Utility of Bed Height Reverse Lights

Happy New Year Everyone

It was a long night so bear with me. There's a guy near my in-laws looking to sell a Cali-raised antenna mount for the driver's side. He's also got a handful of Lightforce Rok series flood lights.

Back in the Xterra days we had a small Hella work lamp mounted on the roof rack. It worked well as a reverse light although if the lamp was nudged by overhead branches, the light could occasionally cause a bit of glare of the rear glass. It was a halogen flood pattern with maybe a 20 watt bulb.

Having no experience with a bed-height mounted light with an LED pod, I wonder if its for me. So to those that have one of these set up, I have a few questions:

1. Is there a difference between mounting driver's side vs. passenger side in terms of usefulness of the light? Wondering in particular if a flood pattern at that height might be too high to use as a lamp to illuminate camp while setting up. Lots of us seem to mount lamps like these at bumper height.

2. I can choose between a Rok 20 and Rox 40 flood - LF markets them as among things, reversing lights - any real world experience with one of these?

3. Should I look at Diode Dynamics or Baja Designs - would be about 2x what I'd pay for one of those Rok series lamps, but I'm not too brand loyal with LEDs as yet.


Thanks everyone

 

@memario1214 can probably help you out

 

you've got a lot of questions on how others might use an additional set of reverse lights, but didn't define your use for them.

i rebuild/add backup lights on all my vehicles. this is an Amazon set of spot/flood lights mounted underneath the truck, with a custom-cut diffuser made of the lenticular film diffuser layer from within lcd tv's.



my use case is specifically to be used while backing up, to see better from the edge of the rear tires and rear corner behind the vehicle. between the mounting location and the lenticular film, i get a smooth light spread behind the truck that allows me to easily see my driveway edges, as well as lining up for the curb to back up.

 

memario1214 - that's the exact mount available - passenger side. To answer your question, I'm hoping to have a light I can wire so that it kicks in when reverse is engaged (I'm in a manual DCSB) to help with reversing in pitch back conditions outdoors, but also perform as a work light - setting up camp.

So have it on a On/Off switch so it can be used stationary while truck is running not in gear, and a separate switch to select when it comes on in gear (I wouldn't need auxiliary reverse lighting in town for the most part). Don't ask me how that old lamp was wired - I had my engineer buddy set it up, I just remember it being a long and complicated process and him being proud he got it sorted out with all of the other driving lights at the time.

I don't need distance as much as spread hence the flood patterned light.

The old Hella halogen was in many ways ideal in all its low-tech glory. Not so bright you had to be careful to avoid looking in it's direction while working on set-up (it was mounted close to 6'6" off the ground so if anything yiu might cast shadows passing in front of it on occasion). But also bright enough it illuminated all the features behind you, including the ground as well as all those branches I was hitting or snagging before mounting that Hella.

If anything I'd prioritize reversing over use as a work light though. We tend to need the flood light for no more than the first 20 minutes upon arrival - too find the most level spot and set-up the F-ing colossus of a family tent we use these days (as much as we need the space and enjoy it with kids, I can't get over how bloody cumbersome set up is compared to the little 3 man tent we used pre-kids).

So my concern is whether an LED flood at that height is too dazzling for a work light. I picture being careful to avoid looking in the direction of the truck while setting up since the source of light would be more in line with me eyes at a distance of 10 feet.

I could mount lamp below the bumper which I suppose is an option. But the tailgate mount and lamp combo just happens to be available.

Besides my brief experience with another friend's truck with floods mounted below the bumper - they got hung up occasionally and took quite a beating on gravel roads.

Thoughts?

 

Hit post reply 1 second too soon - soundman98 that reply was too you as well, pardon me if that came off rude

 

aux lights
better bulbs

 

It's actually pretty easy on these trucks to tap into the reverse signal as well as basic power while running at the rear of the truck.

