2005 T4R with Whelen LED's

[LBeard87]

Just wanted to share a little video, just finished installing the new Whelen Slimlighter LED Ultra near the rear hatch and figured i would take a video of the completed set up. Also have a Whelen Dual Talon in the front windshield and 4 TIR3 LED's in the grill. you can also kind of hear the Borla Exhaust, new video of that will follow soon. enjoy!<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/N5g9VU6OPoE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/N5g9VU6OPoE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

 

[Lowpro]

Looks good.

I have some Whelen TIR3's (grille), Whelen Vertex as strobes (fog lights and rear turn signals) and a Whelen Slimlighter inside the trunk.



Guess I need more vids.

 

[A10MileHusker]

Looks Good! I have always wanted to throw some LED lights on mine just for fun

 

[simple]

The top video seems like a good way to answer some riveting questions, potentially with your face in the ground, to some police officers.

 

[r32]

The top video seems like a good way to answer some riveting questions, potentially with your face in the ground, to some police officers.

:iagree:

No good can come of this, unless hollywood wants to use your pre-rigged vehicle as an FBI cruiser in the next Bruce Willis film.

Looks cool really though and would obviously come in handy if you happened upon a wreck before anyone else did, or needed to pull someone over like a slow driver in the fast lane. I'm curious to know what the penalty is. Would that be considered impersonating an officer, or is there a separate law for impersonating an officer's vehicle?

 

[4runr30]

:iagree:

No good can come of this, unless hollywood wants to use your pre-rigged vehicle as an FBI cruiser in the next Bruce Willis film.

Looks cool really though and would obviously come in handy if you happened upon a wreck before anyone else did, or needed to pull someone over like a slow driver in the fast lane. I'm curious to know what the penalty is. Would that be considered impersonating an officer, or is there a separate law for impersonating an officer's vehicle?[/QUOTE}

Although I get what you are saying, your statement doesnt apply to either of the 2 videos above. The first with blue lights belongs to a firefighter, whether paid or volunteer is unknown. For whatever reason blue is the chosen color for fire departments in some states. The second video is of a member who wanted additional visibility on the side of the road with a break down, etc. Check his other threads, pretty sure he had to have a state issued permit.

 

[simple]

:iagree:

No good can come of this, unless hollywood wants to use your pre-rigged vehicle as an FBI cruiser in the next Bruce Willis film.

Looks cool really though and would obviously come in handy if you happened upon a wreck before anyone else did, or needed to pull someone over like a slow driver in the fast lane. I'm curious to know what the penalty is. Would that be considered impersonating an officer, or is there a separate law for impersonating an officer's vehicle?[/QUOTE}

Although I get what you are saying, your statement doesnt apply to either of the 2 videos above. The first with blue lights belongs to a firefighter, whether paid or volunteer is unknown. For whatever reason blue is the chosen color for fire departments in some states. The second video is of a member who wanted additional visibility on the side of the road with a break down, etc. Check his other threads, pretty sure he had to have a state issued permit.

I've lived in 4 states, and been to 17. I've never once seen a fire engine with blue lights. I've seen red, and clear lights. However, blue or red are reserved for emergency vehicles in general. If he has a permit, than good to go, but if you don't, you have no business with lights like that. Because all a cop needs to do is say that you had the intent of impersonating a police officer, and you're done.

As far as the yellow lights, I don't really see an issue with that, because those are more like hazards on speed. Although, everyone who sees that driving down the road is going to think he's a power company employee or a city worker off to do some business somewhere.

 

[r32]

Although I get what you are saying, your statement doesnt apply to either of the 2 videos above. The first with blue lights belongs to a firefighter, whether paid or volunteer is unknown. For whatever reason blue is the chosen color for fire departments in some states. The second video is of a member who wanted additional visibility on the side of the road with a break down, etc. Check his other threads, pretty sure he had to have a state issued permit.

I agree with Simple in that I've never seen blue fire engine lights and been to many states as well. Maybe it's out there but still. I would not want to be noticed by a cop, or at least in California I think you'd be off to jail.

