For those of you that have installed aftermarket reverse lights, what did you do to wire them in? Can tap into the factory reverse light wires? If so, which one is it? YIA

 

i mounted a set of the kc back up lights- i strongly suggest using a relay when tapping into the reverse light wire- i also installed a toggle switch inside the cab- so i can manually turn on the lights. i recommend the kc's- they have a 23 year warranty, their customer service is top notch and their directions are great/easy to follow and understand..

 

we did similar to rjm022 used a relay with a switch on the dash used two high power fog running lights mounted where the tail clamped on the 5th wheel hauler and on the headache rack on the other

 

Im working on mine right now, mounted two fog lights on the frame a little ways in front of the rear bumper. Im going to put a switch in the dash and use a relay also, but my switch will be 3 position, on with the factory reverse lights, off, or on when the key is on, that way i can turn them on if i am hooking up a trailer or something.

If you want to tap into the factory wiring, you must use a relay, I found a wire to turn my relay on with the factory reverse lights in a connector on the drivers side under hood right against the firewall. I havnt seen under the hood of a 06 but you can wiring diagrams for it at http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/

 

I bought a Frontier Gear rearr bumper w/reverse lights. Why can't I just tap into the factory wiring? What will happen? When you install a 4 way, on most trucks, it just taps into the factory wiring.

 

You run the risk of blowing out the fancy computer that controls all the lights.

 

I did mine similar to yours. I put a water proof toggle switch in a small hole near the rear hitch receiver. That way I can turn them on and off from the location I would be when I wanted to use them. I leave them in the mode that they come on with the factory reveres lights. If I have the trailer hooked up I turn them to "off" so I don’t get the reflection. You have to know where the switch is to notice it. I can turn the rear lights on without the key or going inside the truck. I used relays and installed one set of lights under the bumper that are 120 degree flood lights. I also installed a set of driving lights inside the bumper (drilled holes) that flood out at 25 degrees. They are awesome. I have tinted windows and can still see behind me while backing at night

 

So do I just find the wire I need @ the tail light, run a wire off it into an inline fuse & then into the lights? What size fuse should I use?

 

not good at explaning things but if you will send me a fax number i will draw you a diagram of all of the ones above you can get the relay kit at wallmart or any of the parts places

 

I'll send you my fax # in your pm. Thanks a ton!

 

DC used such tiny wires, they won't carry enough current for bigger lites. They did that so we won't have to worry about any druggies stealing the wiring out of our trucks for the copper! I used a kit from Cabelas (two 50w halogens) and it came with a relay. I tried it without the relay and only got 9 volts to the lites. Craig

 

I used the reverse wire in the trailer plug wires, no relay, and leave it in reverse w/ parking brake when hooking up trailer. If you put them on a switch don't forget to turn them off, cops don't like that.
Bob

 

DYNOBOB, did you use lights w/regular bulbs or LED's? Do you have a 331 Hemi in your Imp.?

 

I put a cheap pair of driving lights on my boat rack.
Ran a wire from the factory back up circuit and another switched 12 volt source to a 3 way switch. From the switch another wire to trigger a relay at the rear of the truck which gets it's main power from a 8 ga wire I ran to power my boat loader.
So now I have an AUTO setting (comes on when put in reverse), an ON setting (for when I want them on without having it in reverse, ie hooking up a trailer) and an OFF setting for when I'm backing up the trailer at night, if the lights are on then you won't be able to see behind the trailer at all.

(pics in my gallery)


My advice, do NOT just wire another set of lights the the factory circuit, the wire is such a fine gauge you won't have enough current to power them all, use a relay and another power source.

 

i also used an inline fuse- but you still need to use a replay!!