Brighter Reverse Lights?

Applicable to the first gens as well? Haven't opened up the tail lights yet, so not sure. I'm hoping it is.

 

Doesnt apply to 1st gens.

 

Yep, just realized that.

 

I just put in some leds that were plug n play in the stock location. I honesty don't remember which bulbs they were, but superbrightleds.com is a great place, and quite popular here. I was pretty surprized with how much brighter they are over stock. They are plenty bright to see behind you, but not overly annoying for neighbors or other drivers.

If you're off-roading, though, I would consider additional lights like the led pods on the bumper or something, but put those on a separate switch. I don't need to see you backing up from 4 miles away when you're on the street.

EDIT:
I found what I got, from Amazon.

GBAuto GBAuto-w5dxw T10 car led

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K3GBRQ2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

you could always mount some flush mounts in the tailgate. keeps them more up and out of the way than the bumper.

 

I got LEDs from Super Bright LEDS for my reverse lights And they work extremely well. Still as bright as the day I bought them years ago. I'll have to see if I can dig some pics up later.

 

Be wary about using a higher wattage std/halogen bulb.
as the additional heat could fubar those tail light lenses.

IMO it would be better to add additional external lighting...
then try to improve the output of the stock tail lights.

If the back-up lense on the tail light lens were clear... that would help.
But it still won't compare to additional aux. back up lighting.

I use a different tail light altogether to improve back up lighting capabilities.

The clear back up lens does much better then did my factory tail lights.

 

I like this. How did you route the wiring?

 

through the drain holes in the bottom of the tailgate and then spliced into the existing wiring

 

Thanks. I think I found my next project.

 

im really happy with it. mine were just some cheaper ones from Amazon and i had to cut a good portion of the fins off to fit the light inside the tailgate. youll like it!

 

I currently have a pair of Amazon MIC cheapies mounted to my hitch. They work okay, but they are in a vulnerable spot being that they are the lowest part of my back end.

Similar to this setup.

 

Well I installed these and they flicker the exact same way my old LEDs did in the stock tail lamp location. What gives? I spliced into the reverse wire for power and grounded on the bolt that mounts the lights to the bumper. These pull 18w a piece which is about 8 watts less than a standard 1156 halogen bulb. Still bright though for now..

 

Most likely that you need a better ground. LEDs need a much better power and ground source than incandescent. Also, keeps in mind that there is no frame ground on a 1st gen. It is grounded by default through parts being bolted together.

 

If the stock ground wire in the tail lamp harness was also causing flickering, idk how much better of a ground to get than by bolting it to the bumper which is connected to the frame

 

I put mine on a relentless fab bed bar and wire a switch in the cab for them. Now i have them on whenever i need them like if i was on a trail.

 

These are awesome, 500 lumens a piece and you'll have plenty of light for a swap of a bulb!!!

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/led-lighting/led-bulbs/1156-morimoto-x-vf-led.html

 

Have any of you found covers for these lights? I need some for state inspection and cant find any

 

A quick search lead me to these eBay lenses. They look like they would fit my lights.

You might find something here.