Starting to browse the local store(s) selection for aux lights and realized I have no idea which is the ideal light pattern, "driving" or "fog" (or any others...)

 

Flood

 

If you are stuck with the standard driving vs. fog, go with the fog lamps.

Flood is the best light pattern for backup lamps, but this would be in a utility lamp, not a standard aux lamp package ( i.e. made for going on the front ).

 

I bought a set actually called Back up lights from Academy sports in the boating section... also seen the same ones at Advance Auto Parts... they are small rectangle floods that have brackets that attach to the hitch cross bar with huge zip ties... I love them... they set up tight to the bumper and don't look like i've got off road lights ont he back of my truck...

 

pics?

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/75940427@N06/7136626419/http://www.flickr.com/photos/75940427@N06/7136626419/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/75940427@N06/, on Flickr

 

They are also wired in far past what most would do. They are on a switch which is only powered when the ignition is on, They are on the Reverse Circut so the just come on when in reverse, and they are on the dome light supervision so when i unlock the truck they come on and will be on anytime the dome light is on and the truck is turned off... but I added an additional relay to cut them off when the door is open and the truck is running...

it's wired like this...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/75940427@N06/6917512036/http://www.flickr.com/photos/75940427@N06/6917512036/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/75940427@N06/, on Flickr

 

nice job on the lights. I need to redo mine and I think I'm just going to do the hardwire to reverse and a switch in the cab. Though wired to the dome light might be nice also...

 

I love it I don't get why it's not stock... when you unlock the door at night witht he key fob the headlights come on so you can see in front of you... I normally back into my driveway... I'd like to see whats behind the truck also while i'm walking in... It's just odd to me that ford does the front and chevy does the rear... i've got both =-)

 

I used the below link on both my Jeep and my F150.

Sure, it is a Jeep site, but the wiring is the same regardless of what vehicle it goes in. Whatever you do, put the lights on a relay. The reverse circuit cannot handle the electrical demand of additional lights.

On my Jeep I put the reverse lights on a 3 way switch so I could use them without the Jeep being in reverse. On my truck I wired in the relay to be triggered by the OEM reverse lights. Both work beautifully.

http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...erseLights.htm

 

Why wouldn't you take it a step further and do both on both trucks into reverse and a switch (don't understand why you need a three way switch but thats anotehr issue) ... all that is missing is 2 n1004 diodes to stop back feed like a buck for a pair at radio shack ... and wire both triggers into pin 85 or 86 on the relay which ever one you didn't ground...

 

My Jeep I go off roading. Sometimes we are on the trail at night. My truck does not go off-road (that is what the Jeep is for).

With tinted windows on my Screw, it is hard to see at night when backing up. So I wired the lights to only come on when my truck is in reverse.

It works great for me...for others it may not work so good.

 

3 way switch is the typical ( common ) name for a SPDT switch in AC electric terms, the function is the same.

 

I wired mine to a SPDT switch, and I really like the way they work. During the day and at night in town, they are switched to off (no aux reverse lights). At night in the country (where I live), they are switched to come on w/ the reverse lights. If I want some light out the back when parked (hitch a trailer, close a gate, etc.), they are switched to come on w/ the parking lights.

 

I have a set of fogs to install, whenever I get the time. I have apilot remote control switch that will activate the light relay. The controller will go on my key ring. This way when my wife drives teh truck at night she can activet the lights when approaching teh truck in teh Hospital parking lot at night.