Batboard

Driving down the highway I saw an Expedition with LEDs as the cross bars on the factory roof rack, both front and back. They were in plain sight but virtually invisible. I have no clue who it was so I could not contact him to find out about it.
Has anyone seen this type of set up? I would love to do this on my suburban but not sure if this was a product custom made to do this or just something this guys agency came up with.

Any thoughts?

On my tahoe I have 911ep strips mounted on the underside of the roof rack cross bars. When there off you don't even notice them. When there on they look great.

Ive mounted 911ep bars between the roof rails on explorers and tahoes. Ive used brackets and mounted them to the factory sliding rails.

Yep, probably one of the "stick" lights (Whelen Dominator, 911EP WD/TL series - though I can't recommend 911EP these days), etc.

Could you identify what state or area? I have that setup on mine, I built them from scratch. White '08 Expedition, TN/AL/MS area.

Give me some time and I'll get a pic.

Such a setup is very popular around the DC area. Police, fire, feds all do it. A good deal of them were done with sho-me "led-by-the-inch", and run the length of the roof rack in addition to the width for 360 coverage. I have even seen this done on fully marked SUVs that already have a lightbar!

I've seen NYPD admin rides does this way with Whelen Dominators and I think a FS counterparts. Looked nice.

Can anyone who installed such a setup comment on specific entry point(s) used for wiring from the bars under the factory roof racks?

I know there are a few points usable for penetration into the vehicle but hopefully someone has perfected this for long term weather resistance.

Thanks

I have a bar installed like in the picture and I brougnt the wire in under the front trim piece for tha rack on the passanger side.

What method did you use to seal the penetration and have you experienced any water issues on that install?

Black RTV silicone

Figured it would be simple but thought someone may have come up with something unique, thanks

Theres a company called XtCreeBar that makes something like this and it is programmable.
I have wanted it for awhile but its pretty expensive. This is pretty cool too though.

As far as weather-proofing the electrical connections -modified NMO mounts for the supplies, (one for each separate color/flash segment) they're already grounded...most of these vehicles already have a plethora of antennas, what's another couple of holes for power??

wow.

(how many other people just slapped their forehead for that?)

Jatla wrote:As far as weather-proofing the electrical connections -modified NMO mounts for the supplies, (one for each separate color/flash segment) they're already grounded...most of these vehicles already have a plethora of antennas, what's another couple of holes for power??

Huh?

Most LED's need a minimal size wire. The largest hole I have drilled is maybe 1/2in for a few cables. If properly sealed its never a problem. Ive had more leaks with NMO mounts than I care to remember.

FireCpt809 wrote:

Jatla wrote:As far as weather-proofing the electrical connections -modified NMO mounts for the supplies, (one for each separate color/flash segment) they're already grounded...most of these vehicles already have a plethora of antennas, what's another couple of holes for power??

Huh?

Most LED's need a minimal size wire. The largest hole I have drilled is maybe 1/2in for a few cables. If properly sealed its never a problem. Ive had more leaks with NMO mounts than I care to remember.

Then you're not installing them properly. I've installed literally hundreds of NMO mounts... hell, on my last 3 POVs, I've installed 15, 18, and 15 of them. Never had a single one of them leak a drop.

Mine dont leak. Its the ones come in from other installers that I fix.

The ones I saw installed on Expeditions at Police Fleet Expo were set to replace the cross bars, then the wiring was run internally through the mounting feet of the luggage rack, then straight down through the roof, no wires visable at all.

Did that to my 2016 Expedition on the rear. Stacked two Fenix sticks with simple "L" brackets and fit between the factory luggage rails. Routed the wires by drilling a hole in the inside end of the rail support and dropped into the cabin. A little silicon around the outside hole and done. Worked great. (I had the light stick with an arrow stick underneath it. Really simple

Holy 11 years old Batman

Thought the thread could use a little life,