My Explorer Build Blog

[rebel167us]

That seems more logical, as I don't have the tools to exactly make mounting brackets. Unless they're wood. hah. The LP mount would be the Perfect or near Perfect size. Thank you, seriously.

[Djames1993]

Any progress on the roof dome? I would really love to see how that turns out.

[DrewSmith007]

No progress on the dome itself, but I spent the better part of the weekend doing this to a junkyard Explorer...





I'm going to use it to trial cut the opening and to build the roof box and dome mold. I don't have the guts to just cut my roof open willy-nilly, unlike Cyrix...

[scoodidabop]

It looks like a t-rex bit the roof off that car!

I'm building my fiberglass roof box seperately using Cyrix's IOA templates, then mounting it to the car when it's done. I gotta go hit this local place up again for the plexi so my fingers are crossed that they'll actually do the work. They're capable, just not willing!

[DrewSmith007]

It looks like a t-rex bit the roof off that car!

Did you notice the image name?

I'm building my fiberglass roof box seperately using Cyrix's IOA templates, then mounting it to the car when it's done. I gotta go hit this local place up again for the plexi so my fingers are crossed that they'll actually do the work. They're capable, just not willing!

I'm going to use it as well. I bought some parts to build the oven yesterday, I'm planning on building the oven in parallel with the dome buck, since there's bound to be lulls in both of their progress. I'm shooting to have the dome done by the end on June. I find I work better with a deadline.

[rebel167us]

Hahahahaha! I thought the same thing when I saw the white Topless Explorer.

That made my day. I'm glad you guys are conquering the roof. I don't have the heart to cut my roof. Although I did talk to a friend who works for Boeing and did say it'd cost about $8K for an accurate bubble if he could do it.

[DrewSmith007]

It won't cost anywhere near that, but that's because I'm doing it all myself. 8k would probably be the low end if Boeing did it...

[ratrace427]

I wonder if you should take measurements off your ford and put braces in the one on the floor. Will it go all limp when you cut the whole in the top?

[DrewSmith007]

I thought about doing that, but I've already cut the top. I spent last night doing this:

[rebel167us]

The pillar right behind the doors, you could likely fab up a cross brace to keep the entire roof from being all wobbly. But you could keep it hidden as well like the movie.*The squared tan part right before it goes back, That could likely be the roof brace.* I imagine they wouldn't do a hack-job since the Actor's would be using the vehicle.