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Added Backup lights

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Bronco Ken, Nov 4, 2021.

  1. Nov 4, 2021 at 7:28 AM
    #1
    Bronco Ken

    Bronco Ken [OP] New Member

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    Thanks to everyone here for the information on the wiring of the trailer connection. This was a really simple project.
    Backup Lights.jpg
     
    chugs, stewie476, TTund16 and 6 others like this.
  2. Nov 4, 2021 at 7:39 AM
    #2
    Taco-Spike

    Taco-Spike Gateway from Tacoma World ~ ended up here

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    Nice job
     
  3. Nov 4, 2021 at 8:17 AM
    #3
    tyst8

    tyst8 New Member

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    care to share those instructions? might do it myself :)
     
    Sean492 likes this.
  4. Nov 4, 2021 at 8:59 AM
    #4
    Bronco Ken

    Bronco Ken [OP] New Member

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    I got some 1/4" flat bar from lowes and cut them to the length that I wanted then drilled the two holes to mount them. On one of the bolts I connected the black wire from the light for a ground.

    Then I ran the extra wire I had from the light to the trailer hitch kit. The middle wire is the reverse. It is labeled on the cover on the bumper.

    You might be able to get to the middle wire without using the trailer wiring connector that I used but it is really tight so I didn't want to chance it.

    I connected the two red wires to the middle wire on the connector using a yellow Posi-Tap connector I got on Amazon also.

    Wha-Lah it worked! I also painted the brackets black and wire-tied the wires up so they don't get caught on anything and out.

    Let me know if you have any problems.

    The whole project cost me about $60
     
    Sleeper16plat and tyst8 like this.
  5. Nov 4, 2021 at 9:00 AM
    #5
    Bronco Ken

    Bronco Ken [OP] New Member

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    Sorry here are the parts:

    These are the parts that I went with:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    $18 Nilight 15031S-B 2PCS 60W Spot Bar 3000LM Driving Fog LED Off Road Lights for Trucks Jeep UTV ATV Marine Boat,2 Years Warranty
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081HWDYKW?ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details


    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    $22 CURT 55384 Replacement Vehicle-Side Custom USCAR 4-Pin Trailer Wiring Harness, Black
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009FJ38Q?ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details


    I had some extra wire and I made two brackets that attached to the two bolts under the rear bumper.
     
    artsr2002, chugs and tyst8 like this.
  6. Nov 5, 2021 at 7:42 AM
    #6
    Bronco Ken

    Bronco Ken [OP] New Member

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    Here are some Pics that show how I installed and wired them.

    Lights 1.jpg lights 2.jpg lights 3.jpg lights 4.jpg
     
    chugs, coldcanuk, stewie476 and 8 others like this.
  7. Nov 5, 2021 at 8:26 AM
    #7
    tyst8

    tyst8 New Member

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    what's the purpose of that yellow thing in the 3rd picture?
     
  8. Nov 5, 2021 at 8:36 AM
    #8
    DerfM

    DerfM Knows nothing about trucks

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    It's a wire tap. It cuts into the sheathing of the power wire to provide power to the positive side of his lighting system.
     
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  9. Nov 5, 2021 at 11:58 AM
    #9
    Bronco Ken

    Bronco Ken [OP] New Member

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    They are called Posi-taps. It makes it real easy to splice into a wire.
     
  10. Nov 5, 2021 at 7:28 PM
    #10
    tyst8

    tyst8 New Member

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    thanks! that definitely make it easier. I was going to do it the hard way :) .
     
  11. Nov 5, 2021 at 10:02 PM
    #11
    alb1k

    alb1k Always Coming From Take Me Down

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    It's good
    sweet.
     
  12. Nov 8, 2021 at 8:10 PM
    #12
    ErikTRDTUNDRA

    ErikTRDTUNDRA New Member

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    This may be a stupid question but I haven’t even looked underneath my bumper. Why use the Curt wiring harness and not just tap into the factory wiring?
     
  13. Nov 9, 2021 at 4:21 AM
    #13
    Bronco Ken

    Bronco Ken [OP] New Member

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    You can tap into the factroy wiring but it is really tight and not much slack. Also if I ever want to add one of those lights strips that go under the tailgate this makes it so much easier. You would not want to just tap into the reverse light wire at the tail lights as these draw pretty good pwr.
     
    artsr2002 likes this.
  14. Nov 9, 2021 at 4:30 AM
    #14
    T-Guy69

    T-Guy69 New Member

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    Never heard of Posi-Taps. I learned something today.
     
    artsr2002 likes this.
  15. Nov 9, 2021 at 8:26 AM
    #15
    TTund16

    TTund16 New Member

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    Are there existing holes on the bumper or the frame to mount the bracket or the flat bar or did you have to drill one?
     
