Batboard

So, lets say you have this placed in front of you. Buying bucket seats and a center console is not an option. That control panel with the big switches is more or less not replacable. Anything else can be moved or re-arranged. It has been thrown together since 1991. This layout drives me nuts and I want to clean it up some. "What would you do??"

Kenwood TK-830G non-remote head
Midland Syntech II remote head (Soon to be a TK-630G remote)
Whelen light/siren control head
Two portable radio chargers
Traffic advisor switches behind the midland control head
Spotlight

Leave everything where it is and hope for a fire.

pull everything out except the light controls and put it all in a 12 inch console from Jotto, Gamber-Johnson or Troy Products. Mount the portable chargers on the passenger side of the console box

I'd put the siren head cloeset to the seat, then both Kenwoods and then or arrowstick controller at the top.

Anyone got a match and a gallon of gas?

I hear Matt has automotive electrical experience...

roll down window, toss in frag grenade, roll up window

Ok. I should clarify something here. I would love nothing more than to pack this truck with semtex and blow it sky-high. The last time there was an electrical fire in here (which you obviosuly recall), I put it out against my better judgement. I woulld take great pleasure in the frag genade, can of gas, highway flare, etc etc method. But, this is "town property" so I would have a hard time justifying my actions to the First Selectman.

Console is going to be difficult concidering the location of that master battery switch

nmfire10 wrote:Console is going to be difficult concidering the location of that master battery switch

am i missing it? where is it mounted and why isn't it moveable? unless it's an integral part of the chassis, i don't see why 2 pieces of 0 ga. can't help it go somewhere else...

I realize this doesn't come close to addressing all the issues you're facing, but here's how we put together our rig. We only had 2 maxtrac-style radios and a siren box, plus a switchbox, to do though.

This is a 1990 1-ton GMC. We got it about 2-3 years ago, used of course. The truck originally was a standard, but after the trans got roasted in a few weeks, it was switched to a floor-mount auto. That required us to place things in locations other than the center hump...

The switchbox went up high...



The siren box where GMC puts the stereo..



And the radios in the center of the dash..



(Edit: Hmm. *looks at last photo* Looks like we had the switchbox set down low for at least one of my photos. Trust me, it's up on the roof. )

Hope this either helps or gives you some ideas...

--j.

nmfire10 wrote:So, lets say you have this placed in front of you. Buying bucket seats and a center console is not an option. That control panel with the big switches is more or less not replacable. Anything else can be moved or re-arranged. It has been thrown together since 1991. This layout drives me nuts and I want to clean it up some. "What would you do??"

From the sound of it, it looks like you have the permission of the PTB (powers that be) to undertake the required work.

I would make up a written plan of attack, and detail exactly what will be needed parts wise. Make up a schematic of the whole system before you start. Estimate the amount of time that the truck will be out of service & double it.

As for the equipment itself, make a cardboard mock up of what you are proposing. Take your smallest driver & make sure they can reach everything without taking their eyes off the road or stretching.

Is the no bucket seat requirement based on lack of funds or is there a policy issue at work here? If it's funds, I would suggest a trip to the local auto salvage yard requesting a pair of decent buckets. Used consoles can be had on eBAY for a song, and occasionally for free from other agencies. My point in asking is, from the gear mounted on the seat, that's a bunch of stuff to go flying around in a MVA.

Remove all equipment.
Take the truck and the equipment to a reputable cabinet shop and have them build a console to fit YOUR truck and fit the proper equipment where you want it. If there is a battery switch, relocate it to the side of the console or eliminate it. Most vehicles don't even need a battery switch. If you feel the need to turn off all auxiliary equipment, just add an ignition-switched solenoid for aux. power and leave the OEM truck's electrical hot at all times.

This console will look great, if done properly. They can even laminate it to match the interior (or spray with Rinex a.k.a. Rhino Liner and it will be bullet-proof) and make it look as if it's factory.

If this is the equipment that's gonna stay in here, I wouldn't even think of using an off-the-shelf console. Go custom.

As much as I would love a custom console like you describe jim, that is probablt beyond the relm of possibiity. The truck is in service and what have technically "works". I could never justify the expense and taking the truck out of service just to make the interior look really neat.

I'm going to be replacing that low band radio which is my opportunity (read- excuse) to clean things up in here. I'll have to see if I can spend the money on small 12 or 13" console. It would certainly be nice.

After I posted the battery switch thing, I realized it wouldn't be too big of a deal to mount it to the side of a console. It would look so much better and not cost a lot of money and not take the truck out of service for more than a few minutes.

too much unused dash space matt, throw that remote mount head up on top of the dash, or even celing mount it.

Also, relocate that siren to the dash either in the empty space below the air vents (cover them if need be) or where them white decals are above the radio.

nmfire10 wrote:As much as I would love a custom console like you describe jim, that is probablt beyond the relm of possibiity. The truck is in service and what have technically "works". I could never justify the expense and taking the truck out of service just to make the interior look really neat.

Matt,
Here's an angle that may not be obvious: While running code, Driver fumbles with poorly designed cab interior to use radio. While driver is momentarily distracted, loon in ricer pulls out in front of truck.

Estate of ricer, and disabled driver both sue department for unsafe equipment.

Martin

what i would do is get one of the new Havis Wedge shaped consoles. and i will come over one saturday and help you guy rewire that damn mess