K-Slo's '15 Sierra SLE - FF POV

[Kyle Soldani]

Hey all, as I'm receiving the truck tomorrow I figured it was a good time to start my up-fit or build thread in advance to give you all an idea of what my plans are. To back up and introduce myself a bit since I'm new, my background is primarily public safety (911 dispatch, fire/rescue, law-enforcement and communications infrastructure), vehicle up-fitting and contracted storm chasing for media and emergency management. This truck will be used as my personally owned vehicle (POV) for fire/rescue on my two departments here in Shawnee County and will be registered as an emergency vehicle through the county. This is not a daily driver to and from work, I'm fortunate to be considered an 'essential' employee of the county and have a take-home vehicle so this is used for responding to fire calls and anything else personal aside from work. Disclaimer: the EVP (emergency vehicle permit) is what officially allows me to outfit my vehicle with emergency lights and sirens, most cities/states have strict regulations on what colors and/or equipment you can install if anything - check that first, I'm not going to be responsible for you getting in trouble! I'd like to think that goes without saying but with previous build threads on my other vehicles, it evidently needs to be said.. Without further adieu, lets get started!

 

Here's what I'm coming from, 2011 Durango R/T.

 

 

The list below is a congealed stream of consciousness blob, most of these ideas are initial up-fitting details while some of them will be more long-term goals.

• HAVIS vehicle console for siren/light controller and radios
• Bed-liner
• Bed toolbox
• Bed cover
• Brush guard
• Mud flaps
• Nerf bars
• 360 degree red/blue lighting coverage
• Dual sirens
• Dual band amateur radio (2M/440)
• 800MHz P25 radio for EM and fire response
• LED under body, left/right and reverse 'scene' lighting
• LED offroad/high-beam upgrade (bar behind grill assuming it'll fit and offroad lights once I have a brush guard)
• Panavise dash mounts for Garmin GPS and 7" Tablet
• 900W inverter
• Secondary battery system, solar trickle charged and vehicle charged. Capable of powering camping items and jump starting truck by push button

Electrical System

• HOT - Single 'always hot' 10ga. to lighting controller to allow for extended use of LED lights without vehicle running
• IGN - Single 100A continuous duty solenoid will provide ignition switched power to all additional in-cab accessories (inverter, charging ports, etc.)
• HighBeam - Single 40A standard vehicle relay activated by high beams will power LED offroad lights

Emergency Lighting Modes (some of these are speculative depending on what I can fit where)

 

1. Mode 1

   1. Rear window - Red/Blue bar

2. Mode 2

   1. Rear window - Red/Blue bar

   2. Rear license plate - Red/Red LED’s

   3. Side window - Red/Blue LED’s?

   4. Intersection - Red/Blue (per side) LED’s

   5. Grille - Red/Blue LED’s (X pattern)

   6. Interior bar - Outer Red/Red LED’s

3. Mode 3

   1. Rear window - Red/Blue bar

   2. Rear license plate - Red/Red LED’s

   3. Side window - Red/Blue LED’s?

   4. Intersection - Red/Blue (per side) LED’s

   5. Grille - Red/Blue LED’s (X pattern)

   6. Interior bar - All Red/Red LED’s / White Wig-Wag

   7. Interior Talon - Red/Blue talon in windshield?

4. Sirens

   1. Primary Federal Signal - 100W siren

   2. Secondary Code 3 - 100W siren, wail only (push button on siren)

I have a good chunk of parts/accessories on the way to begin the process this week. So far all that's arrived are the mud flaps, I'll try to compile a list each post with the parts I'm using with links of where I sourced them from, I'm a die-hard Amazonian. Here's what I have arrived or on the way currently, bear in mind this list may be lacking in some places as I have a good amount of items I'll be re-using from my Durango. If there's something you see pictured along the line I don't mention where I got from, let me know and I'll do my best to fill in the gaps.

1. PanaVise InDash mount for Silverado/Sierra - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KXFKOIK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
2. Rear Husky Mud Flaps - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GWSLS4G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
3. Front Husky Mud Flaps - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GWG9HTG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
4. Obligatory Breaking Benjamin Vinyl Sticker - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DVST2R0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
5. Clear License Plate Protector (will be used in front to protect my unit number plate) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007LICSEA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
6. Arkon AMPS Adapter Plate for Garmin Nuvi - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ACP2FY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
7. Install Bay Split Loom - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00542XWXG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
8. SuedeMat Dashboard Cover (allows me to hide wiring and protect the dash) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F14X48/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
9. (2) Siwft 2 TIR4 Blue LED's (will be used for intersection warning and rear license plate, already have 2 reds I purchased previously) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ILK52UY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The process begins this week!

