So I'm a complete novice when it comes to off-roading, and have no problem admitting it upfront. My 97 Expedition is still a "civilian" vehicle, not a trail toy. With that said, I've found myself wanting or needing better lighting all around for situations where stock or aftermarket headlights just don't measure up.

So after cleaning up the garage, I found these in a box, long forgotten since 2002...


All use H3 bulbs, except for the four "Sport Truck" housings which also have these 12v 50w Spot Lights. 5 seconds on Google produced many suitable bulbs for both.


My truck has a dedicated Auxiliary box for additional circuits. Required swapping to a shorter Ebay intake and filter to make space. I know it'll lose 5hp or so due to intake temperature, so let's not go into that.


And the overhead console has been modified for 5 window-style switches. It was built as a 97 XLT 4x4 with 3rd row seats and Rear Heat & A/C, so there were no pop-out quarter windows or sunroof. Perfect spot to put toward better use, by utilizing stock Ford parts for proper fit & finish. All but the right-side switch go through a latching relay board to turn them into push-on/push-off switches. The last one remains as a momentary rocker switch, exactly what's needed for a winch. All of them go to the Aux Box to trigger relays for their respective circuits, all on independent circuits.


Since it was nice out today and I just redid the Reverse Camera wiring to add a relay connected to a Manual Override switch in the Overhead Console, I thought I'd do a quick mockup of the Rear Lights. They're intended to mount to the hitch with big zip-ties and have slotted holes for adjustment, but I'll probably use some 2-3" pipe clamps for reliability


My focus for the rear lights is to have good usable lighting if I have to do work after dark, or hitch up a trailer. LED bulbs will most likely happen for efficiency.

With all of that said, where do the more experienced guys/gals mount auxiliary lighting for everything BUT the front?

 

Sunny and in the 60s today, perfect time to finish things up.

Made a laminated label for my Auxiliary Fuse Box


And one non-laminated one for the switches in my overhead console. Switches are the stock overhead console ones from an Eddie Bauer model with sunroof, plus a couple 97-03 F150 window switches. Will be refinishing them with the desired text/symbols sometime in the future.


Nudged the lights inward a bit from last time, then mounted them for good. Bar clamps were to see how it looked beforehand.


Lights are on a dedicated 20A circuit, that is the lowest amp JCASE fuse made. Bulbs are still H3 Halogens, but it'll do for now. Backup camera override is on a 5A circuit (ATM fuse like the inside fuse box). I could have probably used a 1 or 2A fuse, but didn't have any on hand. Camera is mounted on the upper license plate bolts.

This setup makes it pretty easy to hitch up a trailer, even in the dark. Pretty clever eh?