Brighter Reverse Lights
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: Fredericksburg, VA
I bought a cheap ($20) pair of fog lights, or you could use tractor lights, and hung them under the bumper (or use the hitch). Tapped into the reverse light wire in the trailor hitch; the whole project took less than 30 minutes and the difference is amazing. It does lower ground clearance when backing up, therefore I didn't tighten the brackets too much. I have backed into a couple of concrete parking blocks, and they just swung up, then I pushed them back down.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 1
I bought a set of the reverse lights that mount to the hitch with brackets. I have them tucked up high so you cant even see them unless you bend over. They came with 55w bulbs but I installed 100w bulbs. Hooked them to the upfitter switches (using a relay of course) and now its bright enough to get a sun tan back there.
You can do the same thing by hooking in to your reverse light rather than the upfitter (or both if you use a resistor) but I wanted mine on a switch so I can see when I am hooking up a trailer, playing in the woods, or whatever. The lights are especially funny when the teenage girl on the cell phone is 3 feet from the bumper and you hit the lights. I think thats known as a brake check.
You can do the same thing by hooking in to your reverse light rather than the upfitter (or both if you use a resistor) but I wanted mine on a switch so I can see when I am hooking up a trailer, playing in the woods, or whatever. The lights are especially funny when the teenage girl on the cell phone is 3 feet from the bumper and you hit the lights. I think thats known as a brake check.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
I bought a set of the reverse lights that mount to the hitch with brackets. I have them tucked up high so you cant even see them unless you bend over. They came with 55w bulbs but I installed 100w bulbs. Hooked them to the upfitter switches (using a relay of course) and now its bright enough to get a sun tan back there.
You can do the same thing by hooking in to your reverse light rather than the upfitter (or both if you use a resistor) but I wanted mine on a switch so I can see when I am hooking up a trailer, playing in the woods, or whatever. The lights are especially funny when the teenage girl on the cell phone is 3 feet from the bumper and you hit the lights. I think thats known as a brake check.
You can do the same thing by hooking in to your reverse light rather than the upfitter (or both if you use a resistor) but I wanted mine on a switch so I can see when I am hooking up a trailer, playing in the woods, or whatever. The lights are especially funny when the teenage girl on the cell phone is 3 feet from the bumper and you hit the lights. I think thats known as a brake check.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Caprang,
Excellent idea. I love the upfitter switch better than the reverse light hookup. I have the ones that hang off the bumper on my 06 but I like your idea much better. Please do provide a pic. Thanks.
Excellent idea. I love the upfitter switch better than the reverse light hookup. I have the ones that hang off the bumper on my 06 but I like your idea much better. Please do provide a pic. Thanks.
Last edited by gwcon; Jan 7, 2009 at 08:52 PM. Reason: wrong spelling. Not to smart just work hard!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 1
From: Snohomish, Washington
I bought two tractor lights at NAPA for 3 bucks apiece, switched out the bulbs with 25 Million candlepower lightbulbs and they light up really well. I hooked them to one of the uplifter switches.
I put mine on either side of the hitch mount above the chain hook holes facing out diagonally to each side. This worked because I have a Superhitch instead of the stock hitch setup.
I put mine on either side of the hitch mount above the chain hook holes facing out diagonally to each side. This worked because I have a Superhitch instead of the stock hitch setup.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 1
You will love them if you ever hook up a trailer at night, pull a boat out of the water at night or anytime you need lights behind you and dont want to turn the truck around. I have tinted windows and had to roll them down to back up before I installed the lights. My truck has the back up camera (best option on the whole truck) but with the stock reverse lights it wasnt that useful at night. I cant think of a down side to adding these lights.
Just my 2 cents - I always like to use a relay when running wire the length of the truck. I used to have a diagram of wiring a relay so if I can find it I will post it. They are well worth the $2-3 they cost.
Just my 2 cents - I always like to use a relay when running wire the length of the truck. I used to have a diagram of wiring a relay so if I can find it I will post it. They are well worth the $2-3 they cost.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 1
Its easier than it looks.
85 - ground
30 - Battery (I put an in line fuse on this one)
86 - To the upfitter switch of your choice
87 - To your lights (or whatever accessory you might want to run)
This relay adds protection and also prevents voltage drop. I installed mine inside the frame rail by the spare tire.
85 - ground
30 - Battery (I put an in line fuse on this one)
86 - To the upfitter switch of your choice
87 - To your lights (or whatever accessory you might want to run)
This relay adds protection and also prevents voltage drop. I installed mine inside the frame rail by the spare tire.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,196
Likes: 0
aux reverse lights are awsome.
here's a vid of mine
http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/g...t=R-Lights.flv
here's a vid of mine
http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/g...t=R-Lights.flv
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 18
From: Millersburg, OH
Nice big long thread about the same thing.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...with-pics.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...with-pics.html