[Kyle Soldani]

6/15/15 Build Update

 

Just brought the truck home and didn't have too terribly much time to work on it this evening - did accomplish a few things though!

 

1. Verified the install location for the intersection LED's, right in front of the fogs is a great spot and easy to access from behind the bumper as well for easy wiring. This spot will give me a nice side profile for pulling into intersections and getting cross traffic stopped.
2. Checked fitment of the Code 3 SuperVisor LED bar and was a bit disappointed. It's clearly used and I was told it was out of a Silverado but the model is for an Impala, quite a bit different fitment than this truck. I 'think' I can make it work but if I can't make it work without it looking decent I'll go to another plan.
3. Was pleased to see a secondary battery spot in the engine compartment. I popped the hood when I looked at the dealer but didn't really note that so that'll be nice not to have a battery in the back toolbox.
4. Installed both PanaVise mounts and my tablet mount. I'm awaiting the arrival of the AMPS Garmin adapter and then I'll get that in. Here's the pictures from that process and finally with the Samsung tablet installed. I use the tablet for quite a bit on fire/rescue incidents and chasing so it's nice to have a dedicated mounting point. I apologize for the picture quality, will be using my better camera from now on..

PanaVise 751101614 Mount

Both installed in the truck.

Installed with trim back on.

Final shot with the tablet in its mount.

[Kyle Soldani]

Ran out of picture room in the post above. Here's the interior LED bar that will hopefully be going in, I'm confident some patience and a jigsaw will make this work.

[Kyle Soldani]

6/16/15 Build Update

 

Couple things arrived today; Garmin Nuvi AMPS mount for the PanaVise, split wire-loom and my front license plate protector (woot). Aside from that my disappointment today was the full size bar not fitting whatsoever, had to ditch that concept. I instead re-purposed a couple of my previous lights which work like a champ and should do just fine until I can come up with a more elegant solution down the road. Perhaps once this model year of truck is around a bit longer the interior bars will become more available. So! Here's the list of what I completed today...

 

1. Mounted the Garmin Nuvi to the PanaVise mount. As I mentioned previously the wiring for the tablet and Garmin will simply sit under the dash protector, way easier in the long run.
   AMPS Mount: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ACP2FY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
2. Mounted the vehicle DVR. This records audio/HD video on loop whenever the ignition is on. Hopefully someday it'll save my a$$ in a crash, who knows!
   DVR: http://www.amazon.com/Falcon-Zero-Dashboard-Camcorder-Available/dp/B00SGXUUTO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434502957&sr=8-1&keywords=falcon+zero
   
3. Mocked up the interior lights and tested their effectiveness, video doesn't really do them justice as they're quite a bit brighter in person - always had good results with them in the Durango. Notice the DVR is in this shot as well, pretty much hidden from view by the mirror.
   LED Lights (don't let the price fool you here, awesome lights): http://www.amazon.com/Tocas-Flashing-Emergency-Vehicle-Warning/dp/B00F542DQU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1434503002&sr=8-2&keywords=emergency+16+led
   
   https://www.youtube.com/embed/PROdVyjyvq4
4. Mocked up my mini-LED bar on the roof just to see how it fit and looks, worked fine.
   Mini bar (again, great bar for the price): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JSCPGN2/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1434503029&sr=1&keywords=xtreme+led+bar
5. Checked more fitment of front grill LED's, still deciding on the final resting place of this things - look multiple times, drill once.
   Front grill LED's I'll be using, pictures later: http://www.amazon.com/Abrams-Grille-Emergency-Vehicle-Warning/dp/B00OSW9WC8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1434503056&sr=8-4&keywords=abrams+led

[Kyle Soldani]

6/17/15 Build Update

 

Tried to focus most of my OCD on the front grill area tonight, after confirming what worked for interior lights. Had another package arrive today which was the TIR4 SWIFT LED's which I'll more than likely use for intersection lights - thought I ordered the same thing I already had but they differ slightly, will have to see how that works out. Today up front I was able to mount both siren speakers as I run dual sirens. Having two makes this sound pretty unique, it's basically the norm on police, EMS and fire apparatus around here since two is much more effective and it gives me some redundancy in case one fails. I forgot how much I loved working on GM vehicles, the grill came forward nice and easy, running wiring didn't require an engineering manual and the overall layout is just what I'm used to having owned two TrailBlazers and an Impala previously. That was a nice change from the Durango! In addition to the speakers I am going to re-purpose my LED bar and connect it to high-beams using a 40A relay (you'll find 40A relays are my favorite). Hadn't planned on using this light again but it just fit too perfectly to pass up and will REALLY add to the additional high beam output on this puppy. The off-road LED lights I'm adding later are a spot beam which reach out a ways but suffer up close, this bar will handle the up close 'flood' effect.

