Solutions for better reverse lighting?

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The Cree backup lights are spot beams... and they are better than stock but not very effective IMO for seeing what's behind you to backup and maneuver.

@Bomar - I've got an extra Hella light laying around. They only sell them in pairs :)

@KlausVanWinkle - not sure what jacketed wires you're talking about. The wires from the light to the loom just have heat shrink on them, you can buy it by the roll cheaply at Harbor Freight. The braided loom is a Painless product. Very nice stuff.
 
What are you going with?

If I had a roof rack I would've put some bigger LEDs on top and angled them down and outwards to really light things up. Would have been nice for camping. But I have to say I'm really happy with my hella light... it's not too obnoxious that I feel bad using it anytime I put the truck into reverse, and bright enough to see what I'm doing back there. Should be good enough for a rear camp setup light as well but obviously not as wide a coverage area as higher mounted LEDs.

In life, there will always be compromises :)
 
I went with the White Night's with the removable 2", I wasn't sure how the one that perm mounts over the receiver would fit. It throws a LOT of light behind the vehicle, not so much to the sides of the vehicle. Definitely improves visibility.It was an inexpensive investment, $100 on Amazon with the 7-pin adaptor (no splicing!).
 
$25 each for some flood and spot leds. I have 2 in flood and one is a spot. They are available on Amazon and have an 18w current draw.
 
That's the ones I have. Well made and very bright with a low amp draw.
 
Do you have the spliced into the reverse lights? Or do you use them with a switch?
 
I just started using this set up and I like it pretty well so far. I can tighten it up close to the rear or flood way back depending on conditions. I'm hoping that by having them up high and pointed somewhat downward that they won't be too blinding to whomever is behind me on the trail, don't get destroyed as quickly, and will hrow fewer shadows for better visibility. I also get some good light for camp set up, hitching up a trailer, or working on another truck. They are manually switched by a toggle near the sunroof controls. The down side is that between the light placement and the switch placement, the install was pretty involved.
Lights from ELS, 2000UZJ.
IMG_20140419_122454_339.webp
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Andy you have a knack of putting cool things on your truck that is easy for you, but might suck pretty hard for the rest of us...or at least me. I would just pslice those suckers into the reverse light and go with it!
 
I put my aux reverse light on a SPDT switch. On , off , auto on when in reverse. My only gripe with the auto on with reverse is that it clicks on for a second when you pass through reverse going from park to drive. Also my relay is inside the cab so I hear that click everytime also !
 
I've got Pfran's in the light sockets. 2 of those square 4-bangers under the swing-out from Nick here (same as Andy's above), and 2 Hanma work lights on the rack http://www.hanma-auto.com/products/led-work-lights/led-work-light-18w-3-detail

Only the stock reverse lights come on in reverse, the other 4 are all switched independently. Rarely do I use this in town for backing up, but occasionally it's nice to know there's not a kid back there, or to send a message. Obviously that rare camp setup in the dark is a benefactor, hopefully you guys are good and passed out by the time I roll into Ouray this year.

I turned the light off on the house- all that driveway light is from the 100.

reverse_lights.webp
 
nakman said:
I've got Pfran's in the light sockets. 2 of those square 4-bangers under the swing-out from Nick here (same as Andy's above), and 2 Hanma work lights on the rack http://www.hanma-auto.com/products/led-work-lights/led-work-light-18w-3-detail

Only the stock reverse lights come on in reverse, the other 4 are all switched independently. Rarely do I use this in town for backing up, but occasionally it's nice to know there's not a kid back there, or to send a message. Obviously that rare camp setup in the dark is a benefactor, hopefully you guys are good and passed out by the time I roll into Ouray this year.

I turned the light off on the house- all that driveway light is from the 100.

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This = sweet action! It would be pretty neat to the a****** that has all these turn on with reverse all the time! I could imagine backing out of a spot at Wal-Mart or wherever and the blazing lights from hell pierce the already illuminated parking lot!
 
Cappy, I want to copy your set up - lights, spliced, the whole thing. Any tips? Where'd you splice in? Where'd you run the wires? Thanks!

I already did the little LED reverse light bulb upgrade. I'd say on a 1-10 scale, with stock being a 1, it took it to a 2 or 3. Better, but close to pointless. I just don't get why backup lights are so *#&$ing weak on all cars/trucks. Ya can't turn'em on unless you're in reverse - not like you can blind other drivers. Just dumb. And, dangerous.
 
Manhattan said:
Cappy, I want to copy your set up - lights, spliced, the whole thing. Any tips? Where'd you splice in? Where'd you run the wires? Thanks!

I already did the little LED reverse light bulb upgrade. I'd say on a 1-10 scale, with stock being a 1, it took it to a 2 or 3. Better, but close to pointless. I just don't get why backup lights are so *#&$ing weak on all cars/trucks. Ya can't turn'em on unless you're in reverse - not like you can blind other drivers. Just dumb. And, dangerous.
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The reverse light wire runs inside the rear hatch opening along the body vertically on the left side inside a plastic loom. Well it does for my year LX. I removed the reverse bulbs all together and am safely powering all three lights on my swingout the factory wiring spliced into the ARB reverse light kit which was a waste of money as I only used the wiring.
 
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