My Explorer Build Blog

[DrewSmith007]

It was a bit too tall, and I wasn't really happy with the curve either.

Good point Tim, that's how I'll look at it!

[yj87jp]

Good luck with the explorer, I really want to build one some day

[fantomas]

It's been a while... any updates here? What did you plan on using for the roof window?

[DrewSmith007]

Not much to report. I picked up a clear hatch window today and just got all the purple tint off. I took the trim off the bottom yesterday and found some rust. Not as bad as it could have been, but it'll take some work to fix.

The roof dome will be made from 1/4" acrylic. Unless one of the other guys figures something out first, I'll be building a custom oven to form the acrylic. I'll be sure to document the process as well as I can.

[rebel167us]

How did you come up with the track sensor? I wanted to make one but due to being required to have a Front license plate, there goes that idea. I Was thinking of making mine out of foam and goofing around with a boxed shape.

[DrewSmith007]

Someone on ExplorerForum identified it as a lid to a battery box. You can get them on ebay new, but they have debossed info labels that have to be dealt with.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390402187148?ss ... 1439.l2649

The domes are from hobby lobby, with a hole drilled in the center.

[rebel167us]

I would of Never thought of using a battery box. hah! I'm going to look into seeing what the laws are fpr putting things infront of my vehicle as it'd be where the front plate is. We don't have a HobbyLobby here so getting clear domes.. That'll be some searching. ha

[DrewSmith007]

http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Plastic-Fil ... TRHRT790ZN

Any hobby or craft store probably has them. They come in 2 pieces and have a loop on top to tie things to. You need the 4" ones, sometimes called 100mm.

[rebel167us]

Ahh Okay! I know Exactly where I can get those. How would the sensor/box mount? I would only assume its bolted to the bumper or a hidden bracket of somesort.

[DrewSmith007]

I screwed the top of mine into the top of the stock license plate mount. Not sure how you'll handle it, but I think you can move the plate elsewhere as long as it's still visible.