I am thinking about doing something unique with my stock reverse lights on my 1999F350:
I have auxilliary lights mounted below my bumper angled slightly outwards to be able to see when I am backing at night,
I presently have removed the bulbs from my stock reverse lights and am wondering if I can wire in a common turn signal flasher into each side (and add may be a blue bulb) to make them flash alternatly kind of like a poor man's wig-wag deal for added safety so folks can see that something is going on back there??? Opinions??

 

First off, forget the blue light. It's illegal in most states, and is for cops only.

2nd, if you use electronic flashers for each bulb, they will flash, but not in any specific order. It will just be a random side to side flash, depending on what flasher happened to take off first.

If you want to do this, and really get attention, I would buy one of these. It will alternate like you want, and has many other programmable patterns, and uses strobe lights which really get attention. But it's expensive too.

http://www.lshlights.com/AMAZING/itemdesc.asp?CartId={BCE9EVERESTF4CA-38B8-41C7-80DF-E44213266B53}&ic=S690CCCC&eq=&Tp=

 

Franklin2 gives good advice. Also it would be better to keep the white imo

 

You can use a relay (NC contacts) and hot circuit to energize the BU light when the TS bulb is in the OFF cycle. You might need to take your on\off signal (to disable the BU light hot circuit) from the turn signal circuit before the flasher can. Go to the junk yard and collect some relays, you can do almost anything with them; see the12volt.com for more info.

 

I have quite a bit of input, so bear with me.

Before you alter your factory lights, you may want to check with your state's DOT regulations and the specifics of your vehicle state inspection requirements. I'm not sure what state you are from, but in Pennsylvania, if the factory lights are NOT working as they came from the factory at the time of inspection, they will not pass your vehicle until the lights are fixed or repaired. If your vehicle was in PA and the factory reverse lights did not come on steady burn when you put the trans in reverse, they would not pass it.

I work for a company which does upfits on police and fire vehicles. We have installed just about everything in the book when it comes to emergency vehicle warning lights. Typically, a new vehicle is dropped off to us and when the vehicle leaves our facility, it is ready to be put into service that second. We also do repairs and upgrades. I've been in this line of work for over 15 years and have been in the fire service since 1988.

As mentioned above, in many states, the colors you flash may be illegal. In PA, red is fire & EMS emergency vehicles (fire engines, trucks, chiefs, ambulances), blue is volunteer fire & EMS personnel, red & blue is police, amber is construction. You are allowed (2) flashing white lights, but only if you are an authorized fire or police vehicle, and typically the wig-wag headlights are those (2) white lights. Does everyone follow these rules? No, of course not, but I remember a few years ago when a large construction company had strobes in the tail lights (flashing red) and in their front corner lights (flashing clear) and they got fined BIG time by the state police. All of their vehicles had to be changed over to amber before they were allowed back on the job site which was, I believe the Turnpike.

I know from experience there is room to put insertable strobes in your reverse light housings and retain your factory reverse light bulb. The new insertable LED's will also fit, but are expensive compared to a strobe system. If you'd like to, check out our website and give us a call. We'd be more than happy to help you out with a system or just discuss options for your F-350. J-Tech Emergency Lighting Vehicle Lighting Company

As for your idea, it will work if wired properly. Just check with your state first and see what their regulations are with factory lights for inspection.

 

ExpySport... I was wondering what is the best way to drill the holes in my headlights for the 1" strobe install, they say to use a drill bit or hole saw.... I used a drill bit on one of my harley show bikes, was as carefull as could be but still the chrome reflector chipped and you could see it around the strobe... dont want this to happen again on my truck. what is your suggestion or how do you guys do it ?
Thanks

 

We utilize the same basic idea. However, there is a special 1" hole saw we obtain from the manufacturer of the strobes (Nova, Whelen) which has a different tooth arrangement to lessen the chipping effect you mention. A standard hole saw will chip the chrome. The only other hole saw I have had great results with is one I got from Ace Hardware. It has a finer tooth arrangement than, say, a wood hole saw. Key to drilling the hole is to not put too much pressure on the hole saw while you are drilling. The more pressure you apply, the more heat will build-up and the heat will loosen the chrome from the plastic housing, allowing it to dislodge easier. Let the teeth do the work for you. This will also help lessen the chipping. Good luck and if you have any more questions, feel free to ask!