Stealth Reverse Backup Lights Installed - Lots of Pics!

L

Lowpro

New member
Hi Guys!

Here are some pictures of my latest project. I was looking to add some fog lights to help with visibility at night time when reversing. I also wanted the ability to have the lights come on whenever I wanted them to without needing the 4runner to be on. I wanted some lights that weren't going to be to visible or distracting when looking at the 4runner.

I really liked the size and stealth-ness of the lights that "Bear Hunter" from the Ford-Trucks.com forum installed on his truck. I used his diagram for the wiring.

The lights I bought at Pep Boys for $35 (Made by Pilot, Model # NV-534). The 12v 30amp relay was $8. I ran 12 gauge wire instead of the 16g wire that is included in the box. The 12v spst rocker switch is from Radio Shack $3.99. The lights are 55watts each but I upgrade to 100w bulbs, that's why I ran 12g wire. I tapped into the "yellow" wire at the trailer hitch connector in order to trip the relay for the lights to come on.

The thread posted by "Bear Hunter" over at the ford-trucks.com forum has a lot of information.

I found another thread at the f150online.com forums which has a pretty good write up and pictures of the same fog lights.

Here are the pics!!!

Photo Credit to Blackjack8900 over at the f150online.com forums
DSCF1964.jpg~original


Photo Credit to Bear Hunter over at the ford-trucks.com forum
28392.jpg ~original


Photo Credit to Bear Hunter over at ford-trucks.com forum
28391.JPG~original


Photo Credit to Bear Hunter over at the ford-trucks.com forum
24683.jpg~original
 
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I use the round rocker switch to turn them on without needing to be in reverse.

dsc07107pe7.jpg


dsc07110er2.jpg


dsc07111xd8.jpg


dsc07124jo9.jpg
 
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I have exactly same setup. You mount it on the bumper cover bracket (very sturdy). The stock bulbs are 50W. I replaced the 100W bulbs. The light in the picture actually brighter than real light output. It is funny. I even have the same switch at radio shack too. The switch came with lights looks ugly.

You should turn the lights a little bit to the left and the right so more light spread out.
 
I have exactly same setup. You mount it on the bumper cover bracket (very sturdy). The stock bulbs are 50W. I replaced the 100W bulbs. The light in the picture actually brighter than real light output. It is funny. I even have the same switch at radio shack too. The switch came with lights looks ugly.
 
Looks great man, what an upgrade. I had added some yellow fog lights to my jeep once and they were amazing.

Back-up light upgrades are a great modification that I do to every vehicle I get.
 
Thanks. I'm pretty happy with them. The right side one is turned out slightly, I'll probably do the same for the other. The 100w bulbs are much brighter.


Just for clarification, In the picture that "Bear Hunter" posted of his truck, he is also using 100w bulbs.
 
Neat mod there man! I might just do the same and wire a relay into the backup lights. Stock backups are pathetic.
 
Nice write-up.

I have pondered this mod for months. My questions are as follows:

Where did you get the main power for the lights?

Which wire did you tap in the trailer-harness to trip the relay for reverse?

Do you really need 100w bulbs for "normal" usage?

Thanks again.
 
ALLEGRO said:
Nice write-up.

I have pondered this mod for months. My questions are as follows:

Where did you get the main power for the lights?

Which wire did you tap in the trailer-harness to trip the relay for reverse?

Do you really need 100w bulbs for "normal" usage?

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

The main power comes directly from the battery. I ran 12 gauge wire from the battery through the firewall all the way back to where the relay is. The relay lives inside the tire jack compartment. The lights come with 16 gauge wire but I figured from the beginning that I would probably upgrade the bulbs, so I went with 12g wire from the start.

I used "Bear Hunters" diagram.

24683.jpg


I tapped into the YELLOW wire that comes out of the back of the trailer hitch connector. It is the wire that is smack in the middle of the wire bundle. The new wire from the tap in will be used trip the relay in order for the lights to come on, also known as the primary trip source. The secondary trip source is the rocker switch on the dash. Bear Hunter explains that the diode in the diagram is used in order to stop any backflow of current.

Out of the box I think the lights are 55 watts. Do you need to upgrade to 100w bulbs? Probably not. You do have to consider though that these small stealth lights don't have as much reflector space (such as the big Hella or Piaa lights) in order to shoot out the light. The casings are aluminum which are able to accommodate the higher wattage bulbs. Go small and then upgrade if you don't want to spend the $7 per bulb in order to upgrade. :D

EDIT: The 6 amp Diode can be found at Radio Shack for $2.49 (4-pack)

#276-1661 4 x rectifier diodes rated 6 amps, 50PIV

pRS1C-2160501w345.jpg
 
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I assume then that the YELLOW wire you describe is a "reverse" wire? If not, how did you get a signal from the reverse lights?
 
ALLEGRO said:
I assume then that the YELLOW wire you describe is a "reverse" wire? If not, how did you get a signal from the reverse lights?
Click to expand...

The Yellow wire is in a bundle that feeds the trailer hitch electrical connector. In short, yes, that is a reverse wire. You'll need to tap into that yellow wire in order to trigger the relay for the lights to come on when you put the 4R into reverse.

I'm pretty sure that you could also tap into the tail lights but I'm not sure which wire it would be for that.

Previously, I used a Light Buster which just plugged right into the electrical connector. The light would come on when in reverse, no wiring was needed. So basically you are using the same yellow wire which would trigger this "Light Buster" to come on when in reverse.

162569_lg.jpg
 
I was looking through my stuff, and found a harness for electric brakes that plugs in "somewhere" under the dash. I am going to look at where that would go and see if that can be used as the trigger for the relay.

Anyone know for sure?
 
I am definitely getting a set of those. Simple mod, but great result and useability. Love it. I haven't done anything yet to my 4runner since it is still winter here and -20 outside right now. So far weathertech liners are coming and HID lights are coming but I don't want to be outside to install them.
 
Fo_SheeZy said:
Where did you buy them at? Where's the cheapest place to get them?
Click to expand...

I got mine at the local Pep Boys for $35. If you read on the "Bear Hunter's" thread over at the ford-trucks forum you'll notice that people have been able to find them at other auto parts stores like Autozone. If I recall I think Pilot is the mfg but sells them under different names/brands. You'll see them boxed differently but are exactly the same thing. Some people mentioned getting them for $29.99.

Pilot - Model # NV-534

This is what "Bear Hunter" mentions in his post
Looks like the maker is BLAZER and the part number is UW3534

When looking in the instructions I see TIGER ACCESSORY GROUP and again UW3534
Click to expand...

My package looked like this...
DSCF1964.jpg~original


and his looked like this...
28386.jpg~original
 
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