Reference: Ford Explorer Guide

How to Build a Jurassic Park Explorer Tour Vehicle: A complete reference guide.

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• Ford Explorer:
  • General Information
• Body:
  • Paint vs Vinyl Wrap
    • Paint
    • Vinyl Wrap
  • Decals
  • Side Digit Numbers
  • License Plate
  • Reference Images
• Exterior:
  • Antennas
  • Bubble Roof
  • Brush Guard
  • Tail Light Guards
  • Lights
  • Track Sensor
  • Front Camera
  • Running Boards
  • Wheels & Tires
• Interior:
  • TV / Dashboard
  • Microphone
  • Center Console
  • Dash Cameras
  • Tour Program
  • Woodgrain Door Handle Trim
  • Custom Seats
• Accessories / Props
  • Mirror Tag
  • Flashlight
  • First Aid Kit
  • Flare Box / Fire Extinguisher

Building your own Jurassic Park vehicle? Join our Workshop Build Help Group today!

Ford Explorer:

General Information:

• First Generation Ford Explorer (1991 - 1994)
  • 1992 was used in the film.
  • '93 and '94 models have a different steering wheel than the one used in the film.
• Trim: XLT
  • Note: XL Trim was used for the T-Rex Breakout Scene on Explorer 04.
• 2-wheel drive
• Originally white exterior, painted and decals added for the movie.
• Tan "Mocha" Interior (Mocha color not available in 1991)
• Clear Glass

For best results, find a 1992 XLT. In 1993, a plastic trim was added to the lower portion of the body. Removal of that trim will leave several rivet holes. These holes can be filled, but it can be difficult.

Body:

Paint vs Vinyl Wrap

	Paint	Vinyl Wrap
Application Skill:	Can be done both at home by spray paint, at home with an air-powered paint gun, or by a professional shop.	Must be done at a professional shop or have the material sourced by a professional shop. Install can be difficult.
Life Expectancy:	Paint life has many variables like the amount of sun exposure and quality of prep-work. Depending on the level of application, it can last a very long time.	Most vinyl wraps are rated for only 3 - 5 years. Some may have a 10-year life expectancy, but it depends on use, level of care, and exposure to the elements.
Durability:	Paint with a protective clear coat can be very durable. As long as the clear coat is monitored and maintained, no normal damage should occur.	Vinyl wrap is very susceptible to scratches, nicks, and other damage associated with general wear. Once damage occurs, there is no repair.
Color Match:	Color matching with paint at home can be very difficult. For better results, have your paint mixed by a professional. For the best results, have paint applied by a professional shop.	Because of the complexity of the design, vinyl wraps do very well at matching the color, especially with the lower green/yellow gradient.
Repair-ability:	If it has been damaged, paint can be repaired as long as you have some of the original paint. However, it may be difficult to make the repair blend in depending on the location of damage.	Once a section of vinyl has been damaged, the only repair option is to replace that section. It's a very costly repair, and replacing the whole section may not color match due to sun exposure.
Install Time:	Paint is a very time-consuming process, and its final quality greatly depends on how much prep-work was done.	Vinyl wrap can be installed on the vehicle in as little as one day. However, you still have to do a little prep-work.
Overall Quality:	Depending on the application, paint can have better quality than vinyl. It provides a more permanent and finished look.	Vinyl wraps, depending on the application, may have seams in certain areas that show between sections of vinyl.

Consensus: If you're looking for a permanent result, then paint is by far the best choice. If you'd rather have a quick temporary design, a vinyl wrap may be a better solution for you.
While plasti-dip is another option, we do not recommend it for Explorer builds because of the design complexity.

Paint

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Vinyl Wrap

Decals

• Decals are available for purchase through the following:

  • 401 Graphics by Kevin Costic

Door Logos

The T-Rex circle is always to the front of the vehicle on both sides. The Rex inside both circles looks to the right.

Download:

License Plate

• Stamped Metal I.N.C.R. Plate
  • Multiple variations available
    • Stamped Numbers
    • Decal Numbers
      • Decal Number Placement Guide
  • Produced and sold by CelebrityMachines.com
• License Plate Frame
  • Closest Match
    • Cruiser Accessories 21350 Slim Rim, Black

Reference Images

Exterior:

Antennas

• TRAM 1607-HC 46-Inch VHF Marine Antenna
  • (note: The photo on amazon is shown from the back of the antenna)
  • One Each Side
  • Video Guide

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Bubble Roof

DISCLAIMER: The Modifications Required To Produce A Screen Accurate Jurassic Park Explorer Tour Vehicle may Conflict With Local Laws. After Modifying The Vehicle, it May No Longer Be “Street Legal”. Please Check Local Laws Before Modifying Your Roof, Compromising Roll-Over Protection and Other Modifications involving the Bubble Roof.