Found a really good article on this subject. Here is an excerpt:

"Amber lights are legal on emergency vehicles. The amber light also sends a very specific message to those who view it: danger, caution & stay away. A driver who is drugged, drunk, elderly, tired, fatigued or confused will avoid the vehicle displaying the amber light. Amber also travels through fog, rain or snow much farther than red, blue or clear. In California ALL emergency vehicles must display at least one amber light to the rear. Federal ambulance specs required one amber light on the rear of all new ambulance. NFPA fire apparatus "blocking mode" status recommend AMBER lights. (Phoenix Az allows ONLY amber when parked) Why are fog lights amber? Why does the FAA require amber on airport vehicles? Why does DOT use amber?

The NY State Police conducted tests on the vehicles equipped with the "Street Hawk" light bar back in 1991. They now have an amber lens on the driver's side rear flashing light position in the bar. 15 to 20 Cars were struck while parked on the side of the road with only red lights on.

Other New York State agencies reported between 75 and 90 vehicle struck while parked NEXT TO the highway annually. After amber was installed, and the rotating red lights were shut off, Not one NYSP car was struck in three years while displaying the amber light with the rotating reds shut off! As time has moved along the troopers are again leaving the rotating reds on along with the amber and more cars are being struck! NYSP have equipped most of their cars that work the interstates with "arrow sticks" in the back window. The 2002 NYS State bid "Federal Vista" light bar has a built in arrow stick. It works more effectively when the red rotators are shut off by sending one message - caution, danger and stay away! Inside the trunk one light is now amber."

Link to full article: http://www.policedriving.com/article145.htm

 

[4runr30]

If he has a permit, than good to go, but if you don't, you have no business with lights like that. Because all a cop needs to do is say that you had the intent of impersonating a police officer, and you're done.
QUOTE]

Agreed, I dont agree with yahoos running around with lights for the heck of it.

I agree with Simple in that I've never seen blue fire engine lights and been to many states as well. Maybe it's out there but still. I would not want to be noticed by a cop, or at least in California I think you'd be off to jail.

Found a really good article on this subject. Here is an excerpt:

"Amber lights are legal on emergency vehicles. The amber light also sends a very specific message to those who view it: danger, caution & stay away. A driver who is drugged, drunk, elderly, tired, fatigued or confused will avoid the vehicle displaying the amber light. Amber also travels through fog, rain or snow much farther than red, blue or clear. In California ALL emergency vehicles must display at least one amber light to the rear. Federal ambulance specs required one amber light on the rear of all new ambulance. NFPA fire apparatus "blocking mode" status recommend AMBER lights. (Phoenix Az allows ONLY amber when parked) Why are fog lights amber? Why does the FAA require amber on airport vehicles? Why does DOT use amber?

The NY State Police conducted tests on the vehicles equipped with the "Street Hawk" light bar back in 1991. They now have an amber lens on the driver's side rear flashing light position in the bar. 15 to 20 Cars were struck while parked on the side of the road with only red lights on.

Other New York State agencies reported between 75 and 90 vehicle struck while parked NEXT TO the highway annually. After amber was installed, and the rotating red lights were shut off, Not one NYSP car was struck in three years while displaying the amber light with the rotating reds shut off! As time has moved along the troopers are again leaving the rotating reds on along with the amber and more cars are being struck! NYSP have equipped most of their cars that work the interstates with "arrow sticks" in the back window. The 2002 NYS State bid "Federal Vista" light bar has a built in arrow stick. It works more effectively when the red rotators are shut off by sending one message - caution, danger and stay away! Inside the trunk one light is now amber."

Link to full article: http://www.policedriving.com/article145.htm

Good article. Note that the NFPA changes its mind every couple of years. People have been debating the use and number of activated lights on emergency vehicles for years. Some say that the more lights you have the more visible you are, but there are plenty of incidences where drunks have plowed parked emergency vehicles because they were drawn towards the lights. Check out this forum it has alot of info on the subject. http://www.elightbars.org/bb3/viewforum.php?f=15

 

[gqr1c3boi]

looks pretty cool!

