Jump to content

LED Reverse/ Backup lights in rear bumper step cavity?

Andy Seibel

By Andy Seibel
in Modifications & Accessories

 Share

Recommended Posts

Nwatson99 Enthusiast

Nwatson99

Posted
Posted

 

I don't leave them on year around but very easily could and probably would, except I usually use the trailer hitch a lot more during the summer. If this one ever needs replacing, I will get the model that you can use while towing and just leave it on year around. They will see almost like it's day time back there with these.

Thank you sir I will pick them one up then, I would say they will not use it much in the summer with the longer days, but it sounds perfect for them for Fall and Winter.

  • Replies 197
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

gmdog2
gmdog2

Hello, I just installed the Rigid Flush Mount Ignite Series. Provides a lot of light for the sides and the camera. Just thought I'd share with ya..Good luck.  

tjn54321
tjn54321

I installed 1 led light in each bumper step. I drilled a hole in the center of the step toward the top. Right behind your hitch are a bunch of wires and plugs. I connected both wires to one of the w

gmdog2
gmdog2

Thank you for the nice comments everyone...much appreciated. I'll do my best to give you how I did it-   The lights I used are these- http://www.rigidindu...-lighting/20641   However, I just foun

Posted Images

NoProblem Enthusiast

NoProblem

Posted
Posted (edited)

Good deal - they will love it. And in case they want to remove it for any reason, it literally only takes like 30 seconds to remove or put on. Just unplug and pull the hitch pin and remove - that's all there is to it.

Edited by NoProblem
Arth Enthusiast

Arth

Posted
Posted (edited)

Okay they came in and got them installed.

 

Drilling into the plastic was very easy. I chose to follow what was done earlier and use the same mounting location. The set I got from Amazon didn't come with a mount template so I guessed.

 

I'll take a picture of what I used to drill with later. The instructions did have what should be used. I didn't loosen anything or unbolt anything for the drilling.. just went for it. I have small hands so I was able to thread both bolts just fine. I used needle nose pliers to hold the nut while I drilled down the screws. Took me roughly 1 hour including the wiring. I am an electrician by trade so it was easy. I wired into the actual reverse wires going to the reverse bulbs.

 

Over all I am very happy with the look and the performance at dusk... very nice.

 

Few pictures... Enjoy!

 

IMG_20161215_161222344_HDR_zpsokyas2kz.j

IMG_20161215_161156337_zpsnpltxo2y.jpg

IMG_20161215_170153579_zpshhihzqxs.jpg

Edited by Arth
  • Like 3
slj2008 Senior Enthusiast

slj2008

Posted
Posted

Okay they came in and got them installed.

 

Drilling into the plastic was very easy. I chose to follow what was done earlier and use the same mounting location. The set I got from Amazon didn't come with a mount template so I guessed.

 

I'll take a picture of what I used to drill with later. The instructions did have what should be used. I didn't loosen anything or unbolt anything for the drilling.. just went for it. I have small hands so I was able to thread both bolts just fine. I used needle nose pliers to hold the nut while I drilled down the screws. Took me roughly 1 hour including the wiring. I am an electrician by trade so it was easy. I wired into the actual reverse wires going to the reverse bulbs.

 

Over all I am very happy with the look and the performance at dusk... very nice.

 

Few pictures... Enjoy!

 

IMG_20161215_161222344_HDR_zpsokyas2kz.j

IMG_20161215_161156337_zpsnpltxo2y.jpg

IMG_20161215_170153579_zpshhihzqxs.jpg

 

looks good. what size hole did you drill ??

  • Like 1
Arth Enthusiast

Arth

Posted
Posted (edited)

I used a 1 and 3/4 quarter sized drill... thing. It was in my drill kit. Like I said I will get a picture of it later.

 

 

 

looks good. what size hole did you drill ??

Edited by Arth
gmdog2 Enthusiast

gmdog2

Posted
Posted

Okay they came in and got them installed.

 

Drilling into the plastic was very easy. I chose to follow what was done earlier and use the same mounting location. The set I got from Amazon didn't come with a mount template so I guessed.

 

I'll take a picture of what I used to drill with later. The instructions did have what should be used. I didn't loosen anything or unbolt anything for the drilling.. just went for it. I have small hands so I was able to thread both bolts just fine. I used needle nose pliers to hold the nut while I drilled down the screws. Took me roughly 1 hour including the wiring. I am an electrician by trade so it was easy. I wired into the actual reverse wires going to the reverse bulbs.

