Aux Back-up lights

The simpleist way is to tap into your reverse lights feed, however myself I prefer independent control of the lights..especially for tailgaters hahaha

On my truck I have a direct feed going from the battery, fuse, 15a switch in cab, finally I ran the leads down to the back bumper. Just make sure to use at least 14g wire to minimize voltage drop. Look into the rigid sr-m pods if you dont go the flush mount route. They have diffused lenes and are perfect for reverse lights. If your keeping your stock bumper, flush mount pods are your best bet

 

Relay under the hood. Dedicated wire run to the back bumper.

The reverse circuit is in the driver's kick panel, parking light fuse is behind the change tray. Single pole, double throw switch with indicator light on it. Down is on with stock reverse lights, there is a center off position, up is manual on. Manual on only works if the parking lights are on, keeps me from running the battery down if I forget. Indicator light is a must, otherwise leaving then on in traffic is a possibility.

 

Thanks. Dremel with heavy duty cut off disc. Took a while with lots of filing to get it just right.

 

I agree with this approach but a spdt switch with an indicator is real tough to find on Amazon. They have lots of OEM type switches but they are all spst.

 

You can just get a separate LED that's wired straight to the aux lights, so anytime they have power the indicator comes on. Another advantage of this is you'll know immediately if the relay fails.

 

Just about how I did it. I have mine wired to the battery though and no indicator light. I did leave them on driving about 30 miles once. Luckily I was towing a boat so the glare was broken up by the trailer and boat. I had turned them to stay on while I was loading the boat at night at the launch. I noticed when I turned the truck off and I still had lights behind the truck. Oops!

 

Just finished this mod and i have a couple thoughts to add:

1) make sure you look at the back of your bumper and strategically place the location of the flush mounts (if that's what you use). The hitch makes them really tough to screw down if you put them to close to it.

2) there's enough rust under my back bumper and on the hitch that the spot the 7 pin connector is grounded would not work as a ground for the lights. I ended up grounding them on one of the bolts for the bumper under the plastic step cover

 

My plan to work around the 3 position switch is to use 2 pairs of lights. One hooked up to the reverse lights and one on a switch. I'm not great with wiring plus this gives me the opportunity to run white and Amber. I like keeping things simple stupid

 

I wouldn't call two full sets of independently controlled lights "simple" but whatever floats your boat

 

It was a PITA to find. Which is why it didn't get done until I left them on by mistake. I had used a standard metal toggle switch and separate pilot light on my last truck, but really didn't want to drill holes in the dash this time. I used a Carling rocker switch. The key is to find one with an internal pilot light that can be wired completely independently, with separate terminals just for the light power and ground.

http://www.otrattw.com/wiring/V4D2Y7NB.pdf

 

Stole this from another thread.

 

Sorry if I’m late to this party but.....Spod 6 switch system so you can install once and add 6 separate circuits under the hood and one ...inside the cab switch block for future upgrades and add ons. Rigid rear bumper floods. Both the Rigid led lights come with instructions, wiring and a switch and can work on their own but when used with the Spod system it’s super easy.

https://www.4wheelparts.com/Electrical/SPOD-6-Switch-Panel-with-Sunglass-Holder-700-Tun.aspx?t_c=72&t_s=123&t_pt=101628&t_pn=POD700-Tun&utm_source=google,google&utm_medium=cpc,cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&emlprox=out&ppcfon=1&gp=1&tf=1&scid=scplpPOD700-Tun&sc_intid=POD700-Tun&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgofP65Dl3AIVSlcNCh1kDwAdEAQYASABEgIS1PD_BwE

 

I want my aux bumper lights to always come on with the reverse tail lights, and I want to put the aux/tail combo on a switch for when I need the light but the vehicle is off. Could I tap 12v, put a switch inline, and tap into the red/white wire?

 

Thanks. I'm trying to avoid running any more wires from the front to the rear. I want to just tap into the reverse lights at the tail. Would my original question work?

 

@08TacoTrD looks good. Use the same fuse to feed the switch and the relay. I'd also feed terminal 87 and 30 goes to the light. Otherwise 87a becomes live when the relay is turned off.

You can also tap the reverse light wire in the harness under the driver's side threshold. That's where i tapped it.

@webdr that would work. However, you take the risk of blowing the fuse or worse overloading the wire. You only need one wire to go back.
Also, use the back up light tap to turn on the relay as shown above...

 

Gonna have to tap the reverse circuit and an always on 12v for that. Need a relay and a switch. However you want to do wire that is up to you.

 

I would like to upgrade my 3+1 flat plug to a 7 pin trailering plug.

 

Got some killer feedback on this post. I thank you all who have contributed.

 

Bumping this so i remember where to get info.