Doing some Code 3 Scratch Building and Upbuilding

Doyle257

Member
Jan 13, 2015
658
Cheektowaga, NY
Howdy Ya'll

Im Doing a few builds right now, and thought I'd share. (I'll add pictures as I have them available)

I'll start off with My Brother's Ford Escape, with 36" Blue Excalibur
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since he has the KC's and basket, I took the rear flashers that would have been wasted , and moved them to the front. Also added 2 Optix corner modules from a Code 3 2100.
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(Ignore the halogen flashers that are out. I have bulbs, but he's lazy)
lastly, I attached the control box to the passenger side of his center console
(Picture)
Not really my best work, but the Escape platform was not exactly designed for emergency or off-road lighting, nor a control box that can handle halogen rotators and KC lights
This vehicle is primarily used for a 1 mile response to our fire station, from his home, going through 1 major intersection.

Up next is a 47" Excalibur. Originally I had planned to not use it until I became a Assistant Chief, but I had an opportunity to sell the MX7000 below. It also gives me the ability to switch from Blue to red, in under 10 min. On the blue side, there are 2 3-up Optix modules between the intersection sweeps, and the Takedowns. with a 6-up Optix module in the center. On the red side, I have 2 LEDX modules between the Intersection sweeps and TD's. with a red 6-up Optix in the center.
Blue Front:

Blue Rear
I added LIT3 Feet, and attached a Feniex T3 to each of them, for additional intersection power. Final moves are to swap the Arrowstick to LEDX, and engineer a bracket to fit a T3 at either end of the arrowstick.

My 99 Silverado, with Blue MX7000. Nothing special about this bar, except the 4TD's and the...unique interior install...
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Please ignore the wiring to the left and right of the console. That is wiring for my plow controller, from the previous owner. Ss for the gangly toggleswitch for my Plow headlights(it was a clusterfucked install from the previous owner), that will go away when I replace the switch box for my VCOM siren next week.

This vehicle is primarily used for a 1/3mile response, but part of the route involves turning from a side street, onto the main route to our fire station.
As of March 2017, this vehicle will used souly for plowing, and response while I am out plowing.

For my 2010 Yukon(such a beautiful, blank canvas)
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I'm starting off with this:
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an Excalibur chassis and lower, with a harness that is...less than pristine. Plan is to do a full Blue Optix conversion Custom Harness through a screw Terminal plate, with halogen Alleys. More pictures to come on that.
Post strip down and cleanup:
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The Yukon "Plan:
ai1275.photobucket.com_albums_y453_depewfd418_E9E26B1B_0DF5_47CF_87F3_2FA272E34E14_zpsn122qkgj.jpg
Also have 8 hide a way LED Strobe heads, some grill lights, and some additional rear warning power, that will all be powered by a Feniex 4200 Mini:
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Got it for a great price, including shipping from Ryan @ Safety Vehicle Solutions(Rgonsior here on ELB.) Very easy to work with.
This vehicle is used for the 1/3 mile response to the fire station, and also used for my after-hours work as a fire inspector, when I must respond to locations of structure fires throughout the town outside of my regular work hours


Just found cracks in the frame of my 99 Silverado. Guess I'll have to suck it up and buy a newer truck. I have the potential to be an Assistant Chief in my fire company in about 16 months, so Since i'm gonna be getting a newer truck, I might as well start Spec'ing and buying now, to spread the cost.
looking for a mid '07-14 Silverado extended cab. Couldnt find a blueprint I liked for it, so here's the plan, on a Crew Cab:
ai1275.photobucket.com_albums_y453_depewfd418_Mobile_20Uploads8f73dd2a646771e34bc1c4c123abfd41.jpg

5/15/17
Well, now after another winter, my black silverado is ready to say goodbye, so I signed for this 2012 on Saturday:
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It's going to be a Mostly Feniex build, with some Code 3 thrown in.
Separate build will be here:
http://elightbars.org/forums/threads/2012-silverado-code-3-and-feniex-build.81403/
 
Last edited:

Doyle257

Member
Jan 13, 2015
658
Cheektowaga, NY
Little sub post on the 2100 build progress

7/6/16
I started off with this:
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What a holy terrible mess. Turns out, the original control cable had been cut at about 18", and the previous owner extended it using a non matching cable...So I am now in the market for 10-12' of controlcable.

about 20 min, I had it stripped out, and the screw terminals mounted (I hate the plugs)
ai1275.photobucket.com_albums_y453_depewfd418_F150A8EC_7938_4B0A_972D_1D6962040E88_zpsukxsouum.jpg

and then the "real fun" began. the harness INSIDE the bar was not in terrible condition, so i decided to cut and reuse the original wiring. I only had to restart my hand drawn diagram 2x because I kept forgetting I do not intend on putting TD's in the bar.
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Just a quick down n dirty so I don't forget my plan

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Not too sure How I feel about the colored domes, and I'm having an absolute fit trying to find a center dome, so I may have to bite the bullet and buy a full lid kit from Public Safety Direct.

