A longtime client from here in Gainesville dropped by Sound Depot and Performance to schedule an appointment for a 2017 GMC Denali 2500 radar detector installation and lighting upgrade. We’ve done similar work for this landscaping contractor in the past, so we had a good idea of his goals for protecting his truck and his staff while at a work site. We would be addressing tool storage, safety lighting, window tint and interior protection while reinstalling his Escort 9500CI radar detector and laser defense system.
GMC Denali 2500 Radar Detector and Laser Defense
This Denali is the third home for the client’s 9500Ci radar and laser detection system. We started the project by removing the front grille of the truck and routing radar receiver and laser transceiver wiring to the cab of the truck. We mounted the dual-antenna radar receiver on the upper radiator support and ran wiring for the twin laser modules forward so that we could mount them in the in the front grille.
The control panel for the 9500CI is in the center console to the left of the control switches for the safety lighting system. The display for the Escort system is in the rearview mirror. The client has a subscription to Escort LIVE and can use his smartphone to receive real-time updates on speed traps when he’s traveling to a work site.
Safety Lighting System
Because the truck is often parked on the road when he’s visiting a client site, he wanted ample lighting to ensure that he and his crew would be safe. We mounted six LED lights in the front grille and four on the back of his new toolbox. The lights switch between amber and white, and we programmed several different patterns to ensure oncoming vehicles would see his truck.
Three Putco Work Blade LED safety lights to add to the truck’s visibility. We mounted one light beneath the tailgate, and the other two are just above the running boards on either side of the vehicle. Even though these lights are quite thin, they are very bright.
Premium Weather Guard Toolbox
The client wanted a way to store tools in the bed of the truck and keep them secure and dry. We suggested an aluminum Weather Guard toolbox, and the client chose a Saddle Box model to maximize his storage options. As mentioned, we mounted four rear-facing LED safety lights on the lid of the box. We added internal LED lighting that activates automatically when the client opens the box. Even in absolute darkness, he can access whatever tools he needs.
WeatherTech and 3M Vehicle Protection
We wrapped up the project by installing a set of front and rear WeatherTech Floor Liners to help keep the interior of the truck clean. The WeatherTech mats wrap up the sides of the footwells to capture mud and sand.
The client chose our premium 3M Crystalline window tint to keep the interior of the truck cool on the hottest of summer days. Crystalline not only looks great but blocks 99 percent of UV energy and 97 percent of IR energy to protect the driver from sunburns, prevent the interior from fading and help ease the load on the air conditioning system. The icing on the cake for this Denali protection project was a layer of 3M paint protection film on the headlights. This film prevents the lights from being chipped or scratched when hit by rocks or gravel on the freeway.
GMC Denali Safety Upgrades
After four days of running wires and mounting equipment, it was time to show the client the results of our 2017 GMC Denali 2500 radar detector and safety system project. He loved the lighting and was impressed with how bright the LED lights are. As soon as he opened the door, he said he could tell the 3M window tint was doing its job. The interior felt much cooler, and it wasn’t even summer yet. He was excited to have his radar detector installed and working to protect him from speeding tickets. If you are interested in lighting, window tint or a radar detector system for your car or truck, drop by Sound Depot and Performance, give us a call or send an e-mail to schedule a consultation.
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