Adding backup light, your recommendation please

[0to60in6min]

hi all,

Sometimes maneuvering in the dark at camp site is quite scary.. trees, boulder, ravine etc. so I plan to add some lighting in the back so I can see better.. I am thinking some kind of light similar to the fog light/off-road light in the front but not as strong...

do you have something to recommend?

thanks in advance

[RBEmerson]

Try DDM Tuning - they're running a 10% off sale on this stuff right now.

DISCLAIMER: I have no connection with DDM Tuning save as a customer (motorcycle HID lighting kit).
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Lord, give me coffee to change the things I can change, and wine to accept the things I can't change.

[ragnarhairybreeks]

I used a relayed 4" rubber utility light (tractor light). I made a simple bracket to mount to steel bumper. Works ok, if I had one criticism it would be that the beam projected is not as wide as I would like.

bracket making:

http://shufti.wordpress.com/2011/05/31/vanagon-syncro-aux-back-up-light-bracket/

light installed:

http://shufti.wordpress.com/2011/06/01/vanagon-syncro-aux-back-up-light-installed/

hope this gives you some ideas.

alistair
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'86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com

[madspaniard]

cannot find the link to Samba member 1621 backup light install, very neat, maybe somebody has it bookmarked?
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1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

[teej]

I used a backup light kit from KC Hi-Lite, uses a relay (I put it behind L taillight), set of two rectangular lights which I bolted to the rear bumper. Excellent illumination when backing, they are triggered by the backup lights circuit. I also wired a switch at the dash.
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1986+ Wolfsburg Weekender Pop-Top 2.3 WBX Manual Trans

[Timwhy]

[0to60in6min]

thanks, you guys are fast...

teej ...

does a relay is necessity or optional with a 55w light? I plan to hook them up to the reverse circuit at the tail light, which will be turned on when I engage the reverse...

another option is wiring them independently with a switch on the dash and turn them on and off at will when required... but then it needs long wiring from rear to front..

what do you think?

thanks again

[Timwhy]

I added a kit that mounts to my GW trailer hitch.

_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee

[ragnarhairybreeks]

add relay for sure.

alistair
_________________
'86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com

[teej]

[RBEmerson]

[rubbachicken]

i added a bosche spotlight as a reverse light, i am fed up with people tailgating me, riding so close i can see their faces
i bolted the light, midway between the license plate and the light cluster i have it wired through an extra rear defroster switch in the dash pod
i can now put it on to reverse, or shine it on numbheads who want to ride my bumper
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lucy our westy

lucy's BIG adventure

meet 'burni'


markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.

619 201 0310 or 617 935 4182

[0to60in6min]

good idea rubbachicken

shine them till they back off.

[rubbachicken]

[Saguache]

I've been thinking about doing pretty much the same thing, but with these caveats.

1) It must be independently switched (not on the reverse switch) because you don't always need it on.
2) I must be mounted high on the back of the van and be bright enough to illuminate the area behind and a little to the sides.

I've been thinking really seriously about something like this
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Matt Thyer
http://zenoswagen.wordpress.com/

[IdahoDoug]

For 17 years and 220,000 miles I have had a Bosch FF dual beam work lamp on the rear of the roof of my daily driver LandCruiser. The high up location has proven invaluable, and the dual 55 watt bulbs have provided serious light when I seriously needed it. I realize it takes a commitment of drilling a hole or two for a roof mount, but the high angle and powerful area lighting cannot be disputed. I have had to back out of difficult narrow trails for hundreds of yards, and it is worth the trouble of mounting. Heh - also won a car rally where the finale event was my co driver in the back in the dark maneuvering us through a technical maze (we were ruled OK since the vehicle came equipped this way to the event - heh).

The light goes for about $50 and they still sell it. You can purchase your choice of beam patterns from wide and long to narrow and tall and the patterns are designed for high mounting on a vehicle such as farming and mining equipment. Get the swivel mount as it's easy to mount on sheetmetal and gives you the ability to point it off to the side to look in ditches for something as you drive, etc.

Edit: here it is http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=4133 and they have it on sale right now for $37. That's a great deal for a "rest of your life" light.

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[syncrodoka]

I run a Hella 76mm deep 55W rubberized work light on my rear bumper just under the DS tail light. http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=471

I run it relayed on a independent switch not on the taillight circuit. The light is too bright for daily use in parking lots but on the trails it does the job nicely. A advantage on not having it on the reverse circuit and the relay wired hot all of the time is that I can turn it on without the van running and regardless of gear position.
I agree with IdahoDoug that the light mounted up higher is better as it will cast less shadows on uneven terrain. I have used mine to back out of trails in the night and to set up camp and am happy with the compact unit.

[thatvwbusguy]

The stock VW fog light switch is a great way to go for a dash mounted switch, it is a 3 position switch set up to run both front and rear fog lights. The only caveat being that the rear lights can't be illuminated seperately from the front, only in tandem with them, which could tend to run down your battery if you leave them on for extended periods.

There are some decent 12V LED work lights that are the same basic size and shape as standard fog lights. The good ones are not cheap, but they put out a pretty amazing amount of light while pulling very few Amps. Replacement LED bulbs for most styles of fog lights should be available from superbrightleds.com, but light output and pattern likely won't be nearly as good as with the purpose designed LED lights.

If anyone wants a simple relay setup for a rear fog light triggered from the reverse switch, I can put together a plug and play harness for around $20.00 + shipping.
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Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH


If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

[PDXWesty]

I'm pretty sure I've seen regulations about mounting white lights on the back of cars. You need to check with your local state laws about it. I beleive it's similar to driving lights mounted forward that if their higher than the bumber, you need to have them covered on public roads.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[joseph928]