Police and First Responder Solutions

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Serving and Protecting First Responders

Don't Do the Crime if You Can't do the Time in Cass County Indiana.

After 91,000 miles of in-service use the Cass County Sheriff's HEMI Dodge Charger was feeling tired. Deputy Gary Armstrong describes what the Charger felt like in a hard turn in route to a call, "While responding to a call I had to stop and check to see if I had a flat tire. In the turn it just didn't feel right. The tires were fine, but something was wrong with the car.' Deputy Armstrong did his research and found Pedders.

Pedders picked up the Charger on Monday April 27th, 2009. The next Day Cass County's tired Charger became the most competent Police vehicle in the USA. A series of repairs were made to the Charger. The rear sub-frame bushes were severely corroded. The corrosion had causes almost complete separation of the rubber to metal bond in all four of the sub-frame bushes. The flat tire feeling was caused by the degradation of the sub-frame bushes. There was so much movement in the rear sub-frame it did feel as though there were a flat tire when driven.

To correct this condition Reeves Pontiac Buick in Indianapolis installed Pedders EP1172 Rear Sub-Frame Bushes. These heavy duty bits provide 640% more control surface than the original equipment parts. For a vehicle that carries additional electronics and tactical gear additional control is mission critical. The urethane does not depend on a bond to the ferule. Large steel plates serve that function. This Cass County Charger will never again suffer a flat tire feeling when responding to a call.

In the front of the vehicle Deputy Armstrong reports multiple replacements of the tension rod arm due to torn rubber bushes. Our inspection of the vehicle revealed exactly that – torn front tension arm -- radius arm bushes. Additionally the ball joint on the right front arm was well worn and in need of replacement. The technician at Reeves working with Mike White from Pedders replaced the worn rubber bushes with Pedders heavy duty urethane bushes along with a new OEM arm. These bushes offer a

longer service life with great control of tension arm motion. The Cass County Deputies will experience greater control and improved steering feel with the new bits in place.

While not a repair, the Sheriff’s Department has experienced shorter than desired tire life with the Charger. Tire wear has been addressed in several ways. First we have installed a Pedders EP2113 Bumpsteer Correction Kit. By raising the steering rack, bumpsteer has been reduced from 15mm to 2mm. The front tires will last longer as tire scrub has been Kit dramatically reduced. The second portion of the tire wear solution was to install a set of four eccentric bushes into the upper rear control arm. These eccentrics are used to adjust camber. The LX delivers to the First responder with NO rear camber adjustment. The Cass County Charger with camber correction can be aligned to reduce rear tire wear.

The final elements of the tire wear solution are also the most dramatic. Normally Pedders would install higher rate rear coils that are a better match with additional weight of the equipment carried in First Responder vehicles. For Cass County we installed the very first set of Police Pursuit Xa Coilovers. These 46mm monotube units are similar to what you would find a a race car. They are height adjustable allowing the Department to adjust vehicle ride height based on vehicle use. While we did lower the Cass County Charger the utility of the vehicle has not been compromised. Because the spring rates are higher the functional ride height, the ride height when loaded with people and gear is close to the original ride height – but with far greater control. These LX vehicles were recently tested at the new Jersey Motorsports Park. They both recorded .99 Gs and were NOT equipped with Xa coilovers. We would expect the Cass County Charger to break the 1 G barrier.

Taking control to the next level, Pedders equipped this Cass County Charger with Keys

adjustable sway bars. With the Xa Coilover ride height and damping adjustments, heavy duty endlinks and upgraded bushes this Cass County Sheriff’s Department Charger has become the Best Handling Law Enforcement Charger in the USA. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department now has the ability to successfully conclude any pursuit they choose to engage in. Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time – in Cass County Indiana -- they will catch you.

First Responders deserve the best available equipment to maintain the public safety and their safety. Pedders has designed Police Pursuit Suspension Systems for the Chrysler LX (Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300) and the GM T900 Series of SUVs and 1500 Trucks (Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado, Sierra, Avalanche...). The integrated systems control body lean and roll using bushes, coils, dampers and sway bars. Using an integrated system the result is a compliant ride with incredible control. Systems are available in OE, Raised and Lowered Ride Heights to meet the needs and demands of the most intensive in field service.

At Pedders, we take First Responder Safety personally. 28 Point Suspension Inspections are a way of life for us. 28 Point Suspension Inspections are available every day at your local Pedders Dealer to First Responders at no cost and Pedders Technical Education is available to First Responder Fleet Maintenance Departments. A 28 Point Inspection can discover potentially wear in a First Responder Vehicle before a failure occurs increasing operational utilization.

Pedders provides more than parts to First Responders. Pedders provides technical education and technical support to those who maintain First

Responder Fleets. If your department operates 2007 and newer GMT900 or 2005 and newer 300C, Charger, Challenger, Charger or Magnum LX vehicles Pedders can provide the technical assistance and parts to reduce tire wear and operating costs along with Severe Duty Cycle parts.

For Emergency Response, a Pedderised Police Pursuit Suspension will deliver superior vehicle control in the hands of your professionals. Our First Responders deserve nothing less than the best. Pedders Suspension and our Dealers are prepared to work with your department or agency. We have the ability to provide parts with onsite technical education or turn-key systems.

With 59 years of service Pedders has long standing relationships with First

Responders in Australia and New Zeeland. We are just beginning to establish our relationships in the USA. To that end, Pedders may be able to work with your department to stretch your fleet maintenance budget. To find out if your department is eligible for First Responder Evaluation Suspension System we encourage you to contact Pedders.

Email: PolicePursuitSystems@PeddersUSA.com

Maintenance Alert: LX Charger, Magnum, 300C

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Serving and Protecting First Responders Maintenance Alert: Charger, Magnum & 300C in First Responder Service