 

[toto]

In Illinois, members of fire departments are allowed to put blue lights on their personal vehicles for the purpose of responding directly to a call. (IL Statute 625 5/12-215(c)) That's not practical in urban areas as most drivers would never yield to something with that small with flashing lights but no markings. (Heck, they don't yield to a 50-foot red truck with dozens of lights!) It's also not necessary, as there are plenty of fire stations and staff so that individuals don't need to be in that big of a hurry. So, most urban departments don't approve of the practice.

In rural areas where departments are often staffed by volunteers and a lot more spread out, it is more common for the staff to use the blue lights while going to a call if they're closer to the scene than the station, or when they're quite far from the station.

Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's not dangerous. Even with the blue lights, those drivers still need to be extra careful if they intend to disobey traffic signals or signs. The individual is still responsible if they run into something or someone - the fire department doesn't take on that liability.

 

[Lowpro]

If you are guys are so curious why don't you guys just ask the OP (original poster) about his blue lights? Just looking at his profile you can see that he says that he is a "Certified Firefighter" and is located in CT. Pretty sure different parts of the US have different rules about what light colors they use.

As for me, I volunteer with the fire department, am a EMT & am registered as disaster service worker for the State of California. Just last night some of our members were dispatched out to "wires down" incidents due to the high winds. Amber lights are used for visibility for our safety and also for the safety of others. We'll often do traffic control, fire patrol (red flag days) & will help with evacuations during brush fires, if needed. Lights are just another tool for you to use but you have to be responsible with them.

Search on the CA DMV website if you want to find out about amber lights.

 

[LBeard87]

relax

i have a emergency light permit signed by the chief of police, the chief of the FD and town mayor. Im a volunteer firefighter. the permit is for The State of Connecticut ONLY. (all states have different laws) covers blue colored lights that are front facing and blue and red lights that are rear facing. i wouldn't spend that kind of money just to have them. and i have no desire to pull someone over for going to slow or being an idiot with them. its a huge responsibility to have them. any traffic violations or accidents, im automatically liable. and trying to pull someone over is impersonating an officer and thats a felony. ya its really cool that i get to have these lights it my car, but you have to know when to use them.

Lowpro: thanks. al least someone is observant. not to mention my profile pic should be a dead giveaway.

 

[r32]

LOL, I don't think anyone here was suggesting you were going to do anything illegal.

We were suggesting that we thought it might be illegal to do this to a non-service vehicle, unless you have a permit for such lighting on your vehicle. I think you could have mentioned that you were a volunteer firefighter in the initial post though. For all we know, you were just doing it, just to do it and that is what prompted such a discussion.

 

[LBeard87]

very true. in hindsight probably wouldve helped to mention it. well glad you guys like the lights though. was a pain to run the wire through the headliner from the rear hatch down the driver side door wells.

 

[r32]

What does this mean if/when you go to sell the truck I wonder? Are you going to have to undo everything? Pretty cool looking and I'd like to do it to my truck just for $hits and giggles, but my luck, I'd be pulled over for something like going 30mph in a 25 zone and get arrested for the light setup. :lmao:

 

[Lowpro]

very true. in hindsight probably wouldve helped to mention it. well glad you guys like the lights though. was a pain to run the wire through the headliner from the rear hatch down the driver side door wells.

dang, that sounds like a pita!

Here is a link to a thread I made when I installed my vertex lights.

Since then I have moved my rear strobes from the reverse lights up to the turn signals, muck better light output.

 

[LBeard87]

R32: not sure about your state, but in connecticut, its legal for any person to own emergency lights of any color and have installed in vehicle ie: show cars or such. the law is and permit endorsement is for use on roadways or in traffic. so there are plenty places where you can own them. you just have to use them in your driveway basically. its not like i have to fill out special paperwork or anything. anyone can buy lights from a distributor in whatever color they want.

and IF i ever sell the truck then yes, i uninstall the lights. its too much of a liability to leave them installed. not everyone is responsible enough to just not use them. i actually have a secret kill switch mounted near the firewall in the engine compartment that cuts the power to the lights for when friends or family borrow the car. just to cover my a**