View Full Version : CHP Vehicles
SB 405
11-30-1999, 12:00 AM
I remember when the Mustang GT first came out the CHP bought a handful of them and those cars were pretty fast right out the factory. Anyone here ever drive one of the CHP editions?
CHPwannaBE asked this in another thread:
Another O/T. Are the CHP cars any different than other PD cars. How often do you get them upgraded? Also how often do you have to use those bump stops on the front? Thanks.
Long gone are the days of police cars seen in The Blues Brothers. The question should probably be "are our cars any different than the one my grandparents drive?" And the answer is not much. Although my understanding is that the Police Interceptor (PI) was offered with the Cobra motor, at least in '04, we didn't get it. They made it an option, probably because most local PDs would rather save the mileage than have the horsepower. Out on the highway however, power matters. The suspension is beefed up, but the motor is the standard (4.6L?) found in the plain-Jane Crown Vic. It's rated at about as much horsepower as a suped-up Civic. Problem is, the PI weighs twice as much.
We have a shop in West Sacramento, right next to the Academy as a matter of fact, that "builds" our cars. They put on the light bar and equip the vehicles with all our electronics -- RADAR, radio head, K9 equipment, MDC (computer), etc... As for how often we get them "upgraded," we stay pretty current with technology. We have an extensive evaluation process, as we're going to buy several thousand of anything we decide to go with; sometimes the testing process can take a little longer than we'd like. You'll notice that newer slick-top vehicles have all LED lights. We can no longer secure replacement parts for our GE radio head, so we're evaluating the Visteon TACNET (http://www.evisteon.com/prod_serv/tacnet/index.shtml) system. I've heard a lot of negative response from the field regarding this system, but personally, I love it. And the guys I know who are testing it (there are only a few dozen cars across the state) really like it. Definitely takes some getting used-to, but after the learning curve, it's pretty cool.
We use our push-bumpers every day. Congestion relief is a focus of the Department and clearing the roadway can save thousands of dollars in lost work. Additionally, restoring the traffic flow reduces secondary collisions. Cars are easiest to push on their roof. :!:
Oh, and we keep our patrol vehicles until 100,000 miles. That is usually in the neighborhood of two to five years. Your Mentor probably ran some out quicker than that in deva.
Darth Choke
10-01-2005, 07:27 PM
Visteon BLOWS!!!!
And this is coming from a guy who LIKES/LOVES technology!!
They (TACNET) sucks! Maybe they should get officers input before putting something out that has so many problems!!!
ONLY thing good: You have a am/fm, the cup holders are accessible, you have a cool air horn.
What a freaking waste!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/otn/angry/11zpissed.gif
Tell us how you really feel! :smile: Care to articulate why it blows?
Darth Choke
10-01-2005, 08:02 PM
Man....where do I begin?
Talking to dispatch - sounds like you are in water and they are always 10-9ing you and you are 10-9ing them.
The lights are on a separate screen and they should be on patrol w/ all other NEEDED fast buttons.
The other day the screen blacked out and it would not come back on and repeater was stuck on ...beep......beep....beep...had to just bring it back in.
NOOOOOO freaking disk drive or USB port to save CARS or reports
The keyboard is not very strong and will be busted soon with extense of use.
The module is already breaking and wobbly.
Officers have queued the mic with their leg and we have heard some very interesting conversations.
Why don't they redo the software screen so that the OLD radio head is a picture on the screen. That way the old , non-tech guys are used to it sooner and the take downs, directionals, etc... are all on the first/Patrol screen?
Are you familiar with the Automated Citation Device? They came into the office and ASKED how to make it better. They worked WITH actual OFFICERS that worked the road to make it user friendly and efficient and practicable. PLUS if you have any questions or input you can EMAIL them directly with a prompt response!
Oh yea.....Vistion is not compatible with ACD!!!! That's thinking ahead!!!!
Its just frustrating to have such a potentially great, new tech car and it sucks so bad with apparently no thought on what an officer needs or wants.
Do you get the idea someone's palm is getting greased with how open and accepting and "full speed ahead" the department is acting towards the Visteon????
redhead
10-01-2005, 08:17 PM
well, we know how Darth feels about that :smile:
On my last ride-a-long, we got a flat as we were chassing speed, and I couldn't even tell. The tires hold up well at 80......
Speed got away....and back to the office we went.
CHPwannaBE
10-01-2005, 08:19 PM
Interesting, I would have thought an agency such as CHP would have done their homework if its really that bad. Thanks.
