I have put a canopy on my 04 DC. Before I bought the canopy, I had no trouble backing up because I could see out my mirrors and the back of the truck. Since the canopy, the dark privacy glass plus the canopys dark privacy glass has really made it difficult to see out the back of the truck. Even when I roll down the back slider window, it is still pretty dark. I was wondering if anyone has installed any after market back up lights under the trailer hitch assembly? If so, what kind of lights would anyone recommend to get?
I put a set of hella fog lights back there and they helped immensely. Due to the current draw, you will have to use a relay off of the reverse light harness and run a dedicated power line back there. Mounting locations are tuff tho cuz the lights will hang down below the bumper and run the risk of being hit
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Ah. Thanks for the info. I will start looking around for ways to mount the darn lights. I have seen some people mount their lights on the top side of the bumper, but my main concern is that it looks weird and the tail gate will hit them on the way down. Under the trailer hitch assembly looks like the best place to install them so far. I dont want to cut up my bumper, if i have to.
I know my local autoparts store sells a backup light assembly that mounts on the hitch receiver. It's about a foot wide with four lights and I think it just connects to the towing plugs. I guess it's fine if you're not towing anything.
Same issue here when I put the leer cap on my 2K AC SR5. I went to Kragen and got some aftermarket foglights $23.00 with tax black plastic housing. Mounted it on the bottom of the bumper.
there are 12 mm bolts already there so did not have to do any drilling. Helps alot especially when it is dark backing out on a busy parking lot and people are walking around.
2 issues I ran on which is no big deal.
1. When you are launching a water craft, the fog lights gets submerse under water especial on ramps with steep inclines. No issue on blowing the fuss or shorting but the lamp gets full of water once you pull out.
Solution to this is drill a 1/32 hole under the base of the foglamp to drain it out quickly. Back side to this is on raindays like the pass week, the lens gets fog up and moisture. Just clean the inside one a year.
2. Because it is lower, just be careful backing up to low fence, rocks or picnic tables as I did. Snap the LT side right off since the housing were plastic. Plus side is it cheaper to replace.
Other than that. Everything else is a plus. Had it for almost 5years now and no issues.
Plus side
- If you get tailgaters on you will driving, you can actually wire the fog lights with a switch on the front dashboard with a label
TAILGATER TEMINATOR. This is just a thought.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wallygator24
Ah. Thanks for the info. I will start looking around for ways to mount the darn lights. I have seen some people mount their lights on the top side of the bumper, but my main concern is that it looks weird and the tail gate will hit them on the way down. Under the trailer hitch assembly looks like the best place to install them so far. I dont want to cut up my bumper, if i have to.
- If you get tailgaters on you will driving, you can actually wire the fog lights with a switch on the front dashboard with a label
TAILGATER TEMINATOR. This is just a thought.
ROFLMAO!
__________________ 2003 Tundra SR5 4WD Access Cab Desert Sand Mica Performance: Bassani cat-back exhaust, K&N FIPK, JBA Headers & Y-Pipe, Goodridge braided brake lines Working mods: Tough Country front bumper, Camburg UCAs, Daystar 1" spacer & Sway-away 2.5" front coilovers & diff. drop spacers, Offroad Solutions manual hub kit, Kartek CV boots, Deaver 10 packs, BFG AT 285/75R16s on ProComp black alloy 16x8 rims, Rhino Liner, tool box, KC Slimlights, Form Fit bug deflector, Donnelly mirror, Muth Signal mirrors, "Tundra" HD floormats, Hi-Lift, Skid Row front, middle & rear skid plates, Custom rock sliders, Custom rear bumper & swing-out tire carrier, Icom 208H, CB, Backstopper backup sensors, auxiliary backup lights, Optima Red & Optima Yellow, Painless battery isolator, Champion 10K winch, Viair 400C, 4 gallon air tank, ARB Lockers front & rear, greasable bolts & sleeves for the Deaver leaf springs, Engle MT45. Appearance & Comfort mods: Aftermarket Leather, desert sand mirror covers, dark grey fender flares, map light mod, de-badged all emblems, all black grille. Future: Auxiliary fuel tank, replace tailgate w/ sand ladders
The 7 pin trailer connector has a dedicated line to power reverse lights on a trailer. I believe it's on it's own relay just for this. I put a set of cheap fogs ($25) on the back of the Sequoia for the same reason and have no issue for almost 2 years. I dropped the trailer connector to access the wire then cut and spliced a wire from it and resealed with heat shrink tubing to prevent any corrosion. Non of the trialers I tow have backup lights so I'm not concerned about extra draw if trailer is connected. I'll try to get a pic over the weekend. Their only about 2 1/2" diameter and I mounted them closer to the center. The bonus is that the receiver assembly is actually lower so unless you do more serious off road it's protected from the driveway type scrapes. PIAA makes their 1500xt in a backup light version that has the diamond pattern flood lamp like on tractors etc. (but their $$) The fog and/or flood is what you want to get side visibility, the drivings are too much "spot" and made for distance. Whelen and some other companies now make LED backup lights for fire trucks and ambulances etc. They can get mounted in that rubbber grommet type housing which I know they make adaptor angle brackets for to mount under bumpers etc. Bonus is no burned out lights, totally sealed for water, and very little power draw. Something like this http://www.vehiclelight.com/019590.html They make them in 4" round also, if you are daring you could cut a 4" hole in the bumper and insert the grommeted light. Won't hang down!
