I have a 1989 4Runner SR5 V6. I am putting a Marlin Crawler rear bumper on it (paint is drying on it right now in the side yard).

I have always wanted some backup lights on it, but with this bumper there is no good way to mount a light to it where it won't get damaged offroad.

I started thinking about mounting some lights in the tailgate. But, I really don't want to hack large holes in the tailgate to mount lights in there, and fitting them with the window mechanism would be problematic.

After searching around I found these LED surface mount backup lights that are meant for commercial trucks. Two or three holes to screw it on, and a hole to run the wires in. It does mean drilling holes in a perfectly good tailgate on my Runner, but, they are fairly short (round one is 3/4" thick), and would be out of the way. The round one has 18 LED's, but I cannot find a spec for light output. Not sure if they will be bright enough or not. Some risk there. They draw very little current, they might be able to play with the factory wiring without a relay. Especially if the factory back-up bulbs were changed to LED.

Thoughts on this?

Pictures and links below.

Round surface mount (Maxxima brand):

[IMG][/IMG]

Oval surface mount (Maxxima brand):




Links:

Round:

http://www.partssystems.com/4-round-...-up-light.html

Oval:

http://www.truckntow.com/pc-24931-14...ount-oval.aspx

Oval on Ebay, unknown brand:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-6-I...Q5fAccessories

 

i like the idea of the shallow lights on the tailgate..
id be curious about the output too..
im interested

 

I tucked 4" reverse lights into my marlin bumper. They are very much protected

 

Well they probably won't compare to the tractor work lights Jay has but the ones I've seen on rigs on the road seem plenty bright as long as you keep them clean.
I'd say try them with some two sided tape (just stuck on sort of) and see if you like them before you cut any holes. You could always mount the ovals to the bumper and avoid drilling holes in the gate at all.

 

Nice, I'll have to remember that when I get my rear bumper (after I get my sound system redone, and the front bumper and lights for it...)

 

http://www.sirennet.com/whpfa2.html

The Big Daddy of LED scene lighting! I know its not practical for your application but its still pretty sweet

 

Holy cow, that thing puts out some light, but at a price. I wish I could find specs like that for these lights, then I would have some idea of how they would perform.

I thought about putting the backup lights in the corner like
Jay351 did. That is the best solution I have seen for mounting them, but they are still hanging out there a bit for damage. Not too bad, not like putting them underneath...

I agree, if I do buy these lights I will mount them with some tape and external wires for a try out, to see if they produce enought light to be worth drilling the holes.

Thanks guys,

Mike

 

I tried looking on that same website, they have products like that, but no light output ratings

 

if the output isnt what you were thinking.. why not make them front rock lights or like cargo dome lights or something like that.. put one under your hood for workin on stuff at night..


i have 10 lights on my truck.. (counting the headlights)


can never have too much light!