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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: enginethatcould on October 17, 2010, 01:08:48 PM

Title: Reverse light ideas
Post by: enginethatcould on October 17, 2010, 01:08:48 PM
As some may know, I am doing a comp cut and stretch. I will be running flush mount LED tail lights with the corners, but I didn't spend the money and buy the ones that had the reverse light in it. So now I need to figure out a solution. I recently bought a BTF rear stretch bumper and thought about drilling into it and wiring the reverse lights into it. Just looking for some ideas and suggestions for reverse lights and would like to here your thoughts and opinions. TIA.
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: jfrabat on October 17, 2010, 02:43:47 PM
Why not just use flood lights?  Youll also get better lighting on the trail when backing out...
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: enginethatcould on October 17, 2010, 02:47:20 PM
That's not a bad idea, I hadn't thought of that.
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: sharpxmen on October 17, 2010, 03:04:19 PM
there are some really small projector lights (spherical type) which i got for the same purpose from ebay for $15 a pair - they are water sealed, probably not great for driving lights but for sure would be better than the stock reverse lights (they come with 55W halogen bulbs), about 1.5'' in diameter and black in color and with black mounting brackets as well.
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: Jeffy on October 17, 2010, 03:07:44 PM
You can buy a cheap $10 flood that will work.  I use an expensive PIAA driving light since I had one laying around.  Just run one light as it's most likely 55w which should be OK with the stock harness as long as you don't run two lights.
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: Torch_Ind on October 17, 2010, 04:25:55 PM
You can buy a cheap $10 flood that will work.


do you guys have pic's of your reverse lights your using "day & Night" shots?

I also just put in LEDs this summer but never needed reverse lights cause it was always day light. now that the days are getting shorter I'm going to have to add something as well.

also were are these 10$ flood lights?
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: TrailsLessTaken on October 17, 2010, 08:13:54 PM
You can pick the lights up at you local Tractor Supply or Farm ad Fleet kinda stores. Wal-mart and Autozone usually have some cheap lights also.  I think most Napa's also carry some tractor flood lights, just look around they arent to hard to find
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: sharpxmen on October 17, 2010, 09:12:06 PM
here, from low to high price ($13 to $20) singles or pairs

 http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-halogen-vehicle-work-light-93904.html

 http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-off-road-light-system-95811.html

 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Projector-Beam-Halogen-Fog-Driving-Light-Lamps-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27a6a505a8QQitemZ170299557288QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: Jeffy on October 17, 2010, 09:54:12 PM
here, from low to high price ($13 to $20) singles or pairs

 http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-halogen-vehicle-work-light-93904.html

 http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-off-road-light-system-95811.html

 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Projector-Beam-Halogen-Fog-Driving-Light-Lamps-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27a6a505a8QQitemZ170299557288QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories


Out of all of those, I'd choose the first one since it's a small 4"" housing.  The KC is a bit much for a reverse light.

Here's a pic of mine.
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_NUT3v0pNW04/S76Man4JnEI/AAAAAAAAOQE/5ZL6QgvyKag/s720/DSC_0002.jpg)
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: lanulos89 on October 18, 2010, 05:33:10 AM
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/54948849@N02/5093213530)

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/54948849@N02/5093213374/in/photostream/)

they are from overtons.com
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: TrailsLessTaken on October 18, 2010, 09:25:35 AM
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_6roifxYIFVU/SxSWUwx2VUI/AAAAAAAAAm8/YqJv070W-LA/s800/IMG_0019.JPG)

This is the best picture I have at the moment at work, I can take a better one later if you want.  I got the ones on the rear bumper hooked up to reverse via a relay and then I also have the ones on the roll bar hooked up on a switch to throw some light out from a little higher up and those are also powered by a relay.  If you hook up just one pair I would do it through a 3 position switch that is run something like auto - off - on; that way in auto you dont have to worry about it, but if youre wheeling at night and the guy behind you gets stuck or breaks down then you can leave your jeep running and still throw the lights on to illuminate your work area.  Just my 2 bits
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: dwtaylorpdx on October 18, 2010, 09:31:56 AM
I use a "Tractor" light from the farm store, rubber housing and a tough flood style sealed beam bulb, I think it cost me like 12 dollars. Mounted it below the right tail and the tail gait snubber.

