ExplorerX

Take a look at Carmen Simboli's 2005 Explorer XLT and the first thing you'll notice is big wheels and a dark limo tint. Couple that with a sleek set of billet grilles for the front end, Lincoln Aviator window trim, OEM clear corners and Oznium.com FlowLighting HIDs and you got a ride that's sleek and show all at the same time. Go inside, and prepare to be slammed with bass as Carmen has a 15” Fi BTL powered by a MA Audio HK4000D amp, putting out about 3600 continuous watts to the sub. It's safe to say this is no ordinary Explorer.

Without any further ado, let's meet Carmen and see what his Explorer is all about.

EXPLORERX: Tell us about yourself, Carmen. What got you into Explorers as opposed to any other SUV?

CARMEN SIMBOLI: First and foremost, my family is a Ford family through and through. My father worked for Ford for a few years in his twenties and has been loyal to them ever since. In growing up with a Ford background I naturally had the brand loyalty instilled in me. The first Explorer that I had was a 2003 XLS. It also happened to by my first vehicle. I did several simple modifications to it. It was a lease that I planned on trading in when the time was up. In May of 2005, 5 months before my lease was due to run out, my dad got a new black F-350. It made me want a black Explorer so badly that I ended up trading in the 2003 early and picking up a loaded black XLT.

EXPLORERX: What would you describe your overall theme for your Explorer to be?

CARMEN: It’s hard for me to give a specific name to the theme of my Explorer. Most would agree that it is a street-themed Explorer, and I wouldn’t hesitate to disagree. I would call it a street-sport theme if I had to put a name to it.

EXPLORERX: Once you decided to invest money into your 2005 XLT, what were some of your modification and appearance goals?

CARMEN: When I began modifying my 2003 I added a lot of things that, at the time, I felt looked good. However, in looking back I saw that it looked too ‘cluttered’. With my 2005 I planned on keeping the modifications simple but still stand out. I didn’t want to go too overboard with things just because they were available.

EXPLORERX: Your exterior is sleek and customized, yet avoids appearing gaudy. How did you achieve this?

CARMEN: The exterior modification that stands out the most is my 22” wheels. Ever since I had my first Explorer I wanted to get a set of 22’s. I also added limo tint on all of the windows (except the windshield). Like many people, I enjoy my privacy when driving and also like how dark windows look on black vehicles. Recently I added the chrome aviator trim, which added a subtle touch of chrome that I felt was missing since I had huge chrome wheels. One of my first modifications to this Explorer was to tint the rear tail lights and 3rd brake light to make them nearly as black as the Explorer’s paint. I also have OEM clear corners and upper and lower billet grilles, which are becoming the standard “first mods” of many 3rd gens. I also changed out my headlight bulbs to a 6000k Flowlighting HID kit. I have only done two performance upgrades so far, that being a JBA exhaust kit and a KKM intake.

EXPLORERX: You used to have 20" wheels, then you dropped the dough for your current 22" wheels. What convinced you this was the way to go?

CARMEN: Aside from status, I also like how 22’s fit on the 3rd generation Explorers. To me, they are just the right size. It was also the size that I had wanted to get since I first had my Explorers.

EXPLORERX: I noticed you went with a taller tire for your 22" wheels. What made you go bigger than normal?

CARMEN: When I first bought my wheels they already had larger tires on them. The way that they filled up the wheel well and maintained the ride quality was the reason that I stayed with the larger tires when I purchased new ones. Also, the roads here in Ohio aren’t the greatest to have low profile tires. If you hit one pot hole, your rims are done for.

EXPLORERX: Some people now say on our Forums that your truck has a "lifted appearance" because of the taller tire size. What do you say?

CARMEN: Each person is entitled to their own opinion, but I feel the cost outweighs the benefit. Not only is your ride quality compromised but you also run the risk of wearing out a ball joint, etc. With the tire size that I went with I feel that the wheels wells are filled in enough to make it look like it’s not out of place.

EXPLORERX: Ok, so you have a lot of great exterior modifications. Which is the best one in your opinion?

CARMEN: It’s hard to pick just one modification as my best, because they all tie into the look of it. If I had to pick one I would say my wheels, just for the fact that whenever you add wheels to your car it’s the first thing people notice.

EXPLORERX: What else can we expect from you in terms of the exterior?

CARMEN: There are many things that I’d like to do to it, one of which is to either get it monotone or completely repainted. If I get it monotone I plan on buying the black headlights and corner lights and getting my grille powdered coated black to make everything blacked out. A modification that is in the near future though are Aviator mirrors. Other than that I feel that my exterior is nearly complete.

EXPLORERX: Any performance modifications in the near future?

CARMEN: Well, I already replaced my factory exhaust system with a JBA kit, but I plan on changing it out to a custom dual exhaust and also getting an XCalibrator 2.

EXPLORERX: Sounds great. Now, onto the interior. I hear you've got a kickin' bass setup and sick sound system.

