I want to tint my windows, by my wife insists that if I do, I need to put brighter back-up lights in. I will admit, that with the truck still being new to use, and not having the back up alarm, backing up can be a chore.

I have seen halogen replacement light bulbs for the back-up. Anyone have them?

What about the hitch-mount lights. anyone have them? Kinda look like these (although these are for a 1 1/4 mount)

 

I've been considering wiring some fog/driving lights mounted under the rear bumper. Just wire them like any other fog, but tap the reverse lights to the relay to close the loop.

That would provide PLENTY of light for backing up. Just make sure they're wired correctly or you'll be fined pretty severely.

 

On my past two trucks I have tucked a pair of low profile 55 watt fog lights up under the rear bumper and just mounted a dash switch. This actually works pretty good when trying to back the boat trailer down those unlit boat ramps or hooking up a trailer at night.

If you do it I would hesitate wiring it into the reverse lights, some jurisdictions don't think to kindly of it.

 

Fined?? You mean if I simply put them on a toggle switch?

If wired tot he reverse light, they will only come on with the back up lights. Is there any other "legal" way of hooking them up?

 

Just hook them up to a manual switch.

 

Dog'em makes an excellent point. You're better off running the remote lead to a hot switch on the dashboard. That way, they won't always come on when backing up...

Might be nice to keep tailgaters off your azz as well, eh?

I don't think fogs mounted to your rear are legal........period. I doubt the method in which you wire them will make a difference.

 

Any hot leads you recommend tapping into?

Are there any unused switches on our trucks??

 

Most fog kits come with the switch (if not, any standard 12V switch from an auto parts store will do). All you need to do is tap into the firewall to run the leads for the switch and mount it somewhere on your dash.

I ran the lead straight to the battery, rather than to any headlight. This way, I can run the Hellas with no other lights on, parking lights only, lowbeams, or high beams.

 

has anyone ever looked into the 50watt halogens that you can get to replace the factory reverse bulbs?? Seen them for like 10 bucks a pair.

 

It really depends on what your state's laws are regarding auxillary or supplemental work lighting. As long as you don't run down the highway with them on or flash a tailgater, you shouldn't have any problems. I've run my trucks all over the country and have never been stopped or even questioned about it.

Tried them when they first hit the market probably 15 years ago. They were a little brighter but didn't last very long. At that time they were much more expensive so after two sets I figured they were not worth it.

 

I've got one of those kits from another time--it won't install on the factory hitch -- for didn't leave any room around that thing--i have trouble with safety chains

 

The claimed "50 watt halogen" bulbs that simply plug in as replacements for your regular reverse light bulbs are junk. I tried them once. Couldn't tell the difference.

 

Just buy some inexpensive fog/driving lamps and mount them under the bumper.

If you need help with the wiring or install, there are several of us that can lend some advice.

 

I had them on my '97 Mountaineer, and I could actually tell a difference--not much, but it was a difference. Like someone mentioned before, they did burn out quicker, and I had a problem of burning up the light socket after a few years. I doubt that I'll put them on this truck.

 

Hi Xterrable, and welcome to modding your truck for fun and ... (what's the opposite of profit? Oh yeah, bankruptcy.)

I, like many folks here, have made a number (OK, in my case it's a large number) of mods to my truck, including adding brighter backup lights. I've tried to do a pretty good job documenting the mods as I went along in order to share the knowledge. These are published on my truck's web site, accessable by clicking the photo below. Please be aware, however, that there is no turning back once you get started.

In the particular example of the auxiliary reverse lights, I would recommend that if you are up to it you incorporate the relay circuit I included which allows lights to be switched on either with the ignition off (for general lighting) or only in reverse with the ignition on (for backing a trailer.) With this circuit it is not possible to accidently leave the reverse lights on when going forward down the road.

Also, I found out that I did not like the light pattern for fog lights, and found relatively inexpensive flood lights that worked better.

Start by clicking below, which brings up the site, click on mods, then lighting, then back-up lights. Read the description, then click on mod notes at the bottom of the page for the how-to.

Warning: do not click below unless you have an hour or more to kill.