Chase vehicle...what's yours for 2005?

Well my new Xterra has been transformed into a chasing / fire vehicle.

3c9744c26f249e64b262969f09f280b3.jpg
05b41692a3115be643a3233a4abc2852.jpg
9164935ab06504f30563cfd77f19b30b.jpg
dffbbbfb389b42d8e91914dd53152f54.jpg
84814906a8c0ebe12d3eb2f143099233.jpg
8757c288554f97d4fa90bdbfa3b613e4.jpg
c9ceb01ddd494376a4db1c0a0d264e90.jpg

The blue lights are only used for emergencies with the fire department I'm on. I got the amber traffic director for both chasing and fire emergencies. The great part of the LED lights I've got is that they are so small. These LED lights are also clear when turned off.

I'm very pleased with the way everything has turned out. The jotto desk will be a great benefit this year.

I've got a ton more photos, wiring diagrams, and videos on my website.
http://www.brademel.com/pages/xterra.php
 
Well my new Xterra has been transformed into a chasing / fire vehicle.

3c9744c26f249e64b262969f09f280b3.jpg
05b41692a3115be643a3233a4abc2852.jpg
9164935ab06504f30563cfd77f19b30b.jpg
dffbbbfb389b42d8e91914dd53152f54.jpg
84814906a8c0ebe12d3eb2f143099233.jpg
8757c288554f97d4fa90bdbfa3b613e4.jpg
c9ceb01ddd494376a4db1c0a0d264e90.jpg

The blue lights are only used for emergencies with the fire department I'm on. I got the amber traffic director for both chasing and fire emergencies. The great part of the LED lights I've got is that they are so small. These LED lights are also clear when turned off.

I'm very pleased with the way everything has turned out. The jotto desk will be a great benefit this year.

I've got a ton more photos, wiring diagrams, and videos on my website.
http://www.brademel.com/pages/xterra.php
 
Same chase rig this season (1994 GMC 1500), but with many changes. I replaced the Streethawk lightbar with a Federal Vision bar and Signalmaster. I also have a new radio console, new video camera mount, and several new radios (replacing older ones). Additionally, I added a new laptop mount, external speakers for all radios (mounted behind the seat, aimed at the drivers position), aimable external floodlights, and an outside rebroadcast system for the radios through the Smart Siren system that came with the Lightbar. Finially, I relocated the power inverter receptacles, and several other componants.

Oh yeah...most important. I installed a new transmission. Makes it a bit easier to chase with this.
 
Same chase rig this season (1994 GMC 1500), but with many changes. I replaced the Streethawk lightbar with a Federal Vision bar and Signalmaster. I also have a new radio console, new video camera mount, and several new radios (replacing older ones). Additionally, I added a new laptop mount, external speakers for all radios (mounted behind the seat, aimed at the drivers position), aimable external floodlights, and an outside rebroadcast system for the radios through the Smart Siren system that came with the Lightbar. Finially, I relocated the power inverter receptacles, and several other componants.

Oh yeah...most important. I installed a new transmission. Makes it a bit easier to chase with this.
 
Im using a 1988, yes a 88, Ford taurus GL, with a Whelen mini-bar on top and flashing strobes on the back, which are new additions this year, I should be highly visable.
 
Im using a 1988, yes a 88, Ford taurus GL, with a Whelen mini-bar on top and flashing strobes on the back, which are new additions this year, I should be highly visable.
 
2000 ford explorer xlt. new this year. ask any questions, I'll just post the pics.

[Broken External Image]:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/uncleben03/ss2000.jpg

[Broken External Image]:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/uncleben03/brain.jpg

[Broken External Image]:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/uncleben03/radiosjotto.jpg

[Broken External Image]:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/uncleben03/antennas.jpg

[Broken External Image]:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/uncleben03/arrowstick.jpg

[Broken External Image]:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/uncleben03/front.jpg

[Broken External Image]:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/uncleben03/side.jpg

also not pictured is my handheld digital scanner and laptop.

Plans are in the near future for an anemometer also.
 
2000 ford explorer xlt. new this year. ask any questions, I'll just post the pics.

[Broken External Image]:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/uncleben03/ss2000.jpg

[Broken External Image]:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/uncleben03/brain.jpg

[Broken External Image]:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/uncleben03/radiosjotto.jpg

[Broken External Image]:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/uncleben03/antennas.jpg

[Broken External Image]:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/uncleben03/arrowstick.jpg

[Broken External Image]:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/uncleben03/front.jpg

[Broken External Image]:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/uncleben03/side.jpg

also not pictured is my handheld digital scanner and laptop.

