2010 CVPI UHF Spectra Install

[mbnv992]

Ok, I know there have been MANY Crown Vic installs here, BUT, this one is MINE
The radio I have is a UHF 110 Watt Spectra, remote mount. (Put the guts of the radio in the trunk). Antenna is a UHF Comtelco disk mounted on the trunk.



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[RodStrong]

Nice looking rig. I'd try to find a way to clean up those wires though. They really stand out against that gray carpet.

And I'd move that flashlight somewhere else. It's a little too whackersexy right there on the hump. Good job.

 

[commscanaus]

The Crown Vic has enough interior space for just about installing anything.
The Spectra just shrinks into the distance!

Get some split looming or spiral wrap and consolidate the wires.
If the carpet is not glued down too heavily, put the excess under the carpet along the transmission tunnel.

Nice job otherwise, but the remaining space needs more radios!

Commscanaus.

 

[radact]

Spectra Install

I would have mounted the remote head where the mic is. Much easier to see and get to.

The way you have it now, don't you have to bend way down to operate thus taking your attention off of the road?

Just my 2 cents.

 

[mbnv992]

It's good to hear others opinions on this !

Ya, the wires are a bit messy, most of which is coming from the GPS unit I have on the dash. I was thinking of somehow putting the wire in the dash, and having it come out through the carpet, instead of having that ugly wire just dangling there, then wrapping around the external speaker.

If I were to get rid of the GPS, all (or at least most) of the wiring would look MUCH better.

Also, ya, I'm moving the flashlight to the trunk instead. Although it is nice to have one handy, I've already used it several times at night.
Next on my list is hiding that GPS wire.

Thanks for the comments guys !

 

[62Truck]

I don't have a Crown Vic but I usually keep my Mag Light on the side of the drivers seat between the door and the seat, I have a Lumina and there is enough space where the flashlight can sit with out it falling out. But really, why does it matter where one mounts their flashlight?... Now what is wackerish is that I ordered the FDNY knob for my XTS3000 ;-)

Nice install though I really like those spectra's

 

[Skypilot007]

How's that little puck style antenna work on UHF. Is that for ham bands? Those are tough cars, I couldn't kill mine with 270K on it. It will last that's for sure. Have fun.

 

[bonez01]

Very sharp looking install. Looks great. Thanks for sharing

 

[FFPM571]

How did you mount the control head and speaker. I hope you used something under the carpet.

 

[mbnv992]

Thanks guys !

I'll take more pictures tomorrow ! The metal brackets were used for the control head, same with the speaker, and used bolts / washers to secure the unit(s) down. The guts of the radio, are mounted in the trunk, next to the spare tire. I should have used the pull-out tray, but it was just bolted down the big metal bracket (that you slide, then lock the Spectra in), used a piece of wood under said bracket to mount the mount to, so that's not going anyplace either

I'll take some close-up shots tomorrow

 

[RodStrong]

Ya, the wires are a bit messy, most of which is coming from the GPS unit I have on the dash. I was thinking of somehow putting the wire in the dash, and having it come out through the carpet, instead of having that ugly wire just dangling there, then wrapping around the external speaker.

If I were to get rid of the GPS, all (or at least most) of the wiring would look MUCH better.

Also, ya, I'm moving the flashlight to the trunk instead.
Next on my list is hiding that GPS wire.

Just messing w/ya on the flashlight. I would tint those front windows, and no one could see the flashlight anyway, lol.

One thing you could do is move the GPS to the left corner of the dash near the spotlight, and snake the wiring into/under the dash and just buy another GPS power wire if you need to use it in other cars/applications.

Regarding the question about the antenna, I have a somewhat similar UHF 450-470 transit style antenna on one of my rigs, and it does surprisingly well in the 440-450 range. I would imagine that antenna would be good with repeaters and probably not too bad on simplex.

Again, great looking rig.

 

[mbnv992]

The antenna I have is this one here (along with the specs):

http://www.comtelcoantennas.com/PDF Datasheets/A2543B.pdf


It has great range on Simplex, and seems to do equally well hitting the local GMRS repeaters as well.

Thanks for the comment

 

[WD4JKH]

Thanks guys !

...The guts of the radio, are mounted in the trunk, next to the spare tire. I should have used the pull-out tray, but it was just bolted down the big metal bracket (that you slide, then lock the Spectra in), used a piece of wood under said bracket to mount the mount to, so that's not going anyplace either

Always use extreme caution when mounting anything on the rear shelf next to the spare tire since the gas tank is right under that area. I have seen several tanks punctured over the years by the wrong screws in the wrong place. This document gives you a good idea of the danger zones:

https://www.fleet.ford.com/downloads/SpecVehPolice/2010mguide_section4.pdf

Good luck with your project -

David

 

[pointman1177]

slick install man. wish I could have that car as a DD, love the color

 

[mbnv992]

Welp, as promised, here is more pictures I have taken today of the install enjoy ! :



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[GSPD]

I would have mounted the remote head where the mic is. Much easier to see and get to.

The way you have it now, don't you have to bend way down to operate thus taking your attention off of the road?

Just my 2 cents.

I agree, move the radio to the console where the mic is and then place the speaker where the radio is now, only place it back a little further.

.

 

[62Truck]

You did a good job on cleaning up the wires!!

 

[b7spectra]

I hate to be on the same bus, but I would bring the remote head closer. I like being able to just put my hand out and touch the control head. Besides that, looking good!

 

[AK4GA]

I don't have a Crown Vic but I usually keep my Mag Light on the side of the drivers seat between the door and the seat....

I second this. This is where I would keep my mag light in my CVPI police car. Easy to grab when getting out and sticking in your left armpit.

Another alternative is screw those mag clips to the door panel and mount it horizontally about the door pocket.

 

[firetaz834]

Nice install job, but here are my 2 cents. I have an 03 crown vic and suggest that the speaker be relocated. In it's current position the sound it being pushed away from you, so you will have to turn the radio up louder to hear it. If your driving with you windows down or in a high noise envirnoment that sometimes becomes harder to hear. I might suggest that you mount it under the glovebox (you will find a screw on the body itself that you can attach the speaker too.

Also, I'm in agreement with everyone else that you need to mount the control head closer to you for ease of access. You could also maybe mount the head under the dash where the ashtray was located. Think it make it even better. I had a gamber-johnson hump mount and used it to mount my radio too. It even allowed me to mount the speaker under the radio which made it look even better. If you search my posts you will see some of the pictures of how I mounted my equipment.

Looks good so far, but I'm sure your like me always looking for better ways of doing things.

One last thing, why did you decide on the particular antenna you did instead of using just a standard uhf antenna?