Has anyone tried ARON blue lights? they were used in Petersen 4wheel magazine on the Ultimate Taco build. I am debating buying a single light just to see how bright they are.
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Next up: ?
Thanks Hockey Freak. Thats a pretty nice set up. It looks clean and is pretty bright. Tailgator Eliminator!! Here I come. Thanks everyone for all your great information.
I spoke to the White Knight people. They were very helpful. They said that their 4199 would probably be the best fit but to check your clearance first. You need 3/4 of an inch above the hitch and 7 and 3/4 inchs on either side of the hitch.
Here's the good part - They said that rather than order from them directly it's cheaper to order from JC Whitney, Sears, or Summit Racing because they sell to them in high quantity. So I called Summit Racing and it's ten dollars cheaper there. They have their own part number - CSA-0004199. http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...tt=csa+0004199
Important Info 5/2005
This unit DOES NOT fit on the 2002 Tundra Factory Installed hitch. I tried it and could not get it to fit on the hitch. I won't return it due to minor "modifications" I made during the installation. (oops)
I will be ordering the Cabela's lights.
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JT 2002 SR5, Thunder Grey, Access Cab, 4.7, Off Road pkg, 4WD, Toyota Bedliner, Bed Extender, Limited Slip Diff, ABS Add Ons: Toyota Tube Steps, Leer 700 Lid, Curt Front Mounted Receiver Hitch, WeatherTech Window Vents, WeatherTech Front Floor Liners, Cabela's Aux Back Up Lights, Hellwig Rear Anti Sway Bar, Skid Row Front Skid Plate, Fumoto Valve, SP Rotors and Hawk Pads, SnowSport SnowPlow Have on workbench: Total Chaos Steering Gear Bushing kit, Autoxray 6000
I just finished installing Cabela's Backup Light Kit ($29.99) in my 2000 Tundra.
Kit includes
1 - 12 Volt, 30Amp Relay with Mounting Screw
1 - Switch
2 - Backup Lights with Mounting Hardware
1 - Wire Splice Quick Connector
2 - Grounding Screws for Lights
All neccessary wiring (PVC 600V USF 0.18/50 16AWG 90C) for complete hookup, including 20 amp fused wire for connection to positive side of the battery.
Lights are a 55W Halogen H3 Bulb, a vast improvement over the current reverse lights.
Go to www.cabelas.com and search for Catalog# IF-520842, or use search term backup light.
I did purchase some wire loom to run the wires through that are exposed to the weather.
To mount the lights, first remove the lights from the mounting bracket, then use a 3/8" drill bit to drill a hole in the mounting bracket. You can then attach the mounting bracket to the bottom of the chrome bumper by removing removing one of the bolts in the chrome bumper, then reinstalling with the mounting bracket attached. The lights are then reattached to the mounting bracket.
I did not use the switch, I may incorporate this later. I mounted the relay and grounded it inside the left rear light assembly. Just remove the left rear light assembly. You can tap into the reverse light circuit using the wire splice quick connector.
Thanks for the info EASTAMWELLMIKE...I checked out the Cabelas website and then of course your truck last night in person and they look awesome!...I love the low profile they have and you hardly notice them.....they also have the benefit of being placed further out on the bumpers to give more light even if you are towing something.....its a nice clean install that did NOT require any drilling!....maybe you could get a digital pic up in your photo gallery for everyone to see?
Great job Mike and BTW welcome to TS.com!!
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2004 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4X4 (7844A), Phantom Grey Pearl, All weather guard package, fog lamps,keyless entry, 17" AA wheels, towing package, color-keyed overfenders, 4.1mm Limited Slip Diffy, Delux 3-in-1 JBL stereo, privacy glass, floor mats with sill protectors, bed extender
MODS- Line-X, Retrax, Onki nerf boards (part #328078), Wade vent visors (part #88401) , TracRac (rail # OL-21609), Ultimate Fly Fishing Rod transporter, Spin Caster Rod holder in bed, Recon bedlights fully adjustable w/"nightvision", HitchSafe, Weathertech floor liners (part #46030-1&2, grey), debadged, visors destickered, rear window stop disabled, dynolock/PL8500 power tailgate lock, tailgate protector mod with detachable floormat, Stebel Nautilus Compact Truck Air horn (300Hz), quick fist flashlight holder (all in photo gallery).....more custom suprises on the way!!
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Back up lights
Plus side is it cheaper to replace. 
This is just a thought. 
.....
I made during the installation. (oops) 
Linear Mode
