Backup Lights

[Heimkehr]

I’m not sure if the JL taillights have a reflector

They would, as a matter of complying with Federal regulations on the matter. E.g., the halogen OEM tail light incorporates a thin reflector around the perimeter of the lenses.

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[Yawnie'sPapa]

If it comes down to it, I can always make a Jeep logo out of red reflective tape and stick them on either end of my bumper.

Love it!!

Actually, it's in case the vehicle loses tail lights, is stalled, electrically dead on the shoulder or roadway and so on. People have had emergencies and pulled over only to hit a vehicle on the shoulder that wasn't visible.
Just saying, that's my experience and what troopers have told me (I've had my share of tickets when younger LOL)

I’m not sure if the JL taillights have a reflector, I’ll check next time I go outside, but I have never seen an aftermarket rear bumper for the JL that comes with reflectors so I assume they do or that no one really cares if they do or not.

Sometimes things come with disclaimers or "for off-road use only" and that sort of thing. Or they rely on the owner to take care of it.

Just was curious.

On the JT, the tail lights are non-reflective.
There was discussion when Oracle was deciding on a final configuration for their back up lights and when reflectors came up - this was their answer -

For those who wonder, are curious, care, or whatever -

Minnesota -
Subd. 10. Cover for lamp or reflector.  (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), it is prohibited for any person to:

(1) equip a motor vehicle with any equipment or material that covers a headlamp, tail lamp, or reflector;  or

(2) operate a motor vehicle fitted with or otherwise having equipment or material that covers a headlamp, tail lamp, or reflector.

California -
b) Backup lamps shall be so directed as to project a white light
illuminating the highway to the rear of the vehicle for a distance
not to exceed 75 feet. A backup lamp may project incidental red,
amber, or white light through reflectors or lenses that are adjacent
or close to, or a part of, the lamp assembly.

(a) Every vehicle shall be equipped with at least one reflector so
maintained as to be plainly visible at night from all distances
within 350 to 100 feet from the vehicle when directly in front of the
lawful upper headlamp beams.
(b) Every vehicle, other than a motorcycle or a low-speed vehicle,
manufactured and first registered on or after January 1, 1965, shall
be equipped with at least two reflectors meeting the visibility
requirements of subdivision (a)

Oregon -
Rear reflectors shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle. If more than one rear reflector is required under ORS 816.320 (Lighting equipment required for motor vehicles) and 816.330 (Operation without required lighting equipment), there shall be at least one rear reflector on either side of the rear of the vehicle.
(1)A motor vehicle shall be equipped with all of the following in addition to any other requirements under this section:
(a)Headlights. Motor vehicles other than motorcycles or mopeds shall be equipped with at least two. Motorcycles or mopeds shall be equipped with at least one.
(b)Taillights. Motor vehicles other than motorcycles shall be equipped with two taillights. Motorcycles are only required to be equipped with one taillight.
(c)Registration plate light.
(d)Brake lights. Motor vehicles other than motorcycles and mopeds shall be equipped with at least two brake lights. Motorcycles and mopeds are only required to be equipped with one brake light.
(e)Turn signal lights.
(f)Rear reflectors.

I love the idea of reflective tape that says Jeep or whatever. In fact, if such a thing would work on my JT bumper, I'd buy one. Might consider for my wife's JL.
That is a cool idea (showing my age there)

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

Also, should you get into rear end collision, the one rear ending you, could mention this lack of reflectors to Police at the time of the accident, leaving you open to a vehicle equip. ticket and a slight liability issue..

That's the kicker these days - liability. If you get hit and someone gets hurt, you get sued.

 

[RockymtnJL]

Question related to these lights..............
How are people getting around the legal requirements for red reflectors in the rear, or does any give a rip?
One reason they went with a half light, half reflector for the JT was to retain a reflector to meet certain requirements.
IF the JL tail lights are like the JT tail lights, there is no reflector provision in the lens. Many vehicles make the tail light lens reflective to meet requirements. The JT does not - thus the in-bumper reflectors to meet legal requirements and make them pass inspections.
If you remove the JL bumper mounted reflectors and install the Oracle back up lights - no reflector.
No one cares? Or do they reflect back red when headlights hit them?

Puzzling as the Wrangler Sport doesn’t have any reflectors in the bumper from the factory. The reflectors built into the tail lights must cover this “requirement“

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

Puzzling as the Wrangler Sport doesn’t have any reflectors in the bumper from the factory. The reflectors built into the tail lights must cover this “requirement“

The center red area of those lights "looks reflective" unlike the LED lights on our JL and JT.

 

[bobholthaus]

Isn’t there a reflective “ring” around the outside of the sport taillights? Take a pic at night with your flash on and you’ll see what is reflective.

 

[DDESLAU]

Total newb regarding wiring/electrical so bear with me on this....I'd like to wire the oracle back up lights tapping into the trailer wire harness (whit with orang wire) and also wire them to aux 3. My question is can I tap into the same trailer wire harness (white with orange wire) in the engine compartment and connect that to the aux 3 lead? This would seemingly eliminate the need to run another wire from the lights down the frame rail and up into the engine compartment to the aux 3 lead.

