View Poll Results: how to setup extra backup lights
no switch, always on
0
0%
switch, ON if in reverse, but I can turn off inside cab
5
41.67%
switch, always ON if in reverse, but i can hit switch near bumper for work light if truck off
7
58.33%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll
how to setup extra backup lights
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how to setup extra backup lights
now that i'm learning a little bit about electrical stuff, i'd like to hook up some fog lights on the back of the truck to give me more light while backing up.
my 3 options and my thoughts on each:
1) no switch, always on
just seems like too easy of a solution i guess. i'm also not sure about legal issues and it seems like a waste to have them on in the daylight in the grocery store lot. extra light could **** people off (guessing, no idea)
2)switch, ON if in reverse, but I can turn off inside cab
kind like this idea. i can turn it on/off as needed, but the only way it can be on is if i'm in reverse. only downside is i can't do option 3:
3)switch, always ON if in reverse, but i can hit switch near bumper for work light if truck off
they'd be on all the time if i'm in reverse (aka i can't turn them off). i imagine a switch hidden under the bumper somwhere that's "off" (lights are on in reverse) but if i turn it to "on" without being in reverse or the truck even on, they'd come on. concerns about 3) 1 - somone could flip the switch and kill my battery. yes, i could only have them on while truck is running, but having a worklight in the rear could be nice for a few minutes without the truck running.
thoughts? what about a combo of 2 & 3. no idea how i'd wire that.
my 3 options and my thoughts on each:
1) no switch, always on
just seems like too easy of a solution i guess. i'm also not sure about legal issues and it seems like a waste to have them on in the daylight in the grocery store lot. extra light could **** people off (guessing, no idea)
2)switch, ON if in reverse, but I can turn off inside cab
kind like this idea. i can turn it on/off as needed, but the only way it can be on is if i'm in reverse. only downside is i can't do option 3:
3)switch, always ON if in reverse, but i can hit switch near bumper for work light if truck off
they'd be on all the time if i'm in reverse (aka i can't turn them off). i imagine a switch hidden under the bumper somwhere that's "off" (lights are on in reverse) but if i turn it to "on" without being in reverse or the truck even on, they'd come on. concerns about 3) 1 - somone could flip the switch and kill my battery. yes, i could only have them on while truck is running, but having a worklight in the rear could be nice for a few minutes without the truck running.
thoughts? what about a combo of 2 & 3. no idea how i'd wire that.
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From: Des Plaines, Illinois
I'd go for number 2. Probably the easiest and most practical. Rear facing fog lights are almost universally required in Europe but illeigal in the states.
Number 3 would require a weatherproof switch installation. Not all that hard, but more work and a somewhat more expensive switch. I like option 2. You can always walk 8 feet to the cab if you need rear work lights.
Number 3 would require a weatherproof switch installation. Not all that hard, but more work and a somewhat more expensive switch. I like option 2. You can always walk 8 feet to the cab if you need rear work lights.
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always on...as in always on, only in reverse - is illegal? guess that would be a bad idea then. is it legal to have them on at all, even just while temporarily backing. odds are you'd never get caught, but i may reconsider
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
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From: Lakewood, Ohio
you are not really being clear.
if you have backup/reverse lights always on, which is what you wrote, that is illegal.
if you mean that you have extra backup/reverse lights on when you are in reverse, that would be ok.
they make backup light kits already, you do not need to adapt fog lights but you can if you want.
aim them down some imho.
if you have backup/reverse lights always on, which is what you wrote, that is illegal.
if you mean that you have extra backup/reverse lights on when you are in reverse, that would be ok.
they make backup light kits already, you do not need to adapt fog lights but you can if you want.
aim them down some imho.
Last edited by quicklook2; Sep 6, 2007 at 02:54 PM.
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sorry, i did mean ALWAYS ON as in ALWAYS ON ONLY IN REVERSE
backup light kits i've seen all fit tightly around the receiver hitch. you can't use a locking pin with those and it looks like they cover up your holes for safety chains. on top of that, they're more than $20 for cheapo foglights.
backup light kits i've seen all fit tightly around the receiver hitch. you can't use a locking pin with those and it looks like they cover up your holes for safety chains. on top of that, they're more than $20 for cheapo foglights.
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dude just keep it simple and dont do those stupid ideas. Why would you want a switch on the bumper for them??
why would you want to run them all the time. Have you thought about driving at night with them on all the time...duhhhhh
run the set/sets on a switch to manually turn them on whenever. There will be times when you don't want them on when backing out, and times where you would like them on while not it reverse. It will be just as much work to run them into the switches then into your wiring harness. have the switch in the cab, and not on the passanger door or something. You will be able to turn them on when you want, and turn them off when you want. Simple as that.
why would you want to run them all the time. Have you thought about driving at night with them on all the time...duhhhhh run the set/sets on a switch to manually turn them on whenever. There will be times when you don't want them on when backing out, and times where you would like them on while not it reverse. It will be just as much work to run them into the switches then into your wiring harness. have the switch in the cab, and not on the passanger door or something. You will be able to turn them on when you want, and turn them off when you want. Simple as that.
Last edited by Josh88Ford; Sep 6, 2007 at 10:19 PM.
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From: VA
i agree I would just install a simple switch run a wire straight off the battery install a fuse and run it to a switch that is covered in the off position so not to accidentally turn it on and run the battery low this way you can use the lights when you need them for backing up or if at night you need use them for whatever else otherwise they stay off
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i used a set of driving lights from wal-mart, just for the brightness factor 
, but i wired them into the reverse lights easy to do and they come on whenever i need them and if i really need work lights back there i just turn off enginge and put it in reverse with the e-brake on. if your going to do it differently i would say just use a switch so you can turn them on and off as you please. i think some back-up kits plug into your trailer light reciever
, but i wired them into the reverse lights easy to do and they come on whenever i need them and if i really need work lights back there i just turn off enginge and put it in reverse with the e-brake on. if your going to do it differently i would say just use a switch so you can turn them on and off as you please. i think some back-up kits plug into your trailer light reciever
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