wiring in aux backup lights

[shoff535]

I got some LED pod lights that I've mounted to my roof rack and am now ready to wire in. I was thinking of just wiring them into the existing back up lamps, so that when the oem lamps come on, the new ones would. I've run the wires to the rear tail light housing and what I've found (this is an 07 sr5) is there is a main wiring harness that powers all of the lights, and where the individual bulbs plug in there are only contacts for the circuit to be completed. It looks like the ground wires are at the lamp contacts and the main power is at the harness.
Here are two pics, one shows the backup lamp at the bottom, and the other is a clearer pic of the wiring harness.

I assume (or was planning) on wiring the red (+) from the aux lamps to the red in the wire harness, and the black (-) from the aux lamps to the ground at the oem back up lamp... will this work? Or, is one of the other 3 wires in the harness the power for the oem backup?(my electrical knowledge is really weak)

 

[RAD4Runner]

...
I assume (or was planning) on wiring the red (+) from the aux lamps to the red in the wire harness, ...(my electrical knowledge is really weak)

It is respectable to know one's limit.

Do not assume that red is always positive and black is always negative. Check schematic and/or get a multi-meter.$6 at harbor Freight will save you headaches and $$$ later.

Find out which wire to the back-up light housing only has 12V when IGN is on and you are in reverse. Use that to control the relay. (pin 86).

I recommend using a relay to power additional circuits. Use the stock power wire to the back-up lamps only to control the relay. Relay will carry the load. This way:
1) You can use more auxiliary lights if you want to, AND
2) No matter what happens to your auxiliary load, your stock circuit will continue to function properly, AND
3) You can choose to turn on the back-up lights even if ignition is no on, i.e., to to work behind the vehicle...

 

[shoff535]

It is respectable to know one's limit. .

I feel like you're channeling Harry Callahan here !

AND
3) You can choose to turn on the back-up lights even if ignition is no on, i.e., to to work behind the vehicle...

Thanks for the schematic and the advise..point 3 was actually one of my first considerations..

 

[kevinpt]

i used my stock trailer harness to get reverse power. truck is made to have trailer lights so i did not see any need to change whats on the truck

 

[RAD4Runner]

Most welcome.

I feel like you're channeling Harry Callahan here !
Thanks for the schematic and the advise..point 3 was actually one of my first considerations..

LOL!
Haven't seen that movie, now you got me searching...
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t2JnCXvm_Qc" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[riceandpho]

factory reverse wire is red with the yellow.
good idea to run the aux lighting with a relay.

 

[iBison]

I ran mine with a switch so I could also manually turn them on for camping, etc. I wired them similar to this, http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/154654-how-wiring-aux-reverse-lights-3.html#post1532273.