Where do I tap for backups lights?

[vnapple]

Guys, where do I tap for auxiliary backup lights on my '03? Under the dash, or under the hood? I have a shop manual to determine the correct wire color, but don't know where to look for the correct wire. I'm using JCrocket's diagram, so I have everything set, except this last piece of the puzzle.



Thanks,

Vinny

 

[CIverson]

What I did was run a power wire back to the taillight. Then took off the taillight and mounted a relay behind it. Then used that power wire to power the lights, the reverse wire off of the taillight to turn the relay on, and grounded it to the sheetmetal in the bed.

 

[gonehuntingagain]

If you have the tow package, the center pin of your trailer plug is for backup lights. Use the power from the center pin to run a relay and use the number 6 pin for the power to the lights.

 

[JCrockett]

I tapped into the reverse light wire at the transmission. That way you don't have to run a wire all the way down the frame rail. Mount your relay on the firewall somewhere if you are going to wire up a DPDT switch like in the diagram. You can use a test light to determine which wire you need on the transmission or to check the wire it says to use in your manuel. Hope that helps.

Good luck

 

[JRG]

I also tapped into the center pin of the tow plug. I didn't see a need to use a relay. Why do you need a relay? The trailer circut runs a 20 amp fuse to run what reverse lights? Does your utility/boat ect trailer have back-up lights bigger than the truck itself (which only runs 15 amp for its reverse lights)? Now if you have some big box trailer with huge multi 150 watt flood lights than maybe I guess it makes sence, I just don't see the need. I run 2 100 watt H3 reverse lights off a 20 amp fused circut supplied by Dodge, I don't think it should be much of a problem.



Just my . 02/. 03



JRG

 

[JCrockett]

Why do you need a relay?

Just my . 02/. 03



JRG

Because some of us, like myself, use a double pole double throw (on/off/on) switch to allow you to have the B/U light come on when you throw it in reverse, always have the b/u lights off, or my favorite allows you to turn your b/u lights on when the truck is not in reverse. i. e hooking a trailer up at night or lighting up the trail for you buddy that has a flat, etc.



Not using a relay only allows you to have the light come on in reverse and eliminates the need to mount a switch, which works for some folks.



Just my . 04

 

[vnapple]

Thanks, fellas. I hope to have some time to finish my lights this weekend, and I'm going with JCrokett's setup. I think that another benefit of being able to switch the lights on/off will be when I am backing my trailer. I think that too much light might reflect off of the trailer and make it harder to back into camping spots at night by making it harder to see the rear of the trailer.



Thanks again,

Vinny

 

[evldsl]

I tapped into the reverse light wire at the transmission. That way you don't have to run a wire all the way down the frame rail. Mount your relay on the firewall somewhere if you are going to wire up a DPDT switch like in the diagram. You can use a test light to determine which wire you need on the transmission or to check the wire it says to use in your manuel. Hope that helps.

Good luck

nice job wireing in the fuse blook and lights.