After installing a Paxton Supercharger, StopTech six-pot brakes, 17-inch SVT wheels, Goodyear Eagle F-1 tires, JBA headers, Tokico shocks, Eibach Springs, Hotchkis anti-roll bars, K&N Filtercharger, and a Borla cat-back exhaust system, the once sedate, mild-mannered '98 Ford Expedition, also known as Project Thunder, is beyond just extreme--it's a menace to the pavement, a threat to all things civil, and a downright blast to drive.
| 163 0304 1az 1998 Ford Expedition Suv Entertainment
Now that all these extreme performance enhancements have taken place, what's next? What could possibly up the ante on our green beast? Alpine Electronics stepped to the plate with a complete entertainment system: in-dash DVD/CD player replete with flip-up LCD monitor, rear overhead video console with LCD monitor and independent head set jacks, GPS unit, and Alpine 5x7 direct-replacement coaxial speakers for pure, crisp sound delivery.
| 163 0304 1bz 1998 Ford Expedition Suv Entertainment Nav
To make it all work, however, the existing aftermarket console had to be addressed. A mere excuse of a seat splitter, it was once home to an abandoned navigation system. The computer was subtle, hidden beneath the confines of the otherwise large unit. But the flip-up doors weren't impressively flipping anymore, and the unit was taking up useful space. A new console was needed; one that would be sharp, well built, and match the tan color of the interior. Cerullo of Pomona, California, was contacted for an opinion.
Makers of various custom interiors, Cerullo yanked the hideous console and custom made a compact unit with leather that matched the original seats, something the computerized version didn't exactly do. The Cerullo unit would also act as a third seat/cupholder. And, in the interest of being a usable seat, it was mounted on a slide track that could move forward and back like the two factory front buckets.
| The Turn-by-Turn GPS unit is obviously satellite controlled. The small black box atop the dash is the communication port.
One thing the old console did was hide the wires controlling the data system, which were now protruding through the underside of the dash. The small size of the Cerullo unit didn't effectively hide them. Another problem, we later discovered, was that the compact size prevented (or so we thought would prevent) the installation of the Alpine CD changer. Disappointments in hand, we began a search for a stock, full-size Expedition console or even one from a Navigator. For this part, we turned to Mike Minasian of Rainbow Auto Dismantling.
Mike located an Expedition console that matched the Thunder's tan interior. In fact, the console originated from a '98 model. The dismantlers had two in stock, one for a Navigator laden in wood trim, the other, directly from an Expedition. We went with the latter unit due to the larger size.
| Three remote controls operate each facet of the CD/GPS/Stereo/DVD system.
Mike removed the Cerullo center section and easily bolted in the Ford unit. However, like most consoles, the NOS unit is a two-piece composed of a base, which bolts to the floor (and makes up the sides), and a top that bolts to the main body. No big deal, except that the aforementioned wires now protruded through the top of the console and wouldn't allow the cap to bolt into place.
Mark DeCapite and his technicians at Mark's Auto Sound in San Gabriel, California, came up with a solution and went to work removing the stock stereo and fitting the Alpine system in place, which, for the most part, popped right in. The protruding wires were dealt with (read, removed) as if they didn't even exist.
| Many manuals attempt to educate owners on the exotic system's use; however, we think it's best to learn by playing with it.
The trick to this multifaceted system is that either of the three remotes will operate the stereo, and, if in the right mode (some would say "mood"), the GPS remote will operate (within certain limits) the DVD and vice versa. Through trial and error, we found that you can have the radio playing when navigating with the GPS--but something went weird, and now the radio won't play while the GPS is activated. Switch to the radio, and the GPS deactivates. At least Alpine supplied us with a one-inch-thick manual.
Regardless, Alpine's turn-by-turn navigational guidance is friendly enough. Entering your destination is a snap: simply type in the destination address, and the system calculates your location and tells you how and where to go. On the LCD monitor, you can see your path highlighted in blue. If a restaurant is desired, check under the options menu and click "Restaurants" from the list, which will ask you to choose what type you want: Italian, Chinese, American, Brew House, Cajun, Indian, and so on. When you click your selection, the system comes up with various options within a certain radius of the vehicle's location. Choose one, and the navigator tells you how to proceed.
