Backup Lights
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Posting Guru
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From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Backup Lights
I like to get more lights for backing up at night, what do you guy do to increase the backup lights?
Saw JCWhitney have the backup lights hooking up to the tow receiver, does it interfere with tow hook up at all?
Thanks,
Viet
Saw JCWhitney have the backup lights hooking up to the tow receiver, does it interfere with tow hook up at all?
Thanks,
Viet
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
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From: Sacramento Area
I decided to go simple and get the generic work lights from AutoZone/PepBoys/O'Reilly's/insert your favorite auto parts shop here.
They are rubber housings with sealed beams you can replace if they go out. If they get hit they can flex without breaking off. I drilled a small hole at the end of the bumper mount (outside of the vertical strut). Cheap and effective. Tied them in via a Carlin switch on the 650 dash panel, but you can wire them direct to the reverse lights with a relay, or do like I did on my Expedition and put in an couple of diodes and an on-off-on switch to choose constant on, off, and on with reverse.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
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From: Sacramento Area
AutoZone lists the Hella brand for $9.99 per.
Hella/4 3/4 in. 55 Watts 12 Volt rubber halogen work lamp (H15986001) | Auxiliary Lights | AutoZone.com
I think mine are not Hella brand...but the pricing was about the same. I got the off brand because I saw they had stock in replacement bulbs right there, but if Hella is what they carry and you like them, go for it.
Diodes to do the three-way switch were maybe 1 or 2 bucks. Wiring I had laying around. The three way switch was another 2 or 3 bucks.
The current layout includes the Carlin and F650 dash panel - thats a few hundred, so I'm sure you'll want just the 'basic' setup I had on my Expedition.
Hella/4 3/4 in. 55 Watts 12 Volt rubber halogen work lamp (H15986001) | Auxiliary Lights | AutoZone.com
I think mine are not Hella brand...but the pricing was about the same. I got the off brand because I saw they had stock in replacement bulbs right there, but if Hella is what they carry and you like them, go for it.
Diodes to do the three-way switch were maybe 1 or 2 bucks. Wiring I had laying around. The three way switch was another 2 or 3 bucks.
The current layout includes the Carlin and F650 dash panel - thats a few hundred, so I'm sure you'll want just the 'basic' setup I had on my Expedition.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 33
From: Sacramento Area
If you are running the wires direct from the battery, no, but I make it a rule to never pull from the fuse box without one. Having to replace a fried wire behind the fuse box because of an overloaded circuit is a nightmare.
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From: Las Vegas, Nevada
AlaskanEx,
That's what I saw in JCWhitney.com
Did you ever had to hitch up at night? Using the backup lights to see your way, then had to take off the light to hitch up.
How far away the Ex receiver need to be from the trailer hitch?
From what I understand, this thing hookup with the trailer wiring (using the trailer backup lights wiring). Can we hook it to the Ex backup lights and leave the light alone when you tow?
Thanks,
Viet
That's what I saw in JCWhitney.com
Did you ever had to hitch up at night? Using the backup lights to see your way, then had to take off the light to hitch up.
How far away the Ex receiver need to be from the trailer hitch?
From what I understand, this thing hookup with the trailer wiring (using the trailer backup lights wiring). Can we hook it to the Ex backup lights and leave the light alone when you tow?
Thanks,
Viet
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
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From: Anchorage Alaska
there are a few different ways to mount the white knight system.
i have mine on the removable slider that goes into the hitch. so if i want to use the trailer i need to unplug it and remove the light first. in this case i turn the flashers on and i get enough light from that and the marker lights to see. but i hardly tow in the dark since i only tow in the summer and it doesn't get dark here in the summer lol
there is supposed to be another mounting option that allows you to leave it and use your shank without issue..takes another mounting kit though from what i recall.
i really like the light though, it has held up well i've backed into a few snowbanks when the reverse sensors did not go off before hand and it has not been damaged...yet plus it looks much cleaner then lights hanging off the hitch/bumper...which is what i have on my expedition. plan on buying another one of these lights.
i have mine on the removable slider that goes into the hitch. so if i want to use the trailer i need to unplug it and remove the light first. in this case i turn the flashers on and i get enough light from that and the marker lights to see. but i hardly tow in the dark since i only tow in the summer and it doesn't get dark here in the summer lol
there is supposed to be another mounting option that allows you to leave it and use your shank without issue..takes another mounting kit though from what i recall.
i really like the light though, it has held up well i've backed into a few snowbanks when the reverse sensors did not go off before hand and it has not been damaged...yet plus it looks much cleaner then lights hanging off the hitch/bumper...which is what i have on my expedition. plan on buying another one of these lights.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
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From: Sacramento Area
I didn't go with the clip on style for just that reason. I have this hitch I nicknamed "Beetlegeuse":
I leave the drop bar locked on the truck all the time and just put the ball/hook section on as needed. It's not as much of a deterrent to tailgaters as when good 'ol "B" is attached but it works enough.
Seriously though, I couldn't find one that would clear the bumper and hitch pin and not have to be removed for towing.
Plus, we often have to hook up at a moments notice in the dark by ourselves, so messing with removable lights just doesn't cut it. With the aid of the reverse cam up by the third brake light and the backup lights, I can hook up the first time every time no matter the conditions.
I leave the drop bar locked on the truck all the time and just put the ball/hook section on as needed. It's not as much of a deterrent to tailgaters as when good 'ol "B" is attached but it works enough.
Seriously though, I couldn't find one that would clear the bumper and hitch pin and not have to be removed for towing.
Plus, we often have to hook up at a moments notice in the dark by ourselves, so messing with removable lights just doesn't cut it. With the aid of the reverse cam up by the third brake light and the backup lights, I can hook up the first time every time no matter the conditions.
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Robert_l_ross,
I thought your Ex is at stock height right now, why is it your ball sit kind off low according to the picture. How many inches above the ground does the ball have to be?
I thought your Ex is at stock height right now, why is it your ball sit kind off low according to the picture. How many inches above the ground does the ball have to be?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 33
From: Sacramento Area
With the upcoming V/Modded B sprint swap, I may need to use the 2nd or 3rd hole down to accommodate the additional 1 1/2" - 2 inches of lift from those taller springs. I'll take measurements/pics tomorrow.