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This mod is more about the actual running of wire from the back to the front then the actual light install. I have seen many posts saying to route the wire along the driver’s side but, my detailed nature (OCD) wanted to document just how it was done.
This mod really just took me two hours start to finish because I already had my power distribution box wire and switch all set up.
The rear lights are the Rigid SR-Q spot lights. Yes, I could have purchased the flood or diffused but I got the spot and have covers that I’ll make diffused. So, I have options with the way I want the light. On other vehicles, I just never had enough light out the rear when I really wanted it. These are bright. I got them on Amazon.
The plan is to mount them rear facing on the two M6 bolts under the rear bumper on each side of the hitch. The bolts are in the bumper and a good location and lights can be removed with the right tools easily if needed. I mounted the Rigid SR-Q on the bolts with a longer 2” M6 bolt and a metal spacer to keep the light from touching the bumper.
The wire loom that came with the lights, was cannibalized. I cut the wire a couple feet from the point where it splits to the two lights and strung new 16g wire to the front power distribution box. I did this because I already have a switch and power.
I also cut the wire so I could connect the rear wires then after running the wire loom through the grommet run the new wire along the driver’s side, inside the vehicle. I used the same color wire (in this case-yellow) as the distribution box power wire for this device and switch. (Color coordination…)
Wiring the Rear (Sorry, no pics here)
There is a grommet in the rear compartment above the spare tire that is easy to get to, easier with the spare removed. Remove two 10 mm bolts that are used for security tie downs behind the rear seats. Remove the carpeted bar behind the seats. The carpet really just pulls back, with padding attached.
Cut a hole in the grommet.
Run wires through (I ran the short end from the bottom leaving the waterproof connectors to the lights outside).
Connect the wire I’m stringing to wire that goes to lights with new wire using 16g butt connectors.
Cover with split loom and tape at the ends. This stays under the rear cargo area and the wire runs forward along the side of the rear seat
My plan for the light wires is to run under the plastic lip from the back cargo area, under the step panel in the back seat driver side, through to the step panel on the front seat drivers and up through the kick panel on the driver’s seat through the Grommet on the firewall into the engine bay. It worked.
Running the wire to the front:
The step panels really just pull off. (Really!)
Running the wire from the rear cargo area along the plastic shroud that goes from the cargo area under the rear seat worked but took a bit of effort from the fingers but it ran right to the rear step panel.
The wire really just ran under the step through to the front step panel.
The drivers front step panel pops right off too.
The drivers plastic kick panel confused me at first.
After reading Antman’s thread, well… just a good pull worked.
The wire was run to the grommet where I sliced the engine bay grommet with an exacto knife, right where an arrow was pointing, and pushed through a coat hanger.
I taped the wires I wanted to pull through the grommet to the coat hanger and pulled the wires through.
Then, popped all that plastic back in place.
Connected the black wire to my communal ground, connected the power wire to the fused relay box wire, for the switch I installed earlier. Wrapped in split loom and tucked away on the side of the engine bay.
Done.
Note to self… Plug the water proof connectors from the wire loom to the actual lights “all the way!” This will save you a bit of grief and worry that you have a short or something…
Mounted on the bolt under the bumper
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The lens covers are actually yellow
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