KC Hilites backup lights installation

[shovelhd]

I have a Kenwood in-dash DDIN media system with a Farenheit license plate backup camera. It is a 1 lux camera, however it has trouble with washout at night under low light or glare conditions. For the price, it's worth it for the clean installation. Still, I felt if I gave it more light it would work better under these conditions. So I added a set of KC Hilites backup floodlights under the bumper, and it made a world of difference.

This is the kit:

http://www.kchilites.com/2x6-Back-Up...517-P1C26.aspx

I bought mine here along with my new Torza top:

http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/s...lighting11.asp

Shipping was free because I bought the top.

To mount them under the bumper, I drilled and tapped it for 1/4-20 threads and used 3/4" stainless steel cap bolts with Loctite red. There isn't a lot of free space under the bumper so this was the best location I could find. The right light is a bit close to the tailpipe but it never gets hot. I sat in an hour of bumper-to-bumper traffic coming back from Dover and there was no sign of damage.

The lights are wired with a separate 20A power line from the battery, and a relay that senses when the backup lights are on, and turns these lights on at the same time. I ran the wires alongside the factory harness using the flex tubing that comes in the kit. I mounted the relay using the factory ground point under the driver's side bed panel.

KC offers an override switch kit that will let you turn the lights on anytime, but I didn't want to pay the $17 for a switch. So I picked up this switch from Rat Shack:

http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/s...lighting11.asp

However, when I hooked it up like the KC wiring diagram shows, it would blow the fuse whenever I shifted into reverse. It turns out that there is no need to wire the switch to ground, and once I lifted that, everything works the way I want it to.

Here are some pics of the installation.

For $75, I recommend them for people who need more light backing up at night.

[5S Dude]

That looks great shovel! Thanks for the photos. Twintym and I were just talking about this very mod.

[bongus]

Thanks for sharing. I noticed the "ouch" on the tailgate...tha would just kill me.

[ROTORRAY]

I had a similar "owie" on my tailgate. Had one of those painless dent remover guys take it out and you'd never know it was there. Cost $90, and well worth it. Took him about 15-20 mins. You might try it.

[shovelhd]

I'm planning on getting it done at some point. A couple of small scratches on the bumper were my fault, but the dent and the big gouge were from other inconsiderate people.

[tomjv]

Nice install.
I just bought a set of mini halogens. I want to install them as reverse and utility lights. The set I bought comes with a cheesy wire harness and dash switch. I like the idea of having them ON with reverse lights, but also want them switched for setting up my boat etc. Can anyone advise how to do this?

I assume I'll need a relay. I'll run a hot leg from the battery to the relay. OK.
Can I run one hot leg for both lights?
Will one relay do both lights?
How do I wire the override switch?

TomJV

[shovelhd]

Here is the wiring diagram from the KC Hi-Lites kit I used:

http://www.kchilites.com/faq/instruc...517_backup.pdf

You should be able to figure out something similar.

Good luck

[tomjv]

My local truck mods place sells a couple of reverse light kits. He suggested I buy a 7 pin pigtail and wire the lights with that. I may try it. Why not? I just installed the Honda harness and will prolly never need the 7 pin side. It's all dedicated and protected too.
Be easier and cheaper than the KC harness.
TomJV

[shovelhd]

Nothing wrong with that. I'm a fan of every item having their own circuit so to me it was worth the effort.

[spun07RTX]

very nice!

looking into this now too, I would also hook them up to a separate switch.......

....for trailering purposes, not to fire back at the a55hole behind me with his hibeams on