Spare tire back up light mount

So here we go. Why spend time on a good back up light? I have went through a lot of money over the years on driving/fog lights. I always seem to bust them on the trail (even several sets in on-road accidents!). To me it makes more sense to upgrade your headlights, the mounts are already there, the wiring is mostly there (unless you add relays, but the headlight switch is there), they are easy to aim, and don't get busted up on the trail (usually!!). But in my experience, a good back up light is worth its weight in gold. Back in the day I would get calls at all hours of the night to come pull people out with my Blazer. I good backup light makes night recovery so much easier, and safer.

I have a Hella back up light. It has two 55 watt bulbs in one housing. It spreads a good flood type pattern, it is built well. But it was mounted low on the bumper. Not good!

I have seen backup mounts similar to what I built for $50. I spent almost that, but more on that later.

So I have the light. Need some steel. I went to the local metal supply (not so local for me but...) and got a foot and a half of 3/4 and 1" steel square tube and some 1/8" thick by 1" wide strap. Should be enough!

I already had a light piece of steel for the base. It warped when I welded to it, but not enough to matter. Next time I would use something a little heavier. I drilled the base to fit the bolt pattern on my swing out spare tire carrier.

Then I test fit the socket base. I decided to make it as short as possible to keep the light tucked in. In the end I settled on a 1.5" piece! Glad I spent all that money on a foot and a half!!

Then I cut the insert, about 2". I made the actual light mount "U" shaped piece out of the 1/8" strap. The original was really rusted. Careful measurements and it was bent in my little 4" table vise, cut, drilled, and grindeded (ground, I know, but that sounds electrical) then welded to the insert. I reused the original bolt, as it had a little tab on the head end that prevents it from spinning. I cut a small notch in one hole for this with a dremel and almost worn out (small) cut off wheel.

The socket had a little raised wire bead on the inside where it was welded when it was made. This prevented the insert from sliding in smoothly, I had to file it down with a rat tail file.

Then the socket was welded to the base. Like I said the base warped but not a lot. Then I put in the insert and drilled a hole thru the whole shebang for a pin. I made a pin out of some 1/8" round stainless stock I had from a previous project. Simply bend, cut, bevel the ends on the grinder, and wire wheel smooth.

Couple coats of paint and it's done. The pin is a little further back than it should be, didn't account for how thick the aluminum wheel is. The pin has no locking mechanism, I am relying on the somewhat tight fit and gravity to keep it in. If it ever got lost, the insert fits the base tight enough to keep the light from falling out anyway, at least for a while! One of these days I may locate a trailer hitch pin with the built on wire loop to secure it. Length is a factor though since I didn't account for the thickness of the wheel, the pin can't be to long (hint hint)

I wired the light using old two contact connectors from an old wire harness. I used two pairs of these.

Since I have a YJ tub on my CJ7, there are wires coming out of the tailgate for the third brake light. These were used as a start point (although heavier gauge wire was run). Right after it comes out of the tailgate, I used one of the connectors, this allows it to "pop" apart when I open the tire mount. The second is up by the light, it has a locking tab built on it to keep it together. Of course that one is there if I ever need to remove the light to get the spare tire off.

So all in all I spent about $35, but I got a LOT more square tube than I needed. Note to self, next time, design, then buy materials. Course you gotta have a welder!

Tools used:
Welder (I spoiled myself and bought a good miller mig)
recip saw but a hacksaw would work
4" bench vise
6" grinder/wire wheel
big hammer (to help bend the metal in the vise)
drill
dremel with cut off wheels
rat tail file
ruler and sharpie marker (measure twice, cut once)
I used a short piece of pipe to bend the locking pin clamped in the vise

 

I didn't mention the rest of the wiring. It is controlled by a relay that is in turn controlled by the factory backup switch. Future projects include a separate toggle on the dash. Ultimately I want it to come on all the time in reverse, while also being able to switch it on at will.

 

Oh come on.

 

Done deal with the tire in place.

 

Greg,
Looks to be much better set-up than what you had at the "Great 2007 Ice Run at Shoe Creek". Nice job.

 

I used that spot for my license plate and light, and just plugged it into the trailer harness. I used my hitch for my spare tire carrier, and have another receiver to weld under the first one for a hitch. I'll have to make a double plug on the Jeepster to feed both.






Paul

 

Blake, you know it. I drove out there saying to myself, "self, that is a cool light your about to bust..."

 

I found these at harbour freight on sale for 8 bucks.
nothin fancy but real bright. Put them under the gas can mount cause it was easy.
Donnie

 

for a second there i thought you hunted Boyinks

 

so did I

 

No, LOL I haven't even met him, much less hunted him.R)
Does he retreve?
Boykin Spaniel is the state dog here in South Carolina.
Donnie

 

Seems like when I find all the cool threads, they're all dead and devoid of photos and illustrations.

But suffice to say yes, an auxiliary back up light that is basically a fog/driving light pointing the opposite direction is magnifique! I've seen it before on older 4x4s and off-road rigs... But I'm having trouble visualizing the OP's config.

I want to see the photos restored and the "future project" realized: a separate toggle switch on the dash to switch on the light at-will.

Any updates?

 

Wow, this is a blast from the past. I still run basically the same setup, but with an LED light. I still have the pictures that were in this thread, I'll see if I can re-post them.

 

Yeah, [sarcasm=on]thanks a lot Photobucket![sarcasm=off]

 

I wonder when posters are going to figure out its a problem so stop doing it.

 

Nacogdoches? I lived in Lufkin for most of my life. Went to see SFA football and basketball many times!