looking for backup light mod ideas - i cant see anything when backing up at night

[keakar]

i cant see anything when backing up at night because of the dim backup lights and the factory glass tinted windows.

i have an 06 sport with LED rear tail lights and no backup camera option


what have you guys done to help with this issue?

i literally find myself needing to roll down all the windows so i can sort of see in the mirrors where i am going when i am backing into the driveway. and if its raining so i have water on the mirrors i cant even see when doing that.

i am tempted to rig up some driving lights to the trailer hitch hooked to a toggle switch, but im not wanting to go that redneck with it if i can avoid it.

 

[Bumbo]

My plan was to flush mount something inside the rear bumper... just haven't got around to doing it yet.

 

[JD914]

There's a thread on somebody doing this exact thing with some LED pods.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JD914]

Here's one:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/164014-4th-gen-rigid-led-reverse-flush-mount-project.html

And there's a bunch more.

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[wcjeep]

Mount led lights.use the trailer plug connection for power.

 

[tanth1500]

hey I just got these for pretty cheap, Got them off of northridge but they are Rigid Industries, which is a very good brand. I have nit gotten them yet, I think the forest fires in Cali are slowing them down or something, but I think they are a good product, only 98$, I have other rigid products, that is why I recommend them.

 

[wc11]

Reverse light bar that bolts to your license plate.
One of just many options but a very inexpensive easy mod to do.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Waterproof...ash=item1c98fc29d4:g:w2MAAOSwxixaFnZO&vxp=mtr

 

[LOSTR4]

I just did (currently) LED 11W reverse lights...they're MORE than enough for backing up but if you have darker tinted windows, obviously that is hindered a bit...cost me $45 and looks factory until you put it in reverse...

 

[keakar]

I just did (currently) LED 11W reverse lights...they're MORE than enough for backing up but if you have darker tinted windows, obviously that is hindered a bit...cost me $45 and looks factory until you put it in reverse...

i would call the windows lightly tinted but they are tinted, just not what i would call dark tint, but at night you cant see much through them.

my 06 has factory LED tail lights so i am not even sure if it has a bulb you can replace, plus the backup light sit on the top of them so its so high it throws light out back, but it does not illuminate the ground at all. buildings and vehicles light up with them but i cant see the driveway for the ditch because the ground has not light directed towards it.

its pretty silly design really when the vehicle is as designed, expected to be a towing vehicle :bash:

i like the ideas i see, but i am not wanting to make holes in the bumper so i ordered a pair of the 4" 18W CREE LED WORK LIGHT BAR and i will have to figure a way to mount them under the bumper somehow.

i love your idea of using the trailer hitch for power, i hadnt thought about that. i can use a simple 12v relay hooked up to the reverse lights to activate them. thats a great idea that solves the power supply problem

 

[Folsom4Rnr]

i would call the windows lightly tinted but they are tinted, just not what i would call dark tint, but at night you cant see much through them.

my 06 has factory LED tail lights so i am not even sure if it has a bulb you can replace, plus the backup light sit on the top of them so its so high it throws light out back, but it does not illuminate the ground at all. buildings and vehicles light up with them but i cant see the driveway for the ditch because the ground has not light directed towards it.

its pretty silly design really when the vehicle is as designed, expected to be a towing vehicle :bash:

i like the ideas i see, but i am not wanting to make holes in the bumper so i ordered a pair of the 4" 18W CREE LED WORK LIGHT BAR and i will have to figure a way to mount them under the bumper somehow.

i love your idea of using the trailer hitch for power, i hadnt thought about that. i can use a simple 12v relay hooked up to the reverse lights to activate them. thats a great idea that solves the power supply problem

My 06 is a Ltd w/ the factory tint and has the LED lights out back... That bulb is replaceable and its pretty easy to do (if memory serves just pop the panel off, twist and remove). I replaced my reverse lights last summer with a set of inexpensive Amazon 1,000 lumen 360 degree LED bulbs (believe it was these) and they've worked well for me. Lots more light than the one that were in there.

 

[Elan750]

Why not install a backup camera with rearview mirror screen? it'l cost less than 50 bucks. I did years ago and love it. I bought the cheap ebay ones, upgraded the rca cable, bought a relay, and done. The video mirror clips onto your existing mirror.

night time visibility isnt far, but you can see whats behind you. Daytime is great being able to confidently back up to an inch away from the car behind you. I get extra grins when theres a person in the car behind you and they freak out thinking your going to hit them

 

[Macallan]

I installed Rigid Ignites on both my vehicles. Perfect backup light addition.

 

[LOSTR4]

i would call the windows lightly tinted but they are tinted, just not what i would call dark tint, but at night you cant see much through them.

my 06 has factory LED tail lights so i am not even sure if it has a bulb you can replace, plus the backup light sit on the top of them so its so high it throws light out back, but it does not illuminate the ground at all. buildings and vehicles light up with them but i cant see the driveway for the ditch because the ground has not light directed towards it.

its pretty silly design really when the vehicle is as designed, expected to be a towing vehicle :bash:

i like the ideas i see, but i am not wanting to make holes in the bumper so i ordered a pair of the 4" 18W CREE LED WORK LIGHT BAR and i will have to figure a way to mount them under the bumper somehow.

i love your idea of using the trailer hitch for power, i hadnt thought about that. i can use a simple 12v relay hooked up to the reverse lights to activate them. thats a great idea that solves the power supply problem

Here's what the light output looks like with the LED bulbs.. far better than stock...these are in the facelift/buttlift 06-09 tails too: over-complicating lighting efforts in the rear isn't needed IMHO...either way, anything over stock is always better in the lighting-department...

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[keakar]

I just did (currently) LED 11W reverse lights...they're MORE than enough for backing up but if you have darker tinted windows, obviously that is hindered a bit...cost me $45 and looks factory until you put it in reverse...

what is the type of bulb i need to buy for them? do you remember what it was?

 

[SAC-CA-Runner]

hey I just got these for pretty cheap, Got them off of northridge but they are Rigid Industries, which is a very good brand. I have nit gotten them yet, I think the forest fires in Cali are slowing them down or something, but I think they are a good product, only 98$, I have other rigid products, that is why I recommend them.

These are the ones I used on mine but I mounted mine higher to look a bit cleaner and to throw light past my Wilco swingout. You can kind of see them in this pic. They put out great light.

 

[S p a r k y]

[MENTION=67365]Whitebeauty[/MENTION] has some led bulbs I use and they are pretty dang bright and help tons.

 

[v_man]

LED lights from Amazon, find a place to mount them on the frame near the rear. Hook them up to a switch in the cab, or tie them into your reverse lights if you want to get fancy. These have been working for 5 years plus...

 

[tanth1500]

These are the ones I used on mine but I mounted mine higher to look a bit cleaner and to throw light past my Wilco swingout. You can kind of see them in this pic. They put out great light.

That looks sweet, I can't wait to get mine and install them. What did you use to cut into the bumper?

 

[LOSTR4]

Contact Whitebeauty (forum member) and he'll hook you up. They're 11W CREE LED and I think they make a 15W version and 20W version now too...

 

[SAC-CA-Runner]

That looks sweet, I can't wait to get mine and install them. What did you use to cut into the bumper?

Just a dremel with a cut off wheel. Measure twice, cut once!