Auxiliary backup light installation - questions

[GotMak]

I'm working on installing additional backup lights on my '03 SR5 (thanks for the inspiration, Lowpro!) and have a couple of questions to bounce off the group:

1) I need to run wiring to the back deck, since I want to place the relay close to the reverse light and tap into that for the trigger. What's the best way to do that? Can it be done without removing too much trim (those big plastic panels never seem to go back on as tightly as they were originally).

2) I followed Lowpro's links to the F150 forums and found a link to this page, which is really what I'd like to do - gives me the flexibility of using the lights as both auto and manual, but prevents any legal and safety issues if I put the car in drive and forget to turn off the aux. lights in the back, something I'm quite likely to do. I think I worked out the wiring sequence, based on this diagram, but I'm not an electrical expert, so I'd like some confirmation that I've mapped out the relay connections correctly:

The original install keyed the logic relay off the ignition wire, so if the ignition was on, but the car wasn't in reverse, it wouldn't work, but I think it might be more practical to key off the "Drive" position, that way I could use the aux lights with the engine running, but not if the car is in "D", so I couldn't have them on driving down the road.

Logically, when the ignition is on, the N/C switch, 87a would open, and the N/O switch, 87 would close, so that the power relay will receive signal from the fuse block if the ignition is off, but the reverse light only if the ignition is on.

Thoughts/Suggestions?

 

[4runr30]

Just pull the tail light access panel and wire your relay in close to the tail light. Its a cramped work space but it prevents having to remove the larger rear panels for wiring access. The panel will pop right back into place afterwards. Ill try to take a pic of my aux reverse light wiring tomorrow.

 

[GotMak]

Just pull the tail light access panel and wire your relay in close to the tail light. Its a cramped work space but it prevents having to remove the larger rear panels for wiring access. The panel will pop right back into place afterwards. Ill try to take a pic of my aux reverse light wiring tomorrow.

Thanks - I do plan on putting the relay back there, not so bad, since the jack-storage panel can be removed as well for access into the area. I'm more concerned with running the wire, though. Can't see a way to do that from the dash without going under the trim panels, but I'm definitely open to suggestions.

 

[Colemanfu]

I run a back up light, 2 side lights (you can kind of see them in the pix) and 2 massive lights up front. The only rely I run is for the Lightforce lights up front. The rest I just use a switch in the CC blanks. I ran all the wires under the truck up nice and high. Had them on since 04 no problems.

Here are the switches for the front and side. I use the blank to the left of the wheel for the back up lights. Yes those big reds light up!

 

[GotMak]

@Colemanfu: I really like the side-light idea and am planning that next.

Going outside may be the easiest option if I can't get under the trim easily. I did find a procedure on a Gen3 board, so I'll have to see if it's similar enough on the Gen4 as well.

 

[Lowpro]

I ran my wiring under the driver's side door trim. In the trunk you can tuck the wires under the side trim or you can run the wires under the trunk carpet. I mounted my relay right above where the jack lives.

 

[GotMak]

I ran my wiring under the driver's side door trim. In the trunk you can tuck the wires under the side trim or you can run the wires under the trunk carpet. I mounted my relay right above where the jack lives.

I'm trying to tuck the wires under the trim like you did, but I'm concerned about the rear-seat hinge. It seems that it's a place where wires can easily get pinched and cut or abraded, causing a short. How did you work around that issue? Getting to the back seats wasn't hard, now to get beyond them...

 

[GotMak]

Got the wires run! Not really much to take pics of, but I ran the wires under the sill to the back seat, then pried back the interior trim panel in the back so I could see behind it and used a fishtape to pull the wires (in a loom, so they wouldn't get messed up) through the bottom of the trim and up to the top of the wheel well. From there it was a piece of baklava to get the loom routed behind the jack and out to the tail-light compartment where I plan to make my connections.

Now to mount and wire the switch, relays and lights and we're good to go. I'm probably going to go ahead and attach side-lights as well, while I'm at it, so reverse will light up the sides as well. I do miss the cornering lights on my old SAABs - pretty major safety feature to have them light up in reverse.