 

Wiring Breakdown - I typically like to use double insulated speaker wire for vehicle up-fitting. For one it gives you that much extra protection from rubbing through and having multiple stranded wire makes it easy to work with and very resilient in an automotive application. I use two flavors, a 4 conductor and a standard 2 conductor. When running these I make a small legend I refer to later and just use simple hash marks on the wires to mark which is which, here's what I ran tonight...

• IIIII - LED Off-Road | 4 Conductor | Black/Green will both be grounds. White will power one off-road light and Red will be power to other. They must have individual dedicated power so I can flash them later individually.
• II - Front Red/Blue LED's | 2 Conductor | Simple Red/Black pair which will power the grill R/B LED's and intersection LED's.
• I - Speakers | 4 Conductor | Red/Black pair to speaker 1. White/Green to speaker 2. Black/Green will be common, respectively.
• LED Bar | 2 Conductor | Red/Black pair to power LED bar from 40A relay triggered by high-beams.

Here's a few shots of the installs tonight, excuse the wires hanging out - they'll be loomed when I get further with the installation. I was just happy everything fit and was relatively easy to put in!

 

1. Here's a shot of my overall working mess.
   
2. Shot of one of the Abrams 100 watt siren speakers. I was quite pleased to work with the added room behind our grill, made for a pretty - dare I say 'enjoyable' - installation. Ended up using the rigid plastic which essentially makes up the top of the air tunnel (if that's a thing) feeding the radiator. I have some reservation on whether that will last or crack the plastic due to the weight however this area is well supported in all directions once the grill is snapped back into place, just something I'll have to keep an eye on. I don't anticipate any major issues though.
   Abrams 100 watt Siren Speaker: http://www.amazon.com/Abrams-Compact-Performance-Speaker-Capable/dp/B00F4M37FE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434593156&sr=8-1&keywords=abrams+speaker
   
3. As I mentioned above, I was also able to fit this previously used LED bar behind the grill. Mounting this was quite a bit trickier than the speakers. If I had to rate this bar it would get a 3/5, simply for the poorly designed rail mounting system - the light output is the only reason I put up with it. In the end I was able to get the brackets installed using some of the grill supports and it fit like a glove. The off-road lights going on the brush guard later are fantastic and reach far however they lack up close since they're focused, this bar will greatly enhance the up close flood lighting.
   Gizmo 20" 5,400 Lumen 60W (12x5W CREE LED) Bar: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BMVMCKW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage
   

If anybody has any questions pipe right on up, I seem to be talking to myself thus far.

[Strykers_Inc]

It's looking really good so far...has me thinking of a light bar for mine.

[kstruckcountry]

Very cool, thanks for sharing.

 

It looks like you might have done this a time or two.

[sahls01gmc]

Looks great! I'm in KC, so I will keep an eye out for you next time I'm in your neck of the woods!

[Kyle Soldani]

It's looking really good so far...has me thinking of a light bar for mine.

 

If you want some extra light output on the front you can't beat the value, once I get all these lights up front ready I'll take some comparison pictures at night so you can see the difference.

 

Very cool, thanks for sharing.

 

It looks like you might have done this a time or two.

 

Thanks! Haha yes indeed, I've been up-fitting my personal vehicles since my first and I owe a lot of my knowledge to doing this professionally for a little over a year. Learned many tricks of the trade.

 

Looks great! I'm in KC, so I will keep an eye out for you next time I'm in your neck of the woods!

 

For sure! Was telling Strykers_Inc in another thread we should get some of the NE KS enthusiasts together sometime. I'm sure more are around here somewhere...

[Strykers_Inc]

1*

 

Not sure if you noticed mine in reflective glint tape.

[Kyle Soldani]

1*

 

Not sure if you noticed mine in reflective glint tape.

 

Yep saw that, made me wonder if I could find a blue/red one haha - sure enough! I'll have to see if I can find a sticker for the truck.

[Strykers_Inc]

What's even funnier is the fact I work on Fort Riley, home of the 1st Infantry Division, so it looks identical to the 1ID patch, but with the added asterisk. Some people have asked me where I got the Glint tape 1ID patch and I looked at them with a puzzled face.

 

I never served in 1ID (never was Mechanized Infantry only Light Infantry/Airborne Infantry / Special Operations) but I grew up here and returned home after I retired.

[Kyle Soldani]

Very cool, thanks for being in! My dad retired as Maj from USAF in the 7th Tac Fighter Squadron. I was over in Manhattan from 2010 to 2013, worked at RCPD as a dispatcher and a FF at Blue Township then a few other hats in other various places before I moved back home to Topeka when we bought our house.

