Finally Fixing Those Reverse Lights
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 501
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From: Pacific NW
Finally Fixing Those Reverse Lights
So,
I finally had enough of reversing in the dark when it's wet and you have to drag the brakes so you can light up enough of the road to see behind you... I know what I'm doing Friday
. Going to wire them up directly with the reverse lights, each aseembly only has 0.63 amps of draw, should be enough overhead room to power these lights on the reverse light circuit. Gonna flush mount these bad boys into the rear bumper.
I finally had enough of reversing in the dark when it's wet and you have to drag the brakes so you can light up enough of the road to see behind you... I know what I'm doing Friday
. Going to wire them up directly with the reverse lights, each aseembly only has 0.63 amps of draw, should be enough overhead room to power these lights on the reverse light circuit. Gonna flush mount these bad boys into the rear bumper. 
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Dayton, TX
Im thinking about doing the same to mine. Some good pictures would be great. My tailights are tinted so its even harder for me to see at night. I already have some lights just havent got around to doing it yet.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 496
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From: Arizona
I was driving the other evening next to a Dodge (Ram) pickup with LED lights flush-mounted in the bumper and they were switched 'on.' Lit up the road behind him like headlights. I couldn't get the driver's attention to tell him about it, but I'm sure a cop would have had he/she seen it.
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Joined: Dec 2012
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I was driving the other evening next to a Dodge (Ram) pickup with LED lights flush-mounted in the bumper and they were switched 'on.' Lit up the road behind him like headlights. I couldn't get the driver's attention to tell him about it, but I'm sure a cop would have had he/she seen it.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Dayton, TX
You could run them to a switch like that and then also put in an led light to show when the switch is turned on. Or have a switch that has an indication bulb in it. That way you know when they are on just by a quick look at the switch without having to guess
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Pacific NW
I may be delayed in my install, weather is not cooperating (no room in the garage right now) and I'm under the weather myself. Possibly Saturday or Sunday I'll get these installed. I agree with the others, that's why I'm wiring them in parallel with the reverse lights. I'm sure the circuit can handle an additional 1.3 amps with the two LED lights combined.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Pacific NW
That's the plan so far, just haven't decided where exactly to cut. With the diffused lens, even if they're angled downward slightly, it should still light up much of what's behind the truck.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: barton city mi
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Northern California
Why not just use something like this:
2X CREE R5 Emitter 7W T10 Wedge 184 192 Super Bright LED Reverse Backup Lights | eBay
That way you don't have to cut into the bumper and people have said these lights work great to replace the stock backup lights. I read the 921's are the ones to get from CREE...there are 3, 5, and 7 watt. (I would get the 7 watt) People have said they also replaced the cab lights with these 7w bulbs as well.
2X CREE R5 Emitter 7W T10 Wedge 184 192 Super Bright LED Reverse Backup Lights | eBay
That way you don't have to cut into the bumper and people have said these lights work great to replace the stock backup lights. I read the 921's are the ones to get from CREE...there are 3, 5, and 7 watt. (I would get the 7 watt) People have said they also replaced the cab lights with these 7w bulbs as well.
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Retrofitting the reverse lights will improve things somewhat, but that won't be anywhere close to the output of a dedicated lamp like the Rigid.
I have a pair of Vision X Solstice Solo pods mounted above the rear doors on my truck ('09 with an ARE commercial topper) angled down and they are a huge improvement. I have no visibility out the back so I have to back with mirrors only. They're also great to ensure people that yes, I am really about to back up (I always back into parking spots and there's invariably one idiot that wants to shoot behind me as I try to maneuver into position).
I have a pair of Vision X Solstice Solo pods mounted above the rear doors on my truck ('09 with an ARE commercial topper) angled down and they are a huge improvement. I have no visibility out the back so I have to back with mirrors only. They're also great to ensure people that yes, I am really about to back up (I always back into parking spots and there's invariably one idiot that wants to shoot behind me as I try to maneuver into position).