Plans are in the near future for an anemometer also.
 
[Broken External Image]:http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/653000-653999/653485_4_full.jpg
[Broken External Image]:http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/653000-653999/653485_13_full.jpg
[Broken External Image]:http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/653000-653999/653485_12_full.jpg

1999 Jeep Cherokee SE 4WD 2-Door with the 2.5L I-4 and a 5 speed. It is slower than a horse drawn carrige plus I get 15 city 16 highway (mpg). The engine is in good shape it's just a heavy vehicle pulled by a nothing engine. I occasionally have used the the mini-bar light but usually I leave it off. (magnent mount/cigarette outlet power)[/url][/code][/list]
 
[Broken External Image]:http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/653000-653999/653485_4_full.jpg
[Broken External Image]:http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/653000-653999/653485_13_full.jpg
[Broken External Image]:http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/653000-653999/653485_12_full.jpg

1999 Jeep Cherokee SE 4WD 2-Door with the 2.5L I-4 and a 5 speed. It is slower than a horse drawn carrige plus I get 15 city 16 highway (mpg). The engine is in good shape it's just a heavy vehicle pulled by a nothing engine. I occasionally have used the the mini-bar light but usually I leave it off. (magnent mount/cigarette outlet power)[/url][/code][/list]
 
My car is the same 1999 Saturn SW2 I have chased in for a few years. Things I have added this year are a self built laptop stand ($20 @ Lowes), Wx Station (I know that magnets arent the way to go, but i am still working on getting a roof rack for the car, and in 100 mph winds (according to the wind readings) it has held without a prob.) :wink:

[Broken External Image]:http://www.vassmer.com/stormchasing/site-images/car/thumbs/car.JPG

[Broken External Image]:http://www.vassmer.com/stormchasing/site-images/car/thumbs/IMG_2926 (1).JPG

[Broken External Image]:http://www.vassmer.com/stormchasing/site-images/car/thumbs/IMG_2923 (1).JPG

Click for Larger Pictures of the car inside and out!
 
My car is the same 1999 Saturn SW2 I have chased in for a few years. Things I have added this year are a self built laptop stand ($20 @ Lowes), Wx Station (I know that magnets arent the way to go, but i am still working on getting a roof rack for the car, and in 100 mph winds (according to the wind readings) it has held without a prob.) :wink:

[Broken External Image]:http://www.vassmer.com/stormchasing/site-images/car/thumbs/car.JPG

[Broken External Image]:http://www.vassmer.com/stormchasing/site-images/car/thumbs/IMG_2926 (1).JPG

[Broken External Image]:http://www.vassmer.com/stormchasing/site-images/car/thumbs/IMG_2923 (1).JPG

Click for Larger Pictures of the car inside and out!
 
I will be using my 2001 Saturn SL1 for my chase vehicle this year. I just got this vehicle and I miss my old chase vehicle. I had a 1991 Buick La Saber. I am a active amateur radio operator as well as a storm chaser so I have a lot of equipment that fit nicely in the Buick but is becoming a tight squeeze in the Saturn. I am not crazy about using this vehicle as a chase vehicle but I needed a reliable car at the time my Buick decided to die. I found the Saturn and I got a good deal on it. Now I have to make it work.
 
I will be using my 2001 Saturn SL1 for my chase vehicle this year. I just got this vehicle and I miss my old chase vehicle. I had a 1991 Buick La Saber. I am a active amateur radio operator as well as a storm chaser so I have a lot of equipment that fit nicely in the Buick but is becoming a tight squeeze in the Saturn. I am not crazy about using this vehicle as a chase vehicle but I needed a reliable car at the time my Buick decided to die. I found the Saturn and I got a good deal on it. Now I have to make it work.
 
Emily and I chase in a bright yellow '03 Ford Focus ZX5 hatchback w/ Minnesota plates. No extra antennas until one of us finally gets around to getting our ham license. However, we do have stylish OU and NOAA logo window clings on both sides of the vehicle :roll:

It does get great mileage - 30 MPG.
 
Emily and I chase in a bright yellow '03 Ford Focus ZX5 hatchback w/ Minnesota plates. No extra antennas until one of us finally gets around to getting our ham license. However, we do have stylish OU and NOAA logo window clings on both sides of the vehicle :roll:

It does get great mileage - 30 MPG.
 