 

Nerf bars arrived today so I'll be working on aesthetics tonight, pictures here in a bit.

[Kyle Soldani]

6/18/15 Build Update

 

Today was definitely the most abrupt aesthetic changes so far. Westin nerf bars came in and I'd been sitting on the Husky mud guards for a few days, figured tonight would be primarily an exterior night. Only thing I did outside of nerf bars and mud flaps was running two wires to the rear bumper area from the front. I had an epiphany driving in today and seeing the side steps on the rear bumper, perfect spot to mount an LED light head and give you a bit more coverage both side and rear. The plan for lower rear warning is now one LED head at a 45 degree angle in each corner synced with two on either side of the license plate, hopefully it'll look slick. A long term goal is to run some 'scene' LED lights under the front nerf bars and under the rear bumper to illuminate the ground or area around the truck. Never know when extra downward light will come in handy. Here's progress pictures from tonight, sorry I'm still using my cellphone since it's just too convenient at this point. I'll get some good quality pictures up once this thing is closer to completion.

 

1. First thing first, here's the driver side nerf bar mocked in place. Getting these things on was definitely interesting thanks to the rather torqued body bolts. Needless to say they went on pretty easy and the passenger side being the second one on went considerably quicker. Really like the look and idea of some added protection on the sides, not that I do any heavy wheeling but oh well!
   Westin 4" Platinum Oval Nerf Bars: http://www.amazon.com/Westin-21-3825-Oval-Platinum-Step/dp/B00F6XA59W
   
   Shot with the driver side completely tightened in place.
   
2. Here's a shot from the rear looking at the mud flaps. I have a couple bones to pick with Husky on these... Right out of the box they require you to drill holes in the plastic and body panels for mounting. If this were a used truck a few years old I wouldn't be worried about that but on the rear flaps you have to drill EACH hole, on the front only one. I'm concerned this will cause corrosion in the future so I'll be sealing the back end of these screws coming through the sheet metal as best I can. On other models they generally include a slide on retention bracket the provided screws go in to, not the case here. They look good, I think they'll function and last - just a bit annoyed with their method of retention, it just seems cheap for Husky.
   Front Husky Liners Mud Guards 56891: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GWG9HTG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   Rear Husky Liners Mud Guards 57891: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GWSLS4G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
3. Kind of a redundant shot in a way. Here's the driver side nerf bars, mud flaps, roof mini LED bar, my required Breaking Benjamin sticker on the back window and don't mind the wires slung over the side mirror - those will be ran up through the engine compartment tomorrow. I loomed the entirety of those wires and ran them adjacent to factory harnesses along the frame, it'll be zip-tied in place along the frame and you can see where it pokes out on the back bumper for now.
   

[Kyle Soldani]

6/19/15 - Build Update

 

I'll preface all this by first posting a link to a longer video in which basically everything below is covered - if you prefer to watch let me know and I'll make more videos:

 

Calling today quits on account of the rather warm temps and at least getting this drive-able. Today I focused primarily on engine compartment wiring and getting the wires ran to the interior. I don't have too terribly much to elaborate on from today, most of this wiring was ran in previous days but just needed to be organized, loomed, generally cleaned up and then ran inside. I've changed my idea for power slightly as I'll be using three 10GA wires, fused at the battery of course, always hot which will run inside. One of these wires will be dedicated to my inverter which will sit by the Havis console while the other two will run interior equipment and lights. With really only using LED's and isolating higher current draws like the LED bar and off-road lights with their own circuits, I'll definitely be able to get away with using these 10GA wires with plenty of current to spare. Here's some shots of today.

 

1. Here's the massive amount of wiring I was pushing through the grommet. A trick of the trade for those who may not know, the easiest thing to do here is run a small wire all the way through and then tape the additional wires to that. This route will keep you from wanting to bounce your head off the hood but it may require some finangling to get all that through.
   
2. Same wiring when I initially got it inside, gives you an idea of the shear amount of wires being used to run everything here.
   
3. Washed out shot (my bad) of the wires running from the grommet over the pedals to the center console area.
   
4. After working under the hood for quite some time I cleaned up the power wires running over to the battery and loomed them all up. Pretty pleased with how that turned out, I'm OCD about wiring and really like it to be clean everywhere.
   
5. Another shot up close of the grommet after some cleaning up, everything here will be loomed and cleaned up in the long run.
   
6. Last but not least the massive coil of wires awaiting the Havis console. This is pretty mild compared to some installs I've done since I'll only have two radios and a siren/light controller so I can't complain too much. I am still missing my antenna coax (deciding what the best route for mounting will be) and grounds, I'll tackle those closer to the completion.