SR and SR5 backlight for fogs, pods, light bars, etc

Thought I’d start a thread for all you SR and SR5 people to discuss options for supplying backlight on your fog, ditch, driving pods and / or light bars.

I’ve made a harness or maybe 2 or 3, not sure and I will have to dig up who it was for.

I thought perhaps we might want to all discuss the pros and cons of various options and that it deserved a dedicated thread since SR and SR5 use a single bulb for both DRL and Turn / hazard.

 

@Puppypunter @SaborTooth

 

That 1F on the main body ECU, is that the stalk?

 

And, to be clear, intent here is for the masses as to options. So, my focus / perspective is on the “easy” ones which can be done entirely in engine bay. Though all solutions are worthy of discussion and it’s definitely more straightforward with access to ground switched feeds in the cab.

I assume mostly we are talking about plug and play from the headlight 3 position connector, different options for relays and diodes.

I believe the one guy I built for went for DRL and park with DRL summed off both sides. So it flashes the backlight with turns / hazards if DRL is off but they stay constant with DRL on which is normal driving.

I think we might potentially prefer a single timer single headlight backlight / grille light plug and play solution once I have a moment to consider it.

 

Are you talking about the AUTO option? So 1F is the stalk?

Yeah, I think a simple tap is best. Using the DRL/turn will have the backlight blink in some cases. If it is combined with PARK via diodes, then it will stay solid when the parking lights are on. The issue with trying to make it solid when just DRL is selected is that you basically have to tell it to “extend” the pulse and stay lit for the extra 1/4 second. You could do this with timers or even capacitors (if you really want to try capacitors, I’ll dig up my old stuff and let you know how many farads it take to keep it lit, but that also is going to change on the bulb unless you do it with a relay but then you’re back to adding a battery tap and all that in which case the stalk tap is a better way to go anyway). But if you do extend the signal like that, then the backlights will come on solid while the turn signals are on, regardless if the DRL or park are on.

TLDR: having them flash is the easiest way, plus it’s kind of cool

 

Also, another option here that could be explored for the people that really like the idea of the backlights blinking (so idiots like me let’s say) is adding a switch back controller. You can tie in the turn signal even on the TRD trims. I am not sure how it would act if you fed a constant (so a DRL/turn) to the turn signal, but I suspect it would work. I will order another set and test it out. If my suspicions are correct, that would negate the need for diodes as well. Though at an added cost….

 

This would add blinking to the grille lights, but in constant other wise? It would work, but by the time you’re done with connectors and labor, the switchback controller would be a better choice (maybe, this is still assuming it will act like I think it will). It could be done right off the headlight, and all under the hood.

 

I just ordered a set of switchback controllers, so I’ll update when I get them.

 

Just wanting to bump this as I have an SR and a sneaking suspicion that I'm getting some new amber backlit SSC2 ditch lights for Christmas.

 

Just tinkering a little, and got around to this. I duplicated a few conditions with the switchback controller, and it worked the way I thought it would. So it could tie Park and DRL/turn together to be on solid when the DRL and/or park is on, but blink with the turn signal all the time.
So, now the question becomes one of “what if I don’t want it to blink at all, but be on with my DRL and parking lights?” I think using a timer to ignore short pulses is the way to go there. You’d need to tap both sides and run a wire from one side to the other. The connecting wire would need to have diodes so the turn signals don’t cross circuits. But post diode, there would be a trigger that is constant when either side is constant with DRL. That combined with a dioded park signal, would be used to trigger the the timer. It could also power the timer, so no need for fuse taps as long as the added lights don’t exceed the parking/DRL/turn circuit capacity. So more complex to build, but could be made to be all plug and play.

 

If it's possible, I'd like to be a guinea pig and test out a prototype for you. I have a 2022 SR5 Trail Edition and I have a set of SS3 lights on the way. Having the backlight turn on with DRL, park, and headlights would be ideal. I don't have a preference if they blink or not with the turn signal. I would rather have it be an easy plug-and-play type of harness since I am kind of a noob but am willing to figure things out if need be. I also have grille lights on the way that I'd like to incorporate but it's definitely not a deal breaker if I can't use them.

 

@Puppypunter , I’ve gotten compliments on my backlight fog set up for blinker or constant, (you built me a harness for plug and play). @Puppypunter @daveeasa you two have come up with some great work, stoked to see what you come up with

 

Infact, I’m kinda bummed I went with Lasfit (high quality diode dynamic clones)
I saved some and they are fantastic , but do not have backlight … oh well.
Fogs look fantastic though

 

I'd be interested in a plug/play backlit solution for my SR.