Underwhelmed by H3T backup lights...any bright alternatives?

[SedonaBound]

Tonight I had to back down a long dark gravel driveway in the T. The backup lights aren't bright enough to reach the view over the tailgate. Could barely see using the side mirrors. Has anyone found a bright replacement bulb, maybe LEDs, or a good aux. light that will run in the existing circuit?

 

[alrock]

Bigunit has LEDs and they look great. One of our vendors has great LED products. Note that you can pick different intensities as well. http://www.diodedynamics.com/store/2009-2010-hummer-h3t-backup-leds-pair.html

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I have LEDs as well, but I ran a switch so I can turn them on at will (or at tailgaters).... LEDs really don't draw much power at all, and honestly, if you jumped off the circuit; I'd bet there's plenty of power there to run the LEDs (6 bulb).

 

[derian06]

I bought a pair of 3157 led reverse lights just to find out they couldn't go all the way in and would fall out after a day or so. I would be interested in some new ones, has anyone found a way to maybe mount 4" light bar cubes in the rear bumber? I think with a dremel it would be possible.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

you mean like this?

 

[High Five H2]

I'd put some off road lights on a roof rack that point backwards and turn on with the back up lights (and a switch for the occasional militant prius driver).

 

[derian06]

you mean like this?

Exactly like that, how did you wire that?

 

[Ghostbuster]

I'd put some off road lights on a roof rack that point backwards and turn on with the back up lights (and a switch for the occasional militant prius driver).

I like that idea!:huh:

 

[Best4x4]

Putco makes some bright replacement bulbs specifically for backup applications. I have them in my Alpha. Big difference vs stock. LED rack mounted lights can't be beat though lol

 

[ReconH3]

I run Rigid Industries Duallys plugged into my trailer wiring that turn on when I put reverse. That's a ton of light.

Factory backup lights.

Rigid Industries Duallys

 

[zackcrum]

There is one h3 on instagram that the owner put ri d2s in the reverse lights

 

[benlaud87]

I considered doing that. I got led bulbs off of amazon and they're plenty bright for the time being.

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00EWOZ7XU

 

[derian06]

How do you wire them to come on when you're in reverse?

 

[ReconH3]

How do you wire them to come on when you're in reverse?

I just wired it into where the trailer lights go to. H3s come per wired for tow hitches.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

 

[SedonaBound]

I run Rigid Industries Duallys plugged into my trailer wiring that turn on when I put reverse. That's a ton of light.

I like those; a little pricey though. Great shots showing their illumination. I'd like to see similar pics of LED C6 replacement bulbs in the tail light housing.

 

[Best4x4]

Derain06 just tap into one side of the Reverse light bulb wire and use it to trigger a relay. Then your aux lights will only come on in reverse. Had that setup on my TJ Rubicon with a pair of cat eye Hella spot lights and backing up was never a problem.

 

[digglesworth]

There's other brands out there besides rigids if the price is as little steep. They're all over ebay. I run the roof rack setup with a pair of cubes similar to those rigids. They are on a separate switch though. I don't need them on every time I back up out of a spot so I like deciding when I turn them on or not. And they're real good for putting tailgater's on the spot... I have a flood pattern vs a spot to really light up the whole area.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

Exactly like that, how did you wire that?

the upper, rear and lower lights are run to a switch panel in front of my shifter. I ran the wires on the back through the plugs that are in the rear of that cover

 

[SedonaBound]

I'm getting confused by the LED bulb types; the H3/H3T manual says W16W bulb for H3T backup lamps but when I google replacement LEDs for that, I get bulb listings that claim it fits T10, 912, 906, W16W and more. Can I be sure it fits the H3T housing? Will I have to pull the housing and physically measure the OEM bulb?

 

[derian06]

the upper, rear and lower lights are run to a switch panel in front of my shifter. I ran the wires on the back through the plugs that are in the rear of that cover

You have your switches in the coin holder right? How was the install on that?

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

You have your switches in the coin holder right? How was the install on that?

start at post #187
http://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/forum/showthread.php?5816-Search-and-Rescue-H3-Alpha-build/page13

the only thing to remember when you pull the console (that requires pulling the seats) is not to turn the car on while the seats are disconnected.... the bcm does NOT like that at all

 

[derian06]

start at post #187
http://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/forum/showthread.php?5816-Search-and-Rescue-H3-Alpha-build/page13

the only thing to remember when you pull the console (that requires pulling the seats) is not to turn the car on while the seats are disconnected.... the bcm does NOT like that at all

By pulling the seats, you mean pulling them out of the car? That seems like alot of hassle for some switches if so. I remember pulling up my console to wire my l.e.d. Footwell lights, so i don't think thats the case.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

By pulling the seats, you mean pulling them out of the car? That seems like alot of hassle for some switches if so. I remember pulling up my console to wire my l.e.d. Footwell lights, so i don't think thats the case.

to get the console out, you have to remove the rear, inner bolts on both seats - I don't suppose you have to pull the seats out (you can slide them off the tabs), but it helps... and they're really not that heavy.

 

[cdarveaux]

Plenty of light and I wired it to the reverse lights

 

[cdarveaux]

Pic of them turned off