Stealth back up light bar DIY project

[Eyesore]

I needed some back up lights that would show over the top of my receiver hitch plow. I also wanted to maintain the stock look and wiring.

I started with this ACI 39" BACK-UP LED LIGHT

https://shop.agricover.com/product/backupledlight

this is the light strip just above the license plate in the below picture.

To route the wire from the backup light strip to the trailer hitch connections,, I took off the bumper facia and went over some trim and then down past the casting.

By the way, this is what the energy absorption of the bumper looks like.

To maintain the stock wiring, I used a 4-Way Trailer Wiring Harness with 5 ft Wires 4-Pin Trailer Wiring Jacketed Cable 4 Flat Trailer Wire Extension Connector

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BNBZR4T?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1


I just tapped into the reverse wire and ground wire of the pigtail. Didn’t use the four-way trailer wire extension.

Here is a pinout diagram for the seven way connector:



https://www.ajtnt.com/Info/7-Way-Diagram

and this is using the test trailer light function to light up the light bar.

I was worried that tapping into the trailer connector would cause a trailer to be detected and bugger the FSD, but it doesn’t seem to know.

 

[devdrone6]

Good job, I'd like do something similar as well. For me the reverse camera is too week in the dark, maybe my aging eyes.

 

[tmeyer3]

This is a good walk through, thanks! It doesn't take much, any amount of extra light even reversing is a great upgrade.

I was thinking of doing something like this also. I personally would want it on its own switch instead, but great idea.

 

[REM]

Good job, I'd like do something similar as well. For me the reverse camera is too week in the dark, maybe my aging eyes.

It's not just you, the reverse camera + lights at night are pretty weak.

 

[getsometom]

Nicely done! Too bad there isn’t one that’s the full width of the bumper.

Also, thats a nice lookin’ license plate frame ?

 

[ChiTownCT]

Looks great OP, I always thought another brake light would be helpful too. Current setup I feel drivers dont understand I'm braking.

 

[CyberZephyr]

Looks great! Can you post a video?

 

[Eyesore]

Looks great! Can you post a video?

A video of what, exactly?

 

[scottf200]

I was worried that tapping into the trailer connector would cause a trailer to be detected and bugger the FSD, but it doesn’t seem to know.

The towing that I've done in two Teslas are sensitive to the weight of what you are towing before they affect AutoPilot. Light trailer was fine if you used modest speed and braking. Heavier 12x6 U-haul kicked it off right away.

 

[BlueLightning]

By the way, this is what the energy absorption of the bumper looks like.

lol, guess they found a use for that millions Of Dollars mega cast machine from France that they stopped using.

 

[CyberZephyr]

A video of what, exactly?

you know, I automatically assumed it would have an animation or something XD. nevermind .

 

[Eyesore]

you know, I automatically assumed it would have an animation or something XD. nevermind .

nope, just lights up when you reverse.

 

[Lasttoy]

Weird. I plugged in a LED light bar for lights. Wouldn't work.
Put on RV. Worked
Put on my PU. Worked
Tried on another truck , Worked
Still Would not work on CT???

 

[LuvOrH8]

Weird. I plugged in a LED light bar for lights. Wouldn't work.
Put on RV. Worked
Put on my PU. Worked
Tried on another truck , Worked
Still Would not work on CT???

You probably connected it to a 48v power feed and not a 12v is my guess.

 

[Eyesore]

One strange thing I recently noticed. When the car is on, the backup light strip blinks with very low power, barely discernible in the daylight. I'm interested in theories as to why it would do that. This is wired in to the trailer backup light circuit. Once the car goes to sleep, the blinking stops.