Upfitter to Reverse Lights (HID)

[UofMF250]

Anyone try to hook up their reverse lights, not aftermarket, to the upfitter switches. I almost did this mod in my Tahoe but never got around to it before I traded it in . Some of the guys on the Tahoe forum also put in HIDs for the reverse lights, and again never got around to it, BUT I am doing the HIDs for the 250, and would like to do the upfitter to reverse light mod as well, so if anyone has any input on how to do this, that would be great!!

[lhsnbsaoa]

I am also interested in this. Subscribed!


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[UofMF250]

anyone?



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[dazdillenger]

It would be super easy to do. Just find the reverse wire in the rear harness, cut it, and connect it to one of the upfitter leads. My reverse lights are supplemented with a halogen driving light. It works great, and comes on with the revere lights.

[Alberta Advantage]

Why would they do HID lights as reverse lights? For the amount of time that they are usually on when backing up, they won't have a chance for the ballast to fully spark the bulb at 100%. Metal halide lamps take time to get warm and have 100% output.

It would definitely be easy to do but the reverse lights in the taillights aren't all that bright. I'd recommend getting some additional lights and splice them into the harness so they come on when you're in reverse. I have two lightbars tied into an aux switch and another lightbar and two lights tied into the reverse harness.

[dazdillenger]

Originally Posted by Alberta Advantage

Why would they do HID lights as reverse lights? For the amount of time that they are usually on when backing up, they won't have a chance for the ballast to fully spark the bulb at 100%. Metal halide lamps take time to get warm and have 100% output.

It would definitely be easy to do but the reverse lights in the taillights aren't all that bright. I'd recommend getting some additional lights and splice them into the harness so they come on when you're in reverse. I have two lightbars tied into an aux switch and another lightbar and two lights tied into the reverse harness.

I agree with everything you said. Adding HID lights to the stock housings is a terrible idea. The housings are so small that they would likely melt, and the reflectors aren't designed for that sort of output. It would look terrible.

As for adding auxiliary lights, that is exactly what I did. I screwed a single 3" driving light to the bottom of my 7 pin trailer connector. It is adjustable, and comes on with my reverse lights. Since I only used one light I just used the reverse light wiring to power it, but if you were concerned with overloading the OEM wiring you could always do a relay setup.

I see absolutely no reason to be able to switch on the OEM reverse lights. They are terrible, and nearly useless. Just run some nice new lights to your upfitter switch, and aim them behind you!

[CanadianDiesel]

IMO stock "reverse lights" are just a warning that you are reversing...and hardly serve as actual aid when you're backing up.
...Unless you get additional aftermarket lights. Don't put an HID in the tiny housing, you're asking for trouble...that's why they go in headlights, more room to dissipate all that heat.
Your money would be better spent on hidden HID projectors/spots at the back...

[Alberta Advantage]

In my opinion, the best bang for your buck, for the brightest, most rugged, and least amount of power draw are Vision X's Solstice Solo LED lights. They are a 2" square light that produces 900 lumens of light through a 10 watt LED. They are available in several different optic patterns and cost about $120. Not a bad deal for an LED light in my opinion.

[scottbolt]

I hooked up four led back up lights on mine I put a relay on the switch by the lights to get full power but the thing is like daylight behind it!! I used the number two upfittier switch. But the number one has the biggest power wire of the four!

[Alberta Advantage]

Originally Posted by scottbolt

I hooked up four led back up lights on mine I put a relay on the switch by the lights to get full power but the thing is like daylight behind it!! I used the number two upfittier switch. But the number one has the biggest power wire of the four!

LEDs draw so little power that you don't need a high amperage switch for them. I run my 20" double stack Evo Prime lightbar that has 24 - 10 watt LEDs off of my #2 switch. I used to use my #1 to power a transfer tank pump but I got rid of the tank and now, it powers two 8" LED lightbars.

Which LEDS are you running?