What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

my backup lights suck.

I had some on my zuk wired up on a toggle and they would come on when I put the truck in reverse. Turned them on once and the ticket was 110 bucks. Took the toggle off. I am pretty sure I bumped the switch to turn them on

I used the smallest lights I could find at Wal Mart they were like 20 bucks easy to mount and very small so easy to protect. Plan on doing the same thing with Horton
 
Good point about the little lights. My buddy and I were just looking at those for his wagon.

Would you just hang them under the bumper?
 
This is the first pic I ran across of when my truck used to be a truck but you can see up in the corner where I mounted my little lights...

It's been covered but my vote is to buy the smallest/cheapest lights you can find at Auto Zone/WalMart/Kragen/Etc and put them on an independent switch. Most of the time I didn't need them but when I was somewhere that wasn't well lit I could kick them on.

Mounting them here protects them very well since they're under the bumper but above the hitch so I'd drag the hitch before they got smushed. :)
100_6297.jpg
 
I have run into this same problem while backin up on a trail at night.
I have some cheapo square lights that the PO installed in the grill gaurd.
When i add a roof rack, they will be mounted to rack and angled slightly down. I think itll work great.
 
Picked up a $20 set at WallyWorld yesterday. Going to hang them next to the hitch like some of you have done.

I'm not going to run a switch, just patch into the reverse lights' power.

-Should I have a fuse, relay or something in there?
-Anybody know what the reverse lights wire colors are? I have my '86 truck FSM but not sure if the Blazer uses the same color(s)?
 
I think you're better off to wire them up independently from the harness for the factory reverse lights. In many cases you don't need them on (parking lots, etc.)
Plus I wouldn't trust the factory harness to pull power from for two more lights (even if they are small low draw bulbs).

If you think you really want to have them come on with the reverse lights use the factory harness to fire a relay that powers the lights that way they'll come on when you put it in reverse but won't draw power through the harness.
 
I dunno, the factory harness is considered good enough to power a trailer light setup, that has to say something.

Decisions, decisions...dremu!
 
I had 2 el-cheapo 55w walmart driving lights mounted on my frame in existing holes between the bumper and rear axle. They were sorta pointed down and out so as to light up the ground around the whole backside of the truck. I just spliced them into my reverse light circuit, never had any electrical problems with them and they sure made it easier to see anything at night.
 
I have a pair of el-cheapo 55w fog lights mounted between the two tubes of my rear bumper. They are my only reverse lights and they work GREAT. Had to get a new set to replace one because they weren't submersible :dunno: and the reflector inside one rusted. Now I have a spare. I hooked them up direct to the factory wiring and have been using them for about seven years.
 
i put 2 driving lights on my rear rollbar. i wired them to a 3-position toggle. 1:off (normal driving), 2:on in reverse (night offroading), 3:always on (for loading, doing trail fixes on tailgate, etc.). they work great.
 
there are some smaller, add-on back up lights most auto parts stores sell, alot smaller than the "fog lights" and usually have the fluted lenses which is really what you want for a back up light, it's better to have the lilght flood rather than a spot like most of the fog lights produce.

I still have the 55watt back-up bulbs in my stock housings, and can only use my mirrors at night due to blacked out tinted windows, they work great.
 
I ended up with some small foglights. I figured for $20 I'd give them a try. If I could find actual replacement backup bulbs for cheaper than $21+shipping I'd run them again as I have in the past...but I couldn't and this was cheaper.
 
As I said, no one had any clue. NAPA, AutoZone, Advanced, etc. JCWhitney has them and a big auto accessories place here has them but screw it, the add on lights are cheaper.
 
Fog lights do have fluted lenses and are designed to spread wide and low when aimed right. I have mine mounted waist high and aimed level and get about 180 degree pattern from side to side (perfect for my needs when backing up). Driving lights have the spot pattern you refer to.

4xcrazy said:
there are some smaller, add-on back up lights most auto parts stores sell, alot smaller than the "fog lights" and usually have the fluted lenses which is really what you want for a back up light, it's better to have the lilght flood rather than a spot like most of the fog lights produce.

I still have the 55watt back-up bulbs in my stock housings, and can only use my mirrors at night due to blacked out tinted windows, they work great.
Click to expand...
 
Mine sucked too then I realized the bulbs were burned out :doah:went to O'Reilly auto parts to get replacements and right next to the standard bulbs they had the 50 watt halogen bulbs. Haven't tried them out but should be much better than none. I just hope they don't melt the plastic socket. On the back it says "Do not use in plastic sockets" If they melt I'll just rig up some kind of a metal socket. $8.99 for a 2 pack. Standard bulbs were 2.99 for a 2 pack. Here's the part number.

Eiko 1156 Halogen Back Up 12v 50w
H1156BP2 or H1156-BP2
 
Hrm, I actually now live where O'Reilly's exist...have to give them a call.

For the record I've ran other 50w backup bulbs in plastic sockets without dramatic episodes. Others on here have reported doing so as well...bet that's just a CYA label by the maker.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom