the good ol OHV 5.0L. Never heard of an OHC engine from an Explorer?

 

^^^ LOL.

OHC = Over Head Console. Not engine related.

 

That's funny right there

 

LMAO!

 

Lmfao.... omg... that was hilarious....... ENOUGH with be abreviations.. hahaha..

 

bigd, I had the same issue. So I got it mounted as close as I could then I took some scrap headliner that I had cut out and stuffed it inside next to the windshield which made the headliner bow out a little bit. That eliminated most of the gap when I re-mounted the console.

 

Sorry for the delayed post, Work keeps getting in the way.

Here is a picture of the bracket that I have installed in the truck.
I nested the 90 degree bend in the mounting bracket into the 90 degree joint between the windshield header and the center support bar.

All the measurements have the bracket located in the center of the windshield header.

Am I on the right track here and how much more headliner should I remove?

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2...racket001R.jpg

Thanks for any advise you may have.

 

I can't tell from the pic all that well but I think the bracket is back a little too far.

 

How do I move it forward when it is nested tight against the windshield header? Do I slide it down the sloped header so there is a gap at the top?

 

Need to cut more headliner out in the font and move the bracket down toward the window.

Only thing your gonna have a hole at the back now cause u cut it wrong the front of the bracket at the windshield should be 1.5" -2" from the windshield

You can kinda tell how close it is in this picture

 

How can he move it when the "Z" shaped contour in the middle is fitted perfectly to the roof?

 

I think my best option is to head off to the salvage yard tonight after work and make a rub off of the mounting locations from an Exploder. I'll use the top edge where the windshield header meets the center roof support bar as the index point.

I'll report back with the results. I'm really regretting hacking into my headliner right now.

JO

 

Update......
Since there are enough OHC threads on this site already with pictures, I'll just report in that my trip to the salvage yard on Saturday was soggy but successful. I took a piece of paper and made a rub off tracing of an Exploder mounting holes. Came home and relocated the mounting bracket about 1/2" down from the nested location.

Lengthened the slots and the center mounting hole. Reinstalled the bracket and it snapped right in with a lot of upward pressure. The screws pulled the back end up nicely to the headliner and there are no visible gaps. Glad I did not trim any more out of the back end.

Anyway, I have completed the OHC mod, the Taurus Dome Light mod, and the pre 2003 cargo box CHMSL mod. In addition I ordered and installed a new set of factory ebony floor mats which compliment the black and gray color scheme of my FX4 interior.

I took a couple of pictures of the Exploder mounting locations. I can make a copy of the mounting location template and place it in a PDF format. Was thinking that these might be good items to create a "sticky" for so if people want a copy of the template they can print it off and save themselves some frustration.

Anyway, thanks to all who offered suggestions and thanks to soccerjohn and sad savant for their guidance and assistance. Time to get back to building a hot rod.

JO

 

I'd love to do this mod but I'm kind of afraid to hack my headliner up. You want to do mine for me.

 

I just picked up an OHC and will be doing the mod soon...thanks for the info

 

Bring it. I'll help.

 

Ha ha when it comes to cutting and butchering everyone is always willing to help, and laugh when it goes wrong. I may take you up on that offer. I guess I need to go to work on finding me an OHC for my truck.

 

have one for you if you like. lmk just pay shipping. pm ur addy and i will get it out to you.