Back Up Lights

[jake1530]

I’ve kinda always wanted an extra set of back up lights. I have seen them on other trucks that mount on the bottom of the bumper, or that’s where they mounted them. Do they come with the tee harness or do you have to cut them in? Also if anybody has them, could you post some photos and your opinions? I did sell my boat that’s what got me in too thinking about getting them, so I don’t need them for that, but would be good for backing in the driveway at night. Thanks in advance, Jake.

[cujo8]

I'm interested in something like this as well. Thanks.

[dwhults]

You would need a relay to run the lights when you put it in reverse.

[mfennema]

You might not need a relay. It depends what type of lights you use and how you connect them. If you use an LED strip or something like that which doesn't draw much power you could possibly just splice into the reverse lights that are already there. But if you are using bigger lights which have a large power draw, then you are correct, a relay is the way to go. Not hard to wire up either way though.

[bill190]

I just drill holes and mount the lights in a good spot where the light will shine back and not be blocked by anything like the bumper. But also I don't want them too low as they could hit something on the ground when backing up, driving over a curb, or whatever.

 

As to powering the lights...

 

The back-up lights would be on a circuit. And this circuit would have a fuse. And have a maximum amount of "amperage" it could draw before the fuse blew.

 

The more lights you add, the more amperage (or watts) they would draw.

 

A short easy answer to this question would be that typically trucks have trailer connections added to the rear tail lights. So I would guess that trucks would have "extra" amperage designed into all the rear tail lights including the back-up lights for powering trailer lights. And you could probably add a couple of lights and not have a problem with the fuse blowing.

 

The technical answer would be to get an amp meter which could measure up to 50 amps (then you can use this for testing other circuits). Then get a factory electrical manual and see what all is on the same fuse as the back-up lights. (Sometimes several different things will be on the same fuse.) Then turn on all those things including turning on the back-up lights by setting the parking brake, turning on the ignition (don't start), and place in reverse.

 

Then remove the back-light fuse and measure the amperage being used. Then look at the fuse. If the fuse is say 20 amps and the circuit is using 14 amps, then you would have some spare amperage there for adding additional lights or whatever. In general you would not want to use over 16 amps. It is a good idea to not use over 80% of a circuits capacity.

 

Then you could connect the new lights to a battery with the amp meter in series. Then see how much amperage the new lights draw - then see if that would be below 80% when added to the existing stuff on the circuit.

 

If you did not have enough spare amperage, then add a relay.

 

Then use the correct wire size for the circuit(s) you are installing. Here is a table...

 

Gauge for 12V wiring

22 - 5A

20 - 8A

18 - 10A

16 - 20A

14 - 40A

12 - 60A

10 - 100A

8 - 150A

 

Wire sizes conversion...

Metric to AWG

0.5 - 20

0.8 - 18

1.0 - 16

2.0 - 14

3.0 - 12

5.0 - 10

8.0 - 8

[ursandal]

I got a set of PIAA back-up lights last year off ebay. Came with everything you need (relay, 3-way switch). I just used hose clamps and fastened them to the tow hitch. Made a huge difference, especially with a topper.

 

[Silverado_Monkey]

Here's a thread i created a few weeks back outlining my install...

 

Hope it helps!

 

Back-up light thread

[sc4808]

I have a set on my 2003 Sierra and absolutly love them, they make a huge difference, the ones I have clamp to the crosstube of the receiver hitch and they use a relay.

[mikevmax]

I used a led strip and cut into the back lights for a trailer. It was great so far.

[Zembonez]

I used a led strip and cut into the back lights for a trailer. It was great so far.

Got pics?

 

I've considered an led strip backup light on mine.You can't see ANYTHING behind my truck with the three candlepower OEM backup lights.

[Z71kris]

they make a lot of these for plow guys, and for towing

[hockeypro1411]

 

Mine are on a switch that was added to the dash. They're not in-line with the reverse lights, which is sometimes nice when these little riceburner punks decide to get a little closer than I'd like. Did I mention they're super bright? I bought the truck with these on, but the job looks completely custom. I'll try to get some more pics when she gets home from the dealership. They're also mounted so that they can swivel and pivot. This allows you to point them exactly where you want them.

[brims]

 

Mine are on a switch that was added to the dash. They're not in-line with the reverse lights, which is sometimes nice when these little riceburner punks decide to get a little closer than I'd like. Did I mention they're super bright? I bought the truck with these on, but the job looks completely custom. I'll try to get some more pics when she gets home from the dealership. They're also mounted so that they can swivel and pivot. This allows you to point them exactly where you want them.

 

I like the way you think. I can only imagine how much someone would freak out when your reverse lights come on while on the freeway or something.