How do I wire some lights into the rear lights

[rock883]

Ok, I have some little driving lights that shoot out a wired pattern (higher than the high beams, and lower then the low beams) I can't aim them because where I have them but they look really cool where I have them put at. But there is no use for them in the front and I can never see when I am backing upi at night. I want to put those lights under the rear bumper and wire them up to the backup lights so they come on when I shift into reverse. Does anyone know how I could do this? I know Ira can help me out here, since the've helped me with all of my other wiring problems. Thanks for the help.

 

[A91EBexplorer4x4]

Rock883,
here you go , i have a 91 EB and this is what id do if i was to hook up the lights like you are talking about, it is relatively easy.on the early models you will open the back gate and see two screws over the tail light remove those and the rest kinda un snaps from the body, then you will see the wires that run directly into the light . you can splice into those wires use conectors for a good job but duck tape will work if you want a shotty job. run the wires , mount the lights and you should be in business. maybe about 30-45 minute job.

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1991 Eddie Bauer 4x4
K&N drop,in Modified air box. 3" lift 31x10.5's
Dunlop R/v's. Sway bar quick disc.http://www.freeyellow.com/members8/91fordexplorer/index.html

 

[rock883]

Ok, thanks for the help. I need to know which wires I run to where. On the lights I have a power and a ground. On the lights on the explorer, there are probably two on there already, so do you know which ones go where or should I just kinda mess around to figure it out? Thanks.

 

[mikefox]

Here is another option for this. I wired mine up on my '95 to only come on when the headlights are on and you shift into reverse. All you have to do is wire in a relay that provides power to the relay from the taillights and when you shift into reverse your back up lights come on. If you have never used a relay before and don't feel comfortable doing so then just use the other setup. I wanted to only use mine when it is dark out. If you want more info on my setup email me and I can try to write it out in more detail. Good luck.

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mike fox
95 XLT 4D 4X4
Dynomax cat-back exhaust
Vent shades
Sony deck and 10 disc changer
Gabriel VST shocks
Torsion twist
Longer shackles (Pep Boys $15.00 brand)
Westin Safari bar up front 9just need some lights now)

Future mods:
Westin nerf bars

 

[raven2]

I was going to do the same, but I thought even better would be to have a switch to turn them on like when you are hooking up the strap, or shoveling the snow out from the tires.

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91 Sport
"Drive it like ya stold it"

 

[rock883]

I can do either the switch, which is what I might do, and all I have to do is run the wires from the front to the back, cause I still have them all hooked upi from when I had them in the front. Or I could justrun the ground from the lights and splice the other wire into the backup bulb, but I think I will just go ahead and hook them up to the switch cause then if I need to see something back there besides when I am backing up then I can with the switch. Thanks for the help.

 

[A91EBexplorer4x4]

ROCK883,
hey you can hook both the swith and straight to the reverse light all you have to do is run an extra power wire from a swith to the power wire on the lights. oh and another tip id use a ground on the truck not the ground wire on the reverse lights. e-mail me if you have any more questions ill tell you how. Later

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1991 Eddie Bauer 4x4
K&N drop in filter, Modified air box.
3" lift 31x10.50's
Dunlop R/V's.
Sway bar quick disconects disc.http://www.freeyellow.com/members8/91fordexplorer/index.html

[This message has been edited by A91EBexplorer4x4 (edited 04-12-2000).]

 

[rock883]

I got it done today. I decided just to wire them into the reverse lights, it only took me like 15 min. all I did was splice the wire from the lights to the backup lights and then run the ground. It is like 300 times better than stock (probably not 300 but its a lot better than stock backups) I can cover up my backup lights and it barely dims the backup lighting. If anyone can't see when they backup at night, and want to put some lights back there I would really reccomend it.

 

[mattadams]

Wow what a coincidence I jsut this evening finished wiring my reverse lights in! Mine took a while longer, had a few more obstacles to overcome. I didn't want the lights to come on EVERY time I was in reverse or knowing my luck i'd have the light covers on and do a lot of reversing and burn out the covers (and burning plastic is NOT a good smell). So I hooked it up to a switch that like the other lights can only come on when the vehicle is on. This added the complication of coming through the body, fortunately enough along the bottom rails there are plenty of grommets (unlike the firewall which is a whole other story). I pulled the power off a fuse block I have installed under my rear seat, and the relay is mounted to the frame near the gas tank. The lights are PIAA 1500 fog lights with the clear lenses (can't really be found in too many stores - you'd have to go through PIAA for this type of configuration) and are about 2"x6" and will be welded to the rear bumpers soon. Now I have four light switches and two locker switches, its like a friggin switch zoo in there! LOL. I do agree they do make backing up much easier, I'll post pictures of the installation when I have them.

Watch out tailgaters! I don't have to be in reverse for these lgihts to come on! Dead Link Removed

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Matt Adams
94 Explorer 4-door nick-named "Tippy" http://bart.is-s.com/~explorers/explorer/explorer.html

[This message has been edited by mattadams (edited 04-12-2000).]

 

[Bob Saf]

I use backup lights one every truck I owned. The best lights a have found are used for salt spreaders. I mount them under the bumper and wire them in the reverse light circuit. This way them come on every time you backup. These light are rubber mounted and flipup when they hit something.

Bob S
1994 xlt 4x4 4dr
front and rear class 3 hitch

 

[rock883]

Hey Matt, that would be the only reason why I would hook them up to a switch cause of tailgaters, but I figured, with my luck, I would make them get in a wreck and although I can't stand people riding my tail, i would feel really bad if I got someone hurt from that.