2012 NPS Ford Utility Slicktop

[John Hearne]

Our new setup is not yet complete but I stopped by the install shop and snapped a couple of tease pics for those who might be interested.


Rear Setup


2 - Whelen M6 (Red, Driver's Side)


2 - Whelen M6 (Blue, Passenger's Side)


1 set - Whelen Vertex (1-Red, 1-Blue in tail light assemblies)


1 - Whelen Ion (Red, Driver's Side)


1 - Whelen Ion (Blue, Passenger's Side)


SoundOff Exterior Traffic Advisor


SoundOff Intersector Surface Mount (side facing)


-This will be the mother of all synch installs. Stationary pattern will be "X" at 75 fpm with the Vertex and Intersectors tied in.


-The Ions are dedicated steady burns.


-We are also going to add something to the rear hatch edge, possibly 1-red and 1-blue M-4 (just because we have extras due to a misorder and we're 90% certain they'll fit.)








The Intersectors arent' bolted down yet but you can see their relative position. This is the second install we've done like this and the result is great as nothing is behind any tint.

 

[pdk9]

I'm really looking forward to this, since all of your other uploads have always been well thought out (especially the sync and flash patterns) and badass.


The one thing I'm not totally in love with is the placement of the lower M-series. If I could tweak their location, I would've either put them directly beneath the LP-level m-series, OR put them level with the other lightheads and place them in close proximity to the LP on either side.


What are the specs for the rest of the ride?

 

[John Hearne]

The one thing I'm by thrilled about is the placement of the lower M-series. If I could tweak their location, I would've either out them directly beneath the LP-level m-series, OR put them level with the other lightheads and place them in close proximity to the LP on either side

This install has been tweaked several times. Originally, it was going to be M-6's on the outside and M-4's on the inside. When we didn't have M-4's but had M-6's we were going to put them in a line with the inboards right next to the license plate. That was cool until we tried it. The back of the Utility is very curved and the M6's would not fit flush next to the license plate. We dropped them back to the original spot solely for fit purposes.


For the curious, this was the original plan:


http://elightbars.org/forums/f13/proposed-2013-ford-utility-setup-33019/

 

[acala91]

I'm not really feeling the M6s from an aesthetics stand point, but I know it will be bright as heck and very effective given your previous installs.

 

[Hoff]

John the M6's look kinda funky, but this install is going to be awesome!!! You should come do my units light specs lol. Gov to gov love. Looks great and looking forward to seeing the final product.

 

[John Hearne]

Aesthetics have been a common complaint with this setup. Besides the M-6's, people didn't like the traffic adviser placement. We went back and forth between putting it below the rear spoiler, on top of the spoiler or on the roof.


This is one of the downfalls with a decent slicktop setup, some times it isn't pretty. Especially with a new vehicle that doesn't have a lot of new product out for it.


My main thought is that the four M6's are the only real warning on the back so maximizing their effectiveness is crucial. I'm pretty big on the utilitarian perspective so being effective is more important than being pretty.

 

[Keith K.]

Aesthetics have been a common complaint with this setup. Besides the M-6's, people didn't like the traffic adviser placement. We went back and forth between putting it below the rear spoiler, on top of the spoiler or on the roof.

This is one of the downfalls with a decent slicktop setup, some times it isn't pretty. Especially with a new vehicle that doesn't have a lot of new product out for it.


My main thought is that the four M6's are the only real warning on the back so maximizing their effectiveness is crucial. I'm pretty big on the utilitarian perspective so being effective is more important than being pretty.

If the SUV had the luggage rack rails, the TA would blend right in.

 

[emt.micah]

That's a lot of holes on a GSA rig.....

 

[John Hearne]

If the SUV had the luggage rack rails, the TA would blend right in.

Agreed. My supervisor has a very nice unmarked Expedition with 3 dual head Tomar heads between the luggage racks and it absolutely disappears.

 

[FireEMSPolice]

You mean 2013 right?

 

[runesson]

That´s a lot of lights to the rear


I´m hoping you have the ability to dim them a night? ... http://elightbars.org/forums/f13/too-many-lights-cause-accidents-42203/

 

[John Hearne]

That´s a lot of lights to the rear.

It certainly has the potential too be too much. I could set each head to flash independently at a crazy fast rate and it would be a road hazard.


However, in it's final form, the only thing you'll see is the 4 M-6 flashing in a slow "X" plus the traffic advisor (75 fpm when stationary). There is a lot of space between the TA and the M-6's so the TA should really stand out. The traffic advisor's warning pattern has already been set and will be several double flash 1/2 double flash 1/2 and then several single flash of the whole bar.


The Ion's are steady burn only so they should not be distracting. The Vertex's will be washed out by the M-6's and will only be seen when you lift the hatch. That means that you have five or six flashing lights to the rear (depending on what the TA is doing) plus the minimal spill from the intersectors. Everything red or blue will be synched so hopefully, you get a good out line of the vehicle without being distracting.


I'm hoping it won't be sexy but will be effective.

I´m hoping you have the ability to dim them a night?

Yep, low power will be hooked up and every head, except the interior lightbar will be run off of a ULF-44.

 

[NFD-102]

I think that there are way to many rear lights there.


Those M6's look aweful. This is why I don't like the new explorers because there is not a good place for putting lights. HAW's are never bright enough. The only good place is the back window but then there isn't anything low.