Aux Backup Lights- A Different Approach
#1
Aux Backup Lights- A Different Approach
As everyone knows, whether is a Dodge, GM or Ford the OEM backup lights meet the fed regs and thats about it. There are several (many) aux backup light kits, some look better than others (and if its a work truck, who cares as long as it lights up everything) and several have posted their approach as well. I took a bit of a different approach.....while I do periodically tow (my 65 mustang on a tandem trailer), I wanted something a little stealthy that would work and look as if it was oem-.....while the flash on the camera reduces the actual effect, I mounted 2- 55 watt lights under the rear fenders, mounted in a manner to project out at a 45 degree angle down & away from the vehicle.
Activated by a 40 amp relay & mounted in the front drivers side kickpanel (& actuated through the vehicles backup lights), we used the oem wiring harness & access ports to provide all the routing. Utilizing lighting techniques used by rescue personnel (indirect to reduce/eliminate possible blinding as compared to law enforcement who uses direct lighting to see evidence), the lighting projects approx 2-3 feet from & completely around each corner on the truck and because the mounting location is above the top of the bumper, light is reflected onto the hitch area as well (you can see the reflection on top of the exhaust tips). The aux lights are visually hidden, protected from road debries (including flung by the tires) and turn on automatically when placed in reverse. Power to the relay is obtained through an unused 20 amp circuit at the fusebox.
Activated by a 40 amp relay & mounted in the front drivers side kickpanel (& actuated through the vehicles backup lights), we used the oem wiring harness & access ports to provide all the routing. Utilizing lighting techniques used by rescue personnel (indirect to reduce/eliminate possible blinding as compared to law enforcement who uses direct lighting to see evidence), the lighting projects approx 2-3 feet from & completely around each corner on the truck and because the mounting location is above the top of the bumper, light is reflected onto the hitch area as well (you can see the reflection on top of the exhaust tips). The aux lights are visually hidden, protected from road debries (including flung by the tires) and turn on automatically when placed in reverse. Power to the relay is obtained through an unused 20 amp circuit at the fusebox.
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