Just completed the Exploder Overhead Console (OHC) mod to my 2005 Ford Ranger FX4. I had some difficultly getting the console to fit the contour of the headliner and had to do some trial and error cutting and fitting to make it fit properly. In addition to that, I also could not find any reference on how to properly locate the mounting bracket and in none of the other threads on this site or other Ranger sites was it mentioned to cut the hole for the bracket center tab.

So to make life a little simpler for future installers of this mod, I went to a local salvage yard and took a couple of pictures of the mounting holes in a 1999 Ford Exploder. In addition to the pictures, I made a rub off tracing of the mounting holes on a piece of paper.

I took the paper and darkened the cutouts and labeled the edge that contacts the roof center support. Now you just center the template on the windshield header (measuring from each side of the roof structure) and transfer the hole pattern for the cutouts and the mounting holes.

Here is the location of the PDF file of the template.
Thanks 04blackedge for placing this on your server.
http://trent.mpmnc.com/OHCExploderTemplate.pdf

This first photo is of the Exploder OHC mounting bracket installed in the vehicle. Notice the center mounting tab of the bracket.


This photo is the Exploder OHC mounting holes that must be transferred to the Ranger Windshield header. The round holes on the bracket centerline are not required since the wiring is different between the 2 vehicles.


This photo is a close up of the Exploder mounting locations.


If you notice in the second and third pictures, the slotted cutouts for the mounting tabs are located on the windshield header as it curves under toward the windshield. I located the paper template so that the cutouts look similar to the picture and then scooted the paper up the windshield header until it hit the roof center support bar. I transferred the pattern and cut the 3 holes. I also used the pattern to mark the 2 screw holes that hold the bracket to the windshield header.

Now you can install the tab on the mounting bracket into the center slot and the OHC will now be supported just like Ford did on the Exploder. Once the bracket was installed, I installed the headliner and used an exacto knife to trim the remaining headliner to clear.

When the bracket is installed per this template in my truck, the zee portion of the mounting bracket was about 3/8" down from the roof center support bar. On an Exploder, the bracket nests into the upper angle of the windshield header at the roof which leads me to believe that the Ranger has a slightly thicker windshield header.

I hope this will help some of you who are considering this mod and any of you who may want to revisit your mod to add the center slot for the mounting bracket tab if your original mod needs additional stability.

Let me know if you have any questions or need clarifications.

JO

 

Nice job

Hopefully this will help people out so they can do it themselves

Easiest OHC I have installed so far was one for my father in law in his explorer that didnt come with a OHC. After cutting the headliner everything was already there

 

This should help out a ton, that was the hardest part IMO, getting the hole and the bracket lined up right.

 

Now just getting people to use it

Mods need to make this a sticky in the interior section and post it in the HOW TO: section

 

i want to do this really bad. but im lost on how it supposed to be so easy. im so confused on how its done and i have looked at a few threads and still dont really get it

 

sweet that would have been nice to have when i dont mine

 

Can someone rehost the PFD since the links dead now.

 

the pdf works fine..

 

Still working for me

 

Well now I feel like an idiot, it works for me now too.. Lol

 

but i got it saved just in case.

 

The PDF isn't working for me. Anyone have a copy they can send me? I think I'm about ready to destroy my headliner.

 

Mike,
PM me with your email address. I'm on a business trip and am using my laptop.
I'll try to get you a copy off my home computer and email it to you. Hope that will work.

 

Ditto on the dead pdf link...
Could someone with the file upload it & post a new link??
Thanx

 

Nice job. When I put in my OHC, I spent a LOT of time test-fitting it. Its a pain but well worth the effort. This shoulld help a lot.

Thanks!

 

Thanks bigdog for the template and your tips. I got most of the OHC installed late last night and finished up this morning. It works like a charm and came out perfectly. This is a pretty time consuming mod, and a little nerve racking, lol. I almost think my Level II twin stick conversion was easier and they took about the same amount of time. I guess thats what happens when you want all the wires ran just a certain way.

 

I'm working with one of the moderators to get the template transferred and hosted on Ranger Forums. That way everyone can get access to it again.

JO

 

Good deal,

Last week I was at the guy's farm who has the Explorer I've got parts from & I never thought to take a pad of paper and measure/trace that stupid OHC mounting area.

Once I get the template I'll upload it to my photobucket in case something happens to it again.

 

here it is temp. rehosted. you just have to download it.
(this is the original one from the first post)

http://www.sendspace.com/file/o0olnk

 

PM me your email address and I can send you the template bigdog emailed me.

 

Here's a pic I converted to a .jpg:




Not sure if my .jpg dimensions are correct, but you can measure your bracket to see how things line up.

 

Here is the original pdf file now hosted on Ranger Forums.
Thanks Zack for keeping this alive for others to use.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/images...r_Template.pdf

Still might be a good idea to get it made into a Sticky so it will be readily available.

 

so let me get this straight. YOU removed your entire headliner to do this? Isnt it just the same as leaving it in and doing the mod?

 

Cancel that.. works fine lol.

 

Print via landscape or portrait?

Works for a 01' Ranger? About ready to start cutting now...

Just want to make sure!

Thanks,
-Nigel