Ideas? Rear Bumper Lights?

[Manuelsv]

Putting this out there before I go ahead (Maybe)?

So I had to replace my rear bumper corner cover on my 80 series. And once i had the old piece out.. I decided to experiment a little with it since I am going to junk it anyhow..

I had some old white backup lights off another old project that where sitting in the parts bin staring at me ....
Anyhow.. these are backup lights that go in the bumper of a Mitzu Montero I think 95-97?..
So I cut and installed one on the junk bumper corner to see how they would look, take some pics and see what you guys think...

1st issue.... the lights I used are too deep and there is barely enough room for them between the 1/4 panel and bumper so these won't work.

2nd Issue.... If I go ahead and find some that are slimmer in depth, do they even look good? (Opinions welcome!)

3rd... Would it be useless?? ( night 4Xing int he desert can be very dark,, The more "useful" Backup lighting I can get the better!)

4th.. Again if I was to go ahead and cut both my now perfectly good bumper corners.. how to wire them?
a.) Standalone circuit?
b.) Relay triggered by reverse light circuit?
c.) Other method?

So... Let me hear your thoughts.. Stupid Idea? Been done before?
Useless mod? Know of a light that will fit there, look decent?

PS.. Thought about installing them facing the back part,.. but there is metal and my welding for my swingout behind that portion so no room there for any lights unless if they are 1" deep or less!

 

[LittleRock80]

I like it and I think it'd be useful. I have thought about doing something similar, only further up front. I'd like cut a hole in front of the front doors 6 inches under the A-pillars and install a pair of those Rigid Flush-Mount Dually LED's. They'd be high up enough not to be covered in mud (assuming you were still running flares) and to throw some decent light out to the sides for whatever you might need it for.

Just thinking out loud. I like you idea though---and may copy it eventually.

JWP

 

[techbytes]

I like it man

 

[ECBMCC]

Baja Designs makes some flush LEDs that would work well there wither where you placed yours or I was thinking on either side of the license plate facing the rear. I'm thinking of doing them there, one with a red lens so that it can act as a rear facing fog light and the other with a clear lens to see where I'm going. Good luck.

 

[duke01]

Never seen a setup like that. It looks useful, and I like it.

 

[OregonLC]

What about mounting them up on the rack and have them switch controlled for both a 'party' light as well as a backup light. Seems like it would perform equally well as a backup up high, but I wouldn't want to stare at a camp light down low.

 

[titanpat57]

Used a set of Rigids cut into the bumper...and a set of Phantom Trailhawks on the Gobi..more than adequate.

 

[Southeast Overland]

What about mounting them up on the rack and have them switch controlled for both a 'party' light as well as a backup light. Seems like it would perform equally well as a backup up high, but I wouldn't want to stare at a camp light down low.

I'm installing two 2.5" square 900 lumen Lifetime LEDs in the rear or my FJ Cruiser on a switch. I thought about putting them on the reverse lights but don't want to blind people in a parking lot.

 

[Southeast Overland]

Used a set of Rigids cut into the bumper...and a set of Phantom Trailhawks on the Gobi..more than adequate.

http://s328.photobucket.com/user/titanpat57/media/20130324_162454_zps8331479c.jpg.html

http://s328.photobucket.com/user/titanpat57/media/20130324_195010_zpsda15c38f.jpg.html

http://s328.photobucket.com/user/titanpat57/media/20130329_213515_zps5901fb2b.jpg.html

That's nice output.

 

[KLM Performance]

The Rigid Industries D2 Light works the best as a back up light!
They are nice and compact but put out a ton of light

http://www.klmstore.com/rigid-industries-50231-dually-d2-driving-beam-led-lights.aspx

 

[titanpat57]

and because you guys are slackers..and don't use enough LED's in your life.I got bored and fixed one small problem when the liftgate was up...

I installed some 170 lumen "pods" I picked up at HD for $10 a/p. Nice light output.and hide a switch inside the handle. The kelvin was off quite a bit from the Rigids I cut into the bumper....but these will be mere task lighting,as I won't be doing much backing up with the liftgate open








Tapped it into the existing lift gate lighting..

 

[alviswilson]

PUWER Inspections

i like it very much . tiny bulbs give so much lights. really like it. is there white color in these lights ??

 

[titanpat57]

i like it very much . tiny bulbs give so much lights. really like it. is there white color in these lights ??

thanks,


not that I could find...these were right off the shelf at a Home Depot

 

[Corbet]

The idea is solid but I doubt they throw much light with the OEM bulbs? Can you upgrade that? I would personally end up smashing them on the trail but it all depends where you wheel. As they are you should be fine wiring them with the existing reverse lights.

I went with a set of "Tessera" pods from Expedition Lighting Systems. With the flood pattern. http://shop.expeditionlighting.org/W-Tessera-Single-ELS-P2X2-Single.htm I placed one on each corner with the beam patterns just touching directly behind my truck. The light output is impressive. Too much really for in camp use unless you need to walk out a ways to pee in the middle of the night. I would think you could do something with a flush mount Rigid in the metal section of the OEM bumper with similar results. Or mount a pod above your spare? The higher up you get it the wider your beam pattern will be. And double as a work light?

Pic of mine. 2nd photo I tried to capture the light output. The drivers swing arm is closed with the light hitting behind our pop-up. The passenger side is open throwing the light to the side. 2500 lumens is a lot of light.