I want to install a pair of lights for additional light when backing up. Anybody have any suggestions as to what would be a good brand? And the best place to buy them? I want a set that I can wire to the accessory switches in the dash so I can turn them on and off as needed.

 

This is all you ever needed or wanted to know:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...reverse+lights

Pictures, diagrams, the whole smash.. If you want to try a different wiring scheme then the first one he mentions... read on because there are several other ways discussed later in the thread.

 

I installed a pair of KC Highlights last year. They were purchased through JC Whitney but many other outlets should have them.

They are wired up so that power is supplied from upfitter switch #1 to a relay. The relay is energized when the normal backup lights are lighted. The signal comes from the trailer tow wiring - there is a trailer backup light wire already at the rear of the truck.

The installation was simple but time-consuming. Running the wire from the upfitter switch and to the rear of the truck took 90% if the installation time. You need to get that wire run high on the driver's side frame rail, protected with a wire loom and securely tie wrapped in place. The relay was mounted in a dry location near the driver's side backup light.

With this setup the backup lights come on only when upfitter switch #1 is on and the truck is in reverse. You could run a wire directly from the upfitter switch to the backup lamps and skip the relay. This way the truck would not have to be in reverse to light the lamps.

The trailer tow backup light circuit could power some low-current draw backup lights but I think the circuit is fused at 10 Amps. This is just about what the two 55 Watt backup lamps would draw when the truck is running. Not enough extra room for comfort.

Lou Braun

 

I did the exact setup that texastech listed from Bearhunter. They work perfect. Thanks to Bearhunter and all the other posts.Only had to run 1 wire to the backup lights all other connections are in the cab. I also did the the bed lights that are talked about in that thread. With just a single wire running to them also.

HDFXRUSA

 

Thank you for the replies and the link. I was more looking for different brands of lights to buy but the extra installation info is great!

I was originally just going to hook them up to the upfitter switch and turn them on and off as needed but the more I think about it, that is not the best idea. For instance, if I was plowing a driveway I would want them on when backing up but not when I'm going forward (the whole disturbing other people, possibly illegal thing...) But I sure as heck wouldn't want to keep flicking the switch at every change of direction!! So I will go with Lou's style of install: upfitter switch as power and reverse wire tap as trigger. That eliminates being able to turn them on to work behind the truck w/out putting the truck in reverse and setting the parking brake(done that many times). But considering the frequency of different scenarios I think linking the new lights with the reverse makes the most sense.

I will definitely look for the autozone lights to hide them above the hitch - that is a great install!
I am also going to install a permanant amber strobe on my backrack at the same time. And while looking for the strobe I found a nice spotlight that can be rotated from inside the cab that can be installed on the backrack as well. This could be my work light, controlled by another upfitter switch. That will still leave me with one more for an as yet unplanned project.

And if these lighting projects go well (on my '05) I can repeat everything on the '06 and '07...

Again, thanks for the helpful info.

 

With a plow truck, have you done an SEIC mod?

 

since I don't know what that is - no

 

Texastech,
The SEIC mod you are referring to is that the high idle and if so I did that last night the only thing I would like to figure out is how to bypass using the parking brake to use the high idle.
Any suggestions would be great.

HDFXRUSA

 

I took a set of plow lights and mounted them on the back rack.
The corner amber lights are wired in as additional turn signals, brake lights and running lights.
The high beams are wired in to be used as work lights, turned on as needed.
For snow plowing the low beans are wired as discussed above to a switch on the dash, 02 pre upfitter switch, so when turned on they come on when ever the truck is placed in reverse

There was some talk that the amber lights facing rearward was not allowed,
BUT
I have never been stopped and never had a problem with the yearly Ma. State inspection

Just picked up my new 08 F350 yesterday, so now its time to install all the other good stuff.

 

The White Knight Backup lights are pretty good for a reasonable amount of money, <$100. Here is what they look like and are wired to go on in backup mode. Also have a switch to turn on manually if you like.



http://www.whitenight.com/

 

The SEIC is a staionary elevated idle control module built into your computer. Depending on which wire you use it either just holds RPMs at 1200 or varies the RPMs above 1200 far battery charging. I basically use it in the summer for quick air and the winter for faster warmups. The wires are either orange labeled PTO or purple/green chaser labeled SEIC (in my '07 thats how I found them) in a bundle right behind the drivers fuse panel. You can search for SEIC/ High Idle threads to find out more info and more guys who did it.

Bypass the parking brake? The only thing I could think of would be to find what ever wire sends the signal that the pedal is depressed to the warning lamp on the dash or to the computer (if there are these) and see if messing with that affects the seic mod. But I have no idea which wires, the effect on the engine and driveability, or even if those wires (again if theyre there) affect the idle. But hey if you go looking you might could be the first to do it.

 

Lonewolftx- the white night backup kit is pretty cool, however I see 2 major problems with that system: 1) it covers up the safety chain rings, so it would be hard, if not impossible, to hook up your chains. 2) it places the lights in the absolute worst place to get smashed if you are backing up to a trailer and come in just a little off the mark. I tow a trailer about 50%-75% of the time, depending on which truck I'm driving, so I don't think these would be a good option for me. But for those who don't tow much I think they are a great, easy to install option.

As for the high idle mod - I have thought about it but for me I don't think it's necessary. Winters around here are COLD, sometimes as cold as -30 and very often in the -10, -20 range. At those temperatures I think it's best to wait until the truck kicks itself into high idle. Anything earlier than that seems like it would be bad for the motor with the oil being so cold.

 

Well mine haven't interfeared with my tow hook loops. I can access just fine. But Yes, they are close to the hitch so you need to be careful while backing up as you can smash them if you "miss".

 

This could be an easy solution:
http://mototrixonline.com/shopping/p...php?id=25&=SID

 

This is awesome. Gotta get me one. Do they sell direct?