Recommendation for backup lights

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:17 pm

Tonight I went to backup the Jeep in the dark, rain, and couldn’t see anything looking through the tinted windows. I mean complete BLACKNESS. :shock:

I’ve noticed the lack of lighting from the factory backups before, but gosh, it’s nearly impossible when raining and out in the boonies where there isn’t any lights. So I was wondering what aftermarket backup lights some of your are running. I plan to eventually graduate to Rock Lizards Rear bumper, so maybe I need something that mounts into a rear hitch, tire carrier, or something of that sort. I’m open to all options, I just want to hear what you all think. Maybe Rock Lizard can fabricate something? THANKS!

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:29 pm

Check out Gris's jeep,I think he's got a good setup.If i'm not mistaken,he mounted his on the back of his roof rack.I think he wired his to also come on with a toggle switch.Looks like it would shower the whole area behind you with light.

Ron

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Sat Apr 14, 2007 1:12 am

I'm planning on running one rear light on my rack, also. probably on a manual switch direct to the battery for camping purposes.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat Apr 14, 2007 1:36 am

LiLredLibby wrote:

Check out Gris's jeep,I think he's got a good setup.If i'm not mistaken,he mounted his on the back of his roof rack.I think he wired his to also come on with a toggle switch.Looks like it would shower the whole area behind you with light.

Ron

Thanks for the information. I used the search on this forum to track him down. I found prudent information on his website. He has (2) 55w Driving lights facing backwards on his homemade roof rack. I don’t know if I can talk my wife into a roof rack, but that is definitely one place to consider. This would definitely put out the flood light, I really like that idea. :lol:

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Sat Apr 14, 2007 3:41 am

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=37349

Here ya go! Nice and cheap. They are the exact same lights you can buy at Wal-Mart for $24.99 or your local Auto Zone/Pep Boys/ Parts America for even more. I bought a set of these myself for the exact same purpose you state here. Haven't wired 'em up yet, or else I'd let ya know how they hold up. As far as I know they are weather proof and the bulbs are standard 55W halogens that can be replaced if need be. Hope this helps!

StarDreamer.us · **Joined:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:15 pm **Posts:** 63

I installed a set of White Knights. Made in SC. really nice set. You can find them on the web. Two lights that mount on the hitch. Nice set!

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Sun Apr 15, 2007 9:13 pm

I went through 3, yes 3 of those White Night deals! On the first set the switch would only stay in the middle setting, it was acting like a momentary switch to either side. Got a new set sent to me free of charge from customer service because they had never heard of that happening. The second set got smashed between my rear bumper and a snow bank inadvertently, and the 3rd set simply committed suicide and "jumped off" my receiver at some point. I just remember seeing a bunch of wires hanging from my receiver after that happened. I really never liked the way they fit to begin with, and for the price, the fit and finish is WAY below what I would expect for $75. It scratched up the lower part of my bumper because it sat so tightly on the receiver. Not to mention, I had to buy separately the relocation bracket for the trailer plug, which almost rusted completely through in 2 years, and I almost didn't get it off, because the screws broke off they were so rusted. I wouldn't recommend them, however I must admit they were bright as all get out!

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:55 am

This is soon going to be the newest addition to my roof rack:
http://www.4wheelparts.com/PDT29555.aspx
The kind of switch that allows you to run the light(s) in tandem automatically with your reverse is nice, but I think a basic switch will do just fine for me. It won't cost me more than $60 total for the double-beam light and wiring kit.

kolesy · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:04 am

heres what i did for the same reason. They really help! You can see the last pic how much they light up. I just wired them to a switch inside.

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... highlight=

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:00 am

kolesy wrote:

heres what i did for the same reason. They really help! You can see the last pic how much they light up. I just wired them to a switch inside.

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... highlight=

Very nice install and setup!! I’ll mark this link now to refer to later when I actually have the funds to go through with it. I like the idea of mounting to a roof rack. I think the higher elevation gives you a much better range of lighting verses a lower installation. I do like the hella’s. So very tempting.

tjkoen01 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:43 am

dieselenthusiast wrote:

LiLredLibby wrote:

Check out Gris's jeep,I think he's got a good setup.If i'm not mistaken,he mounted his on the back of his roof rack.I think he wired his to also come on with a toggle switch.Looks like it would shower the whole area behind you with light.

Ron

Thanks for the information. I used the search on this forum to track him down. I found prudent information on his website. He has (2) 55w Driving lights facing backwards on his homemade roof rack. I don’t know if I can talk my wife into a roof rack, but that is definitely one place to consider. This would definitely put out the flood light, I really like that idea. :lol:

Here's what I did, see the last pic:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2549816/1 (I hope this works)

I used the bolts on the 2" receiver to mount the brackets and lights to. Have them wired to a switch so they come on with the factory back up lights or I can turn on when ever the parking lights are on. When and if I get a roof rack, I will relocate them.

phxtoad · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:56 am

I have the IPF system that Rocky Road Outfitters carries.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/683398/4

It has an On/Off/Auto switch. Works great!

TL

Gris · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:23 am

just a little tip if you go the roof rack way...

I used the driving lights because I already had them. They work great, but I plan to eventually get another set of the Hella ff75 FOGS.

The driving lights work, but I'd imagine a fog setup would work a whole lot better

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:30 am

Gris wrote:

just a little tip if you go the roof rack way...

I used the driving lights because I already had them. They work great, but I plan to eventually get another set of the Hella ff75 FOGS.

The driving lights work, but I'd imagine a fog setup would work a whole lot better

Why do you think the Fog lights would be a better setup? Just curious before I start shopping…….Thanks!

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

FOG just refers to a more widely dispersed beam pattern. DRIVING refers to a more focused beam pattern, i.e. for shining way the heck down the road.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:31 pm

snowsport wrote:

FOG just refers to a more widely dispersed beam pattern. DRIVING refers to a more focused beam pattern, i.e. for shining way the heck down the road.

Excellent thought :idea:

, a wider pattern would make better backup lights and for other uses such as setting up camp.

jerbacher · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:40 pm

Is it possible to add brighter bulbs to the stock reverse lights to achieve the same effect?

Gris · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:03 pm

Jerbacher, I doubt it. You're still stuck with a normal automotive bulb. Besides, I'd be worried that the stock plastic taillights would tend to melt with a bright enough bult to get what you want.

As far as fog/driving. Exactly what snow said.

A fog beam is designed for a shorter, but very widely disperesed light pattern.

Jeger · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:21 pm

Some have reported good results with LED backup bulbs. I have yet to try that myself though. Search on ebay for them, there is one that has like 32 bulbs in two rows going around the diameter of the light, those would be the ones you want.

chetos · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:35 pm

isn't there one that retro fits onto your hitch receiver? I thought I saw one somewhere. I'd go that way, if they make one.

Recommendation for backup lights

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