 

Photos of Cyrix9445 build.

Brush Guard

• Go Rhino! Brush Guard
  • Sumatra 3000
  • Model number: 90379M
  • No longer manufactured
  • Accurate Decal
    • 
    • Decal is 7.25" wide
    • Decal PDF
    • Decal sold by
      • 401 Graphics by Kevin Costic
        

Blueprints PDF

Photo by Cyrix9445.

Photo by Cyrix9445.

Photo by Cyrix9445.

 

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BFGoodrich All-Terrain Tire History

• 1975 - BFGoodrich makes it’s first All-Terrain tire
  
• 1976 - 1st gen Radial All-Terrain tire released
  • (slightly more blocky sidewall lettering)
    
• 1986 - 2nd gen Radial All-Terrain tire released
  • (Screen Accurate for JP Jeep)
    
• 1999 - All-Terrain KO released
  • (Radial removed from lettering but still are radial tires)
    
• 2015 - All-Terrain KO2 released

• BFGoodrich Statement on Replacing Spare Tire
  • While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is recommended that any tires in service 10 years or more from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a simple precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear limit.
  • For tires that were on an original equipment vehicle (i.e., acquired by the consumer on a new vehicle), follow the vehicle manufacturer’s tire replacement recommendations, when specified (but not to exceed 10 years).
  • The date when a tire was manufactured is located on the sidewall of each tire. Consumers should locate the Department of Transportation or DOT code on the tire which begins with DOT and ends with the week and year of manufacture. For example, a DOT code ending with “2204” indicates a tire made in the 22nd week (May) of 2004.
• Press Release BFGoodrich celebrates 40 years of the Radial All-Terrain

Tail Light Guards

• Manik 4x4 Tail Light Guards
  • No longer manufactured
  • Part #: 923355
  • Note: Build Specs are identical to early 90's Toyota 4Runners.
• PDF Blue Prints

Parts Blueprints

Assembly Blueprints

Photo

 

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Lights

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Front Camera

Running Boards

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Wheels & Tires

• Screen-Used tires were "BFGoodrich Radial All-Terrain T/A"
  • no longer available.
• BFGoodrich discontinued the All-Terrain KO mid 2015
• BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
  • Currently Available
  • The KO2 replaced the KO, which is very similar, but bigger tread.
  • You can use size 235/75/15 but there are other Explorer owners who have used 30/9.5/15 which worked out just fine, just a slightly larger tire.

• All-Terrain Tire History

"Radial All-Terrain T/A BFGoodrich" lettering for alternative tires, contact Jack Fauth

Tires over 10 years old should not be driven on regularly. BFGoodrich Radial All-terrain tires that have the word Radial on the sidewall in the white raised lettering should be used as a display purpose tire only.

• Rims

  • Stock "saw blade" Explorer rims.
  • Some later models came with other style rims.

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Interior:

TV / Dashboard

• Front Monitor
  • Panasonic BT-S901
  • 9"
• Rear Monitor
  • Panasonic BT-S702
  • 7"

Microphone

• Shure 99 Gooseneck Microphone
  • SM99
  • 12"
  • 
    Microphone
  • 
    Mounting Flange

Center Console

Check out this video playlist by Cyrix9445.

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Dash Cameras

• 2 - Panasonic WV-BL90A

Tour Program

Installation guide by cyrix9445

Tour Videos by Themaxleydog

Woodgrain Door Handle Trim

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Custom Seats

Accessories / Props:

Mirror Tag

Please visit our Mirror Tag Guide for detailed instructions. Tag files available in PDF format for download.

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Flashlight

• Maxa Beam Flashlight:
  
  • Manufactured by PEAK BEAM Systems, Inc
    
  • Description: Searchlight
    
    • Screen-Accurate
      
    • 12 VDC
      
    • Model # MHS-410
      
  • Description: Charger
    
    • Screen-Accurate
      
    • 120/240 VAC
      
    • Model # MHP-4200

More info in our props reference page here

First Aid Kit

• First Aid Kit:
  
  • Scott ATO First Aid Kit
    
    • Screen-Accurate
      
    • As seen in the Explorer cargo area
    • Dimensions: 9.5" x 10" x 2.75"
      

More info in our props reference page here

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Pelican Case, Fire Extinguisher, and Flares