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Re: The quest for the most accurate JP explorer replica ever!

Posted: May 14th, 2015, 4:01 pm
by Henrique_Z_Tomassi
Wow! Great! I'll stick to this thread!
Good luck on your project.

Re: The quest for the most accurate JP explorer replica ever!

Posted: June 6th, 2015, 6:13 pm
by Ramphastid
Okay kind of a big update here. A lot has happened over the past few weeks and I've just been too busy to report- but here it is.

As you can see, I installed the hood spot light and 'close enough' brush guard. The brush guard is the right manufacturer but it is made for a 96 explorer. I had to modify a lot of it and square of the portion that covers the headlights in order for it to look like the original go rhino from the movie.

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But then, while up late one night scowering the darkest corners of the internet for parts- I found it. THE original Go Rhino brush guard used in the movie and easily one of the most difficult parts to find. It was on an old 91 explorer sport on craigslist.

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I immediately got in contact with him and negotiated a price. I ended up having to drive a 30+ hour drive from Louisiana to Denver in order to pick it up but it was worth it. I figured it would take me years to find it considering there are only about 3 or 4 JP explorers around that have the right brush guard. And that includes the one at Islands of Adventure. Scoodidabop, a member here, is one of them. I immediately had it sandblasted and powder coated the screen accurate glossy black. Unfortunately, the screen accurate lights are even harder to find (and made of plastic) so I found the closest thing I could find until I get ahold of them.

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So far, so good. Still need to get the passengers side molding fixed, the logos on the sides are slightly too big and i still need to find somebody competent to fabricate the rest of the interior and the bubble roof- But it's coming along steadily. The screen accurate tail light guards, running boards, and antenna are also going to be difficult to find.

Here's a bonus picture of it being setup for some filming we are doing with it this coming week.

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Oh yeah, and I finally put the license plate on properly.\

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I probably spent around $1600 trying to make that close enough brush guard alone but at least I found the screen accurate one. I'll be posting that brush guard for sale both here and on the RPF for those interested!

Re: The quest for the most accurate JP explorer replica ever!

Posted: June 7th, 2015, 8:21 am
by ratrace427
It looks amazing! Dont worry about the small things that people will not notice. I think my Jeep is completely different but people always think they see me somewhere that i am not. You are just like me, so i understand but the tires will be noticed.

Re: The quest for the most accurate JP explorer replica ever!

Posted: June 7th, 2015, 6:54 pm
by Ramphastid
ratrace427 wrote:It looks amazing! Dont worry about the small things that people will not notice. I think my Jeep is completely different but people always think they see me somewhere that i am not. You are just like me, so i understand but the tires will be noticed.
It bothers me a lot. I know people wont notice but every time I look at it it starts getting me all boiled up inside! lol

Re: The quest for the most accurate JP explorer replica ever!

Posted: June 7th, 2015, 7:58 pm
by mysteed
Great build!

Re: The quest for the most accurate JP explorer replica ever!

Posted: June 9th, 2015, 12:02 am
by fantomas
Absolutely amazing.

Re: The quest for the most accurate JP explorer replica ever!

Posted: June 13th, 2015, 8:46 pm
by 85 GT Kid
Looks great. Where'd you get the seats? I read they were from a Wagoneer or something but figured I'd ask :).

Re: The quest for the most accurate JP explorer replica ever!

Posted: June 14th, 2015, 2:49 pm
by Ecto-DMC
Damn nice work keep the progress pics coming ;)

Cameron

Re: The quest for the most accurate JP explorer replica ever!

Posted: June 14th, 2015, 3:03 pm
by Ramphastid
85 GT Kid wrote:Looks great. Where'd you get the seats? I read they were from a Wagoneer or something but figured I'd ask :).
The seats were custom made. They look similar to jeep grand Cherokee seats bur they were confirmed to be custom for the production.

Re: The quest for the most accurate JP explorer replica ever!

Posted: June 15th, 2015, 9:52 am
by heartyfield
Conversion vans were still going strong at the time of the movie, and I've always thought a lot of the explorer interior looked similar. Did you have the seats made?