All in all, it's an excellent and nearly foolproof system. Should you miss a turn, the GPS recalculates how to get back to your specific location. Controlled by an independent CD-ROM located under the passenger seat, the Alpine offers different regions to choose from across the country. This way, should you wind up in Florida, you can pop in the CD-ROM pertaining to the East Coast to find your way like a pro.
| 1998 Ford Expedition Suv interior Wiring
Once the GPS was mastered, we moved on to the DVD player. To watch a movie, turn the key to the "on" position, pop in the DVD, and step on the foot brake. Pull the release, reset the break, release again, and set the parking brake one final time. Let go of the foot brake, and the movie springs to life. No, the hokey-pokey isn't required; however, rumor has it that other stereo makers have tinkered with the idea. It's all in the name of safety, of course, to make certain the movie isn't playing while the vehicle is on the road, distracting the driver worse than any cell-phone ever dreamed of doing. However, much to rear-passengers' relief, the movie will play on the rear overhead LCD while the vehicle is moving--just press play, plug in the headphones, and move on.
| Cerullo stepped in with a helping hand to the tune of a leather-clad console serving as third seat, cupholder, armrest, and storage bin. The console was built on slide rails, enabling it to move forward and back. Despite its clever design, the unit was too small to house a CD changer.
Once you get the movie going, it's well worth it. The quality of the LCD screens is immaculate, and the clarity of the sound from the 5x7s is incredible. Despite being a compact unit designed for automotive use, the system rivals a home unit, the picture and sound are perfect, and it offers the same features as a home DVD player. Sliding a disc into the unit is exactly like putting in a CD: they both use the same head-unit entry point.
Ironically, we didn't have a CD changer with this setup, only the single in-dash player. Thus, the larger console wasn't necessary, but the stock look does fit the sleeper motif of Thunder--and the stereo sounds great to boot. The system also is "buildable," meaning that if we decide to incorporate a changer in the future, it will be easy to do. Despite its somewhat temperamental nature, the new unit truly sets off Thunder as a great project vehicle.
Tune in next time when Project Thunder receives some custom appliques to set it apart from the sleeper crowd and draw it closer to the vehicle SVT never built that it mimics. TT
Sources Cerullo Inc. (center console)
2853 Metropolitan Pl.
Pomona, CA 91767
909/392-5561
Alpine Electronics of America (DVD/CD player)
19145 Gramercy Pl.
Torrance, CA 90501
310/326-8000
Rainbow Auto Dismantling (pre-owned console)
8917 Norris Ave.
Sun Valley, CA 91352
818/767-0316
Mark's Auto Sound (stereo installation)
1217 E. Las Tunas Dr.
San Gabriel, CA 91776
626/286-3948
| 1998 Ford Expedition Suv interior Modifications
By the Numbers STOCK CONFIGURATIONAcceleration, 0-60 mph, sec9.1Quarter mile, sec/mph17.0/80.0{{{600}}}-ft slalom, mph{{{57}}}.0Braking, 60-0 mph, ft141
STAGE I MODIFICATIONSK&N air filter, Borla cat-back-exhaust power set, O.Z. Racing {{{Nova}}} S/T wheels, Toyo 285/60R18 Proxes S/T tiresAcceleration, 0-60 mph, sec8.8Quarter mile, sec/mph16.6/82.2600-ft slalom, mph58.0Braking, 60-0 mph, ft138 Stage I Cost$2946
STAGE II MODIFICATIONSEibach Springs, Tokico Trekmaster R/T shocks, Hotchkis anti-roll bars front/rear, JBA Shorty Headers, K&N FIPK2Acceleration, 0-60 mph, sec8.8Quarter mile, sec/mph16.6/82.2600-ft slalom, mph60.5Braking, 60-0 mph, ft138Stage II Cost$2006Total cost$4952
STAGE III MODIFICATIONS{{{Ford Expedition}}} 5.4L Paxton Supercharger kit, installation, and serviceAcceleration, 0-60 mph, sec7.0Quarter mile, sec/mph15.9/89.0600-ft slalom, mph60.5Braking, 60-0 mph, ft138Stage III Cost$4920Total cost$9872
STAGE IV MODIFICATIONSBraking, 60-0, ft127Stage IV Cost$3195Total cost$13,067
STAGE V MODIFICATIONSAlpine AM/FM stereo with in-dash LCD monitor, DVD/CD player, GPS, four 5x7 direct replacement speakers, overhead video unit, installation Overhead video unit, in-dash DVD/CD player$2500Speaker upgrade, GPS unit$3600Stage V Cost$6100Cost to date$19,167
