Simple Avalance Set-up

vpogv

Member
Dec 28, 2014
50
Ohio
My Avalanche build isn't all the bells and whistles that a lot on here are but it's useful and always been a huge fan of LED lighting.  My truck is more of a construction site build with all amber and minimal white on the front.

Front: Custom visor bar build from a cheap LED strobe kit run by a Sho-Me 11.1005SF flasher

Rear: Federal Signal SignalMaster in the rear window run by a Sho-Me 11.1025.008 flasher

[Broken External Image]:http://pogspalace.com/gallery/cache/Avalanche/IMG_20150110_103424_768.jpg

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I have always wanted to add at least another set of lights to the back and needed to upgrade the dimly lit visor light.  After lurking on here for a while I decided that if I was going to do it I'll do it with some quality.  Got in touch with Nic @ Fever and purchased an Apollo 2X and a pair of T-6s for the front and a pair of new T-3s for the rear.  Sadly due to the weather I have only been able to get the Apollo in... kind of.

The windshield mount that came with the 2x was nice but took up a bit space than I wanted.  To remedy it I made my own brackets using the same suction cups that came with the stock mount and mounted it right behind the rear view mirror.

[Broken External Image]:http://pogspalace.com/gallery/cache/Avalanche/IMG_20150216_151109_768.jpg

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As you can see it practically hides itself and really flashback isn't bad at all.  That all being said the suction cups do not seem to like 0F temperatures as they keep failing.  During the day they are fine but over night they let go.  I did my research and they seem to be a good suction cup so I will be patient and wait for more mild temperatures.
 
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Zapp Brannigan

Lifetime VIP Donor
May 23, 2010
3,580
.
May 25, 2010
7,072
Tunkhannock, PA, USA
But someone JUST HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD to go get a Dodge Durano....

SMH...

At least I respected the Av....
I didn't have to, but its was an outrageous deal that I couldn't pass up...  Had there been a comparable Tahoe in the area, I'd have that...  lol

And no, you didn't respect my Av...  lol
 

vpogv

Member
Dec 28, 2014
50
Ohio
This makes me miss my Avalanche...  lol

Incase you want any ideas...  lol    
When I was looking for ideas initially your's was the one that kept showing up on searches so thank you for the work you did.   :)  Looking through your pictures I will be doing the T-6's behind the grill and really like the thought of aux. lighting behind it too.  So easy to want to go overboard.   :lol:
 
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Eric1249

Member
Jul 12, 2010
2,277
Waukesha WI USA
I know what you mean about the weather. Wind chills here yesterday were -30. Glad I insulated

the garage lol. I have a Pegasus and I made tabs for the ends of it and used two sided tape to secure it a little better. Maybe you could use that idea for your dash light. I was never a fan of suction cups and they really don't hold well in the cold. (most of the time)

pegasus 11.jpg
 
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vpogv

Member
Dec 28, 2014
50
Ohio
I know what you mean about the weather. Wind chills here yesterday were -30. Glad I insulated


the garage lol. I have a Pegasus and I made tabs for the ends of it and used two sided tape to secure it a little better. Maybe you could use that idea for your dash light. I was never a fan of suction cups and they really don't hold well in the cold. (most of the time)
I did a lot of looking and reading and even though past experience with suction cups was pretty terrible I had hopes that these would change my mind.  I do believe that the best solution for the Ohio climate is what you did.  
 

Eric1249

Member
Jul 12, 2010
2,277
Waukesha WI USA
I did a lot of looking and reading and even though past experience with suction cups was pretty terrible I had hopes that these would change my mind.  I do believe that the best solution for the Ohio climate is what you did.
I was working on my truck this week and temps have been terrible. I needed to pull the bar down and the tabs were still very secure.
 
May 25, 2010
7,072
Tunkhannock, PA, USA
T-6/T-3s would fit between your tailgate and bumper, on that little plastic lip...  I had a bunch of different lights there on my Av...

This pic shows Whelen LIN-3s (outer most), SNM E3 (next inner) and Titan T-4 Modules (center)...

ai64.photobucket.com_albums_h191_tritontim47_The_20Avalanche_20130726_1413341_zpsc5b0368c.jpg
 

pdk9

Member
May 26, 2010
3,834
New York & Florida
A bit late but here are my thoughts of the truck set up. Initially it was just going to the be traffic advisor and T3's in the rear but really tempted to put some T-6's up higher sync'd in an x-pattern with the T-3's Thoughts?

[Broken External Image]:http://pogspalace.com/gallery/cache/Avalanche/truck_rear2_768.jpg
I would mount the T3s below the tailgate (I think it looks so tacky when ppl surface mount lightheads below the the brake/tail light housings) and see if you can get an Apollo to fit up by the crossbars (they have linear optics that disperse the light for off-axis). Another option is to mount the T6 on a rear LP bracket & move the T3 to the grill.


Another option to consider is Amber/clear cannons (clear for reverse light and Amber for flashing)
 

vpogv

Member
Dec 28, 2014
50
Ohio
I would mount the T3s below the tailgate (I think it looks so tacky when ppl surface mount lightheads below the the brake/tail light housings) 
I agree with you on surface mounting the lights.  The place I show them currently mounted actually is recessed in from the outermost area that is directly above it.  Hard to tell from the photos.  I did the T-3's over any other options specifically based on the size  as they were the only ones that would fit tucked into the body recess there.  

That being said I have been tossing around the idea of doing 2 Apollo 200 lights up on the crossbar but I can't help but think that'll be too many lights up top with the Apollos and traffic adviser. 

T-6/T-3s would fit between your tailgate and bumper, on that little plastic lip...  I had a bunch of different lights there on my Av...

This pic shows Whelen LIN-3s (outer most), SNM E3 (next inner) and Titan T-4 Modules (center)...
When my T-3s arrive I'll have to sit back and play with the best area.  I think you and pdk9 might have a better solution mounting it under the tailgate.  With my original placement I was just trying to get the light as far to the edge of the truck as possible while keeping it recessed.  
 
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vpogv

Member
Dec 28, 2014
50
Ohio
While I wait for the weather to be on my side to install the T-3s and T-6s I went ahead and made a switch panel to control the lights as a whole as well as individually and still able to change the patterns without a big headache.  This is what I ended up with.  Best part is there won't be any visible holes if I ever have to remove it.

Plexi marked up ready for cutting and the switches that will be used.

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Cut, textured and painted.

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Where it'll be mounted.

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vpogv

Member
Dec 28, 2014
50
Ohio
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vpogv

Member
Dec 28, 2014
50
Ohio
Thanks guys.  I was dead set on not hacking into everything.  I can pull all switches and wiring out and with the exception of the screw holes for the rear T-3's it'll look like nothing was ever there.
 

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