Defender reverse lights

[Stapleton]

After lookin at options for reverse lights I wanted a clean factory look and couldn't find the right light or idea for it .... I finally found these ... KC hilites cyclone lights . They are almost exact dimensions to the factory reflectors under the tail lights and they mount dead center just the same with ur choice of bolt and locking nut ... u may have to drill the factory holes a touch bigger depending on bolt u choose ... and just below that drill another small hole to run ur wires threw... a little adjusting once u tighten and then u have a super clean factory lookin reverse light .... I may not be the first one to figure this out but figured I would share a few pics incase someone else would like to do the same ... 

 

[DefenderXMR]

Did you wire to a switch or is there reverse light wiring? How bright are they?

 

[supersix]

Nice mod!  Welcome to the forum!  

 

[Stapleton]

I wired them to a can-am style back up light switch which for me is better for if I'm loading deer in the bed or hooking up a trailer at night just hit the switch while in park instead of relying on reverse plus u can mess with ur buddies behind u on a night ride lol ... the lights are 550 lumens each which to me is plenty bright the cyclones I ordered are with diffused lenses which are a even more scatter flood lense ... if u notice if the pic I posted u can see how the shine light almost dead sideways in my garage 

 

[Mark]

Very Nice! and you really did achieve a clean factory look while getting plenty of light behind the machine.  If I didn't already have two backup floodlights i might copy you on this, on second thought i may add these in addition to the lights I have.

 

[Dragoon]

Awesome idea and execution! Definitely, a mod that I will look to do on my machine  

 

[Stapleton]

To correct my self on these kc hilites cyclones they are 1100 lumens each not 550... they have been working awesome the garage pics do not do them justice outside at night they are the ultimate reverse lights for there small factory clean style 

 

[Dragoon]

That's a lot of lumens! Pictures won't do them justice at night, but I bet they are awesome.

 

[ROK23AF]

What wiring harness did you use and what rocker switch? I’m trying to order these but wanna make sure I get the right stuff the first time thanks!

 

[willy comply]

How do you access the back of the factory reflector to remove the nut?

 

[ROK23AF]

I have the kc lights rocker switches and harness for sale

 

[Eric]

I would like to purchase the setup go threw you or someone else

 

[Mark in Colorado]

Imitation - the finest form of flattery...  can’t wait to get mine wired up.  Great job on yours, and thanks for sharing!  

 

[REDDOG]

Hello, I am doing this Mod this week..  Question tho, I have a Max and so there is a lot of distance for me to run wires from the rear to the front. Is there an easy way or do I just pull the top panels of floor off and feed wires that way? Please and Thanks for any info.

 

[Stapleton]

Yes I ran the wires threw the floor board under the panels... plus wire loomed them in ... the radiator lines run in there also there is a lil room between the two but the wire loom is just a lil extra precaution against the wires being down in the hot box 

 

[Mark in Colorado]

A follow-up from my earlier post: I completed the KC back-up light installation.  Nice and bright - a great area/flood effect.  Wired it to power block post 1 (red) and post 3 black (key switch “on”, so when you turn on the key to ACC, you get dome light, power windows, and my new back up lights - allowing you to use them as work lights with the engine off.  Found the matching Back Up Lights switch on EBay (with block) for $19z. Here’s what it looks like:   -Mark

 

[RangerBob316]

Can someone please share pictures and instructions to pull the plastics off the rear end to install these 

 

[Mark in Colorado]

You have to remove the side panels - this gives you access to the nut on the back of the reflector on each side.  

Tip up your tilt bed.  There are 3 hex screws along top of the side panels, and another 3 along the bottom (necessitating the bed tilt).  Pretty easy!

So easy - in fact - that I am considering having my side panels wrapped for the fun of it!  

Wiring will require a bit more creativity.

-Mark

 

[RangerBob316]

Here are a few shots of my setup. 
great way to light up the bed too.