Extra Reverse Lights

[keiphers]

I've decided that I really need more reverse light. I'm going to add some lights, but I don't know what I should do. Should I just get some from Pep Boys made for this purpose or should I get fogs? What have y'all done or would suggest?

[KLS]

Don't overload the back-up light circuit, whatever you get.


Ken

[SATundra]

Heres a pic of what I did:
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photo...papass=&sort=1

Those lights are the ones that you get from Pep Boys ($29.99) or AutoZone ($24.99), mine are the "reverse lights". I mounted mine to the bumper using an existing bumper bolt instead of mounting them to the trailer hitch.

I did add a relay to power these. It is mounted in the drivers side kick panel. It uses NO power from the reverse circuit to power the additional lights.

I know of at least 1 other member that just tapped into the reverse light at the back of the truck to power his, same lights i'm using. He has had no problems for at least the year + that he has had them hooked up that way.

[Tundraholic]

I have some on my truck and would not take for them There the best thing I've done to my truck, at least in the rear.

SATundra knows more about wiring up reverse lights than almost any one and you cant go wrong following his suggestions.

Tundraholic

[Buzzard]

I ran 2 wires from the rear all the way to the fuse box. Powered the lights at the fuse box thru a $5.00 radio shack relay. The second wire runs all the way back to the tail lights where I tied into the reverse lights to power the relay. SATundra tied into the wire harnes near the driver side door but when I took he tail light out it was so easy to get to and just a few more feet of wire I decided to tie in there.---Buzzard

[akauth]

Originally posted by SATundra
Heres a pic of what I did:
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photo...papass=&sort=1

Those lights are the ones that you get from Pep Boys ($29.99) or AutoZone ($24.99), mine are the "reverse lights". I mounted mine to the bumper using an existing bumper bolt instead of mounting them to the trailer hitch.

I did add a relay to power these. It is mounted in the drivers side kick panel. It uses NO power from the reverse circuit to power the additional lights.

I know of at least 1 other member that just tapped into the reverse light at the back of the truck to power his, same lights i'm using. He has had no problems for at least the year + that he has had them hooked up that way.

I added my lights that are much like SATundra's (mine are two 55 watt lights) and just tied into the rear tail light circuit with a fused extension to the circuit. I've been meaning to put a relay in, but just haven't gotten around to it and I've been using it for over a year and haven't had any issues. A relay would be better, but the circuit seems to handle the extra load fine.

Alan

[Eddie]

I had a pair of 55w foglights are reverse lights.

A power wire was ran from the battery to the rear bumper area. Put a fuse at the battery end of the wire,you don't want all that wire heating up or melting when there's a short somewhere. I then bolted on a standard bosch-style relay in the bumper,tucked up so it doesn't get wet or dirty. To trigger the relay I tapped into the passenger-side taillight's reverse light circuit.

Like SATundra I mounted the lights using holes that were already on the bumper,no need to drill anything.

Next reverse light mod...remove those lamps and use just a single lamp with true HID conversion

[jdc580]

check out my photos for a good, and inexpensive fix. I have had this mod for about 3 months now, and haven't had a single problem.

[keiphers]

I just picked up a pair of those reverse lights at Pep Boys. I think I'll do what SA said. I'll do it sometime this week and post how it went. Thanks for the quick responses!

[SATundra]

Let us know if you have any questions. Right underneath the drivers seat ON THE TRUCKS FRAME you will find a bundle of wires (4-5 I think) all taped together. One of those is the reverse light hot wire. Sorry I can't remember what color it is. But there are only a couple of wires in there to test for it. That is where I tapped into the reverse light circuit to trigger my relay. Thats not very far from the drivers kick panel.

If you lay on the ground under the drivers seat you will also see a rubber plug, I think about 1" round. That is where I ran my wires thru, just cut a small slit in it. You can get to it on the top side by removing the drivers side (heck what do you call it, scuff plate). The long flat piece of plastic on the floor under the door. Just remove the 4-5 screws holding it down. Then lift up the carpet under the drivers seat and you will see the rubber plug. The instructions in the "how to" in here say to remove the drivers seat. Thats really not necessary though.

Also if you DON'T have a power drivers seat I can tell you where a not used constant hot wire is right by the kickpanel to power your lights if you don't want to run a hot wire from the battery.

[Superman]

SA,

Have you looked at my mod that splices the undercarage and reverse light triggers together yet? Very simple to do. and it adds more light to see on the sides of you while you back up.

[SATundra]

Originally posted by Superman
SA,

Have you looked at my mod that splices the undercarage and reverse light triggers together yet? Very simple to do. and it adds more light to see on the sides of you while you back up.

Yes I did read that, very good info. I haven't decided what else I am gonna do. Thinking about adding 2 MORE undercarriage lights. Nothing like 4 - 55watt lights to light up the truck in a parking lot at night. Of coarse if I tied that circuit to the reverse lights as well, that 6 lights. Time for an additional battery.

[Superman]

I have a couple of 100watt bulbs I am going to replace the 55watt ones with. Of course the lights say only to use the 55's but Iam going to try it and watch it close and see if they get too hot Ill take them out. 100watt bulbs are prob too much for the case I might try 85watt bulbs if the 100's get too hot. My wires are big enough just have too watch the heat in the enclosure.

[keiphers]

Help.... I took off the door sill protector, but now I'm confused. I don't know what I'm looking for. I don't see anything with just the colored wires mentioned in the FAQ. Also, I got a relay at Radioshack. I don't know what I'm lookin for.... A pic would help...

[Superman]

Under the drivers sill protector in the black wire lume it is a Red wire with a Black stripe on it. The Q&A is a little confusing the way all of the wires are described. The wires go under your seat and go through a pin connector and then change to a red wire with a yellow stripe which then go to your back up lights.

Here is a link a drawing in the Garage which will help you understand.
Click Here