Volunteer Fire Department Fire Truck Install Help

[colby4601]

Our current mid-80s Ford Fire Truck was recently up-fitted by myself and a couple other members with a Code 3 Force 4 XL lightbar. Bar is all red with take downs and a spotlight in the centre of the bar. This is an upgrade from the 4 lamp red cherry we pulled off the truck. Now, I/we need opinions/suggestions on what other lighting should be added to the truck. Because yes, that is all that is on there right now. Right now, I'm waiting to test out two red Whelen rotating lights for the rear of the truck, but haven't gotten there yet. We are an entirely volunteer fire department and so spending large amounts of money on fancy LED setups are simply not an option. If anyone can provide any cost effective lighting options, please do so.


Right now, I'm thinking the two rotators at the back of the truck, two LINZ6 LEDS (or something similar) at the back of the truck at about eye level, two LINZ6's on the side of the truck about smack dab in the middle. Just my thoughts for now.


We also have a utility trailer that we need some lights mounted on. For this, I was thinking either a single red rotating beacon or 4-6 LINZ6's (or, again, something similar) to provide appropriate warning when in transit and on scene.


Thought and suggestions please!!

 

[Fluffy126577]

Pictures of the actual truck would help to let people see the areas to work on.

 

[cory y]

HLF first and foremost.

 

[colby4601]

Pictures of the actual truck would help to let people see the areas to work on.

I will try and get pictures of the truck and trailer this week. Tomorrow won't work, but hopefully Monday I can have something up.

HLF first and foremost.

I had thought about HLF, but I wasn't sure how effective they would be, yadda, yadda, yadda, I didn't think it through really. Toss that on the install list and start looking for some stuff to buy that way.

 

[colby4601]

And we're also getting some brand new decals purchased and then installed for the truck as well. They will be of the same calibre and close to the same design as one of the big city departments in our area.


Attached is a photo of what the decals will look close to:


[Broken External Image]:http://www.regina.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=181


Our decal will obviously have a different name, the coat of arms in the centre will be changed and the wording surrounding it will be removed.

 

[hitechrednex]

my volunteer department has a pierce contender that was very well lit with the xl up top, 2 rotators in the rear top, 2 oscilators in the front, and 6 flashing halogens, although i would probably opt for some decent sized inexpensive LED lights and a SHO-ME flasher for a pattern. on one of our trucks we used LED trailer lights and the sho-me flasher, works great adds cheap effective lighting

 

[nerdly_dood]

Rear lighting - two Code 3 550s (preferably 55 watt bulb, Fast motor, two red or 1 red + 1 amber) plus a pair of amber surface-mount lights (strobe, halogen, LED, your choice) and maybe a traffic director


Side lighting - one or two red surface-mount lights on each side


Forward lighting - two red or red/white surface-mount lights - mounted on the grille.


That should serve you pretty well, the XL is a very capable lightbar - it's just too big to be used on anything smaller than an ambulance.

 

[kinnelonfire75]

Do a 600 or 700 series light head. The linz6s are too small IMO for this application.

 

[usdemt]

Why a LINZ6? My opinion is alway big truck big light so why not a TIR6 for the same price (depending on where you get it) Linear may be the way to go but pay a little extra and you could go that way too.

 

[Mr911]

I have to agree that once you get some pics up, we can all see what you have to work with...

 

[Tlandreth22]

Add a HLF, 2 oscilasers up front, 2 tir6 pimp pods on each side and the rotators and a halogen T/A in the rear.

 

[grfd711]

Add a HLF, 2 oscilasers up front, 2 tir6 pimp pods on each side and the rotators and a halogen T/A in the rear.

Stay away from the oscilasers. They're not worth the hassle of replacing bulbs and motors and aren't that effective.

 

[ark_firefighter]

LIN6 is wayy too small...depending on if your urban or rural I'd go 600 or 400 series LEDs for the rear or side.


For lighting on the top rear...I'd go with 2 Whelen Guardian mini lightbars...cheep, highly effective and did I mention cheep ?


If it was me I'd remove the diamond mirrors so at off axis you'd get more rotator coverage.