Okay once more mod for tonight.... I have 5% tint in the back and really couldn't see anything behind me. So, I added 2 sets of back up lights or reverse lights. The ones up top are sold as a package at Autozone I believe for like $20. They are 55 watt halogen floods meant to be mounted to a hitch. They put out some nice, aimed light.... but I've got an extra set of 100 watt bulbs I'd like to throw in! They are wired with a relay, coming on when I put it in reverse. They are mounted to the rear spoiler as the pics should show. I ran the wiring down through the brake light and with all the other wires in the loom. I did have to grind some steel from around the 3rd brake light and then caulked it all for good measure.
The second set of lights are some cheap 55 watt utility flood lights basically.... I get them at Checker Auto Parts or Advance Auto depending on where you live for like $10 each. I actually wanted the Napa versions but these are pretty much the same thing. These are usually trapezoidal beams around here, meant to be on the front of tractors, but this pair is floods. I mounted them to the last bolt on my receiver hitch, which is a Curt and in my opinion looks 10 times better than those factory hitches. Also, they come in 10 custom powdercoat colors. Anyway, these bottom ones are run on a switch, as when the hatch is open the top ones are facing straight up in the air. These will be nice for setting up campsites, etc. Also good for signaling someone behind you, or generally telling them to back the ˟˟˟˟˟˟ off. If I put 100 watt bulbs in both sets it will be BRIGHT.... with these 55 watters it lights it up but isn't obnoxious to other drivers or pedestrians. Once again, any questions you have I'd be glad to answer...

Rear shot...
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...61295025YexClC

Top wiring close-up:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...61294850xBAvHm

Salty, dirty closeup of bottom set mounting.... had to bore the bracket out a bit....
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...61279157NNhmEw

 

time to find a new place to host pics....

try www.cardomain.com

 

or www.we-todd-did-racing.com

 

Nice - I've got a set of Hella 500 fogs that I use as backup lights... don't know how I ever lived without them.

 

Nice mod!! I have the same problem backing up with 5% tint, but I'd be worried about ripping off any lights from when I do go offroading....or from submersing them completely in water...lol


BTW - XM satellite radio detected!!

 

Might be a dumb question but is it legal to have such bright back up lights? I suppose it also matters how high they are mounted.

 

You see they aren't THAT bright... they're flood lights so it's a dispersed beam that won't shine right at somebody... and 90% of the time I only use the top ones because they put out plenty of light for me to see. I really don't know about legality but I'd much rather chance it than put any nice dents in my bumper or worse yet hit somebody or something in a parking lot. It's also nice because when I back up it's obvious to other drivers, almost like those BEEP BEEP BEEP horns on the big trucks.

 

Should I make a wiring diagram for this? Maybe there's not interest... I just noticed a lot of questions recently on wiring reverse lights....

 

Please do, It would make great referance material.

When in MN are you?

 

I'm heading out for the weekend but I will make some nice wiring guides for both switched and reverse engaged set ups.... I'm down in the extreme southwest corner.... near where Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota all meet up.... the HEARTLAND!!! (or not!)

 

At least its MN.

 

Yeah, I'm glad to have landed inside of Minnesota borders... We both know we're surrounded by complete idiots to the west and south! You really have to scratch your head at N&S Dakota sometimes.... and down here it's not common to shake your head and say, "DUMB I-wegans".

 

 

Nice work. If only I though of that I might have gone with more than 20% tint on my rear window!

 

The ones you mounted on top look like the same ones I have mounted underneith the bumper. They are really bright with the 55W bulbs, then I put 100W bulbs in them and people will actually flash their high-beams at me because they are so bright they think they are headlights!

 

wow, now can drive backwards.

 

I have 5% on all my rear windows and a set of lights like that would come in handy just for backing up at night in some of my friend's notorious driveways up in the mountains.

 

hmm, gets me thinking, I was going to add backup lights, but dont want them knocked of when mudding. Could you just cut out holes in the rear bumper, then place lights in those? Im sure you could get lights with a little frame to make it look neat

 

You could cut something into the rear bumper, but would it really be worth the trouble!? If you're worried about them getting knocked off, consider the top lights like mine. I was worried they'd end up looking a bit cheesy but in all honesty (I'm picky) they look pretty good. The lower ones actually have a hinge action to them.... if you're going forward and they get hit they'll "spring" back and then fall back into position once you've passed the obstacle. Not something I really planned, but in the end I think they will take a pretty good beating. By the way, I figure my hitch would be the first thing to hit on any sort of incline so unless the hitch gives or it's odd terrain, they'll be okay. If you still would like to put something into the bumper I'd check out some trailer type lights, Peterson Manufacturing is a big maker... they've got a lot of surface mount stuff meant for enclosed trailers and such.... I considered doing that myself but figured if I didn't like it or screwed up I'd be SOL with an ugly cut up bumper.