 

Over all I am very happy with the look and the performance at dusk... very nice.

 

Few pictures... Enjoy!

 

IMG_20161215_161222344_HDR_zpsokyas2kz.j

IMG_20161215_161156337_zpsnpltxo2y.jpg

IMG_20161215_170153579_zpshhihzqxs.jpg

Looks Awesome...Do the tow mirrors provide a good amount of light?

Arth Enthusiast

Arth

Posted
Posted

Planning to take some pictures tonight.

 

Looks Awesome...Do the tow mirrors provide a good amount of light?

  • Like 1
Arth Enthusiast

Arth

Posted
Posted

Here are some pictures...

 

Reference picture. My tail lights were on the whole time and it wasn't completely dark.

 

IMG_20161216_171940097_zpssijr0ffa.jpg

 

Back up lights only.

 

IMG_20161216_172013441_zpsg13fbvso.jpg

IMG_20161216_172021869_zpsc5buodsg.jpg

 

Tow Mirror Cargo Lights only.

 

IMG_20161216_172046724_zpskexugjsn.jpg

IMG_20161216_172058521_zpsqta2anyo.jpg

 

Tow Mirror Cargo lights and reverse.

 

IMG_20161216_172120684_zpsegucohhj.jpg

 

Lot of light back there now.

  • Like 1
15_silverado Enthusiast

15_silverado

Posted
Posted

Looks Awesome...Do the tow mirrors provide a good amount of light?

What did you use to drill out the holes with, a spade bit??

 

Can the hole be round or does it need to be cut out square? ( I don't know what the back of the light looks like, to pass through the hole)

 

Did you pull out the taillights to wire into the reverse lights, or did you tap into the trailer harness? What did you use to make the connection, are those t-tap things ok to use?

 

Thanks

Looks Awesome...Do the tow mirrors provide a good amount of light?

What did you use to drill out the holes with, a spade bit??

 

Can the hole be round or does it need to be cut out square? ( I don't know what the back of the light looks like, to pass through the hole)

 

Did you pull out the taillights to wire into the reverse lights, or did you tap into the trailer harness? What did you use to make the connection, are those t-tap things ok to use?

 

Thanks

15_silverado Enthusiast

15_silverado

Posted
Posted (edited)

^^^ that last post didn't work right, sorry

^^^ that last post didn't work right, sorry

 

Supposed to be a question for Arth, hopefully he'll see it

Edited by 15_silverado
Arth Enthusiast

Arth

Posted
Posted

^^^ that last post didn't work right, sorry

^^^ that last post didn't work right, sorry

 

Supposed to be a question for Arth, hopefully he'll see it

 

 

Sorry for the delay here is what I used to drill with. For power I tapped into each light individually.

 

IMG_20161222_113226773_zps1ebcpoxf.jpg

IMG_20161222_113220192_zpsztbyrarj.jpg

IMG_20161222_113230397_zpst4pbhfkf.jpg

  • Like 1
SMack4 Enthusiast

SMack4

Posted
Posted

Hey Arth, nice job! The lights look great. I was thinking of doing the same mod. Would you be able to post photos of the view from the rear camera? I am looking to see how clearly things are lit up for the camera.

 

Thanks.

  • 2 weeks later...
aaronarf Enthusiast

aaronarf

Posted
Posted

Thanks OP. I just did the mod myself with a couple changes.

 

Decided to tap into the trailer wiring instead of each tail light. Grounded to the bolt conveniently located next to the hitch harness. Resulting in only one factory wire tapped into via 3m t tap.

e7814d697ad2d2f1bd1d9a10cac615c3.jpg

 

Also trimmed the tab off the back side of the light since it was a little closer to the bed side then I liked.

d0a44f6429e27c7428e87e95a133e46c.jpg

5e32cbe98e79b5fecc6f356199c2f614.jpg

17aff8d8ca04248927846344a383b88f.jpg

5801b8b5c4e579f5203a6153fb6e33cc.jpg

9230739bc2526e3e63f48d78398865c5.jpg

 

Super bright for their size. I left the wires secured behind the plate so I can disconnect for state safety inspections.

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

  • Like 4
martinmanning1954 Enthusiast

martinmanning1954

Posted
Posted

Thank you for the nice comments everyone...much appreciated. I'll do my best to give you how I did it-

 

The lights I used are these- http://www.rigidindu...-lighting/20641

 

However, I just found them on Amazon for like 92.50..

