Flush mounted reverse lights installed w/pics

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Stewi

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So I've had these things sitting in my garage for months now and haven't had time to install them. Last night, I got a shot of motivation and it 9pm, in the dark, I decided to measure out and make my templates. Today I finished up the cuts, installed the lights and wired it up. It is nerve racking cutting into a painted bumper. I've installed aerocatch hood latches in carbon fiber hoods before, so it wasn't my first rodeo in doing something of this nature.

I started off taking measurements and getting the bumper protected and marked. Tape off an area way larger than it needs to be, you'll thank yourself later.

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I then drilled the mounting holes out, drilled 4 corner holes for my center opening and two larger holes to start my saw. Drilling the corner holes lets you connect your cuts without having to make sharp radius turns. I made all the cuts using a jigsaw with a good quality metal cutting blade. Go nice and slow.

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This is why you tape everything off and use multiple layers of tape. I thanked myself later. This would have been awful.

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I forgot to take a pic but I coated the bare metal (from the cut) with clear nailpolish to protect it from rusting. I have done this on holes drilled on my race car with great results. You can also mask it and paint it, which ever you prefer.

Then I popped out the trailer wiring connector and wired them up.

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The black wire is ground and the white wire with the orange stripe is the reverse lights. I wired the two power wires into one wire then used a quick splice on that single wire into the trailer harness. I did the same for the ground wires on the lights. You can also ground them to the frame but I was already in the trailer harness, so it was easier and cleaner.

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Its finished for now. When I decide to do my roof mounted bar, I will install a separate switch and relay so that I can turn these reverse lights on manually, without needing to be in reverse. I'll add more pics tonight once it gets dark out.

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Looking in the rear view mirror
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xrsman

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Looks awesome! I hope you don't live where there's salt and sand on the roads though. They'll eat through those tap connectors in a hurry!

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TRXHemi

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Looks sweet. I did this as well. I must have measured a dozen times before cutting!! LOL
 

RAMVT

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Almost have the nerve to try this myself.

Great job it looks awesome!
 

blackbetty14

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nice! I dont have the balls to cut mine. Its still a lease for another year almost but even after I hate inviting rust.
 

Rzrman328

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The big thing about this setup(bumper install) is that you really have no alternatives if they take a crap.

Yes....you can get the exact replacements but what happens when FOR SOME reason they stop making the specific lights you have? Lol buy multiple replacements?

I guess you could make the hole bigger for different lights....or get a new bumper....

Just ramblin out loud...
 

blackbetty14

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Thats valid. But still... Buy 2-3 sets? They are so cheap now does it really matter lol? Plus they are suppose to last 50,000 hours. and if your a normal person who puts it in reverse for more than a few sec to a min it will take like 28years to burn out. But even then... I never believe the lifetime of the LEDs anyway.
 
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Stewi

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For me it's not a big deal. I know how to weld, I could patch those holes in a matter of an hour and I have plenty of friends with body shops who would re-spray it for me. I know that not everyone is in that same situation.
 

Mbarclay

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Looks awesome! I've been wanting to do this for awhile. Getting a new primed bumper to have color matched to replace my chrome bumper so I'll do it before my new bumper gets painted.
 

akennedyusmc

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I love the looks of this. I've been debating on doing the flush mounts or having two lights the same size mounted near the hitch.
I have the chrome bumper so I may just do the pods underneath. Or it may look clean with flush mounts.
Idk too many damn options [emoji23]


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Metalizer

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Sounds like we were both motivated this week. I finally got around to installing some pods on my rear axle. I wired mine to the trailer plug as well, but just ground to the frame. Next is to wire them on 3 way switch....when I have more timecfebeb3db3b03ed8a928eeef2234af0a.jpg
d6f0d2828062fb103fc9714a4b5a1451.jpg
 

akennedyusmc

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Sounds like we were both motivated this week. I finally got around to installing some pods on my rear axle. I wired mine to the trailer plug as well, but just ground to the frame. Next is to wire them on 3 way switch....when I have more timecfebeb3db3b03ed8a928eeef2234af0a.jpg
d6f0d2828062fb103fc9714a4b5a1451.jpg



Yet another great spot! How do you like them down low compared to bumper height?


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dzltek

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I just ordered some flush mounts for my bumper. Anyone have pics with a boat or loaded trailer with the lights on??


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12sportmc

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Sounds like we were both motivated this week. I finally got around to installing some pods on my rear axle. I wired mine to the trailer plug as well, but just ground to the frame. Next is to wire them on 3 way switch....when I have more timecfebeb3db3b03ed8a928eeef2234af0a.jpg
d6f0d2828062fb103fc9714a4b5a1451.jpg

Got any shots of them on? Curious what the actual light output and spread looks like with them mounted down there.
 

Metalizer

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Well I think they're great for what I need but......them being mounted 3' under the truck doesn't nearly let these lights shine like they do. You'll see how the tires and bumper cuts the light output.

The bumper flush mounted just seem played out, I can always move these if I'm not happy.

4e0ebea026966b3855b249a815ede0d0.jpg39ef82f28e4aa2642a4275827e81745e.jpg
 

akennedyusmc

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Well I think they're great for what I need but......them being mounted 3' under the truck doesn't nearly let these lights shine like they do. You'll see how the tires and bumper cuts the light output.

The bumper flush mounted just seem played out, I can always move these if I'm not happy.

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Awesome thanks for the pics!! I agree with them being a little far under neath IMO but it is nice to be able to move them around until you find a spot you like. I'm thinking about putting mine near my hitch but still under the truck.


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dzltek

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What switch did you guys use? Or did you put them directly on your reverse lights? I'm wanting to put mine on a switch, but I'd like a factory aux switch, not an aftermarket one. I've been looking and googling but have not found a single or pod of switches that I can install. Anyone know where i could find what I'm looking for?


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Metalizer

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I'm currently wired to the reverse lights but I'm just needing some time to wire in the relay with a 3 way switch.

Been thinking of just buying a 12" light bar and mounting it under the receiver....I'll get much better light output.

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