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ib516's avatar
ib516
Explorer II
Oct 02, 2014

Tow vehicle LED project

I added a small LED strip to my rear plate. Wired it in so it comes on when I shift to reverse.


The light is mounted to a partial plastic license plate frame the dealer put on my truck when I bought it. I sawed off the part except the part between the bolts at the top. I mounted the light to the partial frame with the supplied 2 sided tape.

I got power from the center terminal of the 7 pin connector.

The light is a 20cm LED COB strip from ebay. $10 a pair.
  • mguay's avatar
    mguay
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2014
    Nice Job!

    I did a similar upgrade with Cob's as well. I used both of them and mounted them between the back-up sensors close to the bottom of the bumper. Sometimes I think I have more light coming out the back than the front!
  • ib516's avatar
    ib516
    Explorer II
    Oct 02, 2014
    I put 4 of them in the bed too. Handy to see under the tonneau.

  • Sinnettc's avatar
    Sinnettc
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2014
    Are the ones under the tonneau connected to a switch or are they on any time your parking lights are on?
  • ib516's avatar
    ib516
    Explorer II
    Oct 03, 2014
    Sinnettc wrote:
    Are the ones under the tonneau connected to a switch or are they on any time your parking lights are on?

    Switched. I mounted the switch in a weather proof plastic housing and mounted that to the driver's side just inside the tailgate.

    They are wired directly to the battery so they can be switched on independent of the headlights and ignition switch positions.
  • Sinnettc's avatar
    Sinnettc
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2014
    Thanks ib516. I just installed a Bakpak G2 tonneau cover on my truck and this would be a nice addition. Especially since I've got about 3 feet of LED strip left over from the awning project looking for someplace to go.
  • Beer_Belly's avatar
    Beer_Belly
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2014
    ib516 wrote:
    Sinnettc wrote:
    Are the ones under the tonneau connected to a switch or are they on any time your parking lights are on?

    Switched. I mounted the switch in a weather proof plastic housing and mounted that to the driver's side just inside the tailgate.

    They are wired directly to the battery so they can be switched on independent of the headlights and ignition switch positions.

    I'd be tempted to have that on Switched Power.....if you're like me, and carry stuff in the bed, and something hits the switch turning it on, you may wake up to a dead battery.....plus, I'm more likely to forget to turn it off

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