Aux reverse lights - am I going to blow something up?

[zopperman]

So I've been scheming out my aux reverse lights and reading up on here. It seems what everyone does is run a power wire straight to the battery - relay - lights and then have a separate switch in the dash.

Without switch
What I was thinking, however, is if I just want them to come on with the reverse lights, can I tap into the running lights or the trunk's DC socket instead of running a new 12g wire to the battery for pin 30 then wire tap the reverse lights and wire them to pin 86 and 87 will be power to the lights.

With switch
It seems that the only reason I would need to run a new wire to the battery would be if I wanted to switch it in the dash and then that would go to pin 86??

So to have a switch it would go:
Pin 85 ground
Power (battery) - SWITCH - Pin 30
Pin 86 - tapped into reverse lights
Pin 87 - lights

Would that be how to do it with a switch? Question still remains - could I tap this into the 12v DC socket in the trunk and make that and the lights switched on the same switch (i never use that socket)

Thanks

 

[gaterose]

Unless you're running very low wattage LEDs, and would probably need LED reverse bulbs in the OEM lights too, you're likely going to overload the wiring.

 

[zopperman]

Unless you're running very low wattage LEDs, and would probably need LED reverse bulbs in the OEM lights too, you're likely going to overload the wiring.

That's what I'm worried about - I was planning on running these:
Pilot Automotive/Halogen projector fog lens with billet LED switch (PL-2720B) | Flood Light | AutoZone.com

It seemed as though a few members have done something similar, I'll see if I can dig up the threads

 

[chaz]

have you seen this one. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...everse-backup-lights-installed-lots-pics.html

 

[zopperman]

have you seen this one. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...everse-backup-lights-installed-lots-pics.html

Thanks, Chaz, I did.

I'm still a little confused about a few things -

I tried a test run yesterday and it didn't work.

I wanted to use the speaker (tweeter driver side) for my relay ground and my relay pin 30 constant power) but this didnt work... any ideas??

Also,

how the hell do I get the hot wire for the lights up through the bumper?

Thanks

 

[gaterose]

I used the vent in the rear panel.. You can barely get a wire through it in the spare tire area and it comes out the vent near the lower side of the body.

From the spare tire tool area you reach down as low as you can kinda under the tail light. With the jack out, looking down, it's the lowest spot you can see anywhere in the cargo area. You'll have to stick your hand down there to push the wire under one of the mesh flaps. After you feed a few inches through you should be able to find the wire by laying on your back looking under the bumper and pull enough through for what you need.

It's a little difficult to see but I did it last week for another member so I know it's doable without removing any panels.

I drilled a small hole in the body metal visible in the spare tire tool compartment to ground and mount the relay.

 

[MikeInNH]

I guess different states have different laws on this..

But here in NH and MA..it's illegal.

 

[zopperman]

I guess different states have different laws on this..

But here in NH and MA..it's illegal.

Not here!!

Gaterose, thanks for the info, Im going to see if I can route that wire later.

I like the idea of drilling into the body and just grounding the relay there - better than using the speaker. Did you just run wire to the battery for the 30 pin? its starting to look like thats the easiest way. I already have some 10g wire running to my lights on my push bar that I could splice into unde r the driver knee panel.

 

[zopperman]

well i just took out the jack and stuff to no avail...

I can't fit my hand in anywhere under the jack. Looking under the car, did the wire come out through the grommet for the trailer wires? I don't know where that leads on the inside so I'm hesitant to go poking holes in it. I can't find this mesh vent through.
:redbrick:

 

[gaterose]

Not here!!

Gaterose, thanks for the info, Im going to see if I can route that wire later.

I like the idea of drilling into the body and just grounding the relay there - better than using the speaker. Did you just run wire to the battery for the 30 pin? its starting to look like thats the easiest way. I already have some 10g wire running to my lights on my push bar that I could splice into unde r the driver knee panel.

Yeah that's what I did, along with an appropriate size fuse. Not sure about the splicing into that wire though, does that wire come straight from the battery and how many watts are the lights that it's already powering?

As for the vent, you shouldn't have to poke a hole in it, there are mesh flaps that are kinda hinged so it'll push it open enough to get the wire through. As I said it's in the lowest point that you can see in there.. I'll try to grab a shot of my wire in a minute.

edit- whoops let the GF borrow the 4R, if she's back before dark I'll try to get the pictures for you.

 

[zopperman]

Yeah that's what I did, along with an appropriate size fuse. Not sure about the splicing into that wire though, does that wire come straight from the battery and how many watts are the lights that it's already powering?

As for the vent, you shouldn't have to poke a hole in it, there are mesh flaps that are kinda hinged so it'll push it open enough to get the wire through. As I said it's in the lowest point that you can see in there.. I'll try to grab a shot of my wire in a minute.

edit- whoops let the GF borrow the 4R, if she's back before dark I'll try to get the pictures for you.

Thanks, that would be great.

That wire is powering 2 100 W KC lights, but the two would not be used at the same time as the reverse lights, these are really just for backing up. But yes, is it wired straight to the battery.

 

[gaterose]

This is the best I could get....


The vent is the black spot at the bottom, near the center of the image

Closer up

From under the bumper

 

[Coveman]

If you wanted another option, you could use a DPDT relay to give you two ways to turn on the lights, say the back up light switch when you shift into reverse and a manual switch up front.

 

[zopperman]

Thanks for the pics, those really clarified it, I was looking in the wrong spot.

As for the dpdt relay, I don't really need a switch, but if I want one I would probably use a spst relay and the 87a pin and switch that..?

 

[zopperman]

Success! Got the wire through that vent, thanks for the pics, they really helped. Still took me like 30 mins and two pairs of pliers.. but it's through!


Did you just ground the bolts on the frame?

I'm worried about doing that with rust and stuff and I'm thinking it may be worth it to run a ground wire through that same vent and ground them on the exposed metal where I intend to ground the relay.

 

[gaterose]

I grounded to one of the tow hook bolts I believe but if you feel more comfortable running another wire then Id do that