what wire to tap for backlit rear bumper lights

[MSFTMatt]

I posted in the electronics section but have not gotten any help so I'm trying here and refining my question. I have the Diode Dynamics SS3 pods that will be mounted in my rear bumper. I have the Lasfit Aux switches in the cab. The lights came with a 3-wire switch that I will not be using, main beam, off and backlight. I was thinking it'd be nice to have the red backlight wired to turn on when I have my headlights on for additional rear end visibility. Any idea how I could accomplish this and/or any concerns? The red backlight is DOT approved.

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[Gregj]

Do you have the tow package? If you do you could tap into the trailer light circuit for that. That’s what I do for my lighted hitch plug. There are jumpers you can plug into the trailer wiring and not cut into the factory wiring.
This one one plugs into the tail light connection and you could tap into it if you don’t have the Tow package.

Gregj

 

[MSFTMatt]

Sweet! I do have the tow package. Do you have any additional information as to which wire is the trailer light circuit or the jumper you are referring to?
Matt

 

[Gregj]

Have to look at the wire diagram to find which wire in the Oracle jumper is right but this one is marked and will plug into your trailer harness plug.
Link to trailer plug

gregj

 

[MSFTMatt]

Thanks Greg! That trailer plug jumper looks like the cleanest and easiest way to go.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Do you have the tow package? If you do you could tap into the trailer light circuit for that. That’s what I do for my lighted hitch plug. There are jumpers you can plug into the trailer wiring and not cut into the factory wiring.
This one one plugs into the tail light connection and you could tap into it if you don’t have the Tow package.

Gregj

All Gladiators have the trailer wiring, even without the tow package, so that's no issue. Etrailer - or was it CURT? have a pigtail that connects into the back side of the Jeep's existing trailer harness - that's how some people power things like backup lights and so on..
That way there's nothing extra sticking out the back, and nothing plugged into the trailer connector in the bumper - you can still hook in your trailer plug. It's all hidden under the truck.

 

[Gregj]

Thanks Greg! That trailer plug jumper looks like the cleanest and easiest way to go.

The best thing about the trailer plug jumper is they are powered by relays in the PDC not the BCM, so no worries about drawing too much power from it.
Gregj

 

[Gasman]

Pretty sure it was the white with orange strip on mine, but double check.

 

[jac04]

Thanks Greg! That trailer plug jumper looks like the cleanest and easiest way to go.

Yes that is the cleanest & easiest way to do it. It is fine if you are only using them as marker lights.

Just as a FYI, the brake light & turn signal light circuits in the trailer harness have a very slight delay versus the actual rear lights on the truck. So, if you ever decide to use them as auxiliary brake/turn lights just be aware of that.

 

[MSFTMatt]

Yes that is the cleanest & easiest way to do it. It is fine if you are only using them as marker lights.

Just as a FYI, the brake light & turn signal light circuits in the trailer harness have a very slight delay versus the actual rear lights on the truck. So, if you ever decide to use them as auxiliary brake/turn lights just be aware of that.

Right in, thanks!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Just as a FYI, the brake light & turn signal light circuits in the trailer harness have a very slight delay versus the actual rear lights on the truck.

Because they are relay triggered and not BCM fired directly?
Or were you looking at a trailer connected, which ha incandescent lights which do cause delay?
Just curious as you see trailers connected to newer trucks and you can sure tell the truck has LED vs. the trailer non-LED - it causes a delay as the trailer bulb heats up and lights, then fades away instead of instantaneous on/off.

 

[Gregj]

I have additional LED backup lights on both my Wrangler and Gladiator wired to the trailer harness and both have a slight delay in the activation. Particularly right after the vehicle is started, I guess the BCM has to go through a startup process before it will activate the relays for the trailer harness.

Gregj

 

[nas4a]

I put lights in my after-market bumper as it had cut-outs for the parking proximity sensors which I don't have on my truck and the holes drove me nuts. They are a perfect fit for a round LED clearance light, so I put them in the holes and wired them up via a trailer harness splice to come on with my parking lights.

 

[MSFTMatt]

I put lights in my after-market bumper as it had cut-outs for the parking proximity sensors which I don't have on my truck and the holes drove me nuts. They are a perfect fit for a round LED clearance light, so I put them in the holes and wired them up via a trailer harness splice to come on with my parking lights.

Curious as to what lights you used. I have the cut out holes as well with no back up sensors.

 

[nas4a]

Curious as to what lights you used. I have the cut out holes as well with no back up sensors.

I have THESE from Amazon. They're smoked, so on my black powder coated bumper, they look like the parking sensors when they're off, but then glow red when on. Had them on for ~3 years with no issue. I have the Rough Country Tubular rear bumper.

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