[grawls2008]

So I do not post on here very much, I just linger in the background looking at what other people are doing. I am in a 2011 RAM 1500 SLT Quad Cab. The previous owner put some window tint in the truck and that has killed the reverse lights. If I am backing down a dark driveway, or backing out of a poorly lit area, you can forget about it. The lights are of no benefit.
Well while driving around town one day I saw someone that had some flush mounted reverse lights in the rear bumper. After hours of research while at work I finally found something that would work. I didn't want to spend the money on the SR-M Flush Mount Back Up Light Kit. Which cost $227.00 from Rigid's website.
After eventually stumbled across these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J5AAX5S?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
While I ordered that I also added a wiring harness for the system: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O72R7Z8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01
Since the wiring harness is made for front facing lights I have had to invest into some extra wire to be able to add the length needed to reach the rear bumper. So all together I am in this project currently roughly $50.00.
When I first got the lights I wanted to make sure that they were working properly, some of the reviews off amazon stated that they received lights that were not functional out of the box.
So I hooked all the wires up to the battery and the grounds just to test them. I must say that I am extremely impressed. The lights worked like a charm.
This was just a test of the lights, but got so excited for them that I wanted to share.
The picture with the lights on the wall, it started to pour as I was getting it all set up in the parking lot so I didn't snap a picture without the lights but that was taken at roughly 1am. The parking lot is completely black, with no headlights. Obviously the pattern is bigger since the lights were sitting in the engine bay when this was taken, but once I get them mounted in the rear bumper it should eliminate the issue of not being able to see.

I have not actually got them installed into the bumper yet, I have to wait for a day off from work. The only negative to the product that I have found is that there is no template included to use for cutting into the bumper.


As time passes I will try to keep this post updated with any kind of water issues that may come along. I am hoping that with them being in the rear of the vehicle that water will not be an issue. I will keep you updated.

 

[RogerRamJet]

Wow! Those look awesome and light up that wall nicely. Looking forward to following this project and seeing the final product. Good luck and have fun.

 

[grawls2008]

MOD is officially done.

Got the project finished. I have attached the picture of the lights installed, along with a picture of the lights off and on. the dark picture is the same as the lights on one, but obviously with the lights on.

 

[Bushmaster]

Very nice and lots of light.:smileup:

 

[RogerRamJet]

That is awesome! Really lights up the back end. How, what did you use to cut in to the bumper? Do you have a picture of the cut outs without the lights in them?

 

[grawls2008]

It was stressful...

It was extremely stressful cutting into the bumper. I just used a Dremal and some metal cutting blades. After I got a rough cut out I used some grinding stones to fine turn the cut outs. It just took patience. I have attached two pics from the left cut out. I didn't get a pic of the right one.

 

[RogerRamJet]

Excellent! Thanks, Dood.

I can only imagine how stressful that was. Nice job.

 

[Bordin]

Good job man!
It is a little nerve racking, I agree with you there.
I suggest using stainless hardware (if you haven't did already).

Up hear in the north with all the salt, it eats everything.

 

[kelaog]

Good job man!
It is a little nerve racking, I agree with you there.
I suggest using stainless hardware (if you haven't did already).

Up hear in the north with all the salt, it eats everything.

Not a good idea. I'd rather replace cheap fasteners then an entire bumper.

By adding stainless hardware onto a plain carbon bumper you're creating a corrosion cell and the anode will be eaten away. In this case it will be the bumper.

May I suggested galvanized hardware?

PS: Nice truck Bordin Is the sport rear bumper metal?

 

[garrett7]

Where in northern ontario are you Bordin? I am in thunder bay

 

[GTyankee]

Nice job with the bumper lights

The rear sport bumpers are made of metal

 

[ShiftyDT]

Did you wire a switch for these or are they always on when in reverse?

 

[Bordin]

Did you wire a switch for these or are they always on when in reverse?

I wired a switch, that way if anyone is riding me during the night they'll back off quick enough. Hopefully it won't be a cop though:smileup:

 

[ShiftyDT]

LOL nice thinking. No I just wondered if you were in a dark parking lot and backed out if you were blinding everyone around you.

My buddy flashed a cop with his high beams only and the cop didn't turn his high's off. Not knowing it was a cop he turned his highs on. That didn't work so he turned on his PIA light bar. Got him some sort of distraction ticket and an illegal offroad only modification ticket of some sort. In the end it cost him 500 bucks, simply because the cop wasn't paying attention. I thought it should have went to court but buddy didn't want the hassle.

 

[GR8WING]

As much as I would love to have those lights on mine, I don't have the balls to make the cut.

 

[grawls2008]

I went to a switch. I went back and forth on wiring into my reverse lights but i eventually decided not to. There is a way to wire to a switch and still have them come on in reverse, but i just did a switch.

 

[jwilkinson79]

Nice work.