want to install some strong under-bumper backup lights on the Guvnah

have to be waterproof and rugged

what do you guys like?

give me some links

p.s. this is the BEST site for 1st gens! 80+ pages of pic threads

 

I just used whatever Napa had for $15 each. Been fine on lots of vehicles for years

 

I have a pair of 100-watt driving lights mounted under my rear bumper, they are controlled through a relay near the lights and connected to the 3 batteries mounted in the bed of the truck.

They are connected to the relay and battery using 6-gauge wire from the battery to the relay and 10-gauge wire from the relay to each lamp, the relay is triggered by the back-up lamp circuit and also a separate switch in the cab with an indicator so there is no chance that I leave them on in forward motion (unless I want to signal someone).

These lights are bright.

I would have to look for the pictures.

Jim

 

I have the Truck-Lite brand LED work lights, with the die cast aluminum housing. Excellent light, and very low amp draw. Not cheap, but very nice.

Jim

 

these guys? 18W LED waterproof

how have they held up? mfr claims they're waterproof and vibration-resistant. I like the low draw, might prevent having to wire these all the way up to the battery

 

$10 each work lights from napa. I used two hose clamps and mounted them to the top of the axle. They can't get hit up under there.

 

Any issues blowing bulbs due to going over rough roads? I imagine they get shook around singe they are on the unsprung part of the axle.

 

No issue with the bulbs..... yet. I use the quite a bit too.

 

The wife's truck has a pair of PLATINUM-brand lights from Walmart; these are about 2-1/2" diameter little chrome tear-drop-shaped; about fifteen-bucks a pair.

Of course, they are on relays and also have 3-position manual control, plus coming ON with REVERSE.

Those little dudes are SUPER BRIGHT.


On my truck, there are at least six, maybe a few more, various 55-watt rectangular driving lights, some pointing straight back, some pointing outward at about 45* or so.


There is no question of our intentions when we shift into REVERSE.

 

I've had good luck with Grote. Most big rig stores carry them. Here's a link. http://grote.com/product.php?product_number=62391 I don't have the led's, I'm using driving lights mounted on the back of my camper shell and they are BRIGHT! I bypassed the reverse light switch and just ran a switch into the cab (on a relay). Similar to these http://grote.com/product.php?product_number=64381-5. Try these also. I've also had good luck with KC. http://www.kchilites.com/store/categ...eries/Back-Up/. I did $4000 damage to the front end of my truck one time and only dented the housing of my KC Daylighters (true story).

 

Do the LED lights require a relay too, or dont they draw the power off the battery that the other ones do?

 

I would still install a relay with an 8-gauge wire from the battery to the back of the bed, you can get the trigger wire off from one of the back-up lamp wires behind the socket.
Factory backup lamp circuit I don't believe is any larger than a 16-gauge wire from the switch on the transmission all the way to the back of the truck.

Jim

 

Here is what the back of my truck looks like at night.



Here I found a nice dark place near where I live.



With the engine idling, I flip on the override switch in the cab, and the night becomes daylight.



Here is a side shot to show the spill from under the bumper and up the wall.



And another one



Here is looking at the back of the truck with the backup lights on, see how useless the factory ones are.



The first 3 and the last picture are taken with Canon DSLR handheld with an exposure of 60th/sec @ 3.5 so they are the actual light output, pictures number 4 & 5 were taken with an exposure of 50th/sec @3.5 so the light is very slightly exaggerated but I did this to show you the beam pattern.

The actual top cutoff of the beam is 75' behind the truck as required in the vehicle code.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24606.htm

Also as far as mounting lamps to the real axle you might want to check its legality in your particular state.
It is illegal here in California.

Would you believe that as bright and noticeable as these lights are along with how quiet my truck is, when I am backing out of parkings at stores there are still people who will walk directly behind me dragging their kids tempting their fate.

This is when I give a little toot with my air horn to let them know that I saw them.

Jim

 

Maybe they want you to hit them so they can throw a lawsuit at you. Or maybe they're just stupid.

 

I think they are just stupid..
People just don't seem to realize a truck this size had blind spots,

Same whenever I turn on my blinkers to change a lane someone in a small car will almost always speed up and get almost even with the rear of my truck and stay there, if I speed up to pass them they also speed up its almost like they all have a death wish.

I am going to mount a pair of air horns under the rear bumper facing backwards to get their attention.

Jim