Batboard

G'day.

I am preparing to set up my Impala once and for all. Right now, I have a LED Whelen Talon (Its awesome, no matter what evil man Jim over there says! ).

I am going to install a pair of simple blue-halogen wig-wags in the grill. I'm also going to put hideaways in the turn signal sections to the front. I understand the rear is too small and has heat problems (Plus red is illegal in my state, so.. not a big problem there.). Has anyone does this install (strobes in turns) for the Impala, and be willing to share any tricks or secrets before I take a drill to my car? Thanks.

Impala Hideaways are not too bad.. IF you know a few tricks. First use a good rubber grommet tube ( Whelen, sound off) Take out the headlight assembly and find where you want to drill . I use about 1 1/2" from the front of the light 1" in from the side. First use a 1 1/4' Hole saw to get though the first layer of plastic. Stop there .. Dont go all the way through to the light. Now use a 1" hole saw to make the hole in the light. Use a vacum to suck out all the little black shavings Insert your tube .Be careful not to pust too hard. and just till it seats in the hole. Seal it with a good Silicone RTV ( i like black) now your done. Make sure to silicone your connections if your not using weatherproof connectors.. Ive done 100's without problems.

I'm not evil- I just know that the Talon WILL get it's ass kicked by the TLED TOMAR dash light. Get both lights, place them over/under each other and compare for yourself. End of story. Oh...the TOMAR is about $40.00 less, too.

A hint that may be of help: While drilling hold a shop vac or something similar right next to the hole saw, it will cut down on alot of the plastic fuzz from getting in the light itself. Not 100%, but it definitely cuts down on it. It's always been a pain in the *@# to get the plastic out sometimes.

--Chris

A quick tip, if you want to keep the warranty on the strobe tube, do NOT use silicone on it.... Using silicone, I know from experience voids warranties with Federal, Nova, and Whelen.... I am an installer for emergency vehicle lighting, and trust me, I have learned a few things the hard way, and this is one of them..

I have yet have a tube not covered by warantee because of silicone. In fact some I have sound off instructions that recommend using it on the connectors. Unless you slop it all over the place and get it on the glass of the tube it shouldnt affect the peformance.