Here is my chase / every day vehicle. This was taken 4/9/05 while getting gas in Hallam, NE.

[Broken External Image]:http://www.pdswatch.com/images/truck01a.jpg

Behind the truck you can see the foundation of the former station. The high lift is still in the ground. It is now self serve only.

[Broken External Image]:http://www.pdswatch.com/images/truck01b.jpg
[Broken External Image]:http://www.pdswatch.com/images/truck01c.jpg
[Broken External Image]:http://www.pdswatch.com/images/truck01d.jpg

And here are the goodies; Laptop with stand, camcorder, scanner, tripod, 35mm camera lens ect in bag, binoculars, first aid kit, and two maglite flash lights. I just finished installing a 400w power inverter under the passenger seat, and is direct wired to the battery. After reading Dave’s “making of a chase vehicleâ€￾ I am going to install a new switch in the dash to operate a relay to turn the inverter on and off.

[Broken External Image]:http://www.pdswatch.com/images/hallam.jpg
 
Here is my chase / every day vehicle. This was taken 4/9/05 while getting gas in Hallam, NE.

[Broken External Image]:http://www.pdswatch.com/images/truck01a.jpg

Behind the truck you can see the foundation of the former station. The high lift is still in the ground. It is now self serve only.

[Broken External Image]:http://www.pdswatch.com/images/truck01b.jpg
[Broken External Image]:http://www.pdswatch.com/images/truck01c.jpg
[Broken External Image]:http://www.pdswatch.com/images/truck01d.jpg

And here are the goodies; Laptop with stand, camcorder, scanner, tripod, 35mm camera lens ect in bag, binoculars, first aid kit, and two maglite flash lights. I just finished installing a 400w power inverter under the passenger seat, and is direct wired to the battery. After reading Dave’s “making of a chase vehicleâ€￾ I am going to install a new switch in the dash to operate a relay to turn the inverter on and off.

[Broken External Image]:http://www.pdswatch.com/images/hallam.jpg
 
Welp, our chase ride is the same as last years... a 1993 Plymouth Grand Voyager 3.3 v6 196,000 miles on original motor..

[Broken External Image]:http://www.tornadopursuit.com/chase_vehicle/van1.jpg

The only problem we have had with it was we hit a very large mud puddle (deep) and the water splash knocked the drive belt off on a chase last year... and I had NO TOOLS.. LMAO!! I had to put it back on by hand and it wasn't easy... I now carry tools at all times..

[Broken External Image]:http://www.tornadopursuit.com/chase_vehicle/07020413_600.jpg

Every once in a while, I'll use my wife's 1997 Pontiac Grand AM GT... she doesn't like it when I take it though... wonder why? LOL

Dave

NOTE: the blue dash light was from when I was on the Volunteer Fire Dept.
 
Welp, our chase ride is the same as last years... a 1993 Plymouth Grand Voyager 3.3 v6 196,000 miles on original motor..

[Broken External Image]:http://www.tornadopursuit.com/chase_vehicle/van1.jpg

The only problem we have had with it was we hit a very large mud puddle (deep) and the water splash knocked the drive belt off on a chase last year... and I had NO TOOLS.. LMAO!! I had to put it back on by hand and it wasn't easy... I now carry tools at all times..

[Broken External Image]:http://www.tornadopursuit.com/chase_vehicle/07020413_600.jpg

Every once in a while, I'll use my wife's 1997 Pontiac Grand AM GT... she doesn't like it when I take it though... wonder why? LOL

Dave

NOTE: the blue dash light was from when I was on the Volunteer Fire Dept.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Dan Robinson
2024 Chase Season Epilogue
2
Replies
15
Views
2K
John Farley
John Farley
Tony Laubach
I Have Chased Half-a-Million Miles
Replies
6
Views
402
Laney Cole
Laney Cole
Tony Laubach
'Not Feeling It' Chase Burnout?
2
Replies
23
Views
1K
Jamie H
Jamie H
Jeff Duda
  • Sticky
2023 - new ST owner - Jeff Duda - meet and greet
Replies
14
Views
3K
KPryor
KPryor
Andy Wehrle
Some personal thoughts on chasing; the "chase" for social media glory and keeping it all in perspective (TL;DR/soapbox alert!)
2
Replies
23
Views
3K
JamesCaruso
JamesCaruso
Back
Top