  16. Nov 10, 2021 at 8:54 AM
    #16
    Bronco Ken

    Bronco Ken [OP] New Member

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    There are two bolts that are holding the bumper on so no drilling on the bumper just the flat bar.
     
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  17. Nov 16, 2021 at 4:47 PM
    #17
    ErikTRDTUNDRA

    ErikTRDTUNDRA New Member

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    Finally had decent enough weather to get them installed before it got dark. Going to finish up the wiring hopefully tomorrow weather permitting.

    C31E4082-7642-4138-9990-26CC6B422EEA.jpg
     
  18. Nov 17, 2021 at 5:35 PM
    #18
    ErikTRDTUNDRA

    ErikTRDTUNDRA New Member

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    Done thanks Ken, very simple and affordable. Just ordered another pair for the girlfriends 4Runner

    88ABE348-58CB-4232-83E6-7640377BE5D2.jpg
     
    chugs likes this.
  19. Nov 17, 2021 at 5:44 PM
    #19
    ErikTRDTUNDRA

    ErikTRDTUNDRA New Member

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    Here are some night pics if anyone is curious how bright they are

    CF4BC76F-B1B0-4B92-BEC6-605125B4CAC8.jpg
    EADE6C42-A51D-4740-A23F-73F2452CC8D2.jpg
     
    chugs likes this.
  20. Nov 18, 2021 at 4:11 AM
    #20
    Bronco Ken

    Bronco Ken [OP] New Member

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    Looks good. Glad I was able to pay back to the community.
     
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  21. Nov 21, 2021 at 10:12 AM
    #21
    ErikTRDTUNDRA

    ErikTRDTUNDRA New Member

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    Got them installed on the GF 4Runner. Such a huge difference

    794E3DCB-6B15-487C-9896-039E3E1A7C7F.jpg
     
    chugs likes this.
  22. Nov 23, 2021 at 5:56 PM
    #22
    THORYOTA

    THORYOTA God of Thunder

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    [/QUOTE]
    I'm so green when it comes to electrical, does it matter what gauge wire to use for the lights?:anonymous:
     
  23. Nov 23, 2021 at 7:15 PM
    #23
    ErikTRDTUNDRA

    ErikTRDTUNDRA New Member

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    I'm so green when it comes to electrical, does it matter what gauge wire to use for the lights?:anonymous:[/QUOTE]
    I wouldn’t recommend anything smaller than 16 gauge myself.
     
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  24. Nov 23, 2021 at 7:16 PM
    #24
    ErikTRDTUNDRA

    ErikTRDTUNDRA New Member

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    Just make sure the connectors you use are for the correct gauge of wire .
     
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  25. Nov 24, 2021 at 10:49 AM
    #25
    Bronco Ken

    Bronco Ken [OP] New Member

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    I'm so green when it comes to electrical, does it matter what gauge wire to use for the lights?:anonymous:[/QUOTE]

    I had some wire but I didn't check the gauge I compared it to what the light was connected to.
     
  26. Nov 24, 2021 at 10:58 AM
    #26
    coldcanuk

    coldcanuk New Member

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    Posi-taps are a good quality way to make a splice. I like to add a little blob of silicone grease between the two pieces before I screw them down. Probably overkill and I'm trying to duplicate those little 3m wire connectors filled with grease (look like little clear buttons). Never had an issue, used them a bit on motorcycles more than vehicles. Someday you want to take it off, easy, maybe a little liquid electrical tape over the small pinhole that's left behind.
     
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  27. Mar 23, 2023 at 1:47 PM
    #27
    tommyboyrn

    tommyboyrn New Member

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    So in tapping into wiring adapter for power to lights ( im guessing center wire since using as reverse) will you still need to run power from battery and use relay?

    Tom
     
  28. Mar 23, 2023 at 1:57 PM
    #28
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

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    No
    I would just add a inline fuse to the lights just in case water gets in or you break a light. The fuse will pop instead of popping the trucks fuse.
     
  29. Mar 23, 2023 at 1:58 PM
    #29
    tommyboyrn

    tommyboyrn New Member

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    Ok thanks
     
  30. Mar 23, 2023 at 2:03 PM
    #30
    Taco-Spike

    Taco-Spike Gateway from Tacoma World ~ ended up here

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    I use these

    Tundra 2014 - 2021 Reverse T Harness | FBC Harness Solutions (square.site)

    Weather proof pigtails and solder to light wires using water proof seal connectors (below) ~ (Don't have to solder with these but I still do)

    Kuject 120PCS Solder Seal Wire Connectors, Self-Solder Heat Shrink Butt Connector Solder Sleeve Waterproof Insulated Electrical Butt Splice Wire Terminals for Marine Automotive Boat Truck Wire Joint (amazon.com)

    I'm not sure how many added Amps the circuit will allow, but some low level lights like BD S1 and S2 seems to work fine in this type of application.

    Just an option and don't hack up anything, also more protection from elements.
     
    chugs likes this.
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