...we installed a genuine FLIR Talon...
On the roof, we installed a genuine FLIR Talon imaging system, a curved wide flood LED lamp from Putco, and a genuine Larsen mil-spec search light with white and infrared lighting heads, on-the-fly selection, and joystick control, 360 degrees side-to-side and 180 degrees of inclination. These all required significant design and fabrication work.
...required that we delete the sunroof...
The FLIR Turret, Larsen search light and Putco light bar required that we delete the sunroof. To house and position these elements, we designed a new fixture to fit into the sunroof opening, with a drainage system for water, utilizing the sunroof plumbing. This structure also considered weight, wind load, aesthetics, minimum overall vehicle height, enduring finishes, serviceability, and very important FLIR cable routing and weather proofing.
...required that we delete the sunroof...
The FLIR Turret, Larsen search light and Putco light bar required that we delete the sunroof. To house and position these elements, we designed a new fixture to fit into the sunroof opening, with a drainage system for water, utilizing the sunroof plumbing. This structure also considered weight, wind load, aesthetics, minimum overall vehicle height, enduring finishes, serviceability, and very important FLIR cable routing and weather proofing.
...required that we delete the sunroof...
The FLIR Turret, Larsen search light and Putco light bar required that we delete the sunroof. To house and position these elements, we designed a new fixture to fit into the sunroof opening, with a drainage system for water, utilizing the sunroof plumbing. This structure also considered weight, wind load, aesthetics, minimum overall vehicle height, enduring finishes, serviceability, and very important FLIR cable routing and weather proofing.
...fiberglass, steel and aluminum...
The assembly was made in fiberglass, steel and aluminum. Custom cable grommets were mocked up as bucks, cast for a mold, and rubber copies were pulled from the mold as our seals. These cables are the size of garden hoses! The Putco light bar was mounted to a steel wrap-around tube detail, enhancing the look of the turret assembly and adding balance and scale to the entire roof apparatus. And we CAD-modeled and 3D-printed MK-71 tags for both mount-ends.
...fiberglass, steel and aluminum...
The assembly was made in fiberglass, steel and aluminum. Custom cable grommets were mocked up as bucks, cast for a mold, and rubber copies were pulled from the mold as our seals. These cables are the size of garden hoses! The Putco light bar was mounted to a steel wrap-around tube detail, enhancing the look of the turret assembly and adding balance and scale to the entire roof apparatus. And we CAD-modeled and 3D-printed MK-71 tags for both mount-ends.
...fiberglass, steel and aluminum...
The assembly was made in fiberglass, steel and aluminum. Custom cable grommets were mocked up as bucks, cast for a mold, and rubber copies were pulled from the mold as our seals. These cables are the size of garden hoses! The Putco light bar was mounted to a steel wrap-around tube detail, enhancing the look of the turret assembly and adding balance and scale to the entire roof apparatus. And we CAD-modeled and 3D-printed MK-71 tags for both mount-ends.
The FLIR control stick...
The FLIR control stick was mounted into the center console with a customized friction-bearing action, allowing the driver to rest the stalk within a roughly 20-degree range, so that depending upon his hunch in his seat, it would be comfortable. This action was smooth, satisfying, tight, and required a very strong steel assembly to be designed, fabricated and bolted firmly to the chassis.
We also had to fit the Benchmark Media...
We also had to fit the Benchmark Media DAC at the rear of the console, where it falls closest to hand. We fit the Larsen searchlight joystick here as well. OEM cup holders were removed, re-oriented, and re-installed. We CAD-modeled and 3D-printed a small change cup just in front of the FLIR joystick (JCU). The DAC was mounted firmly to the JCU’s steel bearing assembly. We designed this new section with all of these parts in mind, and built it to be easily serviceable.
We also had to fit the Benchmark Media...
We also had to fit the Benchmark Media DAC at the rear of the console, where it falls closest to hand. We fit the Larsen searchlight joystick here as well. OEM cup holders were removed, re-oriented, and re-installed. We CAD-modeled and 3D-printed a small change cup just in front of the FLIR joystick (JCU). The DAC was mounted firmly to the JCU’s steel bearing assembly. We designed this new section with all of these parts in mind, and built it to be easily serviceable.
We also had to fit the Benchmark Media...
We also had to fit the Benchmark Media DAC at the rear of the console, where it falls closest to hand. We fit the Larsen searchlight joystick here as well. OEM cup holders were removed, re-oriented, and re-installed. We CAD-modeled and 3D-printed a small change cup just in front of the FLIR joystick (JCU). The DAC was mounted firmly to the JCU’s steel bearing assembly. We designed this new section with all of these parts in mind, and built it to be easily serviceable.
The CEU, the main control unit...