Your Mentor
10-01-2005, 09:09 PM
You know we've tested a ton of cars just since I've been on. The Department tests but rarely impliments. The cost is over the top. Don't worry about the Vistion system. It's not likely to be adopted. If we can do the job without the expense of technology, we always go without. We tested the LED lightbars a few years ago and the Department decided against them because of money. They were so much more effective, cheaper to maintain, but too expensive to outfit such a huge fleet. Any LED bars are only leftovers from that test period. Mostly you see them on the Cameros. I ran out an 87 Chevy Caprice, an 86 Dodge Ram, a 92 Ford CV, a 94 Caprice, and a 95 Ford CV in a six year period in DEVA (approximate model years). I drove Mustangs from 88 to about 91 in Bishop though I did get stuck on graves trying desperately to run out one of the Dodge Diplomats (if you ever drove one you would NEVER complain about our current car's performance ever again). I just ran out an 02 Crown Vic and took delivery on a new 05 model. I traded a light bar with a cage (common in resident posts) for a slick top with no cage. I couldn't believe the weight difference. That alone makes it a faster and smoother ride. Years ago the Ford Police Interceptor included an upgraded cooling package which Ford dubbed the "Gulf" cooling package. That was on the old naturally aspirated Windsor engine (I think I had it on my last "square" Crown Vic. What a boat that was!). I noticed a difference in the cooling performance in DEVA. Normally at accident scenes during the Summer I'd have to open the hood while working the scene but not with that car.
Unfortunately, because we're a huge state agency, our vehicle contracts always come down to money. It's a bear but that's why they discontinued the Mustang. The Commissioner at the time (Hannigan) felt that we needed a Class E vehicle that would do everything. You couldn't push anyone in a Mustang, they ran hot during the Summer, and you really couldn't pair up on graves in one if you expected to hook a deuce during the shift. They were fun as hell to drive but very loud inside, hard on your back, and harder for some officers to get in and out of. We had a 'heavy' officer in our office who kept breaking the Mustang seats so that there was no more back support. Getting rid of Mustangs also coincided, not surprisingly, with a body redesign which produced a smaller interior. The Crown Victoria may not be as fast as the Caprice of the mid-90's (which was a real fun Beast to drive!) but it's far more reliable. I blew three transmissions in my last Caprice. When you're in an R.P. vehicle problems are really tiresome. You can't take your car back to the barn, tag it, and take another unit. The Fords are also very comfortable to drive all day which is an issue on our job. Sure, we can't make power turns through the center divider and throw up a rooster tail of sand and gravel like we used to in the Mustang, but 8 hours in a car is far easier to pull off in a comfortable ride. Okay, I admit it's an age thing.
Our future car is up in the air after a few more years. We'll be in Crown Vics for a couple more. I've heard rumors, as have many others, that we could be testing a Dodge soon. Again, the testing process rarely results in refitting the fleet. Since I've been on we've tested the Camaro more than once (not the current MRE version), a Toyota Corolla (I'm NOT kidding), and a Volvo (arguably one of the nicest test vehicles we ever had though it sounded like a sewing maching and had a very cramped interior). Among many others. We've also tested various types of equipment. Testing is a PR thing mostly. The test vehicles are taken to public affairs events and shown off. This Department is VERY slow to move forward with new technology; a sad statement. It's been many years since we could claim to be at the cutting edge of LE technology. We were actually one of the LAST agencies to switch from revolvers to automatics (the upside is that our agency was directly responsible for Smith & Wesson's development of the .40 S&W cartridge). We were one of the LAST agencies to get MDC's in cars. Rural areas still don't have them. We only recently began carrying the ASP; which other agencies have been carrying for well over 15 years. Where ARE we at the cutting edge of Law Enforcement? Training; without question. We network new information better than any other large agency in the state.
MCS 1 Stumpy
10-01-2005, 11:38 PM
CHP also has alot of non patrol vehicles I recently ran out a 1988 chevy Van with 131,000 miles on it. These vehicles are the last priority naturaly but we do get good equipment. My 2001 Dodge runs well and is equipped with a desk, air compressor, and tools. We also have radios and occasionaly we even use them. Our department does keep its eye on the ball IMHO responding to Officer safety issues first. The Department modified my van when I lost my leg to make it easier for me to use it, the van was ready before I was! I had a chance to drive one of the old chevy caprices........Zoom Zoom Zoom ;-)
Stumpy
Nellie
10-02-2005, 06:23 AM
I used to see them in Monterey County when I was a teenager in the 1980s.
