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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
I have an 06 ford explorer and i was wondering if anyone has put rear facing led light bars or pods or some sort of rear facing lights i have tinted windows so its super hard to back a boat down a boat ramp at 4Am in the dark without rolling the windows down. so does anyone have any suggestions or have they ever added lights to the back?
I did a set of 4" square 27W LEDs on a 97,using the roof rack TRACKS as a mounting point. I inverted the provided mounting bolt, forcing the head into the rearmost area of the track. I then purchased matching flange nuts to complete the mounts. I won't go further in details, as it would differ on a 4G, I mention it for reference. Anyway, I then wire inline fuse 20A from battery to new accessory relay on fender. From there I bring one wire into the cab to trigger the relay, adding a lighted switch on the center console. I sourced a ground behind the trim, and used a mini fuse tap to source the low draw 12V from the interior fuse block. This will light the switch as well as triggering the relay. This harness was for off road work lights. Brighter than headlamps. If you want reverse lights only, it's quite simple to tap the trigger voltage straight from behind the bulb connector. You won't need a switch, or anything in the cab. Just dedicated fused power to the relay triggered by your stock lamps. I have seen these under the bumper, and a simple loop hood can be fabbed for protection.
I have an 03 sport and I just cut a hole in my bumper and put in a led flush mount pod.
Works pretty well on its own switch and harness. I really didn't mind cutting into my bumper since I had just gotten rear ended but that may be a different situation for you.
i have an 03 sport and i just cut a hole in my bumper and put in a led flush mount pod.
Works pretty well on its own switch and harness. I really didn't mind cutting into my bumper since i had just gotten rear ended but that may be a different situation for you.
yes I love those light one problem I don't have a roof rack or crossbars.....
so saying that how would I mount those without the rack or cross bars and still look good?
Not sure about that. If you can't install a bar into the roof rails, and you don't want to drill into your roof, I would think your other options would be down below the bumper or integrated into it.
Also, have you considered INSIDE the truck? Might be a little odd but it worked for my emergency lights. See thread below.
I like the idea of improved lighting to the rear. The stock back-up lights on all three of my explorers are sadly lacking.
However, I would definitely have these auxiliary reverse lights set up on a separate switch so I could be sure to only use them when they wouldn't end up blinding people behind me. Lots of times, one wants to drive in reverse but doesn't need or want the additional light. However, other times, I'd really love to be able to see more clearly behind me, and would very much appreciate some serious light back there.
I suppose the stock back-up lights are a compromise between blinding people behind you versus having enough light to do a bit of reversing. They also act as a signal to people behind you that you've got it in reverse.
Particularly in off-road and camping situations, it would really be great to be able to see the ground and obstacles to the rear a lot better than the stock reverse lights allow.
Backing a boat into or pulling one out of the water is another good example of a situation calling for better light to the rear.
I've got some nice 27 watt LED units that I plan to install on my '96 explorer. If I ever get around to it, I'll post some details of how it goes.
I only have this one picture and it doesnt really show the light too well, but you can tell its there on the left hand side. Its really bright for such a small light
I only have this one picture and it doesnt really show the light too well, but you can tell its there on the left hand side. Its really bright for such a small light
Thats a little more difficult for us with the bumper cover over bumper bar with the hitch. This is exactly what I had planned and it was a no go.
I went with some cheap stick-on LED light "bars" that are supposed to be daytime running lights. $8 for a set of 2 on eBay. Pretty bright and cheap. I tapped the trailer wiring and used some weatherproof connectors so if the lights fail, swapping them out are simple and quick and doesn't require any additional electrical work. Copious use of dielectric grease is HIGHLY recomended
Too late now but ruff stuff specialties (.com) has some slim led's with about if not more lumens than the ones frankcal posted but they aren't exactly cheap.
I just installed a pair like frankcal's and they are crazy bright...definitely happy with them.
Yeah I figured it was different for you 3rd gens but just thought I'd give an idea of what could be done. I simply did mine because i had been rear ended and didn't mind chewing up the bumper a little bit more.
The lights you posted seem like they would work great under the hood for some late night repairs.
I have one LED wired up to a toggle switch on my swing arm:
Here's the backside of it:
Here's the front side:
It puts out plenty of light for hooking up a trailer in the dark or even reversing at night. I need to put another one on that faces forward so when the swing arm is open, I can light up the area as a work light.