7/8/16
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I think that looks pretty good...right??

7/10/16
Just finished the inboard side of the wiring. Couple handmade wire bridges, nothing too exciting. Just gotta wait for the control cable I bought from shues to come in
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Also realized I have this wonderful space on the foot of the bar, big enough to fit a Feniex Cobra T3...so I have a pair of those on the way from eBay
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7/11/16
Got some parts in today! Bottom center, 4 LEDX modules, and a corner assembly.
Also ordered some additional parts to clean up the terminal block.

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7/13/16
Just got shipping confirmation on the last of the parts. dome clips should be here today, T3's, Optix, passenger corner module, wiring accessories, and blue OB lid should be here thursday, and the control cable friday, with the center lid arriving over the weekend.

7/15
Control cable, T3's, and wiring accessories came last night! got the control cable wired up, and mocked up the T3's...Just waiting on 3 Optix mods, and the corner mod.
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7/17/16
All parts are now in, but with some irritation. All 3 optix mods are steady burn, and the corner mod came with the optix lenses broken off. Damned postal service.
Everything is installed, and will be going on the truck, hopefully this week. I'll light it all up tomorrow night and maybe do a video. Also have to install the white intersection T3's 2mara night. Didn't have the correct drill bits.

7/19/16
IT'S FINISHED! well I mean, pretty much...I have 3 flashing Optix pods, a flasher for the existing steady burn Optix, and a new corner unit coming from eBay
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7/21/16
Uh oh...this lightbar may hit Rockshow status...I just couldnt help myself....
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Assembly to be completed tonight, with install as early as Monday....

And it is finally finished!!

To Be Continued....
 
Last edited:

JazzDad

Member
Aug 5, 2011
5,165
USA
Good write-up and lots of photos (and bonus video).

Thumb.jpg
 

Doyle257

Member
Jan 13, 2015
658
Cheektowaga, NY
Looking good. You should leave the center optix head steady burn.
I do agree. I quite like the center on steady. Also, that is 1 less flasher relay I need to buy!!

Good write-up and lots of photos (and bonus video).

View attachment 158555
I'm feeling like I should do a separate post, just on the 2100


Like how you put the T3s on the feet

Awesome job overall on the build, gives me the stamina to start my custom LEDX2100 build with T3s
I looked into the Code 3 LIT3KIT feet, and realized they were somewhat similar, and it just snowballed from there.
 

Doyle257

Member
Jan 13, 2015
658
Cheektowaga, NY
Just updated the 47" Excalibur.
Blue Front:

Blue Rear

I added LIT3 Feet, and attached a Feniex T3 to each of them, for additional intersection power. Final moves are to swap the Arrowstick to LEDX, and engineer a bracket to fit a T3 at either end of the arrowstick.
 

Doyle257

Member
Jan 13, 2015
658
Cheektowaga, NY
It's not something I have ever done for someone else before, and the overhead is pretty steep, depending on where the parts come from. For a 2100 style bar, the Corner Modules run an average of $50/side, and the Optix 6-up modules are $20-$50 a light head, when you can find them. LEDX heads are slightly more economical, in the $15-$20 range, but are difficult to find.

It is definately cheaper to buy a 2100 or a RX2700 used, and then customize it.

Same with the Excalibur.

I'm still playing around with an idea for another project using Feniex T3's and Fusions in a Excalibur frame and lower, but that is $30, and around $50/lighthead respectively, plus bracketing, but would give far more options (multicolor heads, flood capabilities, etc)

PM me and we can talk about it.
 
Last edited:

Doyle257

Member
Jan 13, 2015
658
Cheektowaga, NY
have not updated this in a hot minuite, because I havnt made much progress. lol
Latest Video on 2012 Silverado Build Progress:
 

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