Anybody install strobes?
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Anybody install strobes?
I want to put strobe lights on my truck-for when I plow and when on the jobsite, I am an asphalt paver and park along the road alot. I use my truck for work as well as personal use. I do not want a big light on top of my truck like I have on the other work trucks. I have seen strobes that you install in by drilling a hole in the headlight assembly. I am nervous about getting moisture in assembly. Anyone do this? Does anyone have a better solution?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
I have the sho-me xenon kit. Installed it on 3 tucks so far. As long as you drill the right size hole and seal with silicone and gasket, no worries. It is possible to hack it up so you are right to be cautious.
Looking at the Whelen products, seems that LED bulb technology just about matches the brightness of the xenon flash bulbs. Def a change in the market and I may go that route next time. Should be easier to install.
Looking at the Whelen products, seems that LED bulb technology just about matches the brightness of the xenon flash bulbs. Def a change in the market and I may go that route next time. Should be easier to install.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: WI
I have the hidden clear LED strobes on all four corners from strobes n more. One in each headlight and one in each reverse tail light. It was kind of nerve racking drilling a 1" hole into my brand new Recon LED tail lights but everything works well. I noticed a little moisture a couple days later but havent seen any since.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 41
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I had a federal signal strobe kit in my 05' 6.0, and had no problems. Had to drill into the housing for the lights, but the strobes were on a rubber gasket with a groove that fit pretty snug. First go around installing I broke a couple strobes because I didn't drill enough width. No moisture problems, just be careful when drilling as the excess shavings will be a pain to get out of the housing.
New User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
i have installed the whalen strobes on several of our trucks. i just completed inatalling a set of led strobes on my '11 f350. put them in the front turn-signal/running light and the lower un-used cavity in the tail-lights. they work ok in the back...but...that lower cavity has no refelection and the led's are pretty much directional. the led advantage is that you don't need a separate power supply box. good luck. need snow
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: Hudson, NH
Definitely go with LED 'stobes'. Their current draw is minimal. You could park on the road and run them for hours with the truck not even running.
With traditional strobes, XENONS, etc you really want to stay idling while they are running. With the price of diesel nowadays the difference in cost for the LEDs can be paid for quite quickly.
---Aaron
With traditional strobes, XENONS, etc you really want to stay idling while they are running. With the price of diesel nowadays the difference in cost for the LEDs can be paid for quite quickly.
---Aaron
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New User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 8
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aaronbrace...would disagree somewhat. we had/have the whalen xenons on several ntrucks. we have used them for several hours w/ ign. off.. without incident. will agree.. can use led's much longer... maybe for days ....lol
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 658
I installed Whalen flashing.
Go to YouTube and search" srkr1432"
You will see my truck installed with the flashers activated.
Also there is another video of the rears installed....and one of a airstream Santa.....
Shane
Go to YouTube and search" srkr1432"
You will see my truck installed with the flashers activated.
Also there is another video of the rears installed....and one of a airstream Santa.....
Shane
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Guys in PA, be careful with headlight and taillight strobes and or LEDs. There are a couple of state troopers around the pittsburgh area that will ticket you for them. PA's laws are old and out dated but it is still not legal for anyone other them emergancey vechials to have headlight and tail lights strobes. I even have the ticket to prove it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
I know it's hard and stressful but the only real effective way to get a good flash in the rear (haha) is to get the strobe in the clear reverse light section of the rear lense assembly.
If not for commercial vehicle inspections I would even do away with the factory light bulb in there to get a strobe bulb in there. Then add reverse lights under the bumper. (I get a dot inspection annually even though the jury is out on whether I need to or not)
If not for commercial vehicle inspections I would even do away with the factory light bulb in there to get a strobe bulb in there. Then add reverse lights under the bumper. (I get a dot inspection annually even though the jury is out on whether I need to or not)
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
do you have any details on drilling the lights? Where/how I have a set of whelen LED's I want to install but I am a little concerned ...It looks like there is a outer bezel that you need to go through It is a one shot deal and I want it to come out mint.Thanks for your reply in advance.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: WI
Yes there are two layers. I drilled through both of them with one shot and then came back and ground just the outer layer away just enough to get the light through. It made me pretty nervous drilling the first hole but it turned out good with zero issues.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
Cool did you remove the light or were you able to drill it and install it mounted? did you use upfitter's? pass through wires ? do you have any pics? did you run them on taillights? if so were did you run wires ? sorry so many questions but i have had these for a while and posted here and never had a response from someone who installed whelen led's