Your Mentor
10-02-2005, 09:24 AM
The last Mustang used by the Department ran the same 5.0L engine as the GT. And YES, they were very fast. For years we also had Goodyear Gatorback directional V-rated tires. You could 'accidentally' cherp the rear tires while leaving the barn (and 10-19 soon after clearing the office if a sergeant heard). :biggrin:
16528
10-02-2005, 04:18 PM
Good link for Motor Transport:
http://www.pfmmag.com/May-June2004/May-June2004CHPMotorTransportSection.htm
Nellie
10-02-2005, 09:12 PM
How about an S2000 for a cruiser?
http://www.kaizenx.com/images/cruiser2.JPG
redhead
10-02-2005, 10:06 PM
How about an S2000 for a cruiser?
I perfer Italian speed :smile:
http://www.automobilemag.com/photo_gallery/sports_cars/0503_lambo_02_445.jpg
Your Mentor
10-02-2005, 10:52 PM
Seriously? I didn't think I could drive a patrol car like that unless it was on my Xbox.
Nellie
10-02-2005, 10:59 PM
The CHP S2000 cruiser was a hoax I found when I was looking up CHP vehicles.
Here is the link I found. It has some of the other posters from their board believing it.
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=259233
redhead
10-02-2005, 11:06 PM
Seriously? I didn't think I could drive a patrol car like that unless it was on my Xbox.
Intresting article on the Lambo here (http://www.italiaspeed.com/2004/cars/lamborghini/05/police_gallardo.html)
This car has been in the US as well, and Lambo has made some pretty cool posters of this car. I would take a CV any day though :smile:
I remember when the Mustang GT first came out the CHP bought a handful of them and those cars were pretty fast right out the factory. Anyone here ever drive one of the CHP editions?
Yep - drove the '82 through '85 models. The '82s (4-speeds) were very squirrelly - would end-swap in a heartbeat on a wet roadway...they made rain days real interesting! They also had Pinto brakes, so you had about 2 or 3 good applications at speed, then your brakes were torched. The successive years were improvements, and the 85s were much more stable, had better brakes and a 5-speed tranny, and were a LOT of fun to drive - until you got into a pursuit and tried to drive, shift gears and use the radio at the same time! :shock: The two things that kept me out of them "full time" were 1) I normally worked graveyard shift (by choice) and there was no cage, and no room in them for 2 officers, your war bags and a 10-15; and 2) I'm pretty tall, so getting in and out was a pain.
Your Mentor
10-02-2005, 11:36 PM
Mac,
You rock. You dated yourself so comfortably. I came on only a few years behind you so didn't have to deal with the 4 speeds. I can't imagine. But reading your post was fun. I followed the lingo to the T. I don't know about you, but I miss the 5 speed Mustang GT. Graveyards in a Mustang was okay when I first came on; I only weight 155 lbs. My partner was over six foot so I crawled in back if we went 10-15. Now I wouldn't be able to pull that off. I'm 195 lbs on a good day and only after a lot of coffee and diuretics! Even then, I'd given anything for just one shift with a Mustang 5 speed. Thrilling, no?
SB 405
10-03-2005, 05:27 AM
I remember watching a story on the news about a year ago where the CHP was testing a Toyota Camery. The reporter riding along with the Officer interviewed the people that were pulled over and asked them what they thought of the car and most people didn't care for it. As a kid I remember the CHP driving the Dodge Polaras with that big whip antenna mounted on the rear fender. Seems like the CHP drove those things for years.
16528
10-05-2005, 08:26 PM
And Spike thought the Camaros were cool..
Brown's new toys..
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/584/chpporsche8vd.jpg
:lol: :lol: :biggrin: :biggrin:
....As a kid I remember the CHP driving the Dodge Polaras with that big whip antenna mounted on the rear fender. Seems like the CHP drove those things for years.
That was when cars were CARS.....big 4-barrel 440 that made that nice "buu-WHOOOOO!" sound when the secondaries kicked in - nice! I lived right above a freeway as a kid, and there was a turn-through right behind our house....I can still remember hearing that sound every time they'd hit the turn-through and punch it to get back into the traffic lanes.