 

The Rigids come with a round template and I used a Harbor Freight Step Drill. I think you can by the whole set on sale for like 8.99 for three of these gold plated step drills. Then just locate the center, mark, drill out and they slide in. The lights are square/rectangular shape on the back side. I've included another pic from the underneath for reference.

Also, I did not remove the plastic steps. I did loosen the screws that hold them in and warmed the plastic a little. I pulled the top down when it came time to put screws in the top of the flush mounts to put the nut on the back.(I'd just use long needle nose pliers to put the nut and washer on if I were to do it a again) Then I put the step back in and used long needle nose pliers to hold the nut on top and bottom while I tighten them down. Spliced, soldered, heat shrink, put back in OEM factory sheathing and reinstalled both rear taillights.

Then, second issue came up for me, factory back up lights were a dull yellow compared to the Rigids, so I ordered some new LED's for back ups in the OEM sockets which now are as white as the Rigid's.

 

While I was at it, I changed my license plate bulbs to LED bulbs as well.

 

I have about 5 hrs of labor and wiring.

 

Mark

attachicon.gifback up underneath.jpg

Wish I could find them for $92 got a link lol

 

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

aaronarf Enthusiast

aaronarf

Posted
Posted

Wish I could find them for $92 got a link lol

 

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Looks like the price jumped on amazon. I paid $92 a few days ago, now $123

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • richard wysong
      Gas Prices

      By richard wysong · Posted

      Diesel $5.42 at the truck stop on the hi-way
    • Chuck FB
      Joke Thread

      By Chuck FB · Posted

    • txab
      Gas Prices

      By txab · Posted

      $3.59  
    • needafix
      2019+ Brake failure, it's complicated

      By needafix · Posted

      I'm not sure if this should be a new topic, let me know if it's out of place. This my first post. Thanks 85077522 - AC Delco GM Genuine Parts Brake Master Cylinders. Anyone else had to replace this brake master cylinder yet. I didn't do any brake work, it looks like new parts and I've had the truck for about 4k miles, 119k total miles.  When it started to throw codes I did the calibrations with a bidirectional scanner and got the codes to clear but they came back so I did the routine; base bleed, automated bleed and final base bleed. All that with Bosch ES16-32N fluid (please look it up). That seemed to fix it but 100ish miles later it failed again so I ran the same process but with a pressure bleeder this time and got the same results, fixed for 100ish miles. The original fluid looked bad and I thought I got most of it out, it could've been the wrong fluid. The codes; P25A2, C05B0-00, C2A1B. I can get them to clear but not for long. The C05B0 indicates a leak in the front circuit (which is bone dry) so I'm thinking of doing the bleed process on that front again today and I don't know if that's taboo to just do the front but at this point it seems like it's worth the try anyway. The new master cylinder/module unit is supposed to get here today. But now I'm pretty much convinced this install is over my head. I've called several shops and some mobile guys that I know but this thing is like radio active material, scary wise. I did get 2 local shops say they should be able to do it, one says he has the SPS2 programing capability. And with the battery disconnected is there supposed to be pedal resistance, mine is to the floor, then if I pump it I can get some resistance. I had a panic stop prior to this issue which may have contributed from what I read. And on the first attempt to bleed and hydraulic test the scanner listed things to look for and one was any gaps between the pad and rotors which I did notice on the RF corner and I removed the outer pad (where the gap was) cleaned it and the hardware and didn't see a gap after that but will re-check it. I read that if pushing the caliper pistons back then you're supposed to open the bleeder so as to not push fluid backwards into the abs module or it will damage it. If that's true then that's also a possibility from the previous owner having the brakes changed before I got it. I'm using an XTool ip500 scanner. Any suggestions, questions and comments welcome. 
    • Donstar
      Navigating senior years.

      By Donstar · Posted

      Next Friday will be my 6 week point from my right knee replacement.  The surgeon says it will be fine if I choose to drive after this checkup.  I know I could drive now but best to do as my surgeon (and my wife) tell me.  Richard compared being 62 to 72.  I remember when I was in my early 60's I was experiencing slow but regular decline in my mobility.  Thanks to good medical support,  i continued to fight the speed and spread of this decline. During my 60's I worked on non-surgical methods and just when I turned 70, my orthopedic surgeon recommended joint replacements.  In a little over a year, I had one shoulder and both knees replaced.  This hasn't been a terribly fun experience, but worth the discomfort as my future mobility health trajectory has reversed.  It is a treat to now be watching my mobility. balance and confidence steadily improve!

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...