I am about to start cutting right of ways on the side of interstates and am going to put strobe lights in my back up light area plus my headlights. I was curious if anybody else has done this and where did you buy yours. Also will be mounting a warning light bar on top and wanting to know how to run the wires. Thanks

 

Fellow firefighters have been buying their hide-a-way lights at speedtechlights.com. The only complaint I have heard is one guy drilled the hole too big and the light didn't seal properly. He now has moisture in his headlight. I'll be mounting LED's in my grill and on the rear of a cab shield.

 

Well personally I wouldnt put them in the headlight shell area of your 06. I have an 04 with the new 05-07 grill and headlights. I also putting a wig wag system on mine too. One thing I have noticed when adding these lights to the headlight area, no matter how good you are, there is a chance of moisture getting in there. I would put them in the blinker area. There is just enough space for a bulb. Also not that there is a 2 piece enclosure, so you will need to cut a larger hole on the first one and then smaller just to fit the bulb tight. The backs, should be easy to do and shouldnt take long to set up. I will post pics and vids of mine once completed.

 

I have them on my 06 with no moisture issues just follow directions and drill the correct size holes. Mine have been in there for three years. I have them in the headlights and reverse lights same as you want to do then wired to the upfitter switch. good luck and take your time, I have seen the same set I have at strobes unlimited. I cant think of the brand right no I will try to remmeber to look at the box when I get home and add it the post later.

 

That is where i got mine from when I was with the FD. I put them in the lights of my Mustang (and made sure to seal them off with a nice RTV just in case).
For a truck, I would put them in the grill, under the tailgate beside the brake lights, and a few in the cab for good measure.

 

Thank you for all the reps. I looked at some 90 watt strobes today and have not decided which ones to go with. I did like the amber colored strobes just so i know i will stay legal. I can run the wires for the headlights and reverse lights with no problem but am having a hard time figuring out the top lights. Anyone know how to run them where i dont have wires showing down the back of the cab. I thought about going through the cargo light but am worried about moisture getting in. It will be nice to finally use the rest of my upfitter switches. My brother was complaining about his gmc and the fact that he will have to put toggle switches in his dash. One more reason to buy a FORD!

 

If you are referring to the roof lights then the wiring should be on the passenger side pillar. You just need to splice into that harness to get the roof lights to work. However, I would get different wires from each light so they all flash different patterns. You would need extra slots on your brain flash box to do all of them individually.

 

I've had them on my 05 since new,both front and rear. I used Federal Signal and its what most municipalities use for their trucks. It is very durable and reliable but not cheap. I haven't had to replace a bulb in 2 years. Their kits are very user friendly and easy to install.

 

Some thoughts based upon lots of experience with this:

Install the front tubes in whichever lamp housing you prefer. Stay away from the headlamp which washes out the strobe bursts (when illuminated) and will keep you away from annoying encounters with law enforcement. If the area you choose is clear, use an amber tube, if amber, use a clear tube.

For the rear lights, plan to install on the side of the tail lamp. Inspect first and remember you have to route a cable to this. Although you can physically fit the tube into the backup lamp, it is very snug. Use clear tubes here.

For the cab, remove the bed lights from the CHMSL (center high mounted stop lamp assembly). Open the holes and insert an amber strobe tube. If you need a bed lamp, run a pair of small wires from the bed lamp wire pair out the bottom of the CHMSL, (cut a small notch in the rubber) and then mount a small LED flood to light the bed. (we have used magnet mounts for this very effectively so no holes!) Seal with a dab of silicone.

Some installation tips:

You will need a 1" hole saw (fine tooth) and a vacuum. Do the cutting with the vacuum running to catch as much of the debris as possible. We blow out the fixtures with compressed air.

Sensor safe silicone around the perimeter of the tube assemblies (Be careful to not touch the tube itself). Apply the same silicone to the back of the connection plugs. Fill the inside of the plugs with dielectric grease or Fluid Film.

Route the strobe cables TOGETHER, down the inside of the frame rail, ideally in wire loom. BE CERTAIN THEY WILL NOT RUB OR CHAFE.

Route the front cables through the firewall into the engine compartment. We usually go left side to the front in the name of a short run.

On the inside, use the existing wire channel under the door jam cover and run up into the area near the rear stop lamp. You should be able to gain access to the area without dropping the headliner much, since all you need to do is to fish the cables up there.

Mount the strobe unit INSIDE THE CAB!!!!! I prefer left side under the jump seat (supercab) or under the seat (crew cab). There is a knock-out plug to allow access to the bed just under the seat for the cables to the rear.

I am a strobe purist and use Whelen (who invented the stuff). Federal Signal and Galls have acceptable alternatives. Don't cut corners here. Also buy a spare clear tube NOW.

As for flash patterns the goal is to mark the boundaries of the vehicle, so I favor alternating double flash. The rest of the patterns will give you a headache.

 

Your truck should have a TON of possibilities. What about sticking one in each cab clearance light, one in the bed lights on the sides of the third brake light, and even in the mirror signals if so equipped? Just a thought.

 

I run my LED strobes inside the cab so there are no holes in the truck. L brackets, attached to the inner skin, usually just under the headliner keeps it looking clean, and all wiring is hidden and routed out of view. I have 3 wires running from in the cab to the engine bay and that is only to control the relays for the older style lights. There are grommets under the carpet that I just made holes in just barely enough to fit the wires through so there isn't any moisture getting past and the factory grommets keep chaffing away so there isn't any wires going against metal. Use as much as possible that are LED's. They have a very low draw and depending on how much and what you have, you don't need relays for alot of them. On my old truck I had 4 strobes in the rear window, (2 red and 2 white), without relays. Traffic advisor with a relay. 2 strobes at the top of the rear door windows w/o relays (LEDs), and the grills were LEDs too so no relays there. I am just starting on setting up my current truck and will probably add a set of LEDs for the backside of my sideview mirrors but haven't gotten off of my butt yet so all I have now is the red LED strobes in the back window.

I usually get all my stuff used, but in very good condition from http://www.elightbars.org/bb3/viewforum.php?f=8
Lots of new stuff on there too.

(Hopefully I wont get slapped for his link) but check out their "Emergency equipment" classifieds section. Lots of good stuff.

Also check the details for the options on the LED strobes. Alot already have the "strobe" built into them so no additonal controllers are needed. And they usually can be tied together to sync up with patterns for you to choose from.

And if you really wanted a full lightbar, get a headache rack to mount it to so you still don't have to put holes in the cab. Just run the relay control wires from the inside switches to the relays up under the hood somewhere. You will have to work out a safe spot for them to keep them dry tho.

 

I put an Ecco hide away system on mine for the rear only, reverse lights. I was too nervous to drill into my headlights so I got 4 box assy stobe kits from Whelen and mounted them in the grill. Here's a pic, I am waiting for my upload to youtube to finish then will post that link.

 

Why is this? Personal preference? My Ecco system is designed to be outside and has been under the hood for many years now with no problems.

 

This a video of my stobes for plowing.

YouTube - CIMG0002.mp4

 

I will have to post a vid of my undercover tacoma with the strobe tubes in the headlights, front driving lights, with the whelen LEDs in the grill and the inside corner mounts. The rear I did the inside corner mounts and reverse light and the red part of the tail lights.