I can't see

[DarrellB]

Hello all, I was backing out of the girlfreind's drive tonight and hit a stump on the other side of the road. I need some ideas on backup lights for my truck. The factory units just don't cut it anymore. I was thinking on the lines of some kind of fog lights or something but wanted to know how I can wire them to come on when I put the truck in reverse and to come on with a switch too. Is it possible to do it that way or is it too much trouble? I have seen the ones that Genoes sell but don't think they are bright enough for my likings.



Thanks to all

Big D

 

[tntway]

if you mean...

the white night lites, let me tell ya!! its like havin' a set of headlites back there. install is simple and they give GREAT light.

not only that, they scare things like stumps that otherwise would run behind ya and try to get hit. they're good, and the price is right!!!!

 

[Thomas]

I use these. Hella 90601's. At two 55 watt bulbs per lamp. a pair of these lamps gives me 220 watts to the rear—better than the factory headlamps on high beam!



Here they are on my son's rig.



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[Batman]

Thomas

Did you just wire these lights into the existing circuit or did you add a switch of some sort?

I will be adding a spare set of driving lights that I have and would like to put in a switch so I can put them on when hooking up to my trailer. Any suggestions. TIA

George

 

[Thomas]

George,



I have an 8 gauge wire (fused) from the passenger-side battery to the rear of my truck. This is the power source for the backup lamps as well as a few other things. The lamps are switched on using a relay that is triggered by the OEM backup light wiring.



The tow package wiring also contains a wire that is hot when in reverse.



I don't run any add-on lighting filaments through factory switches—all are wired using relays.



The easy way to use backup lamps as worklights with a 4X4 is to put the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in reverse. I once thought of running a wire to a switch in the cab but doubt I ever will.

 

[Batman]

Thomas

Thanks for the quick reply. This seems to be a very near future project since I already have most of the parts I'll need.

George

 

[bighammer]

I did tractor/utility lights on mine. About 10 bucks each and a lot of light. Just tapped into the backup lamp wires (purple?)



Great improvement for low money.

 

[CConway]

A 50 watt Halogen bulb is available from DesignTech

www.designtech-intl.com 1-800-337-4468 and they are bright and have a life-time warranty.

 

[tgbol]

I have the same set up as Thomas, except I have my turned slightly to the outside to light up more to the sides. They are bright on an overcast day you can see them light up something behind you. You can also put a switch on the truck to trigger the lights when the engine isn't running, like when setting up a campsite after dark.

 

[AggieJustin]

I've got the Navigator backup lights mounted under my rear bumper. They have a wide enough field that they work great turned out a little bit. The definitely light things up to the rear. I also have them wired to a switch so I can turn them on without being in reverse. Works great for doing anything after dark.



I would suggest that whatever additional lights you add, you wire in a relay and a heavier wire to the back from the battery. Not only does it protect your backup circuit, you'd be surprised how much more light you get out of your auxilaries. I originally had my wired into my reverse circuit and they didn't produce much light. But once that relay was in, it was like night and day (literally).



JM

 

[jqram35]

I wish I had a digital camera to show you but I mounted mine to the bottom of the rear frame shackle bracket. I did not mount them to the bumper as I have torn them off before. It came out very nice and there is no way to tear them off, especially with a receiver hitch in the way. I also mounted a relay on the rear of liscense plate bolt to run the light off factory back-up lights.

 

[SlyBones]

Well I dont have the same brand as Thomas, but I just wanted to add that I wired mine to a switch on the dash. I find I dont need them 100% of the time I back up and I like to use them in other cases when the truck is turned off or is not in reverse. So they are manually operated and independent of other electrical.



I have as part of the wiring.

1. A 20 amp in line fuse in the main power that runs from the battery to the 12v relay

2. The switch on the dash is lighted so I know when I am leavingn them on. At least it helps.

3. The switch on the dash operates the 12v relay and does not have high current load running thru it.

4. The lights of course are operated by the relay, and the main current draw is thru the 20amp fuse, that main power line and the relay.

 

[Alaskaskiff]

I use 2 jabsco sealed marine 12v lights. Common and fairly cheap. Mounted like Thomas has his. I ran 8 gauge all the way back and power off a Galls police switch unit I have mounted.

 

[Sandmancw]

Backup lights

I went the utility light route(two of them). Used the shakle also, has a hole in it already. The lights are more protected under the tuck like that. My trailer plug is a 6 prong (took the factory plug off) used the backup wire to a relay for the lights. Then ran a wire to a switch ( I think I taped into a wire for switch power, don't remeber) that I installed on the computer cover on the hump. Also wired a a light that is on when I flip the switch. Now when I throw the truck in reverse the lights all come on. When I flip the switch all the backup lights come on also. Works pretty slick.

Sandmancw

 

[RJOL]

My Solution

Here is how I did it.



1. Ran a dedicated wire to hitch

2. Connected the lights through a relay that can be activated by a switch from the cab manually, automatically with the Reverse Relay (can pick this off the wire at the relay, or trace it up to the engine compartment wire bundle, which is what I did), or off all the time.

3. Welded two brackets to each end of the hitch (protect from being hit by limbs/rocks/backup mistakes, etc)

4. Bought two 55 watt backup lights from an auto parts store and mounted them inside brackets.



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Took the picture at dusk so you can see the difference between the stock B/U (haw, haw) light and the new lights. Makes all the diffence in the world when backing up at night and trying to see where your going. Entire cost $25-$30, but you have to know someone who welds, cheap!.....

 

[DarrellB]

You guys are fast

Thanks for all the good ideas, I will make a trip to the auto parts store and look for a good set of lights and go from there. I have a relay that I can use thats on my KC lights, gota take them off because they're all rusted and nasty lookin anyway.



By the way the stump got cut off today. I don't know how it happened it just came off in my hands. Damned Husky's got a touchy trigger on it now.



Thanks again guys

Big D