wiring question
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Junior User
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
wiring question
I'll be installing some auxillary backup lights.
(1) Are there ground connections to the frame at the rear of the truck that I'll be able to locate?
(2) What's the best way to run a wire (for 12v power) from the rear of the truck to the engine compartment?
Thanks!
(1) Are there ground connections to the frame at the rear of the truck that I'll be able to locate?
(2) What's the best way to run a wire (for 12v power) from the rear of the truck to the engine compartment?
Thanks!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Easton,Ks
Originally Posted by harjp1959
I'll be installing some auxillary backup lights.
(1) Are there ground connections to the frame at the rear of the truck that I'll be able to locate?
(1) Are there ground connections to the frame at the rear of the truck that I'll be able to locate?
All lamps have a ground wire running back to the front with exception of the "Chassis Cab Truck".
I am not sure what a "Chassis Cab Truck" is.
Originally Posted by harjp1959
(2) What's the best way to run a wire (for 12v power) from the rear of the truck to the engine compartment?
If you have the trailer tow package then you have a backup wire relay controlled at the rear end and there is also a ground wire there.
Hotshot
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The frame is grounded. There are ground straps at the front of the truck between the cab and frame. So is the bumper. Thats how a lot of the license plate lights work. My LP lights only have 1 wire. There will not be a specific location but you can ground to the frame or bumper. There is a small bolt at the rear of the driver side frame that you could use as a ground. You can hook them up directly to the reverse lights as most kits recommend or you can wire them up like fog lights with a switch in the cab like I have done. I just ran a wire down the passenger side frame and tie wrapped it in just about every place I could. Just make sure you include a fuesable link in the power wire if you do it this way. A chassis cab truck is a truck with no bed basically.
Last edited by TexasGuy001; Nov 15, 2006 at 08:10 AM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Easton,Ks
Originally Posted by TexasGuy001
The frame is grounded. There are ground straps at the front of the truck between the cab and frame. So is the bumper. Thats how a lot of the license plate lights work. My LP lights only have 1 wire. There will not be a specific location but you can ground to the frame or bumper. There is a small bolt at the rear of the driver side frame that you could use as a ground. You can hook them up directly to the reverse lights as most kits recommend or you can wire them up like fog lights with a switch in the cab like I have done. I just ran a wire down the passenger side frame and tie wrapped it in just about every place I could. Just make sure you include a fuesable link in the power wire if you do it this way. A chassis cab truck is a truck with no bed basically.
If your LP lights only have one wire they are not stock, stock ones have two wires unless you do not have a rear bumper or have an after market bumper.
This subject has all ready been gone over on the FTE Electrical Forum.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...t=body+grounds
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
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I agree that the oem LP lights are as you desribed. I have aftermarket ones. I never said there were bolt on ground straps. The strap is also as you stated. For what he was wanting to do, I have seen many people do it this way and it works fine. It may not be intended to use the frame as a ground, but it does work. If it is just for auxilary back up lights, I don't see how it really matters. If he wants to locate another ground he can use the ground for the LP lights and splice into it. Some of the lights get their ground from their mount thats how my auxilary back up lights work. They are cheapos though. I have them mounted to the frame so you can't see them anyway. They are small and only cost 10 bucks.
Last edited by TexasGuy001; Nov 15, 2006 at 10:07 AM.
Senior User
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I would use a relay, with the backup lights being the trigger, & run the power wire up the inside if the frame to the underhood power distribution box. There is a 1/4" stud that you use for power. You can also use a 3 way switch if you wanted to turn them on with out having it in reverse. The relay can be purchased at any auto parts store.
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
Thanks for the replies.
It's a KC HiLites kit, so it comes with a relay. I know how to find a backup light wire (Ford service manual comes in handy!). But since I've only looked at the service manual and haven't crawled under the truck yet, I just wanted to hear from you guys about the best path to the engine compartment. Up the left side frame is what I figure.
I expect to see wiring harness clipped to the frame, so I'll follow that up. The route to the eninge compartment is still unclear to me, but once I eyeball it, it should become clear. That's for the 12v + wire. I'll look for that 1/4" stud at the distribution box. Thanks!
As for the grounds for the relay and each light, I suppose the easiest thing is to splice into existing ground wires. That means not using the nice eye terminals supplied with the kit wires. Oh well.
I assume there's no issue with joining the ground wires from the relay and the lights and splicing into any ground wire I find. Is that right?
It's a KC HiLites kit, so it comes with a relay. I know how to find a backup light wire (Ford service manual comes in handy!). But since I've only looked at the service manual and haven't crawled under the truck yet, I just wanted to hear from you guys about the best path to the engine compartment. Up the left side frame is what I figure.
I expect to see wiring harness clipped to the frame, so I'll follow that up. The route to the eninge compartment is still unclear to me, but once I eyeball it, it should become clear. That's for the 12v + wire. I'll look for that 1/4" stud at the distribution box. Thanks!
As for the grounds for the relay and each light, I suppose the easiest thing is to splice into existing ground wires. That means not using the nice eye terminals supplied with the kit wires. Oh well.
I assume there's no issue with joining the ground wires from the relay and the lights and splicing into any ground wire I find. Is that right?
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Fleet Owner
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From: Easton,Ks
The bed plug (the one for the taillights) just forward of the rear bumper on the drivers side has a large size ground wire running to it.
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Lead Driver
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From: Concord, NC
The frame should provide enough of a ground path to energize a relay and ground backup lights. I grounded the trailer wiring on my truck to the frame and with no other change, the trailer lights got noticably brighter. If you're worried, install a new ground strap near the battery at the front and ground it to the battery post or the engine block.
Junior User
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From: SW Oklahoma
backup light relay?
If there is already a relay powering the backup light feed in the rear harness, shouldn't that be sufficient to add a single aux light to the load?
Is the relay feeding the b/u wire for the truck lights, or just the trailer circuit?
Junior User
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From: SW Oklahoma
Thanks, Bill. Not what I wanted to hear, but now I know.
As it happens, I've got the trailer harness all bundled up and tucked away, and the plain-old tail/turn/running/backup wires to the bed are still loose.
So now I can decide between putting another relay in or dig a wire out of the soldered/heat-shrunk/wrapped/split-loomed trailer harness.
[edit] And for the record, my frame is most definitely grounded - by me.
As it happens, I've got the trailer harness all bundled up and tucked away, and the plain-old tail/turn/running/backup wires to the bed are still loose.
So now I can decide between putting another relay in or dig a wire out of the soldered/heat-shrunk/wrapped/split-loomed trailer harness.
[edit] And for the record, my frame is most definitely grounded - by me.
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