The CEU, the main control unit of the FLIR Talon system, is a very large, robust, military-looking piece of equipment. The cables all ran to it, and the cables were huge! We had limited room in MK-71 for this, so we created an entirely new overhead storage assembly to hide and shroud this FLIR part.
...dash-mounted viewing display...
For the FLIR’s dash-mounted viewing display, we chose a FLIR-recommended military-grade video monitor. We mocked up different sizes in cardboard for client approval and 3D-printed a prototype to scale, then we devised a friction-hinged tumble mount for the monitor, to rotate directly out of the top of the dashboard with firm-feeling action and good resting position. The entire dash top was then re-upholstered in black leather.
...dash-mounted viewing display...
For the FLIR’s dash-mounted viewing display, we chose a FLIR-recommended military-grade video monitor. We mocked up different sizes in cardboard for client approval and 3D-printed a prototype to scale, then we devised a friction-hinged tumble mount for the monitor, to rotate directly out of the top of the dashboard with firm-feeling action and good resting position. The entire dash top was then re-upholstered in black leather.
...dash-mounted viewing display...
For the FLIR’s dash-mounted viewing display, we chose a FLIR-recommended military-grade video monitor. We mocked up different sizes in cardboard for client approval and 3D-printed a prototype to scale, then we devised a friction-hinged tumble mount for the monitor, to rotate directly out of the top of the dashboard with firm-feeling action and good resting position. The entire dash top was then re-upholstered in black leather.
...dash-mounted viewing display...
For the FLIR’s dash-mounted viewing display, we chose a FLIR-recommended military-grade video monitor. We mocked up different sizes in cardboard for client approval and 3D-printed a prototype to scale, then we devised a friction-hinged tumble mount for the monitor, to rotate directly out of the top of the dashboard with firm-feeling action and good resting position. The entire dash top was then re-upholstered in black leather.
The overhead console control panel...
The overhead console control panel was another addition. In some ways this is the sickest part of the whole darn thing – it is in fact the GUI by which you operate a majority of these cool gadgets. The client wanted a military- style expression of these controls. He was Googling all sorts of aircraft switch panels, and we decided on mil-spec toggle switches with rubber half-boots.
The overhead console control panel...
The overhead console control panel was another addition. In some ways this is the sickest part of the whole darn thing – it is in fact the GUI by which you operate a majority of these cool gadgets. The client wanted a military- style expression of these controls. He was Googling all sorts of aircraft switch panels, and we decided on mil-spec toggle switches with rubber half-boots.
The overhead console control panel...
The overhead console control panel was another addition. In some ways this is the sickest part of the whole darn thing – it is in fact the GUI by which you operate a majority of these cool gadgets. The client wanted a military- style expression of these controls. He was Googling all sorts of aircraft switch panels, and we decided on mil-spec toggle switches with rubber half-boots.
The panel was an amalgam of the OEM...
The panel was an amalgam of the OEM overhead panel and a new CAD- modeled and 3D-printed center section for the switch and label array. We designed back-lit labeling for each switch, each with individual LED bellows. Some switches were OEM functions converted over to work with toggles, and the rest were the new functions, primarily lighting and FLIR. The two parts were grafted together, finished, and mounted.
The panel was an amalgam of the OEM...
The panel was an amalgam of the OEM overhead panel and a new CAD- modeled and 3D-printed center section for the switch and label array. We designed back-lit labeling for each switch, each with individual LED bellows. Some switches were OEM functions converted over to work with toggles, and the rest were the new functions, primarily lighting and FLIR. The two parts were grafted together, finished, and mounted.
The panel was an amalgam of the OEM...
The panel was an amalgam of the OEM overhead panel and a new CAD- modeled and 3D-printed center section for the switch and label array. We designed back-lit labeling for each switch, each with individual LED bellows. Some switches were OEM functions converted over to work with toggles, and the rest were the new functions, primarily lighting and FLIR. The two parts were grafted together, finished, and mounted.
An additional display panel...
An additional display panel was added to the highly modified sunroof shade cover, which was now an access panel to the rooftop FLIR assembly. This display readout was for subwoofer bass level and for passenger seat air-bag status.
An additional display panel...
An additional display panel was added to the highly modified sunroof shade cover, which was now an access panel to the rooftop FLIR assembly. This display readout was for subwoofer bass level and for passenger seat air-bag status.
The Stinger radar system is elaborate...
The Stinger radar system is elaborate, with 6 elements per front grill and rear tail areas, for laser detection and jamming, and 2 radar sensors, front and rear, respectively. At the rear corners, there was no good place for conventional installation of the laser head pairs, so we carved out a location to CAD-design and 3D-print new housings, in keeping with MK-71 design language, at the outboard ends of the cargo threshold plate. Remaining sensors were mounted conventionally and carefully installed.
