upgrading backup lights , opinions ?

[philzilla]

ok probly the wrong catagory but, does anyone have an opinion on changing your rear backup lights to a higher wattage bulb,
1, Is there a bulb that will plugin or do you need to soldier on a new plugin and
2.will this higher wattage bulb damage the plastic light housing ( doubt it)

i know its kind of a retarded noob question but i have spent way too much time at napa this week and didn't want to look at the moment

i appreciate the help

 

[MAKG]

One word... why?

Backup lights aren't intended to illuminate anything. They are just indicators you are backing up.

If you want to illuminate something, the lenses are not appropriately designed for that. Buy an auxiliary light that is. Perhaps switched by something other than the backup lights (so you don't have to be on the clutch to see what's behind you).

 

[philzilla]

i know about the auxilary light but i wanted to keep the stock feel to it, plus im not sure about the laws on rear facing driving lights in california and didn't want to give police another excuse to pull me over.
I use my backup lights most of the time to just see on streets with no street lights , its not like i want to light up the whole street just something more than what it is now, i would like to see parked cars better thats about it.
i might end up hiding one under my bed out of view,
thanks for your opinion

 

[MAKG]

THAT'S not a problem I've heard of folks getting pulled over for, even in places with excessive cops. I've heard of the front license plate thing, the insufficient wheel well/mud flap thing, inop lights, and so on.

Though a phone call to the CHP might be called for, I'd suspect there isn't any prohibition against using auxiliary lights, as long as you aren't driving down the road pointing them in people's faces (not likely for a backup light).

 

[philzilla]

ok thanks ill check

 

[4x4junkie]

I seem to remember reading in the CA vehicle codes auxiliary backup lights are fine AS LONG AS they only come on when the transmission is put into reverse, and never otherwise.

That said, I wired up a 3-way switch on mine, they can be "ON" (switch up), "OFF" (switch centered), or "On while in Reverse" (switch down). As long as you're not driving around everywhere with them on, I doubt anyone would ever care (and you could always "demonstrate" that they do come on in reverse too if asked about it lol ).

High-watt bulbs in the stock housings are hardly any improvement, as MAKG mentioned, the stock light housings aren't designed to throw much light (although I disagree they're merely backup "indicators" though). Aux lights are about the only option that works well if you want a lot of light.