The Polaras were a few years before my time, but they had one left at the Academy when I went through - baby blue in color, and it was one of the EVOC instructors' favorite car. We were driving the Dodge Diplomats with that pathetic 318 engine, and during pursuit training, he'd make us chase him in that Polara.....yeah, right! :shock:
The Mustangs were fun, the Volvo handled like a rocket on rails, but I'd love to do just one shift in one of those old Polaras - those cars had SOUL.
SB 405
10-06-2005, 07:48 AM
Yeah the days of the early iron. I bet those Buicks and Rocket 88's they drove back in the 50's had some power too.
Your Mentor
10-06-2005, 02:53 PM
Oh the Dodge Diplomat. What an incredibly frustrating time to do a shift in one of those. Especially on open desert highways. I remember trying to whip through the center divider but if you cranked the wheel too hard to the left and overtasked the steering pump the thing would die. What a dog. Every guy in the office teamed up to run the damn thing out so we could trade it out for a Mustang. At one point we ended up with 8 Mustangs in the Bishop office along with 3 Caprices. Teamwork wins out again.
Wouldn't it be sweet if the Department picked up the Dodge Charger police package. Testing to start soon. Testing, again, doesn't usually result in a change. Too bad.
SB 405
10-06-2005, 02:59 PM
Those new Chargers would make great looking CHP cars IMO. I'm waiting for Dodge to come out with a model called the Charger SRT which has 450 hsp. and should be out later this year.
Those new Chargers would make great looking CHP cars IMO. I'm waiting for Dodge to come out with a model called the Charger SRT which has 450 hsp. and should be out later this year.
http://www.dodgeboy.net/news/charger_police/pages/861687dc0624ap_jpg.htm
Darth Choke
10-06-2005, 03:14 PM
http://www.dodgeboy.net/news/charger_police/images/858762grouppolicehighres_jpg.jpg
SB 405
10-06-2005, 03:32 PM
Not to crazy about the upper portion of the doors being painted white but otherwise I think it looks pretty cool.
Oh the Dodge Diplomat. What an incredibly frustrating time to do a shift in one of those. Especially on open desert highways. I remember trying to whip through the center divider but if you cranked the wheel too hard to the left and overtasked the steering pump the thing would die. What a dog.
Agreed. Not only that, but when you stepped on the brakes, most of the Dodges would pull (i.e. change one to two lanes) in one direction or the other. The first thing you'd do when you went 10-8 was get to freeway speed and stomp the brakes to figure out if it was a "one lane to the right" car, "two lanes to the left", etc. :confused: What a pile of junk.....we drove those darn things for WAAAY too many years.
Every guy in the office teamed up to run the damn thing out so we could trade it out for a Mustang. At one point we ended up with 8 Mustangs in the Bishop office along with 3 Caprices. Teamwork wins out again.
LOL...we got to the point where we had one Dodge left, and there was a somewhat peculiar officer on "B" watch who absolutely LOVED that car (I think he did it just to be different).....he would put the absolute minimum miles on it every day, trying to keep it as long as he could. It got designated as a "push car" on graveyard shift, and we would do everything in our power to avoid taking it out. One night my partner and I drew the short straw, and our sergeant (semi-jokingly - I think) said "I don't want to see that damn car come back to the office in one piece tonight!". Some stories are best left untold, but let me just say that after thorough testing under very adverse conditions, we discovered that the late 80s Dodge engine and transmission were virtually indestructible! We drove it back in at the end of the night and were met at the pumps by the sergeant with his hands on his hips and a steely stare.....I just shook my head and said "Believe me, you don't even want to know......". :badgrin:
Your Mentor
10-07-2005, 11:12 AM
Great Diplomat story Mac!
I like that Charger police package. Looks very sweet. Our color scheme, however, would be the same as our current cars; white front doors (so we know how to find the driver's seat :razz: ), black upper portion of the door, pillars, rear passenger doors, and a white roof.
SB 405
10-07-2005, 11:15 AM
Yeah that's it Mentor,to much white on those show cars. I knew something besides the upper door being white didn't look right until you reminded me your cars have black rear doors. Why is it I see some CHP vehicles that are painted all white. I thought the law in California is law enforcment vehicles had to be painted in contrasting colors? Man,no more shotguns proped up in the front,light bars gone and now all white patrol cars. If I didn't know better i'd say you guys are out tryin' to give me a ticket yet stay below the radar.
