Budget backup lights

[GroovyGeek]

Since my needs are non-demanding I can never bring myself to pay for the brand name lights, and have been using 2nd tier brands (Auxbeam, Nitelight, Lasfit) for the past 10 years with great success. Right now I am planning on putting together a set of backup lights for under $25 with the following

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DR67P9I
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B56SPQVY
or
https://www.4x4truckleds.com/kr-off-road-rear-bumper-light-brackets/

There are a number of M8 bolts on the back side of the bumper that are on a centerline about 25mm above the lower lip of the bumper. The mounting is similar to this by 4x4TruckLEDs.com except that I will use the lower set of bolts that are closer to the lower lip of the bumper
https://www.4x4truckleds.com/2021-f...t-w-baja-designs-lights-kr-off-road-brackets/

However I am debating whether to use the M8 bolts on the outside of the towhooks (as in the 4x4TruckLeds and F150 LEDs) or the ones on the inside of the tow hooks.

The commercially available kits are claimed not to affect departure angles but I am struggling to see how that can be the case. If you put the tires on protruding rocks, those rocks will come down right where the backup LEDs are mounted. Hence I am inclined to mount on the inside of the tow hooks, closer to the center line.

Thoughts?

Sponsored

 

[4x4TruckLEDs.com]

Since my needs are non-demanding I can never bring myself to pay for the brand name lights, and have been using 2nd tier brands (Auxbeam, Nitelight, Lasfit) for the past 10 years with great success. Right now I am planning on putting together a set of backup lights for under $25 with the following

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DR67P9I
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B56SPQVY
or
https://www.4x4truckleds.com/kr-off-road-rear-bumper-light-brackets/

There are a number of M8 bolts on the back side of the bumper that are on a centerline about 25mm above the lower lip of the bumper. The mounting is similar to this by 4x4TruckLEDs.com except that I will use the lower set of bolts that are closer to the lower lip of the bumper
https://www.4x4truckleds.com/2021-f...t-w-baja-designs-lights-kr-off-road-brackets/

However I am debating whether to use the M8 bolts on the outside of the towhooks (as in the 4x4TruckLeds and F150 LEDs) or the ones on the inside of the tow hooks.

The commercially available kits are claimed not to affect departure angles but I am struggling to see how that can be the case. If you put the tires on protruding rocks, those rocks will come down right where the backup LEDs are mounted. Hence I am inclined to mount on the inside of the tow hooks, closer to the center line.

Thoughts?

I'd worry more about your exhaust system then the lights. If you are doing something where you are going to rub your bumper... you're going to cause other damage then a few lights sticking out 2" under the bumper.

 

[Tricky Mike]

These are my current favorite cheap lights, roughly the same footprint as the ones you linked I think.

https://a.co/d/iO4NlGN


My tow hooks are almost flat now, any light mounted below the bumper would have been crushed.

 

[kodiakisland]

Do they make cheap flush mount lights? I wouldn't mount anything under the bumper.
Also on the cheap, just replacing the stock reverse bulbs with brighter LEDs helps a lot.

 

[GroovyGeek]

Do they make cheap flush mount lights? I wouldn't mount anything under the bumper.
Also on the cheap, just replacing the stock reverse bulbs with brighter LEDs helps a lot.

Yes they do, but they have significant depth to them.
https://a.co/d/eMGb4Cs

Not sure where I can cut the stock bumper to mount, maybe I should just pull it off and see. I am somewhat hesitant to cut the bumper for cheap LEDs, if they die a year or two from now there is no guarantee that a replacement will be available.

I already have the Oracle LEDs as my backup lights.

 

[Tricky Mike]

Yes they do, but they have significant depth to them.
https://a.co/d/eMGb4Cs

Not sure where I can cut the stock bumper to mount, maybe I should just pull it off and see. I am somewhat hesitant to cut the bumper for cheap LEDs, if they die a year or two from now there is no guarantee that a replacement will be available.

I already have the Oracle LEDs as my backup lights.

Go smash the bumper up a bit then you won't care about cutting it anymore.

 

[Snacktime]

My nilights have been fine so far. Stock bumpers are absolute junk, cut away! There is zero value in factory bumper.

 

[HighVelocity]

I mounted mine on the inside of the recovery loops. So far, they have remained intact.

 

[GroovyGeek]

I mounted mine on the inside of the recovery loops. So far, they have remained intact.

Nice. Was that a kit or DYI? If the latter what was your mounting solution and what pods did you use?

 

[HighVelocity]

Nice. Was that a kit or DYI? If the latter what was your mounting solution and what pods did you use?

They are Diode Dynamics lights. I was going to make my own harness and mounts, but I found this package from Specialty Performance, which saved me a ton of time, hassle and a bit of cash:

https://specialtyperformanceparts.c...red-backlight-rear-led?variant=43041530708200

Those are a good, simple bracket that I'm sure you could copy and modify to fit whatever lights you decide to use.

 

[kodiakisland]

Yes they do, but they have significant depth to them.
https://a.co/d/eMGb4Cs

Not sure where I can cut the stock bumper to mount, maybe I should just pull it off and see. I am somewhat hesitant to cut the bumper for cheap LEDs, if they die a year or two from now there is no guarantee that a replacement will be available.

I already have the Oracle LEDs as my backup lights.

There are several threads on flush mounts. I ended up just adding one flood, kinda the Land Rover look. Between that and the brighter LED bulbs, it's plenty for me.
The bumper is soft as butter and easy to add flush mounts. I used an old and well used wood jigsaw blade and had no problems cutting the hole out.

 

[Tricky Mike]

There are several threads on flush mounts. I ended up just adding one flood, kinda the Land Rover look. Between that and the brighter LED bulbs, it's plenty for me.
The bumper is soft as butter and easy to add flush mounts. I used and old and well used wood jigsaw blade and had no problems cutting the hole out.

Pic with the light off?

 

[kodiakisland]

Pic with the light off?

I'm at work and just pulling pictures off my build thread, so I don't currently have one with just the light off handy. Here is one with the red backlight that does allow you to see it a little better. It's a DD SS2 pro flush mount.

 

[GroovyGeek]

There are several threads on flush mounts. I ended up just adding one flood, kinda the Land Rover look. Between that and the brighter LED bulbs, it's plenty for me.
The bumper is soft as butter and easy to add flush mounts. I used an old and well used wood jigsaw blade and had no problems cutting the hole out.

Interesting... Several threads claim that the rear bumper on the BD, which you and I have, is steel.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/plastic-vs-steel-rear-bumper.6216/

I took the bumper off some time ago to add a hitch mount and it was easy. I remember the bumper being very light, it was a 1 person job. Will order some flush mount lights too, will pull off the bumper this weekend and decide what to do based on what I see.

 

[kodiakisland]

Interesting... Several threads claim that the rear bumper on the BD, which you and I have, is steel.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/plastic-vs-steel-rear-bumper.6216/

I took the bumper off some time ago to add a hitch mount and it was easy. I remember the bumper being very light, it was a 1 person job. Will order some flush mount lights too, will pull off the bumper this weekend and decide what to do based on what I see.

I'm sure it's steel, as in a magnet might stick to it, but it is soft and thin. You can easily hold it with one hand. There is a good thread somewhere on adding multiple flush mounts on the corners. You are limited where you can put them based on the bumper supports. Where mine is has a large void behind one of the supports, but you do need to plan it out well.

Sponsored