I have an '08 Dodge Ram. The backup lights are a joke. You can't see a thing back there. I've been trying to figure out a way to add auxiliary lights but there's no place to mount them where they wont get crunched or I don't have to drill holes in the body. LED's are the most compact, but it takes a lot of them to brighten it up enough to see well. There are all kinds of compact daytime running lights but they're made to be seen, not to see with. They're bright but they don't project at all.
Most of the non-LED lights pull 50W or more which overloads the backup light fuse. I have an unused switch on the dash that a previous owner installed for something he had on it so I'll probably run a heavy wire from that and just switch it on as needed. It'll also run to my horse trailer where I'm going to add some lights on the sides for backing up in the dark.
Have any of you run into this problem of mounting tiny but bright lights?
I should add that when I have my stock rack on it, the tailgate is gone. Also, the rack precludes any use of the stake holes in the top of the bed.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
I have an '08 Dodge Ram. The backup lights are a joke. You can't see a thing back there. I've been trying to figure out a way to add auxiliary lights but there's no place to mount them where they wont get crunched or I don't have to drill holes in the body. LED's are the most compact, but it takes a lot of them to brighten it up enough to see well. There are all kinds of compact daytime running lights but they're made to be seen, not to see with. They're bright but they don't project at all.
Most of the non-LED lights pull 50W or more which overloads the backup light fuse. I have an unused switch on the dash that a previous owner installed for something he had on it so I'll probably run a heavy wire from that and just switch it on as needed. It'll also run to my horse trailer where I'm going to add some lights on the sides for backing up in the dark.
Have any of you run into this problem of mounting tiny but bright lights?
I should add that when I have my stock rack on it, the tailgate is gone. Also, the rack precludes any use of the stake holes in the top of the bed.
You aren't looking at the right LED's then, because the good ones are much much more bright than a standard halogen. It will probably set you back, but this is what you should be looking at if size and output is a concern: http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lighting...s=448&t_pt=4242&Bulb+Type_PQ=LED
I have an '08 Dodge Ram. The backup lights are a joke. You can't see a thing back there. I've been trying to figure out a way to add auxiliary lights but there's no place to mount them where they wont get crunched or I don't have to drill holes in the body.
I have seen more than a few sets mounted to the reciever hitch itself. Would that work?
my dad had a GMC and the reverse lights would only work when the clutch was completely engaged, and i somehow (why not to drink beer when rebuilding a trans) managed to put the reverse light switch on the OD fork of my old Ford.
�The constitution of the United States asserts that all power is inherent in the people, that they may exercise it by themselves, that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed!� � Thomas Jefferson
I've considered a hitch mounted light. It's a pain, though, because I'd have to keep swapping it with the ball mount. I use the hitch quite a bit. I've seen some that slip over the receiver and have lights on both sides but they block access to the safety chain loops.
This is a work truck, not a take-a-date-to-a-movie truck. The bumper takes some hits...which is why I need the extra light.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
My pickup is pretty high. I've considered letting them hang slightly below the bumper. I'd have to rig some kind of protection from rocks off the tires even with the mudflaps.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
I haven't tried them, but I'd start with replacing your stock back up bulbs with LED's. I'd also recommend that whatever brand you get that they use CREE LED in their bulb over anything else.
I've considered a hitch mounted light. It's a pain, though, because I'd have to keep swapping it with the ball mount. I use the hitch quite a bit. I've seen some that slip over the receiver and have lights on both sides but they block access to the safety chain loops.
This is a work truck, not a take-a-date-to-a-movie truck. The bumper takes some hits...which is why I need the extra light.
Not IN the reciever. The one's I've seen have been on the "frame" of the reciever. They wouldn't be in the way of the "hitch" itself at all.
I haven't tried them, but I'd start with replacing your stock back up bulbs with LED's. I'd also recommend that whatever brand you get that they use CREE LED in their bulb over anything else.
I wasn't aware that they were making LED replacements. They are and there are lots to choose from. That would definitely be the best choice. Thanks.
Crees, however, run almost $40 each. There are lots of others for far less that still put out a lot more light than the stock bulbs. It sure pays to read reviews, too. Some of them are junk.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
Actually you can get a pair of genuine Cree LED's for your truck for $40 from Retro Solutions. They've been in business for a long time and are sponsors on a lot of auto forums. You can even call them up and talk to a person that speaks English!
I did a little looking around and these LED bulbs should be a direct replacement for the 921 stock bulbs in your Ram.
Hmm. The online applications charts all show a 921 bulb for my backup lights. The owners manual calls for a 3057, which is totally different. I pulled one out and it's a 921. I've been looking at the wrong bulbs.
It definitely pays to read reviews. Some LED's are pretty poor and the reviews say they aren't as bright as the OEM bulbs, which is my problem in the 1st place.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.