2004 Impala GT...install time.

[familo77]

This post is to solicit suggestions for a 2004 Impala GT install. I'll be using Whelen Talons for the main lighting scheme, but am really not inspired at this point as to what the other steps should be. The windows are HEAVILY tinted, which makes rear-deck selection significant. I would like to do some type of traffic direction in the rear window, but LED is going to be too pricy. Siren-wise, nothing will ever beat my old Unitrol, but that is not the plan with this car. Covert, covert, covert, to the point of considering the new SVP remote siren/controller. There will not be a radio in this car right now. Any suggestions??????

[thebigphish]

This post is to solicit suggestions for a 2004 Impala GT install. I'll be using Whelen Talons for the main lighting scheme, but am really not inspired at this point as to what the other steps should be. The windows are HEAVILY tinted, which makes rear-deck selection significant. I would like to do some type of traffic direction in the rear window, but LED is going to be too pricy. Siren-wise, nothing will ever beat my old Unitrol, but that is not the plan with this car. Covert, covert, covert, to the point of considering the new SVP remote siren/controller. There will not be a radio in this car right now. Any suggestions??????

if it's really heavily tinted in the rear, then put the talons in the deck. IMHO, LEDs have better penetration thru tints. If you're worried anout price then, forget the traffic direction...you can corner strobe out every visible stock light for the price of a good traffic director. If you want it covert, then i'd forget about having some corner to corner traffic master in the back window.

rear facing talons in the deck.
rear hideaways in the taillights.
small profile LEDs or small linears in the front
and some talons up by the visors.

how will this car be used?

[Gerbil]

Unitrol amp with undercover switches...
best of both worlds.

[USPSS]

Search for my post on my IMPALA install, might give you ideas.

[familo77]

Uses for this car will be mostly surveilance type stuff and admin./supervisor vehicle. The idea is to keep it simple and inexpensive, and of course not draw attention. Unfortunately its a civilian car which is going to make hooking up that Sho-Me headlight flasher a pain.

[c17loadsmasher]

Is that *heavy* window tint legal? LOL. SC has some law, as do most states. Regardless...I think you'd be best with the Talons through the tint...they should cut through it fine. Corner strobe it too.

[familo77]

I've been asked for years about the window tinting, in both my GOV and POV. I always give the same answer, the shiny gold thing in my wallet seems to "cut through" the tint issue just fine

Talons definately seem to be the way to go, I just can't get enough of that light. I keep hoping they'll make an arrowstick version some time in the near future.

[Gerbil]

i've been told that a 6 lamp and 8 lamp linear arrow is in the near future.

I personally dont see why they havent done it yet.

[gtl7001]

I definitely agree with the Talons for the rear deck, the amount of light that will shine through will depend on a few factors, how dark the tint is, how you angle the Talon, and colors. Clearly, the darker the tint the less light will penetrate, you might want to consider getting less tint say no more than 30%. Color will also make a difference, through clear glass any color Talon will be fine, in fact the dual versions have the attention getting power of strobes only better because of the reflector dispersion pattern. I have noticed that blue and yellow are most effective through tint. Red still works but it will depend on the percent tint. Finally the angle at which you mount the Talon will also affect the brightness of the light. You will need to play around a bit to get the right angle. Given the penchant for more SUV's on the road I tend to aim the Talon up a bit and this also helps in not blinding the occasional sedan driver who is eye level with the Talon's maximum luminesecence on center. You only need a few degrees up depending on how high your rear deck is. Since cost and stealth are concerns I would let the traffic director go, it will only draw attention to you. As for corner strobes in the rear, I don't think that is a good way to go in the Impala, they just don't work well in that tight space and small reflector, I would suggest a backup light flasher instead. If the factory backlights are too dim for your tastes just replace them with the brighter aftermarket ones that are now available. Definitely go with the corner strobes in the front corners if you don't mind drilling the holes in the lamp housing. For the front deck if you want ultimate stealth just go with the traditional halogen revolving light. I think the Federal Signal Firebeam works well and is pretty sturdy. Get a clear one with dual speeds and you can accessorize with the color filters and different rotating speeds. You could go with the Talons, but that would mean leaving it on the dash, since I am not sure if they will take the abuse of being moved around and banged around alot. Plus, I don't think it is a good idea to scrath the Talons lens, could be an expensive fix. Also, consider mounting LED grille lights for extra warning power, I would suggest the Whelen TIR3. As for the siren if you can make a remote switching system for the Unitrol I would go for it. If not I would consider the Federal Signal MS4000U remote siren, it is the same slim box siren but with a remote switching system. It should cost about 140 dollars new. Hope all of this helps.

[007]

Impala GT? Doesn't exist...what model Impala are you doing the install on? GT isn't one of the choices.

[familo77]

What was I thinking, it's the Impala LS with the appearance package. Duh.

Looks like I'm gonna go with Talons, and the traffic director version when it comes out. It will NOT be seen through the rear window when off, that is certain, so it might as well have the direction capability. Lesser tint is not even a consideration for various reasons.

[afterimage84]

What was I thinking, it's the Impala LS with the appearance package. Duh.

Looks like I'm gonna go with Talons, and the traffic director version when it comes out. It will NOT be seen through the rear window when off, that is certain, so it might as well have the direction capability. Lesser tint is not even a consideration for various reasons.

the color or maker of the tint also factors in this. wavelengths of light, transmission etc. one solution is to have the deep tint on the window except for the strip for the traffic bar...there do one shade lighter on the tint. works MUCH better and still is not able to be seen. wether top or bottom of the rear window mount. any reputable tint shop can do this and works much better. someone mentioned the yellow shows through very well, i find yello to be dim in the TALONs wether tint or not. it is FAR dimmer than any other color. thus why we came up witht the lighter 1" strip of tint.
also the "criminals" have begun to figure out what the talons, leds etc (no color when off) lights are and have begun looking for that.

.02

[thebigphish]

. thus why we came up witht the lighter 1" strip of tint.
also the "criminals" have begun to figure out what the talons, leds etc (no color when off) lights are and have begun looking for that.

thats exactly what the state did back in 00/01 with the expeditions they picked up for use...dropped deck lights inside the back window and light-tinted the windows with areas for the lights to shine out. wasn't noticable at night, but off angle in the daytime, you could see the discrepancy in the tint.

baah...we always left those boats in the fleet lot in haaaaaaartford when we picked out a loaner.