advice on additional back-up lighting?

[sandcruiser]

you can get cheap 12v halogen spotlights at some hardware stores. MR11? they have 2 pins. Anyway... they often come with flush-mount brackets, and you could put 'em in the bumper. Mudrak has some on his truck, they work, I have them in my home, they are plenty bright.

50w is a lot of juice, but you don't usually back up for all that long, right?

using a relay from the battery (with a fuse) is a good idea to help the stock wiring.

Feit Electric 20 Watt MR16 Halogen Reflector Flood Bulbs, 72 Pack Clear - BPBAB/MP/72 at The Home Depot here is a link to some 20w bulbs. You probably don't need 72 of them.

 

[ntsqd]

If you place them further back under the rig then they can still be reasonably low and not be in anything near the same jeopardy of getting broken. Moving them forward of the rear bumper does little to reduce their effectiveness. BT, DT.

 

[mot]

If you can get a lamp that was specifically designed for backing up, that's what I would get!

Here's an example from IPF (817 Wide Scope Lamp at the bottom of the page), which has a 180° spread from just one light.

I've seen it on the top part of the hatchback, tire carrier, or mounted on/in/under the rear bumper.

G'luck!!

Mot


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[Jargonsix]

If you can get a lamp that was specifically designed for backing up, that's what I would get!

Here's an example from IPF (817 Wide Scope Lamp at the bottom of the page), which has a 180° spread from just one light.

I've seen it on the top part of the hatchback, tire carrier, or mounted on/in/under the rear bumper.

G'luck!!


.

Mot

do you know if we can get this in the US, those look awesome!!!

 

[mot]

Mot

do you know if we can get this in the US, those look awesome!!!

You can probably ask any IPF dealer, including Christo (Slee), if they can get the "817".

The last I checked, I belive ARB USA was the official importer/authorized rep of IPF in the US. They could probably tell you how to go about getting one as well.

Let me know if they can't get it for you for any reason!

Mot

 

[MANUCHAO]

If you can get a lamp that was specifically designed for backing up, that's what I would get!

Here's an example from IPF (817 Wide Scope Lamp at the bottom of the page), which has a 180° spread from just one light.

I've seen it on the top part of the hatchback, tire carrier, or mounted on/in/under the rear bumper.

G'luck!!

Mot


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.


.

Holy NIGHTSUN light batman... that's bright...

Those are bright...

 

[jfnall]

I have a single tractor style halogen mounted on the right side. on the vertical flat part. it doesn't help as much as i wanted it to, but with MOT's idea, it would be perfect.

i started with the light(s) up on the roof rack aiming down and out. BAD idea. there is so much glare off the back glass, i could see nothing but light. the upper rack rear lights are strictly for outside the rig camp/loading light.

 

[Sykoslug]

I have a cheapo 'Harbor Freight' 50W halogen work light mounted to the left side of my bumper on top of the end cap. I wired it to a switch so I can fire it up when parked and setting up camp, or when reversing. It does a good job and was easy to rig, and will be easy to maintain. Its easy to adjust as well. Plus if somebody tailgates you, its easy to convince them to back off

 

[doug720]

I also needed more light to back-up in my 60. I wanted clean mounting, not on my roof rack and not under the rear bumper.

I found these lights at an auto parts store for under $30.00 and they work very well. I wired them with a relay and a switch so that they come on with the stock back-up lights, or i can switch them off and use the stock lights only around town. They are very bright.

Thanks,

 

[sirenmoses]

^ interesting. Can you post a snap of them at nite, with area illuminated?

 

[austinmark]

very clever idea, doug! i think i might have purchased the same lights from my local autozone. i had decided on drilling a hole in my hitch and bolting them onto the hitch, but your idea is pretty clever and not so bad looking. tell me how you ran the wires, though.

 

[doug720]

AustinMark,

I ran a new 12g wire from my second power/fuse block through a switch on the dash to the drivers rear 1/4 panel inside the tail light. Here I placed a relay connected to the stock back-up lights wire, the new 12g power wire and the new lights. I fished the the wire through the stock fittings into the tail gate, connected to the lights to the stock tail gate light ground, drilled and mounted the lights to the license light trim frame.

To operate, with added dash switch in "On" position, both stock and new lights come on, with dash switch "Off", only stock back-up lights operate.

I have portable 12v flood light that mounts to the inside of my hatch if a outside light is needed when stopped.

Hope this helps. I did not get any light pattern pictures last night, but will try tonight.

 

[sirenmoses]

Finally got mine installed

Very much happy w/'em. Nite pix will happen later.

 

[austinmark]

i meant to send a picture. i had my car over at jk customs for some other work, and he installed the cheapo autozone driving lights under the rear bumper -- protected from getting smashed off by the trailer hitch which hangs about an inch lower. all in all, it's giving me much better light backing up.

 

[macneill]

Is it my imagination, or is that your tailpipe?

Looks tiny!

Very much happy w/'em. Nite pix will happen later.

 

[Tofudebeest]

Is it my imagination, or is that your tailpipe?

Looks tiny!

Oh boy, this is gonna be good...

 

[Tofudebeest]

I also needed more light to back-up in my 60. I wanted clean mounting, not on my roof rack and not under the rear bumper.

I found these lights at an auto parts store for under $30.00 and they work very well. I wired them with a relay and a switch so that they come on with the stock back-up lights, or i can switch them off and use the stock lights only around town. They are very bright.

Thanks,

And this is MY kind of mod!

 

[sirenmoses]

Is it my imagination, or is that your tailpipe?

Looks tiny!

Sure, go ahead, beat me up for a PO mod I ain't fixed yet...

You got issues w/the bling of shiny chrome tips??

 

[macneill]

LOL. I was just axeing.

I live in Brooklyn. Chrome tips rule!

Sure, go ahead, beat me up for a PO mod I ain't fixed yet...

You got issues w/the bling of shiny chrome tips??

 

[NYC FJ62]

Was commuting to work this morning on the bike and saw this on the back of a new 4 Runner.

Came to MUD and saw this thread.

White Night Backup Hitch Lights at StylinTrucks.com