Reversing light for GU

Submitted: Thursday, Feb 01, 2007 at 21:40

ThreadID: 41866 Views:5575 Replies:6 FollowUps:5

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tonka toy

I'm getting sick of backing in the dark with my reversing light on my 1998 GU.
I Have looked around in the automotive shops for a flood light to mount on the rear end but without success. Can ssome one give me some advice about where to find a suitable light and how to wire it in?

Thanks

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Reply By: Markymark - Thursday, Feb 01, 2007 at 22:11

Thursday, Feb 01, 2007 at 22:11

I bought some cheap driving lights from Supercheap over christmas (haven't fitted them yet), small oval shaped with metal body, 55w. Tested them on my spotlight battery at the back of the car and they'll do the job well for reversing. Can't remember price other than under $50. I keep thnking $25 but seems too 'cheap'! In the past I hooked up a single fog light under the back of my old Cruiser and that was great, picked it up at a swap meet for nothing.

I believe you need to have them hooked in to your reversing lights now - I didn't and used a relay, fuse, 6mm wire etc same as normal fog light set up. If you haven't got the right electrical tools it may be easier to pay for installation but that's have the fun isn't it? I'm sure its been covered on here before if you do a search.

Cheers,

Mark.

AnswerID: 219103

Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Thursday, Feb 01, 2007 at 22:25

Thursday, Feb 01, 2007 at 22:25

I use 2 (but one would be okay too) rubber-cased worklights that I got from a local auto leccy place. They're pretty common and are better than normal driving/spot lights, because the beam/s are more difused/spread out etc. I have them wired up through a ON/OFF/ON switch in the cab. In one position the lights are ON, regardless of anything else (ie: I can have them on when the truck isn't even going......this is useful when setting up a campsite at night etc). The other direction "ON" has the lights only operating when reverse gear is selected (to comply with the law). I can have the switch set to OFF for daytime reversing.

The lights are hooked up through a relay which gets it's power from my 2nd battery, mounted in the tray/box on the back of the Patrol.

Wiring is dead easy.

Relay has 4 pins. One goes to the BATTERY via a fuse. Two goes to EARTH. Three goes to the LIGHTS. Four goes to the 3 way switch (centre post/pin thereof). The switch has 2 other posts/pins. Of these, one goes to the back of the truck and is spliced into the reverse wiring. The other goes to a permanently live wire. These 3 wires that go to the switch do not need to be of heavy gauge; they only have switching duties, not heavy current-carrying duties.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Roachie

FollowupID: 479585

Follow Up By: Moggs - Thursday, Feb 01, 2007 at 23:42

Thursday, Feb 01, 2007 at 23:42

Yep, bought the same lights as Mark from Supercheap. They were $25 for two. I have one mounted to the rear wheel carrier. It is wired via a relay into the reverse loom behind the passenger rear light cluster. Works well - and if it ever breaks I have a spare waiting!

FollowupID: 479626

Follow Up By: Camoco - Friday, Feb 02, 2007 at 09:44

Friday, Feb 02, 2007 at 09:44

Hey, I use the same lights on my mower. Work a real treat without killing the alternator. Brighter than they look. (unlike me)

If the lights are mounted high and pointed downwards, they should not be an issue with a demand switch. If they are mounted low, the authorities might not like them. Should be like front Fog Lights. Hard to clarify, if they "Dazzle" you they are illegal when using with oncoming traffic, if they don't "dazzle", they are fine. That depends on how sensitive your eyes are I suppose.

Cheers Cam