Installed aux backup lights
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Taxachusetts
Installed aux backup lights
Since I plow with my truck I decided to add some aux driving lights to the rear bumper to act as aux backup lights.
First I tried the easy way and just tie into the wire for one of the existing backup lights. That blew the fuse after a while. OK I knew it probably would fail but it was worth a shot. What I ended up doing was buying a relay at the local part store. I ran a hot wire from the fuse panel under the dash out through the fire wall, underneath the truck, down to the back bumper. I used zip ties to make it neat. Then I wired the hot wire to the relay, used a t-connector onto the striped wire from the backup lights and connected that to the relay for the switched power. Connected a ground wire to a bolt inside the tail light area and onto the relay and finally connected the aux lights wires to the relay.
The lights mounted easily into the single holes on each end of the bumper. I mounted the relay inside the taillight area so it would be somewhat protected from the elements.
Now I can see where I am going in reverse!!!!!
First I tried the easy way and just tie into the wire for one of the existing backup lights. That blew the fuse after a while. OK I knew it probably would fail but it was worth a shot. What I ended up doing was buying a relay at the local part store. I ran a hot wire from the fuse panel under the dash out through the fire wall, underneath the truck, down to the back bumper. I used zip ties to make it neat. Then I wired the hot wire to the relay, used a t-connector onto the striped wire from the backup lights and connected that to the relay for the switched power. Connected a ground wire to a bolt inside the tail light area and onto the relay and finally connected the aux lights wires to the relay.
The lights mounted easily into the single holes on each end of the bumper. I mounted the relay inside the taillight area so it would be somewhat protected from the elements.
Now I can see where I am going in reverse!!!!!
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Indiana
I am getting ready to do the same thing on my 04 f250 but I wanted to move mine more to the center of the bumper (towards the hitch). It seems like earlier in my life I tried to drill a hole in a chrome bumper. As I recall I had problems. Couldn't drill it, turned blue around the hole. I have noticed that the bottom of this bumper is of a very light gauge and I can't imagine that I woud have a problem with a sharp bit. Your thoughts?
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From: Taxachusetts
That is exactly what I thought when I went under the bumper. Well, I really thought "what a p.o.s. this is..." I do not see any problem drilling through the bumper at all. I didn't want to make new holes so I went with the ones that are there. After I knock them off a few times when I hit things in reverse, I will probably move them too. I just wanted to get them installed while the kids were not home..... Much faster with out the help....
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From: Indiana
Hey, I'm for easy any day of the week. I had a after market back up light system that mounted to my hitch on my 02 and I got a lot of compliments on it. It was not dependable. I guess the salt on the roads of Indiana in the winter killed it. As far as location of the lights, I can't see where it would make any difference where you located it plowing snow (backing into a pile of snow)
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Elverson, PA
I put aftermarket back-up lights on my truck, but decided to put them on a switch - they will work any time the parking lights are on. That way I can use them for hooking up a trailer, or anything else, at night and the truck doesn't have to be in reverse! Those stock reverse lights sure are dim - especially with tinted windows! 
I think I'm still gonna get the high-output lights to replace the stock bulbs too.
I think I'm still gonna get the high-output lights to replace the stock bulbs too.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Indiana
To:CAT-Man 963-Not wanting to take the risk of blasting a good company (they did send me a new replacement light) Are you talking about the self-contained reverse light system that is in a black plastic housing that mounts to you hitch with a U-bolt? Has all the relays built into it?
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Senior User
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From: Taxachusetts
I did the 50w replacement bulbs first. They did not make that much of a difference (IMHO). That is why I went to the extra lights.....
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: everywhere and nowhere
I put a set of 100w fog lights on the back of my 87 250, they are on a switch as well, and all i have to do is hit the button when someone is tailgatin me, and they back off real quick, also works real good for backing trailers, the fog pattern is wide enough to see past the trailer.
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Posting Guru
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From: Elverson, PA
Del Allen1957 - I have seen the kind of lights you are talking about but thought they looked a little hokey myself. I got Hella fog lights and wired them up to a relay myself - like Evilbeast said - the fog pattern makes a nice bright light right at the back of the truck!! I haven't used mine for tailgaters yet though - I crank my chip up on high and blow some black smoke back at 'em and they usually get the idea!
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Originally Posted by del_allen1957
I am getting ready to do the same thing on my 04 f250 but I wanted to move mine more to the center of the bumper (towards the hitch). It seems like earlier in my life I tried to drill a hole in a chrome bumper. As I recall I had problems. Couldn't drill it, turned blue around the hole. I have noticed that the bottom of this bumper is of a very light gauge and I can't imagine that I woud have a problem with a sharp bit. Your thoughts?
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=32296&.jpg
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
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From: Great State of Texas
I took the easy wiring way out...Purchased White Knight back up lights that mount to the recreiver hitch. (2) 55 watters in one housing...easy install...less than
$ 75.00...Turns night into day even with tinted windows..toggle switch behind light housing to turn lights on for trailer hook up in the dark without putting truck in reverse.
$ 75.00...Turns night into day even with tinted windows..toggle switch behind light housing to turn lights on for trailer hook up in the dark without putting truck in reverse.
