Improve reverse lights?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 1
From: Loveland,CO
I noticed they upped the price. Maybe there was an error there and they cancelled the orders instead of shipping the lights.
Quick question, where are you guys tapping into the reverse light? or are these all separate switches?
Quick question, where are you guys tapping into the reverse light? or are these all separate switches?
Veteran/Sheepdog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
I tapped into mine on the back right tail lamp in behind the housing, so the splice would be protected from the elements. Then ran the the wire straight down to the first light and across the hitch to the other light.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
I as well am not satisfied with my reverse lights. I got and installed LED lights in the stock housings which didn't seem to do much.
I plan to try halogen bulbs in the stock housings now, something like 35watters normally used in fog/driving lights. I am never in reverse for more than a few minutes at a time so I am not going to worry about melting the housing.
I plan to try halogen bulbs in the stock housings now, something like 35watters normally used in fog/driving lights. I am never in reverse for more than a few minutes at a time so I am not going to worry about melting the housing.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 4
From: Idaho
I have a set of cheap LED lights bolted to my receiver hitch and I have them wired into my reverse lights in my trailer plug. They work pretty well, they aren't really bright enough, but they do help.
However, I've been looking at these to replace them and run them on a switch so I can use them as a work light too:
ProZ 3" CREE LED Light Cube - FREE SHIPPING
However, I've been looking at these to replace them and run them on a switch so I can use them as a work light too:
ProZ 3" CREE LED Light Cube - FREE SHIPPING
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
I've got a "white night" backup light that slides into my hitch, tapped into the 7-way reverse lights. each light is 55w and it throws well, I have one on my F-150 also.
I have LED's in the factory lights, they work pretty well also.
I have LED's in the factory lights, they work pretty well also.
Veteran/Sheepdog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
I added a daytime picture to show how mine mounted. At only $45, it was money well spent. It is like daytime behind my truck at night (2400 lumens), and the light spills out to the sides A LOT! They are also easily, fully adjustable at the base (and light mount) with a small crescent wrench. They rotate on two different axis, so they are fully articulating 360*. Super heavy duty aluminum housings. No plastic on them.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 159
Likes: 1
Has anyone tried to swap in the 3rd brake light from a 97-03 F150 that has the cargo lights built in? You could then install some LED bulbs and have light from a higher point on the truck.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Annapolis, MD
Here's how to get them...
I think I can help. I ordered these again and I also got the wrong thing. I was sent a couple of pairs of HID lights. It looked to me like the box had the correct inventory sticker for the backup LED's. So there must be a big batch of them with the wrong inventory stickers in Amazon's inventory. Because I ordered them again and got the HID bulbs again. If you know a bit about Amazon, they sometimes stock the items themselves. You can see in the listing it says "Sold by Zento and Fulfilled by Amazon." There can be different experiences with different sellers. Usually I find the ones fulfilled by Amazon to be ok. In this case however, you need to chose one of the alternative sellers under "other sellers". I ordered them again and this time chose "Basatne" as the seller and got the right ones! $8.90 with free shipping (not prime).
Link to other sellers Then pick the Basatne seller.
Link to other sellers Then pick the Basatne seller.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,049
Likes: 1,546
From: Media PA
The F-150 brake/cargo light assembly looks very similar but it is different than the Ex light. I have one and when I tried to swap it in there was a fitment issue, too much of a gap around it and it just didn't sit correctly.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
I can vouch for those cree off road lights for back up lights. I incorporated them in our new work truck and they are bright! When backing up to the water in boat landings the lights light up the land on the other side of the river!
Attachment 289655
Attachment 289655
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: SE PA
This is the kit I put in my truck almost 10 years ago...still going strong. I mounted them under the trailer hitch using existing holes. They automatically come on when the truck is placed into reverse and came with a 3 way switch so they also may be turned on manually. (As I wrote above...I have them set up with a relay so they only come on automatically when the headlights are on)
If anyone wants to see a pic of the install...say the word....
PIAA | 1500 Back-Up Clear Halogen Lamp Kit #1540
If anyone wants to see a pic of the install...say the word....
PIAA | 1500 Back-Up Clear Halogen Lamp Kit #1540
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26,410
Likes: 6
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This is the kit I put in my truck almost 10 years ago...still going strong. I mounted them under the trailer hitch using existing holes. They automatically come on when the truck is placed into reverse and came with a 3 way switch so they also may be turned on manually. (As I wrote above...I have them set up with a relay so they only come on automatically when the headlights are on)
If anyone wants to see a pic of the install...say the word....
PIAA | 1500 Back-Up Clear Halogen Lamp Kit #1540
If anyone wants to see a pic of the install...say the word....
PIAA | 1500 Back-Up Clear Halogen Lamp Kit #1540
Trailering
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
This is the kit I put in my truck almost 10 years ago...still going strong. I mounted them under the trailer hitch using existing holes. They automatically come on when the truck is placed into reverse and came with a 3 way switch so they also may be turned on manually. (As I wrote above...I have them set up with a relay so they only come on automatically when the headlights are on)
If anyone wants to see a pic of the install...say the word....
PIAA | 1500 Back-Up Clear Halogen Lamp Kit #1540
If anyone wants to see a pic of the install...say the word....
PIAA | 1500 Back-Up Clear Halogen Lamp Kit #1540
Veteran/Sheepdog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
If you use an LED lighting setup, you can tap into the wires going to either of the tail lights, or you can tap into the trailer harness. I tapped in behind the right rear tail lamp to protect the splice from the elements, and I am using LEDs so there are no concerns with overdrawing the fuse this way. If you use a traditional lighting setup with bulbs, you might need to run a new circuit depending on wattage used or amps drawn when the lights are on.