The Stinger radar system is elaborate...
The Stinger radar system is elaborate, with 6 elements per front grill and rear tail areas, for laser detection and jamming, and 2 radar sensors, front and rear, respectively. At the rear corners, there was no good place for conventional installation of the laser head pairs, so we carved out a location to CAD-design and 3D-print new housings, in keeping with MK-71 design language, at the outboard ends of the cargo threshold plate. Remaining sensors were mounted conventionally and carefully installed.
The Stinger display was another matter.
The Stinger display was another matter. We decided to integrate it with the rearview mirror assembly. We CAD-modeled and 3D-printed an entirely new assembly and it totally worked!
The Stinger display was another matter.
The Stinger display was another matter. We decided to integrate it with the rearview mirror assembly. We CAD-modeled and 3D-printed an entirely new assembly and it totally worked!
...there was so much more involved...
It bears mentioning that there was so much more involved in the power distribution, the fusing, the many individual wire harnesses, connections, disconnect plugs installed throughout, and various other considerations to allow for easy access and removal of parts for service. In MK-71, for anything electric and new, we devised its own separate system, independent from Cadillac’s, but just as carefully engineered and assembled. These diagrams show just some of these intricate systems.
...there was so much more involved...
It bears mentioning that there was so much more involved in the power distribution, the fusing, the many individual wire harnesses, connections, disconnect plugs installed throughout, and various other considerations to allow for easy access and removal of parts for service. In MK-71, for anything electric and new, we devised its own separate system, independent from Cadillac’s, but just as carefully engineered and assembled. These diagrams show just some of these intricate systems.
...there was so much more involved...
It bears mentioning that there was so much more involved in the power distribution, the fusing, the many individual wire harnesses, connections, disconnect plugs installed throughout, and various other considerations to allow for easy access and removal of parts for service. In MK-71, for anything electric and new, we devised its own separate system, independent from Cadillac’s, but just as carefully engineered and assembled. These diagrams show just some of these intricate systems.
...there was so much more involved...
It bears mentioning that there was so much more involved in the power distribution, the fusing, the many individual wire harnesses, connections, disconnect plugs installed throughout, and various other considerations to allow for easy access and removal of parts for service. In MK-71, for anything electric and new, we devised its own separate system, independent from Cadillac’s, but just as carefully engineered and assembled. These diagrams show just some of these intricate systems.
...there was so much more involved...
It bears mentioning that there was so much more involved in the power distribution, the fusing, the many individual wire harnesses, connections, disconnect plugs installed throughout, and various other considerations to allow for easy access and removal of parts for service. In MK-71, for anything electric and new, we devised its own separate system, independent from Cadillac’s, but just as carefully engineered and assembled. These diagrams show just some of these intricate systems.
...there was so much more involved...
It bears mentioning that there was so much more involved in the power distribution, the fusing, the many individual wire harnesses, connections, disconnect plugs installed throughout, and various other considerations to allow for easy access and removal of parts for service. In MK-71, for anything electric and new, we devised its own separate system, independent from Cadillac’s, but just as carefully engineered and assembled. These diagrams show just some of these intricate systems.
...there was so much more involved...
It bears mentioning that there was so much more involved in the power distribution, the fusing, the many individual wire harnesses, connections, disconnect plugs installed throughout, and various other considerations to allow for easy access and removal of parts for service. In MK-71, for anything electric and new, we devised its own separate system, independent from Cadillac’s, but just as carefully engineered and assembled. These diagrams show just some of these intricate systems.
...there was so much more involved...
It bears mentioning that there was so much more involved in the power distribution, the fusing, the many individual wire harnesses, connections, disconnect plugs installed throughout, and various other considerations to allow for easy access and removal of parts for service. In MK-71, for anything electric and new, we devised its own separate system, independent from Cadillac’s, but just as carefully engineered and assembled. These diagrams show just some of these intricate systems.
...there was so much more involved...
It bears mentioning that there was so much more involved in the power distribution, the fusing, the many individual wire harnesses, connections, disconnect plugs installed throughout, and various other considerations to allow for easy access and removal of parts for service. In MK-71, for anything electric and new, we devised its own separate system, independent from Cadillac’s, but just as carefully engineered and assembled. These diagrams show just some of these intricate systems.
...there was so much more involved...
It bears mentioning that there was so much more involved in the power distribution, the fusing, the many individual wire harnesses, connections, disconnect plugs installed throughout, and various other considerations to allow for easy access and removal of parts for service. In MK-71, for anything electric and new, we devised its own separate system, independent from Cadillac’s, but just as carefully engineered and assembled. These diagrams show just some of these intricate systems.