Topic: Tail lights

[snowplow]

Hey guys, I am working on my street rig. I got the tail lights off to replace some bulbs and clean the inside of the lenses. I have the tail lenses with just the white top and red bottom. (you know the old ones that eliminated the amber) So as I was staring at them I got to thinkin.....

So I HATE the tiny dim reverse lights. I was thinking I could easily make the turn signal another backup light since its the same bulb and is clear on the lens. That would be cool but leave me without turn signals.

Would it be possible to wire the red tail light (two wire, 1157 bulb) to blink for a turn signal like the older domestic rigs did? I am thinking maybe wire the turn signal parallel into the tail light. I think that would make the turn signal blink the red light but allow the brake light to over ride like the older domestic stuff. 

Anybody else want to pull a chair up to the campfire and brainstorm?

[emsvitil]

You could always wire in a trailer-light-converter...........

[OOPS]

Short simple answer, not without a converter.

[snowplow [OP]]

Hmmm. Lets see if I got this. So the converter would convert the signal to work with the non amber style lights on a trailer which would blink the red. So the converter plugs inline and has 4 wires out to go to your trailer plug. So I would take those 4 wires out and use them to power the tail lights, right?

So I was just going to get a converter anyway. If I did this, could I still wire in a 4 flat trailer plug?

I am guessing yes, I would just have to splice after the converter. 

[snowplow [OP]]

Just so you can see what I am talking about, these are the tail lights I have:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://www.dragtimes.com/images-classifieds-large/93-94-95-TOYOTA-PICKUP-2WD-RED-CLEAR-TAIL%2BCORNER-LIGHT%2B-for-sale_220696069893.jpg&imgrefurl=https://www.dragtimes.com/parts/93-94-95-TOYOTA-PICKUP-2WD-REDCLEAR-TAIL-CORNER-LIGHT-_220696069893.html&usg=__L_GSH_0Pce7yrfpOzbcFGbIJCmE=&h=300&w=400&sz=16&hl=en&start=0&sig2=d1DdiHaINiAE5boTMDC8BA&zoom=1&tbnid=jw9Xw5qVcwYwXM:&tbnh=162&tbnw=216&ei=5eX_TO7PBZH2swOLsqmrCw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dred%2Bwhite%2Btoyota%2Bpickup%2Btail%2Blight%2Blenses%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D929%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=148&vpy=377&dur=1138&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=159&ty=94&oei=5eX_TO7PBZH2swOLsqmrCw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0

So just thinking about this a little more, I dont see why you couldn't replace both (backup and original turn signal) sockets with 1157 sockets like the tail/brake light one. This would give you two elements per bulb and unless I am missing something give you 4X the backup light you had before.

Just thinking out loud here 

[emsvitil]

So I was just going to get a converter anyway. If I did this, could I still wire in a 4 flat trailer plug?

I am guessing yes, I would just have to splice after the converter. 

correct

[4RunnerChevy]

Just put different bulbs in your sockets, there are higher watt bulbs.

[Snowtoy]

As long as you wire the trailer converter in ahead of the tail lights, it will work, then wire the harness in either there or piggy back from the tail lights.

Have you considered wiring up some cheap $20 driving lights for back-up lights?  It shouldn't cost much more, and you will have a lot more light.

[snowplow [OP]]

Thanks guys. I was going to put some cheapie backup lights on but I hate how they have to hang down. I think I might give this a try. I need to buy bulbs anyway and a converter so its pretty easy.

[Snowtoy]

The 4" round rubber case tractor lights fit nicely right at the corner of the bumper, below the taillights.  They aren't in the way of standing on the bumper, nor do they hang down, and they can withstand a lot of abuse.

[snowplow [OP]]

Alright I did this and its AWESOME! I used some Polarg 1156 lights (two per side) with repainted 'reflectors' and I have a ton of backup light.

Right now the only bug I have is when I step on the brakes with the blinker on (either side) they blink fast like I have a bulb out. I was talking to my buddy and we think I need to add a resistor to ground the original rear blinker leads that right now are just cut and capped.

Does this sound about right?

Thanks for all the help! I think they should all be wired this way!