Just tagged it off the stock BU light circuit to the right light.

Then added a halogen replacement bulb on the left side in the stock housing.

Dave

Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: st.chevrolet on October 18, 2010, 12:51:17 PM

do you guys have pic's of your reverse lights your using "day & Night" shots?

I also just put in LEDs this summer but never needed reverse lights cause it was always day light. now that the days are getting shorter I'm going to have to add something as well.

also were are these 10$ flood lights?

Are you close to a Princess Auto store?
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: FourbangerYJ on October 18, 2010, 02:34:44 PM
Got mine from Napa. I made the mount.

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c331/FourbangerYJ/002-5.jpg)
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: Jeffy on October 18, 2010, 02:38:22 PM
Got mine from Napa. I made the mount.

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c331/FourbangerYJ/002-5.jpg)
I've thought about redoing my rear lights.  I was considering going all 2" round with either 2 or 3 lights.  I've also seen 5" with the 2" next to it as well.
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: FourbangerYJ on October 18, 2010, 02:44:30 PM
I've thought about redoing my rear lights.  I was considering going all 2" round with either 2 or 3 lights.  I've also seen 5" with the 2" next to it as well.
A few 2 inch lights would be cool. I have not seen any Jeeps with that set up. Mine are not LED just plain old bulbs. They have lasted since 96 without any problems. Plus they are way cheap!
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: Jeffy on October 18, 2010, 03:42:29 PM
A few 2 inch lights would be cool. I have not seen any Jeeps with that set up. Mine are not LED just plain old bulbs. They have lasted since 96 without any problems. Plus they are way cheap!
I like the big LED's.  They seem to have a great livespan.  They aren't as fragile as the small LED's.  LED's are shock resistant by their nature which is great in a Jeep.  The only problem I have is that I will need new corners or guards to do that.  I've also thought about moving them vertically like a Mitsubishi Jeep.

I've looked at the laws and for CA and I think most states, you only need one reverse light.  Like the Land Rover Defenders.

I haven't done this but if you run a rear flood/fog light you can run a relay and a DPDT switch so you can turn it on separate from having to be in reverse.
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: FourbangerYJ on October 18, 2010, 06:32:46 PM
I put the one in the middle of the spare on a switch. I ran like this for years and years with no back up lights. Same with a plate light. Never got caught.  :doggy:

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c331/FourbangerYJ/003-3.jpg)
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: Jeffy on October 18, 2010, 06:39:29 PM
What plate?   :lol:

I still don't have a plate light but I think everyone figures that the Jeep is old and it's lucky to even have lights.   :lol:
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: Eucalypta on October 19, 2010, 03:06:58 AM
I haven't done this but if you run a rear flood/fog light you can run a relay and a DPDT switch so you can turn it on separate from having to be in reverse.

In The Netherlands, that is illegal for the reason you can blind the car behind you whiledriving on the road by switching it accidentally (or deliberately) on.
Better check this in your country/state.
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: Jeffy on October 19, 2010, 02:25:39 PM
In The Netherlands, that is illegal for the reason you can blind the car behind you whiledriving on the road by switching it accidentally (or deliberately) on.
Better check this in your country/state.
Seems like that would be difficult to prove unless they caught you turning it on.
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: Eucalypta on October 19, 2010, 03:18:36 PM
Seems like that would be difficult to prove unless they caught you turning it on.

Ah yes but they have found something for that....Having the switch alone is illegal...
So if you get pulled over and they stumble on it...you are screwed and every year they check your car and you have to hide it very good or they will find it.
This makes all sorts of cool stuff impossible to have:
Big front lights switchable on from inside,any under the car lightning, big car horns, etc...

Yep..living in the USA is a blessing for car lovers...

