Rear 4WD lighting

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 22:34

ThreadID: 50651 Views:4912 Replies:10 FollowUps:9

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PradOz

Not sure if this has been discussed before but any advice would be helpful.

I was wanting to fit a spotlight on the back of my 2000 Prado above the rear tyre on the back door to help when setting up etc the van to car at night etc etc.

Problem 1 - I usually travel with a hard tyre cover fitted

Problem 2 - not enough space between tyre and back door to fit a pole/support due to wider coopers tyre as spare leaves no room.

Problem 3 - the missus - As the Prado is black and in very good condition and also used as a city car it can't look "ugly".

I presume I need some sort of spacer to move tyre out from door. Has anyone made one to suit this type 4WD? If so what did you use as the pole/support and is it adjustable? I presume you wire it up just like any spotlight. Would you fit the switch in the cabin or inside the rear door or ??? Any help appreciated.

Thanks Mick

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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 22:43

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 22:43

Alternative solution.

Fit a rear view camera with infared capability.
This will not only give you an improved, safer view when reversing, but positioned right, will allow you to see the coupling.

Eliminates all the problems you mention:-)

Works for me.

Bill

I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

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AnswerID: 267093

Reply By: 96 GXL 80 series - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 22:47

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 22:47

I think you would have issues with being roadworthy as you are only allowed a clear light on the rear while in reverse.

If you need it for the caravan, then you could mount a light on a pole on your draw bar where the Jockey wheel fits and wire it through your trailer plug or get another mount welded to the Draw bar..

The only other way that is legal and I have is a light wired and connected to the reverse lights and it is attatched to the tow bar.

AnswerID: 267094

Follow Up By: disco driver - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 19:01

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 19:01

96 GLX 80,

If the vehicle is stationary, ie; camped, on the beach fishing or where ever, there are no regulations limiting what lights you can use, except using common sense if your lights may cause others any inconvenience, and the amount of power in your battery.

It is legal to use work lights as reversing lights provided that they do not create dazzle for those following, and they extinguish when the vehicle is moving forward.

Disco

FollowupID: 529628

Reply By: Muzzgit [WA] - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 22:55

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 22:55

Moving the tyre outwards using a spacer will effectively make it heavier as far as the hinges/locks/door frame on the rear door are concerned = stress on components that will weaken = the door will eventually sag.

Maybe you could use a roof rack or roof bar?

AnswerID: 267098

Reply By: Member - Phillip S (WA) - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 23:41

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 23:41

Don't have a roof rack do you?...mine are attached to rear of the roof rack, 2 of them, those NARVA rubber 4" work lights...work a treat, especially when setting up at night after you arrive and it's dark.

AnswerID: 267106

Follow Up By: Member - Phillip S (WA) - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 23:42

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 23:42

I also have them hooked up with my reverse as well...handy

FollowupID: 529476

Follow Up By: rockpiglet - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 00:23

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 00:23

Narva is supposed to be releasing a LED worklight very soon. Same black rubber body as the 4inch.

FollowupID: 529492

Follow Up By: Member - Phillip S (WA) - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 01:08

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 01:08

That's good news

FollowupID: 529494

Follow Up By: PradOz - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 16:21

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 16:21

Yes I have roof racks and wanted to put them on there but I usually take them off to keep the other half from wiping it out in the underground shopping centre car parks - so that rules that out. they look good up there too. do you have them fitted with a switch apart from being hooked up to reverse so you can switch on/off to suit without having to grab the keys or jump in the car? Thanks Mick

FollowupID: 529585

Follow Up By: Member - Phillip S (WA) - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 18:15

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 18:15

Mick...hold on to your seat.....I have wired in three (3) modes of operation...#1 I can flick them on from the drivers seat,when I need to check on the camper trailer or caravan while towing at night #2 They come on in reverse( very handy for seeing where I am going) #3 and when I am standing at the rear I can also flick them on so that I can...cast a fishing rod when fishing at night, or when I am preparing a meal etc or if we need the area lit up to set up camp or whatever. The switch at the rear is set upside down so that it does not accidently get turned on by me or something falling on it. This switch is simple on/off (ie once on always on) The switch in the dash is a centre off switch (on/off/on) this is connected to a relay which either recieves power from the switch or from the reverse signal depending where the switch is set....in the off position it only works from the rear.....confused yet....I am...lol.

FollowupID: 529618

Reply By: obee - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 09:24

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 09:24

Not a "spot" light. One of those spread lights you see on mining vehicles.

Owen

AnswerID: 267144

Reply By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 12:49

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 12:49

I have spacers made from 6mm aluminium which I use sometimes with various odd wheels for my Patrol.

I carry a couple on the car using the spare wheel mounts. This keeps the tyres spaced a bit off the back door and also means I know where they are when they need to go onto the wheels.

Robin Miller

AnswerID: 267173

Follow Up By: PradOz - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 16:23

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 16:23

Thanks Robin, i was wondering did you buy the spacers somewhere or did you make them? I presume they are round with the appropriate holes in them? thanks Mick

FollowupID: 529588

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 16:46

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 16:46

Hi Mick

I made mine up with aid of laser cutter , and it is round with cut outs and holes to fit Patrol/cruiserwheels.

Robin Miller

FollowupID: 529597

Reply By: Member - John - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 16:22

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 16:22

Pradoz, have you thought about using the multi LED lights that the comp boys are using to allow winch hook ups at night, very cheap, water proof, low power usage and kind on the eyes. No need for relays etc. May be what you are looking for? John

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AnswerID: 267199

Reply By: madCrow - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 18:22

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 18:22

Hi PradOz (Mick),
The suggestions given so far have been good.
ie: make your own spacers etc......
Another option is a pre made, eg the kaymar spare wheel spacer, its good as it already has the mounting points for a rear camp light set-up on the unit, namely their own unit, which has a great extendable arm, but don't get the kaymar camp light on top, get another light like the ARB or Narva light.
A mates got the kaymar light of which he's not a happy camper, he's been eyeing of my ARB light. The ARB arm is not extendable, where as the Kaymar is, so I wish I had the Kaymar arm with the ARB light. Oh well cie la vie!

madCrow

PS the Kaymar is chrome or steel finish, a can of automotive spray Black paint can change that for a small expense to your wallet!

AnswerID: 267223

Reply By: PradOz - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 19:40

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 19:40

Thanks for the advice - been good and some good ideas. You wouldn't believe it but I just dropped my daughter at work and parked next to a 4WD with a light on the back as I have described. Talk about fate. It was a home made job but got a birds eye view so I can have another think about it on the weekend. I was going to borrow it but thought he wouldnt appreciate it (LOL) Thanks all.

AnswerID: 267234

Reply By: Middle Jeff - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 20:26

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 20:26

Hi Mick

I had the same problem, and spotted one of these, stubby worklight. I have found it great, and can use it any wear, it also stays where you put it and can't be stolen or broken.

Have fun

Craig

AnswerID: 267242