Halogen Back Up Lights

todddd41 · November 22, 2003

I was curious to find out if anybody had tried the 50 watt haolgen backup lights such as these from JC Whitney:50 Watt back up bulbs

I was a little concerned they may generate too much heat and possibly melt or discolor the lens.

AZ1500 · November 22, 2003

I replaced the stock BU lights on my old Z28 when they burned out with halogen. I had real dark window tint and they really helped. No problems with lens discoloration. They're on so little time it won't hurt the plastic.

elgineddie · November 24, 2003

I replaced my B/U bulbs on my '01 Suburban with a halogen on one side and one of them BEEPING bulbs on the other. It's been about 2 years and it's still working and beepin just fine! And it really gets the attention of all those head-up-the-arse soccer moms walking out and around the parking lots of the local grocery stores! (No offence to any soccer moms out there! ;-)

I think you should get one for one side. It really does work great!

MCourson · November 24, 2003

I looked at those but I decided against them. I am also not to sure about the quality of JC Wintey, I have seen some cheap stuff come from there. I installed seperate lights on the rear instead on the 94.

k1500chevy97 · November 24, 2003

Hmm i like the idea of brighter lights in the rear

99silveradoz71 · November 24, 2003

I'd look for something from KC, HELLA, or PIAA- known lighting companies, so you get a quality product.

Joe C · November 24, 2003

Guys,

I bought the 55 watt (130,000 candle power) halogen lights from JC Whitney. I like the light and being able to turn thr lights on when you need to see behind you for whatever reason.

I'm not to impressed with is the mount and the housing. Might make my own during the summer.

Easy to wire and mount.

hcvone · November 24, 2003

I have used Design Tech 50 watt backup lights in my Escalade and my last 4 Suburbans, never had a problem.

elk_hunter · November 24, 2003

I'd thought about doing that myself. Does anyone know off-hand what brand are the ones at autozone/advance? I remember seeing them, but cant remember the brand!

kdm101 · November 24, 2003

I bought a set of auxilliary trailer hitch backup lights from Advance (they don't carry the part any more, but I saw them at Autozone) and mounted them right under the bumper. They come with brackets and tie straps to put them on square trailer hitch frames. Since mine's round, that wasn't possible. They're supposedly 55 watt halogens, but they just don't seem as bright as I would have expected. Still, it's a vast improvement over those little things in the tail lights.

I rigged mine up with a set of wires all the way to the front where I connected via relay to the backup light circuit. Some day, I can rig the relay so I can flip a switch and turn the lights on at any time rather than only when in reverse - handy if you're hitching up a trailer at night, or to annoy those idiots that drive around with their high beams on all the time.

I'm planning on buying a second set to mount on my trailer. GM was so nice as to make the center pin of the trailer connector as the auxilliary backup lights, so I don't have to do any wiring to the connector.

elk_hunter · November 24, 2003

I though about about using the cargo lamp button as a place to turn on the backup lights if I needed them for something. I already have enought darn custom switches in the cab as it is.

Why didn't you just tie into the backup lighs in the back of the truck for power to turn on the lights? Just wondering, dont think y'd overload that wire back there just for the aux backups to turn on?

99silveradoz71 · November 24, 2003

Some day, I can rig the relay so I can flip a switch and turn the lights on at any time rather than only when in reverse - handy if you're hitching up a trailer at night, or to annoy those idiots that drive around with their high beams on all the time.

If you've got a nbs truck, you can get a 4 pod housing and buy aux light switches that will fit there next to the airbag shutoff. That's the way my 99 was done, and I've got switch activated KC backups. My receiver is also round, but what the offroad shop did, was use brackets that go under the frame bolts near the ends of the bumper, thus my lights are spaced out a bit more than most.

todddd41 · November 26, 2003

Thanks for the input. I've never been a big fan of JC Whitney, but I've seen the Design Tech lights advertised in several places. I think I'll add them to my Christmas list.