I'm sure that this has been posted before, but I'm fairly new to the site, so I'm not sure. But anyways, I have a couple of back-up lights that I want to install on the back of my Tacoma, but I'm not exactly sure how I should wire them, for example if I need a fuse or not. I can't and don't want to wire them into the back-up lights because I have a manual, so I want to have a switch in the cab so I can tuen them on and off when I want to. If anybody has a diagram or anything, it'd be great, thanks!

 

did it come with a kit?
if there was a wiring kit with them, just use that

you probaly need to use a fuse for safety

 

Yeah a fuse would be good. 15 or 20 amp inline fuse should do it. Also, if your lights didn't come with a relay, search for instructions on using one. The install shouldn't be too tough; mostly just deciding where you want to put everything.

 

best to use a relay wire it up like this
http://www.4runners.org/image/hella5...auxfusebox.jpg

 

I had the lights given to me so no, they didn't come with wiring or anything.

 

So go and buy a relay, an inline fuse, a switch and some wiring and do it right. Shouldn't cost more than $10. An electical fire is much more expensive.

I have mine wired with a relay and also a 2 way switch so I can have them go on automatically with the original reverse lights or just by thenselves with the switch.

 

I'm installing some backup lights on my pickup... I've got the wiring all planned, but I'm not sure where to physically run the wire to the back. Do I just run the wire with the frame? I've got the wire coming from under the cab where the other tail-light wires come out of.

 

i ran the wires along the frame rails and secured them with a bunch of zip ties. as long as you make any connections good and waterproof, you'll be fine. it's been a couple of years now and they're still okay, and they've gone through all kinds of weather.

 

Sounds good, thanks.
Just for future reference... I have read about tapping into the reverse wire so you can trigger something when in reverse (a relay or etc..). I have read that the wire is yellow with a red stripe. That WAS NOT the wire on my 95 pickup, its actually a red wire with blue marks on it. So be sure to do some testing first. I found this out the hard way .

 

I installed a set of backup lights on my rig but the only downside i found was i mounted them on the rear bumber and have knocked them crooked and bent the brackets all up while doing some off-roading but other than that i did the same as Merlin and have hod no issues with piched wires or anything like that, just follow the fuel lines and you'll be safe.

 

I followed the wire harness to the taillights, should be O.K. there...except I haven't waterproofed them yet.

I actually cut holes in my bumper, and mounted them inside so I won't knock them off. I'll try and take a couple pics if I do a test drive tonight.

 

I did the same thing on my 4Runner. I used LED's so the power draw is next to nothing. I have them connected directly to my reverse wire and I have a switch that can turn them on without being in reverse. Theyr'e not a bright as a KC light, but they work great and look clean.

 

can you draw us up a diagram for how you wired it to run the reverse lights off of either the power from reverse or the switch?