BTW: I'd mount the back lights on the rear bumper; out of the way of any rocks you might crawl or mud you might cross.
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: Jeffy on October 19, 2010, 04:15:18 PM
Ah yes but they have found something for that....Having the switch alone is illegal...
So if you get pulled over and they stumble on it...you are screwed and every year they check your car and you have to hide it very good or they will find it.
This makes all sorts of cool stuff impossible to have:
Big front lights switchable on from inside,any under the car lightning, big car horns, etc...

Yep..living in the USA is a blessing for car lovers...

BTW: I'd mount the back lights on the rear bumper; out of the way of any rocks you might crawl or mud you might cross.
Hmm, that sucks.  At least you're not in Sweden where they hate all cars.

I haven't had any issues with my light even though it's a bit exposed.  I have no rear bumper so it's pretty close to the body.  I wanted to switch to a 'tractor' light and not an expensive PIAA.  It was only supposed to be there temporary but it's been there for a few years now.
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: jfrabat on October 19, 2010, 06:29:33 PM
I want to ad one of those tractor lights to mine also; pretty usefull to have more light when caking up in the middle of nowhere at night with a storm overhead...
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: Mozman68 on October 20, 2010, 11:26:32 AM
Mine are the 55w KC lights as those are the ones that fit into my bumper...current;y not going on....need to check that out this weekend... :confused:


(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3489/3959991215_afbc2ed088_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: Jeffy on October 20, 2010, 12:20:37 PM
Mine are the 55w KC lights as those are the ones that fit into my bumper...current;y not going on....need to check that out this weekend... :confused:
If those are connected to the stock wiring, I'd imagine you've overloaded the circuit.  You have 110w going through a circuit that's supposed to only have 50w through it.  Otherwise you need to run a relay.  Now if you're running a relay, check the relay itself, where ever it is.  Then check the reverse switch.
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: sharpxmen on October 20, 2010, 12:28:47 PM
If those are connected to the stock wiring, I'd imagine you've overloaded the circuit.  You have 110w going through a circuit that's supposed to only have 50w through it.  Otherwise you need to run a relay.  Now if you're running a relay, check the relay itself, where ever it is.  Then check the reverse switch.

hmm, didn't Moz have some rear lights wiring issues? I remember seeing a thread about that at some point :lol:
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: Jeffy on October 20, 2010, 12:39:48 PM
hmm, didn't Moz have some rear lights wiring issues? I remember seeing a thread about that at some point :lol:
You mean did he ever not have some rear wiring issues...  :wall:
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: Mozman68 on October 20, 2010, 01:16:40 PM
Har har har....it is wired separately and is just triggered by the stock wiring.....all is included in the KC back-up light kit including a relay.

(http://www.4wheelparts.com/aux_incl/images.ashx?i=517.jpg&partNo=K%2fC&w=380)
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: TrailsLessTaken on October 21, 2010, 07:34:48 AM
Har har har....it is wired separately and is just triggered by the stock wiring.....all is included in the KC back-up light kit including a relay.

(http://www.4wheelparts.com/aux_incl/images.ashx?i=517.jpg&partNo=K%2fC&w=380)


These are the same ones I added to my truck, they def help at night for backing up trailers.  I just need to add a switch to them so I can set them to either automatically come on or manually turn them on cause Im not a fan of having to leave the truck in park with the parking brake on
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: DodgeMudder on October 21, 2010, 02:54:42 PM
I run LEDS designed as for signal lights on EU cars.  They worked great when I had the pair, now since a broken tow strap took one out, I'm thinking of adding a set of cheap Wally world fogs as back-up lights, I think they will just be mounted to the roll bar, as I don't run a top anymore.
Title: Re: Reverse light ideas
Post by: aka-justin on October 23, 2010, 12:43:23 AM
As some may know, I am doing a comp cut and stretch. I will be running flush mount LED tail lights with the corners, but I didn't spend the money and buy the ones that had the reverse light in it. So now I need to figure out a solution. I recently bought a BTF rear stretch bumper and thought about drilling into it and wiring the reverse lights into it. Just looking for some ideas and suggestions for reverse lights and would like to here your thoughts and opinions. TIA.

You spawned some great dialogue, +1