Bumper LED reverse lights...

I've seen a few people do this, but was thinking of adding some LEDs under the back bumper to use as additional reverse lighting. I want something that is pretty low profile and not stick way out. Does anyone have some they can recommend?

Also, if anyone can offer some advice on how to install those, I would be greatly appreciated. I would assume I'd tap into the reverse wires on the taillights, but not 100% sure.

I'm also curious if I was able to run a toggle switch to them, so I could turn them on even when not backing up, but still have them to come on automatically when I put it in reverse.

Anyone got any input? Thanks..!

 

@csuviper already got you covered!
https://www.tundras.com/threads/diy-2007-aftermarket-led-backup-light-install.2480/#post-36402

 

Cut some holes for lights, drill holes for lights, and bolt lights into position. Tap directly into the reverse light wires.

$23 Nilight - NI23C-18W 2PCS 18W Flood LED Work Light Driving Lights Led Light Bar Off Road Led Lights Flush Mount for Jeep Truck Tacoma Bumper ATV UTV,2 Years Warranty

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J5AAX5S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

That does look a lot cleaner than bolting on under. How difficult is it to cut the hole in the bumper?

 

Not too bad. I used a sawsall with a metal cutting blade. Others have used an air powered cutoff tool. I would suggest making a test hole in something that is easy to cut like an old cutting board to make sure you get the hole big enough. I made mine a bit too small and had to file it out to fit. That sucked.

 

I need to learn more about relay's, I have very little understanding of those. Then you lost me with a diode, haha. Maybe all that would be too difficult.

 

Relay's are certainly worth reading about! So many neat things one can do. I added more horns to my truck using a relay. Best $5 mod that is out there! They are pretty simple. You have the coil in the relay that is powered by whatever switched power you put into it. In my horn example, pressing the horn on my steering wheel completes the circuit for the horns and also completes the circuit through the coil in my relay. This causes the add-on horns to receive power through the relay from the battery. If I tried to power the extra horns with the power from the stock horn, it would blow the fuse.

http://www.parts-express.com/cat/12v-relays-sockets/399

Be sure to get the wiring harness with it. There is a diagram on the relay showing what each wire is for. It can be a bit confusing, but there are lots of diagrams online and people here would certainly be willing to help.

 

Uhh.. yeah those look confusing as hell, ha. I wouldn't even know which one I'd need or where to put it, ha. Hummm...

 

Ron's bang on! Its not too hard to figure out. And really, if you do it wrong all you are likely to get is a little bit of 12V lightning!

 

So how do you think these compare to some from Rigid? Besides them being about $150 more.. yikes.

 

Hard to say really, as I haven't ever bought any Rigid products. I bought a replacement pair already as backups in case either of these ones die. I've had them in now for many months....... but its also not like I drive around backwards, so they have only been on for probably less than a half hour. They are however, nice and bright and I can see everything back there when they are on!

Like many others when it came to LED lights, I went with the cheap ones and justified it by saying that I can replace the cheap ones many times over and still not be at the same cost as the expensive ones. I'd also be concerned with someone stealing them if they said Rigid on them.

Someone else may have more to say about the pattern of light thrown out etc in comparing the two.... on that topic I know nothing.

 

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

 

To be honest, you'll be happy you took this project up. It's very simple and almost as easy as plug and play, aside from the cutting and drilling. Have a couple of extra back up fuses and some extra time, the worst that can happen is they don't work. Best case scenario, that little light bulb goes off in your head about all the other uses of relays and then you'll begin to love electronics. to answer your question about them coming on when you put the truck in reverse, it's just as everyone else said, tap into the reverse light and you'll be good to go. If you need a hand in doing that, I can always help. Also, if you want them to come on at the turn of a switch, you'll just need to wire in a switch that will provide that 12V when you hit it. That's pretty straight forward also. When all else fails, someone on google has tried to do the exact same thing you are and has failed and learned from it... so just google and you'll be surprised as to what you can come up with. I can help guide ya through the process if you'd like. Just holler. I'm an electronics engineer on the most badass fighter jet in the world so I have a little background in this.

 

I'm at work so didn't have a chance to draw one up, but here is a pretty simplistic pic of the wiring. Hopefully this will help curb some of the bubblegut about taking on the project.

 

Thanks, it's the relays that throw me off. Where do I plug the relay in at on the truck? Or is it a stand alone thing? Could I also tie it into the reverse lights so that they come on when in reverse, even when the switch is off?

 

Yes to the switch question and yes, the relay is pretty much it's own deal. Just mount it where you see fit. It'll come in a little black box with a clip or something to run a screw or bolt through to mount it.

 

The relay works as a magnet. When power is applied, it flips and you hear a click, that means the contacts are closed and power is flowing. they are also nice for troubleshooting. When you hear the click, you know power isn't an issue. They work similar to a light, they either work or don't.

 

Could you give a little more detail for how to hook up the diode? I have mine wired directly to my reverse lights and want to run a switch but have no clue what do to with the diode. I've ran relays and what not for my other two light bars so I get that but never a diode.

 

That makes a little more sense. I was thinking it was like the relay fuses in the fuse box. I didn't understand how to add one and wire it up, ha. Watching a youtube video now.

 

Where in this diagram would you wire it to the stock reverse lights?

 

I'll add that here in a few, about to leave work and my drive is about an hour and a half to the house.

 

No rush at all. Thanks!

 

Good stuff here!

 

Thanks for sharing @AnonVet

 

Put some family time in tonight so didn't get to draw up a schematic with the brake light but will definitely do that tomorrow.

 

Thanks AnonVet for your help here. It's a project I've been considering. With the help from you and RowdyRon I feel I can get this done reasonably quickly. Then, on to cargo lighting and puddle lights under the truck.

 

From my VERY limited knowledge in this, if you use a relay, you wouldn't need a diode, huh? I'm probably completely wrong, but still learning, ha.

 

Same as RowdyRons:

 

My "knowledge" is very limited too. But, I think the diode is necessary if you're running two power sources to the same light, ie reverse lights tapped into the tails and a separate to switch to power up the same lights.

 

Ha.. I'm just now trying to learn relays, dont even get me pretending like I know about a diode, ha. Thankfully we have a platform like this site to ask these questions and get quality help and answers from those who know and have done it. THANK YOU!