I need advice on hard wiring auxiliary back up lights

I purchased a pair of Cree 18 W LED lights which can be used for extra light up front or out back. I want to simply install them under the rear bumper and wire them into the existing backup light circuit with no switch. This way they will only light up when I put the truck in reverse. I have removed both rear light assemblies and located the two wires (red and white w/black stripe) that power the factory backup lights. Can I simply connect my auxiliary light to these wires and be done or is there a better or easier method? The truck is a 2012 TRD Sport double cab long bed.

 

i would do the same thing if i wanted them to turn on when in reverse.

just make sure to find out what your positive and negative are.

 

Some ideas here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/auxiliary-reverse-lights.363177/

 

The way I have mine wired is pictured below. Obviously for you, you can disregard the switch leg of the circuit. I tapped the trip wire that's behind the kick panel by the dummy pedal. I used to have a pair of 27W lights back there, and didn't trust them piggybacking.

 

If you have the tow package, wire them to the backup light circuit from your 7 way trailer connector socket. That is the way I wired mine to my TRD Sport The center pin on the connector is the backup circuit. They only come on in reverse. Really simple.

 

As mentioned above, I've rigged mine to run off the trailer back-up light circuit. Helps with the voltage drop - but I think it is simply summed off the truck's BU lights - so same fuse. Just added a single 18W with six Cree's.

 

Just figured I'd throw my experience your way - Had the same idea when I started to wire mine up, then someone on here mentioned the idea of using a single pole double throw switch for them - one position has them on with the reverse lights, middle position has them off all the time, and the other position has them on all the time. This gives the ability to use them for aux lights if you are camping, packing supplies, etc, and the truck does not have to be in reverse!

Just throwing it your way to see if that might give you some more usage out of the lights.

 

Thats a great idea. where did you get that switch?

 

otrattw.net - They have a huge selection of lights and different graphics that you can select from. Jut make sure you don't get the momentary switch (like I did my first go around haha)

 

Awesome! I appreciate it

 

I just installed my Cree LED backup lights. First step was deciding where to place them. Second was deciding where to splice into the OEM harness. Mounting them below the rear bumper would expose them to wheel spray and obstacles. I decided to mount them on the top of the bumper but not any place that would be in the way. This is what I came up with.



The beauty of this location is that it's not in the way and it's well protected. By removing the tail light assembly you can splice into the red and white/black stripe wires that go to the factory backup light. The Cree's actually hide the factory backup light but don't affect the turn signals or brake/taillight. The other nice thing is the one foot long wires coming out of the Cree's is just long enough to reach the factory wiring. The lights are very bright and only come on when I back up. No switch required.