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2021 Ecto Outback
Posted: September 27th, 2021, 12:51 pm
by BigChef
Greetings Ecto Fans! Grab a Twinkie, here we go!
First I want to start out with, I'm in no way able or want to recreate a screen accurate Ecomobile. I'm going for my personal 50/50 rule. (50ft away @ 50mph LOL) This is another project for my trio of rotating Halloween themes. I do Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and now Ghostbusters.
Once I purchased the white Subaru Outback, I knew it would eventually turn into an Ectomobile. I needed to build the roof rack in sections, so I can easily store it during the year. It also needs to be light enough so I can install and remove by myself. Also to note, this is my first build attempt and as others have mentioned, it will evolve. My goal was to build this in one month, making it ready to go by October 1st.....
Here's a short list of items used:
- metal roof rack
- blue beacon lights
- JBL bluetooth speaker
- wood, white paint
- pvc pipes, junction box
- clear acrylic dome display case
- use fireman air tanks
- blue dryer cleaning hoses
- split loom tubing
- assorted hvac & electrical treasures
- printable vinyl stickers and ebay logos
Re: 2021 Ecto Outback
Posted: September 27th, 2021, 2:39 pm
by BigChef
A few more build pics...
My Radome Antenna
My Sniffer
My Cross-Section Sensitivity Unit
Behind the Tanks
Still working on Directional Antenna, car mount for the hoses, heat sink type thing, and a ladder. My HVAC Unit isn't great, but this close to October it'll have to do. I picked up an RF transmitter/remote with 4 channels which will control the beacons and front strobes individually. This way I can activate both the sound and lights from inside the car or outside the car.(within range of course)
Re: 2021 Ecto Outback
Posted: October 2nd, 2021, 9:57 am
by TurboTrey03
This is awesome! How did you attach your rack frame (3rd picture)? This is basically how I want to go about doing mine. Great work!
Re: 2021 Ecto Outback
Posted: October 4th, 2021, 9:53 pm
by BigChef
Thanks. The black rack itself has 4 brackets it came with, which will attach to the Outback roofrack bars. My Ectorack is in three pieces, which I'll bolt together. I had assumed the sheer weight of it would be good enough to keep in in the black rack. However, I've read enough from fellow fans about racks coming apart, so now I'm leaning towards a couple hose clamps through the wood sides to the black rack itself. Even some beefy zipties might work.
Re: 2021 Ecto Outback
Posted: October 9th, 2021, 10:01 pm
by BigChef
Re: 2021 Ecto Outback
Posted: October 9th, 2021, 10:06 pm
by BigChef
Re: 2021 Ecto Outback
Posted: October 9th, 2021, 10:09 pm
by BigChef
Finally a quick story. I took this for a quick shakedown drive to see what would fall off. LOL I, of course, intentionally drove it to a popular downtown area. Upon hitting the first stop sign, I was immediately swarmed by people with cameras out, snapping pictures.
Like more fans I love when people engage with the scenes we create. This scene is just mobile. I equally love when adults interact with my yard, it's always fun. So I expected the adults to enjoy the the nostalgia of the car. What I didn't expect was a 7yr old boy and father who wanted a picture with it. The boy said "HI" to me and then asked where my ghostbuster friends were. LOLOL. I quickly answered they were back at the Firehouse getting ready to go bust some ghosts. This seemed to satisfy him and the father nearly fell over laughing at the exchange.
Here's my favorite daytime pic. It also includes my "Fire House" sign" in the foreground......
I have lights and sound videos. When I put it all together into a video I'll post. Going to see if the local Fire Station will allow me the obvious use of their firehouse to shoot the iconic Ectomobile scene with the door rolling up..... Enjoy!
Re: 2021 Ecto Outback
Posted: October 10th, 2021, 9:23 pm
by Macktacular
It looks great, you did an awesome job. Glad to hear that the kid loved it, that's the whole point isn't it?
Re: 2021 Ecto Outback
Posted: October 20th, 2021, 11:45 am
by Corbidorbidoodle
Looking good! Nice work on the red "fin" detailing.
How's the roof rack effect your gas mileage? Mine was awful, but then I redesigned the rack and now it's just kinda bad.
Re: 2021 Ecto Outback
Posted: October 25th, 2021, 5:02 pm
by BigChef
Thanks Corbidorbidoodle. Gas mileage?!? I'll just say, I'm fortunate enough I don't need to get on any freeways this month... LOL
I like your hoses, very streamlined and cool! I'll have to add those to mine next year.
Re: 2021 Ecto Outback
Posted: November 13th, 2021, 10:32 pm
by Creativeguy
Looks great! How loud is the speaker?
Re: 2021 Ecto Outback
Posted: November 23rd, 2021, 8:06 pm
by TheManEatingToaster
I really like the roof rack and what you did for the red tailfins!!!!