CARMEN: I recently finished up my system, yet I’m about to upgrade yet again. At the moment I have a single, fully loaded, 15” Fi BTL powered by an MA Audio HK4000D. The amp is putting out about 3600 continuous watts to the sub, which is in a 4 cubic foot ported box tuned to 34Hz. For a head unit I am using a Kenwood DDX-6017, which also has 2 headrest TV’s and a PS2 hooked up to it. For my front stage I have Alpine 6.5” Type X components powered by a MA Audio HK398 amp. To power everything I have two Yellow Tops under the hood in a custom battery tray, Knukonceptz 200A alternator, and upgraded the Big 3 with 1/0 gauge wire. I also have 2 layers of eDead almost everywhere except the rood to help keep the sound in and road noise out.

EXPLORERX: What are your goals for your sound system?

CARMEN: One of my goals is to compete in the 140-149.9 dB Bass Race class and be able to take home the top prize every time. Also, I want to be able to hit the 150 dB mark legally on a Term Lab microphone. In the near future I am going to be adding a second 15” BTL and then either another HK4000D or get two different amps that can put out 4000 watts of continuous power each. By next year I plan on having another vehicle, so the plan that I have laid out with two subs and two amps might turn into a wall with 4-6 subs and multiple amps. Of course with either upgrade I am going to need a bigger alternator (300A) and 3-4 more batteries. I caught the “bug” as it’s now being referred to on ExplorerX.

EXPLORERX: You're our resident sound system expert. What is your advice to members looking to build competitive sound systems?

CARMEN: First off, just because you feel you have enough money to buy a decent set-up, make sure that you’ll be happy with it in the not too distant future. One thing that I learned from experience is not to jump the gun too soon on something that you think you want now, but won’t want in the future. Take a little extra time to plan things out, save a little more money, and buy something that you will definitely be happy with. If you’re looking to get into competitions then be prepared to spend thousands of dollars and a lot of time. Also, don’t settle for something because so-and-so said it was good. Do a lot of research and don’t always just stick to buying store brands. You can save yourself a lot of money by buying online and still get as good, if not better, quality products as in your local car audio store.

EXPLORERX: What other interior modifications do you have, and what are your plans?

CARMEN: Even though my interior doesn’t look like much is done to it, I have done several mods. I purchased a re-upholstered steering wheel from Brad (dwtc) on the forums that has stainless steel accents around the grip. Another mod that I added was a Mountaineer gauge cluster. Since my interior was grey to start with I figured that if I added some black accents it would match my exterior. So I went to the local hardware store and picked up some plastic and vinyl dye and dyed several pieces black. For other future modifications I plan on getting new seats from Katzkin. The seats with be black with grey inserts, to continue with the black and grey theme. Other than that I don’t plan on much else unless I turn the Explorer into a show vehicle.

EXPLORERX: Are you looking to stick with your Explorer for a long time, or do you see yourself moving on to a different car in the (somewhat) near future? If so, what car has your eye?

CARMEN: I plan on keeping the Explorer for several more years, simply for the fact that I’ve put so much into this car it would be too hard to part with it. As many on the forums know I recently was accepted into an internship that will I will make a large amount of money at. Since I still live at home while attending college I am going to have excess money and will be in need of a car that gives me good gas mileage. There are several that I’ve been looking at to be my second car, or daily driver. Some of the ones I’ve considered are an Acura TL, Cadillac CTS, BMW 3-series, SAAB 9-3, or Volvo S40. For my internship, which is a sales position at a financial company, requires me to meet with clients. So I’m looking for a vehicle that is classy and luxurious yet is still in my price range.

EXPLORERX: Thank you very much for sharing all of the details on your awesome Explorer, Carmen. Anyone you would like to give thanks to?

CARMEN: I would like to thank everyone on ExplorerX for their support, ideas, and advice. Without then my Explorer wouldn’t be half of what it is today. I’d also like to give props to Mike for helping me out with my system. Finally, I’d like to thank you, Rob, for providing us with such a great site where it feels like an actual community and also for honoring me with this article.

• Clearcoat black
• XLT sport package (grey cladding and running boards)
• Limo tint all around
• Aviator window trim
• Shaved rear wiper, emblems, and roof rack
• Billet upper and lower grilles
• OEM clear corners
• Black and chrome "Ford" emblem
• Tinted tail lights and 3rd brake light

• Mountaineer Gauge cluster
• Dyed some interior pieces black
• Reupholstered OEM steering wheel w/ Brushed Aluminum Accents

• Flowlight 6000k HID kit 
• Nokya 2500k fog lights

• 22" Panther Element wheels 
• 285/45/22 Hankook Ventus tires
  

• Kenwood DDX-6017
• 2 Visualogic headrest monitors
• PS2 under the rear seat
• 30GB Ipod
• 15" Fi BTL
• MA Audio HK4000D
• MA Audio HK398
• 6.5" Alpine Type-X componants
• 2 Optima Yellow Tops
• 200A Knukonceptz HO alternator

• Auto Page RS-727LCD

• Custom Trim of America

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