I have very dark tinted windows and will not give up the tint. It gets way too sunny and hot out here in Oklahoma to not have window tint. Anyway, I find it hard to see at night when backing up. I would like to add a set of 55watt external backup lights. I plan to mount them near the bumper, but do not know how to connect them so that they come on at the same time that the other reverse lights come on. I don't know if I can just tap into the existing reverse light wiring without overloading the system or not? Any help and or suggestions welcome!

Thanks,


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97 F150 Reg Cab Short Bed
4.2L Auto
Current Performance mods=
Accel 9000Series Race Plug Wires
Motorcraft Platinum Plugs 60 Series Heat Rating
K&N Air Filter(Modified Stock Airbox)
Flowmaster 40 Single in/out.
B&M Shift Improver Kit(highly recommend!!)
Current Musical Improvements=
California Profile3600 running two front Pioneer5x7 three way speakers and a single 10" Cerwin Vega in my homebuilt port tuned box.
Pioneer Cassette/cd control head unit with matching Pioneer 6 disc changer.
1/2 Farad Stinger cap.

My other truck is an in the works 1950 Ford pickup.

 

hmmmmm....A thought just popped into my head! Would changing the stock backup lights to a higher wattage shed light on the subject? (Sorry for the cheesy pun) Or would the higher wattage fry any wiring or circuitry?

 

The proper method for installing 55 watters would involve a wiring harness/relay setup similar to a fog light set up. It will require a circuit capable of handling 15 amps. the lights will pull a tad over 9 amps total a 5 or 6 amp safety factor is a good idea . The coil of the relay will be triggered by the back up light circuit. When the relay turns on it will complete a circuit from a suitable source (fused 15a From battery or other source) through the lights to ground. Hope this helps!!!!!!!!!!

 

eddiepreston,
Thanks for the input! I don't suppose you would be willing to sketch me a wiring schematic that shows me the basic idea? Also, what do you think about my idea of increasing the bulb wattage of the stock bulbs?

Thanks,
cigarxtc
harmdiggy@yahoo.com

 

A sketch would be no problem, As far as higher wattage bulbs, that may be another story with the added heat and more amps. How about a send you a Email with my address.

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2001 Super Crew Built 10/00 purchased12/00 Lariat 5.4 4X4 Bright Red,Tow Package, 1.02" Radaitor, Factory Steps, K&N air filter, A.R.E. LS II, Rear Seat Entertainment System, Sound System Upgrades, DRL'S, Vent Shade Vent Visors, Stampeede bug Deflector. Hope to upgrade soon to Gibson SS or Dual Sport! Factory skid plates and "Off Road" Decal

 

Back up lights are actually very simple. There is a power wire going to the trasmission range selection switch(should be from fuse 5, 15Amp) Once you move the shifter to reverse, It sends the power on to the rear. I think the wire is black with a pink or purple stripe. The other wire for the back up lights is a ground. I see no reason Why you cant just tap into the factory system. Hope this sheds some light.

JG

 

Just saw your post - I got a set of 55 watt backup lights at a local parts store (Advanced Auto Parts) for $25.00. The relay was included in the wiring harness - just splice into the backup light wire in the rear. The mounting system included wire ties to mount them under the hitch. Great kit, great lights . . . !

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Gots: 2000 F-150, 4x4, SCab, XLT, Island Blue, Styleside, 157” Wheelbase, 5.4L EFI, 4-Speed Auto O/D, Class III Towing Package, 1.02” Radiator; AM/FM/CD; Dark Graphite 40/60 Cloth Seats (F/R); Rear Slider; 4 Wheel ABS; “Ex-Tang” Snapless Tonneau; Ford “Duraliner” Bedliner; “Lund Runners” Truck Steps; “Husky” Splashguards; “Weather Tech” Floor Mats; “Saddleman” Hood Protector; “WeatherTech” WeatherFlectors; 4th Brake Light; 55 Watt Backup Lights (pair, under hitch).

Wants: 2.20” Radiator; 4th Brake Light (again!); “K&N” Filtercharger; “Gibson” Dual Sport Truck Cat-Back Exhaust System; “Exotic Wood” Steering Wheel & Dash Kit; “RoadMaster” Active Suspension; Lighted “Blue Oval” Logos – grill and tailgate; Remote Starter; Pilot Driving Lights; “Lund” Backdraft Tailgate Spoiler; …

 

Just a thought here. If you have the class III towing option, there should be some really heavy gauge wires in the harness for the trailer plug. Find the wire that is constant B+ and that will be a great power source for those extra lights without having to run a wire all the way up to you battery. Just make sure you do a good job waterproofing all you connections and relay with some hot glue or liquid electrical tape.

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Boss™

Ordered June 29th, 2000; took delivery Nov. 28th: 2001 F-150 Lariat, Oxford White/Silver Supercab 4x4, Styleside, 5.4L, 7700# payload, Class III Tow, 3.73LS, Skids, Leather Captains, 4W disc ABS, shift-on-fly, keyless.Engine build date: 10-25-00

Modifications:
"Protected by the Owner with his 2 friends, Smith & Wesson" sticker, Westin Chromed Stainless Nerf Bars, ARE LS II bed cover, Bedrug™, Gibson Swept Side Cat Back, K&N filter w/airbox mods, Hyper-White headlight & foglight bulbs, Pioneer DEH-8200R, Ventshades(not on back doors), Hood deflector, Superchip.

Future Modifications:
3" body lift with at least 33's, alarm/pager/auto start system, stereo system