I ordered the Ford rear identification light assembly for the late-model dually (actually made by Grote) not because I need it, but because I think it will really complement the way the back of the truck looks at night. This picture might help visualize things...



I'm going to fasten it to my truck's (SRW) bed just below the tailgate hinge, and above the bumper, using the perfectly spaced, factory-drilled holes. I picked up some 3/8 stainless carriage bolts and nylocks to keep it looking new. That was the easy part.

Here is a behind-the-scenes picture that reveals the wiring...



As you can see, it has a plug that was designed to be attached to the dually harness -- which my truck obviously doesn't have. I was planning on snipping it off so I could crimp/solder an eyelet to the black (?) wire that could then be grounded to the bed, hidden behind by this assembly, using a small sheetmetal screw. Does that sound like a decent idea so far?

The last piece of the puzzle is to figure out how to feed the hot (white?) wire so it will illuminate only when I turn the parking/licenseplate/tail lights on. Should I tap in to the trailer harness or maybe one of the taillights some how? If so, what color wire is it going to be?

 

Subscribing... I want to do the same mod to my 2005 F350 SWD.

 

Its a nice mod ,done it on all 3 trucks i've owned.
They changed the the color codes in the newer trucks for rear Marker/Parking lamps.
looking at my schematics 06 used a Brown wire for marker/parking +12 Black was ground-12

Now in 08 Its Violet/white tracer +12 and black /white tracer.
2010 who knows ,just probe the harnness .

Rich

 

also subscribing for my 06

 

I would just tap the hot wire into the license plate wire since it is the closest and is on anytime the taillights are on, just use a 12v test light to find which wire is +12v.

 

Here it is mounted on my truck.





I just snipped the plug off and used a scotch lock to tap into the running light and the ground.

 

I put one on mine a few years back, I ran mine and tapped it into the trailer wiring, figuring if i ever have an issue im just out trailer lights, not vehicle lights. It really did make a huge difference on mine, just added the utility light backups underneath as well. Good Luck!!

 

I like that mod...

 

Are you guys using the OEM or aftermarket lights?

 

Mine are OEM, just like the pics in the 1st post.

 

I'm planning to add the same thing soon.

I had the idea, to either find a junked DRW harness and cut the connection off, then splice the connector into my harness, or else buy the connector and build it myself.

My thought behind it is so if it ever gets hit by a trailer tounge or for some reason needs to be replaced, I can just unplug it, and plug the new one in.

 

I went to a local parts house and bought one made by grote, for a reasonable price, which I believe is the company that manufactures the OEM ones.

 

Here is a link to Grote:

http://grote.com/prodcat/B.html

 

I like that idea, Keep it easy and simple. Wouldn't even need a tester to locate the wire....just tap into the wire at the bumper ahead the light.

 

On my F-250 I used one of the 60 inch, LED light strips just under the tailgate. This way I have lights that serve as running lights, turn signals and brake lights. The cost $40, the install, plug into trailer light plug.