 

[CreepyCrepe]

Puzzling as the Wrangler Sport doesn’t have any reflectors in the bumper from the factory. The reflectors built into the tail lights must cover this “requirement“

Coming from a Willys Sport I was wondering about this as well. The rearview visibility is absolutely abysmal, even with the camera at night. So, I was hoping to help it out a bit with some backup lights, walked around the back to find there wasn't a place for them. Good thing I didn't order them!

 

[RockymtnJL]

The LED tails definitely have a reflective element as well

 

[Apexcars]

I checked my LED taillights with my cell phone flashlight last night and they don’t seem to reflect. The ones on my Ram do but not on my JL.

 

[mrtm1970]

Total newb regarding wiring/electrical so bear with me on this....I'd like to wire the oracle back up lights tapping into the trailer wire harness (whit with orang wire) and also wire them to aux 3. My question is can I tap into the same trailer wire harness (white with orange wire) in the engine compartment and connect that to the aux 3 lead? This would seemingly eliminate the need to run another wire from the lights down the frame rail and up into the engine compartment to the aux 3 lead.

You no matter what will have to run a wire from engine back to Oracle light. You can tap into 'reverse light" wiring in the engine compartment but that will be connected to a singular diode to wire to Oracle lights or a dual input diode to Oracle lights. Then is you did a singular diode versions, you need a second diode from Aux switch wire into another diode and then tie into wire from the first diode to wire going back to Orable light. OR if you use a the dual input diode, first input will be from tow tapped wire & second input from Aux switch and singular output will run back to Oracle light and then oracle light ground just grounded out at rear of your Jeep.

The single input to single output diode (would need 2X):
Roadmaster 690 Single Park Light Diode

With this method you would have to tie the 2 wires coming from each of these diodes outputs together and run to Oracle light.

OR

the dual input to single output diode (would need 1X):
Roadmaster 790 Hy-Power Diode

With this method the singular output would be run down to Oracle light.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

First thank you for all the great ideas and contributions! I learned a lot by reading through this thread.

I’m planning on getting the HF lights and mount them on top of the Mopar steel rear bumper. May drill new holes instead of reusing the two holes on the edge. And will wire to the factory Aux switch in the engine bay. I only want to control the backup lights using Aux switch button and don’t want it come on automatically when in reverse. It was mentioned somewhere in this thread that 16 gauge wire should be used if connecting to Aux 3. And ground to the rear of the frame or body. Could anyone please clarify couple things for me? I’m totally new to wiring and lighting in the rig.

- Should I use 2 conductor wire or 3 conductors?
- Is16 gauge proper for this application? The Aux 3 and 4 is rated to 15 Amp. But I don’t know how much amp these lights would draw.
- Where exactly to ground? I’ve seen some applications ground to the passenger side of the engine compartment, near the battery.

 

[mrtm1970]

First thank you for all the great ideas and contributions! I learned a lot by reading through this thread.

I’m planning on getting the HF lights and mount them on top of the Mopar steel rear bumper. May drill new holes instead of reusing the two holes on the edge. And will wire to the factory Aux switch in the engine bay. I only want to control the backup lights using Aux switch button and don’t want it come on automatically when in reverse. It was mentioned somewhere in this thread that 16 gauge wire should be used if connecting to Aux 3. And ground to the rear of the frame or body. Could anyone please clarify couple things for me? I’m totally new to wiring and lighting in the rig.

- Should I use 2 conductor wire or 3 conductors?
- Is16 gauge proper for this application? The Aux 3 and 4 is rated to 15 Amp. But I don’t know how much amp these lights would draw.
- Where exactly to ground? I’ve seen some applications ground to the passenger side of the engine compartment, near the battery.

You only need to get a single spool of 18 AWG wire (whatever color you prefer) and run it from the aux switch wire in the engine compartment to the rear of the Jeep to those lights positive wires (single wire to both positive light wires) and then both light ground wires to the chassis (or whatever ground point you chose).

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

You only need to get a single spool of 18 AWG wire (whatever color you prefer) and run it from the aux switch wire in the engine compartment to the rear of the Jeep to those lights positive wires (single wire to both positive light wires) and then both light ground wires to the chassis (or whatever ground point you chose).

Thanks a lot for the help!

 

[bobholthaus]

I don’t have time this second to give you a write up on all of this, but here is the gauge of wire and the number of amps and watts they’ll handle. 18 gauge is more than enough, and it’s easy to handle and terminate. You need 2 conductor (one for positive, one for negative), so a spool of that is perfect. There are ground studs on the fender in the engine bay next to the battery, next to the aux switch wiring. This is a very simple job. You need flex loom as well to protect your wire run. Call me if you want me to walk you through it.


14 -- 11.8 amps (162 watts)
16 -- 7.4 amps (102 watts)
18 -- 4.6 amps (63 watts)

Bob Holthaus
St. Louis MO
314-680-2624

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