How I installed backup lights into the bumper
11-04-2010, 11:31 AM
#12
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Out of curiosity, why didnt you put a relay in? I had offroad lights and 14ga wire running with just a fuse and switch and it got rather warm under the dash.. didnt really like running that much power to a switch. I did this in high school.. learned about relays, rewired with some thinner gauge wire to the switch under the dash and the relay under the hood.. lights were not only brighter but no more heat and worrying about the switch..good idea though.. I am going to do something similar to this except put the lights on my trailer and not on the truck.
11-04-2010, 12:58 PM
#13
If similar lights are available in LED, it would eliminate the heat issue at the lights and at the switch due to lower current draw, plus they would be brighter.
Mike
Mike
11-04-2010, 10:24 PM
#15
Senior Member
SWEET 
nice light job
i did a similar one to my 350
cept they were relayed to only come on if a. the lights were on and b. if i was in reverse.
i ran a heavy feed wire off the Battery charge on the 7 pin trailer plug. and then picked up signals for the relays from the taillights and the reverse light on the same 7 pin plug, made a logic board and relays all mounted out back
that way no heavy wires from up front and no switches to remeber
nice light job
i did a similar one to my 350
cept they were relayed to only come on if a. the lights were on and b. if i was in reverse.
i ran a heavy feed wire off the Battery charge on the 7 pin trailer plug. and then picked up signals for the relays from the taillights and the reverse light on the same 7 pin plug, made a logic board and relays all mounted out back
that way no heavy wires from up front and no switches to remeber
Last edited by powerboatr; 11-04-2010 at 10:27 PM.
11-05-2010, 12:10 AM
#16
ℳℴↁ℮ℜ@大☢®
cept they were relayed to only come on if a. the lights were on and b. if i was in reverse.
i ran a heavy feed wire off the Battery charge on the 7 pin trailer plug. and then picked up signals for the relays from the taillights and the reverse light on the same 7 pin plug, made a logic board and relays all mounted out back
that way no heavy wires from up front and no switches to remeber
i ran a heavy feed wire off the Battery charge on the 7 pin trailer plug. and then picked up signals for the relays from the taillights and the reverse light on the same 7 pin plug, made a logic board and relays all mounted out back
that way no heavy wires from up front and no switches to remeber
11-05-2010, 10:34 PM
#18
Thanks for all the comments. I agree a relay may be best, but for now I went this route. As far as drilling, I did sweat a bit and measured the area many times because if I messed up, I had 2 expensive holes to fix! But good news, I had 2 opportunities tonight to use them. One, when backing up. The other when a jack *** in a Ford Edge got up real quick on my bumper like they were in Fast and Furious. Very aggressive lady driver! So I proceeded to illuminate the cab of her vehicle(and the back of her eyeballs!). She decided to flip me off like I cared. She almost hit 3 people driving crazy during her little stint. What a tard...Now have to pull the rear rotors off to get them turned this weekend for new rear brakes! Woo Hoo!
11-05-2010, 10:52 PM
#19
Senior Member
Nice project.
I've posted this before, but it is a good idea to consider if you are installing any aftermarket lights.
I've used these 12 volt remotes when I installed offroad driving lights on 2 Expys. They save a lot of wiring inside the cab, and if you use the remote to work a relay, the power is almost unlimited.
The only downside to it is that you have to keep the remote control away from your kids, so they don't accidently turn on your lights.
http://cgi.ebay.com/UNIVERSAL-12-VOL...item587e626c5a
They are even cheaper with one remote.
I've posted this before, but it is a good idea to consider if you are installing any aftermarket lights.
I've used these 12 volt remotes when I installed offroad driving lights on 2 Expys. They save a lot of wiring inside the cab, and if you use the remote to work a relay, the power is almost unlimited.
The only downside to it is that you have to keep the remote control away from your kids, so they don't accidently turn on your lights.
http://cgi.ebay.com/UNIVERSAL-12-VOL...item587e626c5a
They are even cheaper with one remote.