On mobile, so don't have all the images and links handy, but there's an add-on extension jumper cable that connects inline with the trailer plug. Use this as a sacrificial lead.

That lead has a reverse, ground, and +12v-while-running output(for charging trailer batteries), meaning you just need to add an spdt relay, waterproof switch, light, and wiring to make it all work.

Though I will say most led flood lights are still far more directional than the old halogen counterparts. This can be good or bad, depending on use

 

As I mentioned, I'm likely to prioritize reverse Lighting over use as a work light so presumably one of the Rok series floods will do the trick.

Now since I need to get a shop or buddy to wire this, soundman98 do you mind sending me a PM or something detailing your wiring summary above? Something for the install guy to work from - I've had some bad experiences asking Van and Truck World folks to wire up lights. I'd rather use a tested method from a Tacomaworld member most days.

As for the lights on offer, I take it no one has input on the Lightforce Rok series?

I'll check out Amazon myself, although options there would be appreciated. Not knowing how distinguish between the mass produced crap and actual quality items, I'm always leary of an Amazon deal. Although I've never purchased an LED pod on the platform in the end.

 

there are tap harnesses.

DIY + instructions + parking lot

 

This is pretty cool. D'you have a pic/view of them in action?

 

the biggest thing i do is that i make all mods i do reversible. in this case, i suggest a curt harness:

$38 CURT 56584 Replacement Vehicle-Side Custom USCAR 5-Pin Trailer Wiring Harness

https://www.amazon.com/CURT-56584-Custom-Wiring-Harness/dp/B007EA6WQU

that harness breaks out the ground/stop/tail/turn/reverse signals into the 5-pin plug, but also extends the brake and +12v wires through it as well. by using that harness as a sacrificial part, it maintains the integrity of the vehicles wiring(if there's ever an issue, it's easy to unplug, and still be able to use your trailer plug if needed).

you'll also need a waterproof relay to add into that harness:

$10 True MODS 1 Pack 5-Pin 12V Bosch Style Waterproof Relay Kit [Harness Socket] [12 AWG Hot Wires] [SPDT] [30/40 Amp] 12 Volt Automotive Marine Relays for Boats Auto Fan Cars

https://www.amazon.com/ONLINE-LED-STORE-Waterproof-Harness/dp/B01N66W2XF?th=1

and your preference of a waterproof switch:

$10 APIELE 19mm Latching Push Button Switch 12V DC Angel Eye Halo Ring LED Metal 0.74" 1NO1NC SPDT with Wire Socket Plug (Blue LED/Black Shell)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083QLW8Z3/?coliid=I1H7KLNRSG6GJX&th=1

weideer 5Pcs 12V Waterproof Rocker Switch ON/Off 3 Pins 2 Position SPST Yellow LED Round Rocker Toggle Switch for Marine Car RV Truck KCD1-8-101NW-Y

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093RWG6VR/?coliid=I3TCJ5SV4IOZQR

$20 DaierTek Lighted 12V Waterproof Toggle Switch IP67 12 Volt LED RGB(RED Green Blue) 16mm Pre-Wired for Car Boat Marine -3Pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0998W7K4H/?coliid=I27V8QULT6PUO2&th=1

all the power/ground/reverse signals are available within that harness, so the only additional things needed will be heat-seal crimps, wiring for running to the light and switch location, and some time to figure it all out, which most anyone with a decent electrical understanding should be able to piece together plenty fine--the nicest thing is that most of it would be able to be built and tested on a workbench, without the truck, making the truck install portion extremely easy once all the benchtop troubleshooting is verified.

i don't, but can try to get one later tomorrow

 

If you do it, buy low- (light) output ones, with the widest spread possible.

 

Diode Dynamics has a light pod the installs in the hitch……it’s great!

 

I went with an overpriced Vled license plate mounted light bar and also led #931 reverse bulbs.
It’s pretty bright (1800 lm) and plug n play harness, works good but no separate switch to activate it.