Backup light install

[major]

Anyone want me to do a writeup on a backup light install i did a little while back. I just got a couple of pictures back so if its a halfway interesting topic ill write up what i did. Let me know Major

 

[aldive]

Sure, go for it.

 

[williecume]

yes please. i'm planning on getting some.

 

[jonny 5]

I know bigtigexplorer put a couple of lights on his eX he might have a writeup. Anyway, I hope someone does this so i can put a couple of lights on mine.

 

[mgv366]

Please do it!! Make it simple LOL!!! If you could also give details on how to install front lights, that would be great.

 

[major]

sorry for the hold up. Something in my computer monitor blew up last week at school. all of my pictures are in the computers harddrive at school. now im on my moms computer at home and she doesnt have a scanner. ill write up a install for you until i can get the pictures up. Major

 

[taxx]

not as complete as I am sure you might like it but here is one I did last fall.

Dead Link Removed

 

[major]

step 1: find a mounting position. I used a existing bolt that was part of the bumper bracket. If you look under the explorer you will see two bolts side by side for the bumper bracket. I took out one of those bolts and sandwiched a piece of metal strapping between it and the bumper. The strapping i used was the one you can find at lowes with the holes running down it. I couldnt find the piece of strapping that was already painted so i painted the piece i bought to deter rust for a while.
Step 2: run the wires. Ill just use the color codes from my wiring diagram that came with my hella optilux lights to tell you what goes where.
I grounded the blue wire from the light to the chasis. The blackwire was the hot so i ran it to the engine compartment via a hole i drilled the the pocket close to where the jack is and another in the firewall. be sure to install grommets so your wires will not be cut going through the holes. I recomend using the smallest one you can get your wires through to stop other things from coming through. I ran the wires under the carpet and through the gromet i installed at the engine compartment. The black wire then hooked to #87 on a 30 amp relay the kit supplied. 85 on my relay was the ground(I dont know if they are all the same but they should have a diagram of what goes where on the relay box) The red wire was run from the battery to the 30 space on the relay. fuse the red wire close to the battery.(it used a 15 amp fure in my case) from 86 on my relay I ran a yellow wire to the the center pole of a switch i mounted in my explorer. From the ground of the switch i ran blue again as the ground and screwed it to a bare metal part down by the parking break on the body. since thease were made to be foglights on the front i just ran the green wire that should hook to the headlight to the backup light power wire. on my 98 explorer it was a black wire with a pink stripe. be sure to fuse this connection too. the fuse should go on the green wire and a 2 amp one works for me. fuse close to the tap.
The lights should work after this and the wiring diagram was for a lighted switch. ill redo this when i get my computer up and have some pictures with a better written version but this should give some of you in a rush what to expect. for another mounting location i found that my lights would fit in my hatch opening where the licence plate is so that may work for some of you if you dont want them under the bumper. Major

 

[taxx]

If you are interested in having these come on with your reverse lights:

I agree with running a new power wire. While you are at it run a larger gauge wire and put a distribtion point inside the rear hatch for later projects (if you want). Then run the rest as instructed using the distibution box as you 12volt power supply to the relay.

To make them come on with your reverse lights:
Go to radio shack and buy a 12 volt automotive relay (they only have one). Use your existing "hot" wire for the power wire to this relay. Use the + wire to the lights for the output on this relay. And use a ground. For the wire that comes from the switching point splice into the wire powering your reverse lights (don't worry you aren't draining any power just using it as a switch).
Basically you are splicing into allt he wires used on the instructed install except the switch. The new switch is the reverse light.

Alternetively you can just use the relay that comes with the lights and trow away the switch.

 

[major]

acctually with the wiring i think i wrote right the backup lights do come on automatically but the switch is just to make them not come on anytime when you flip it. say if you flip the switch off they wont work if the backup lights are on. If the switch is on it will automatically turn them on. Major

 

[aldive]

My aux back up lights only work with the truck in reverse; I simply spliced their power lead into the power lead to the stocl back up lights.

Works great.

 

[radek78]

I just installed backup light made by PILOT whtat I got from AutoZone for just $24 they have easy instalation if you have hidden hitch or something like that , but I dont have aftermarket hitch so I install it right to my bumper, if you like pics I can post it tomorrow.

 

[taxx]

Originally posted by major
acctually with the wiring i think i wrote right the backup lights do come on automatically but the switch is just to make them not come on anytime when you flip it. say if you flip the switch off they wont work if the backup lights are on. If the switch is on it will automatically turn them on. Major

I appologize I read it too fast. Yours does say that. I have never seen a kit that is wired like yours with the wire to go to the headlights. Are the circuits seperate so that your reverse lights don't come on with the switch if you just want you aux lights?

So I guess if you don't have a kit like that use what I wrote, if you do then use the original instructions posted by major.

 

[radek78]

........ also wires I made same connection like aldive

 

[Black Magic]

An Aux switch is a great idea for those close moments on the road when you feel like you need a little more space between yourself and they guy behind you.

Also on my old truck I had two lights on each side facing the side of the truck. They were great for off roading or "Rear Hatching" (tailgating in an Explorer.) I had each side on a seperate switch.

 

[taxx]

Yeah, they are great. I use mine for putting my boat on the trailer at night.

 

[major]

taxxman2k: the stock reverse lights always come on its just to switch the aux lights from coming on if you didnt want them on for some odd reason. i may rewire it so the switch will override the backup lights so i can use them to see behind me when i have it in drive and to tell others to get off my bumper. Major

 

[aldive]

What is the legality of shining back up lights on someone while driving?

Thanks....

 

[taxx]

When I said seperate circuits I was just rambling I guess.

The legality I beleive is not legal! But chances are it isn't a cop tailgating you anyway!

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by taxxman2k
The legality I beleive is not legal! But chances are it isn't a cop tailgating you anyway!

So that makes it ok?

What if you shine some whaco and he/she illuminates the bacl of your truck with gunfire? Rode rage is a fact of life.

Be careful my friend.