ExplorerSGT
10-07-2005, 11:38 AM
Yeah that's it Mentor,to much white on those show cars. I knew something besides the upper door being white didn't look right until you reminded me your cars have black rear doors. Why is it I see some CHP vehicles that are painted all white. I thought the law in California is law enforcment vehicles had to be painted in contrasting colors? Man,no more shotguns proped up in the front,light bars gone and now all white patrol cars. If I didn't know better i'd say you guys are out tryin' to give me a ticket.
the all white patrol cars are SMPV (specially marked patrol veh.) they are mainly used for commercial truck enforcement.....
SB 405
10-07-2005, 11:51 AM
SMPV a specially marked vehicle yet painted white?...very creative. You want creative?.. how about something like hot pink with black doors?... now that's creative baby! Is the Patrol fazing out the use of pick-up trucks? I don't see to many of them around these days.
Your Mentor
10-07-2005, 03:12 PM
The white camaros are for commercial enforcement. The Mobile Road Enforcement pickups aren't being phased out and they won't ever be as long as commercial officers have to haul around portable scales. We used to have SMPV's painted green, blue, red, bronze, etc. We had a bronze mustang in Bishop with white doors. They were fun. High speeds would blow right by you.
The vehicle code only requires that CHP vehicles be "distinctively" marked in a scheme approaved by the commish. We could have all white cars if the commish wanted. Where would the fun be in that. We drive the most traditionally painted black and whites in the US.
ExplorerSGT
10-07-2005, 03:12 PM
SMPV a specially marked vehicle yet painted white?...very creative. You want creative?.. how about something like hot pink with black doors?... now that's creative baby! Is the Patrol fazing out the use of pick-up trucks? I don't see to many of them around these days.
cant answer your post on the pick up trucks, ive been an explorer for 5 years and i havent seen one at my office, we had an old ram with the camper shell...eh,by the way i hate the 405,lol :evil:
nobody33
10-20-2005, 05:27 PM
.we got to the point where we had one Dodge left, and there was a somewhat peculiar officer on "B" watch who absolutely LOVED that car (I think he did it just to be different)...
My father was a radio tech for the state while I was growing up, and even he hating working on the diplomats. He always used to tell me about the last diplomat around his area (Inland), out of the Rancho (then Ontario) area. It was always in the radio shop, "needing various phantom repairs" hehe. It would get out of the radio shop and be back the next week. Finally somehow they got the car transfered to Barstow (to run it out quicker), or somewhere out in BFE, and all the radio problems miracoulsy stoped :smile:
RC5150
10-30-2005, 04:52 PM
[quote=Darth Choke]Man....where do I begin?
Talking to dispatch - sounds like you are in water and they are always 10-9ing you and you are 10-9ing them.
The lights are on a separate screen and they should be on patrol w/ all other NEEDED fast buttons.
NOOOOOO freaking disk drive or USB port to save CARS or reports
Are you familiar with the Automated Citation Device? They came into the office and ASKED how to make it better. They worked WITH actual OFFICERS that worked the road to make it user friendly and efficient and practicable. PLUS if you have any questions or input you can EMAIL them directly with a prompt response!
Oh yea.....Vistion is not compatible with ACD!!!! That's thinking ahead!!!!
My partner and I were in a pursuit with one of these cars and it was way to hard to work the radio head with the lights and siren on seperate screens. It took both of us to get the job done and we vowed never to take that car again.
As far as the ACD, we have the ACD in all of our cars except for the Vistion cars, but like Darth Choke said our two new technologies are not compatible, great planning. We need a new radio system but Vistion is not it.
How's the ACD working? Is it Palm or PocketPC based, or something else?
RC5150
10-31-2005, 03:26 PM
The ACD's we have I guess would be pocket PC, they look like the thing the UPS has you sign. I has the abiltity to swip the 27's and take a electronic thumb print. The best part of the ACD is now that we are not on federal money any more they linked it to the MDC. So, now you can stand outside the car and you can run everything from outside the car.
The problem with it though is on C shift if you use the ACD then your partner is locked out of the MDC, so one guy can't write a 215 and have his partner run a 27 or 29. But for a single man unit the guys seam to like it.
CHP Explorer
10-31-2005, 08:57 PM
http://myspace-798.vo.llnwd.net/00165/89/78/165878798_l.jpg
Phil the Frenchy
10-31-2005, 11:07 PM
Did anybody drove '88-'91 Crown Vics ? What is your feeling comparing those years with new Vic started on 1999 ?
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