Strobes
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
It's not all that hard. You just have to take your time when drilling into the lamp housings to install the strobe bulbs. After that it's just a matter of running the wiring an mounting the relays & switches.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
The hardest part I have seen is modifying the light housings to accept the bulbs. The kits I am familiar with give you just the bare stobe light bulb and socket, and you are required to drill the factory light housings, or go buy aftermarket lights and drill those housings to install the strobes.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
It depends on the kit. A good kit should cost at least $250, galls, whelen, southern VP, Star signal come to mind. The difference in the kits is typically broken up by use, there are the el cheapo kits that are little tubes, then there are the average kits, which might use a looped halogen bulb but lower power and finally emergency service level kits. I wouldn't bother with the el cheapos, and of my rathers, I'd rather have the ES level.
ES is a bit more of a complete install. On the power supply there are several wires for the switches which allows you different patterns. Running the wire, mounting the power supply, and installing the bulbs are all pretty easy. You do have to watch these kits in tight spaces, the heat given off the bulbs can warp lenses.
ES is a bit more of a complete install. On the power supply there are several wires for the switches which allows you different patterns. Running the wire, mounting the power supply, and installing the bulbs are all pretty easy. You do have to watch these kits in tight spaces, the heat given off the bulbs can warp lenses.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
New User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
I had two Of those in my 1995 explorer(10 hidden 2 Grill) and I was super **** about how I ran the wires except for the holes in the lights when I took them out you could never have known I had lights in the truck. Putting them both in It took 5 hours from start to finish. It was supper easy just followed the directions. I have not had the time to put them into this truck I thinking I might switch to Whelen's new Vertex Super-LED A little less work to do I just don.t know how bright they are. I'm trying like hell to get them put into one of the patrol car at work.
Last edited by greenhornet410; Nov 6, 2008 at 03:54 PM. Reason: forgot stuff / Spelling
Trending Topics
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Sorry to hijack this thread, but was just curious what the uses are for strobes other than volunteer firefighting, emergency vehicles, etc. What are the legal issues with these?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,034
Likes: 1
From: NJ
I was and am stilling thinking of making my reverse lights into strobes.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
We are using them on a old 6x6 army truck we converted to a dump truck. It's a little slow when it's loaded sometimes, so the extra warning from the strobes gives people more of a heads up on the road.
Of course in my state, any type of light that is blue is illegal. I don't know about mounting them in the clear headlights, but we are mounting them in amber lights for the front, and red lense lights for the rear. The army truck doesn't have hazards anyway, so we are using them in our application as a high octane hazard light system.
Of course in my state, any type of light that is blue is illegal. I don't know about mounting them in the clear headlights, but we are mounting them in amber lights for the front, and red lense lights for the rear. The army truck doesn't have hazards anyway, so we are using them in our application as a high octane hazard light system.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
Each state varies and some jurisdictions are tighter than others. In Florida, turn signals are the only lamp that can flash as you drive down the road, hazard lights and strobes should only be used when parked. No one seems to get tickets or care around here thought.
One of the big no-nos of strobes is impersonating LEOs. So it's always a good idea to not run them on the roads, so there are no miss understandings.
One of the big no-nos of strobes is impersonating LEOs. So it's always a good idea to not run them on the roads, so there are no miss understandings.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 1
From: Here and there
Here is a how-to I published on truckblog, could not be any easier of an instal!
Strobe install!
Strobe install!
New User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
I'm A volunteer Fire Fighter
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
PAUL_2
General NON-Automotive Conversation
22
Mar 9, 2002 05:38 PM
