I just bought some cheap fog lights (probably my problem) and mounted them under the back of my truck and wired them in to the reverse lights, so I have some extra light when backing up. They look good hanging there, but I don't think they produce the light that I want them too. I was hoping to light up a landing strip or anything, but when I tested, I don't think I can tell the difference in lighting with them on or off. I found a couple threads in other forums, but not too much in the 6.5 forum. Do any of you have aux backup lights or reverse lights set up? If so, are you happy with the brightness?

You need to use a relay. I ran a wire from one of the AUX pins on the Outside of the engine fusebox to the rear of the truck. Then I tapped into the stock back-up lights and used that 12V source to pull in a 30 amp relay. You then connect the 12V from the engine fusebox to the Common pin on the relay, the new lights 12V comes from the NO (normally Open) pin. Ground to frame. When you put the truck in reverse the relay will close and give you 12V to the aux lights.

Let me clarify: The lights come on ok. I just don't think they are very bright. Are you saying that using a relay will make them brighter?

I just bought some cheap fog lights (probably my problem) and mounted them under the back of my truck and wired them in to the reverse lights, so I have some extra light when backing up. They look good hanging there, but I don't think they produce the light that I want them too. I was hoping to light up a landing strip or anything, but when I tested, I don't think I can tell the difference in lighting with them on or off. I found a couple threads in other forums, but not too much in the 6.5 forum. Do any of you have aux backup lights or reverse lights set up? If so, are you happy with the brightness?

I've had three differnt setup on two trucks on my 90 gasser I had a single KC flood light mounted above the door of my camper shell and it worked great. On my 97 CC LB I have had a pair mounted to the outside edges of my reciever hitch and the are ok, but not as good as the single KC was mounted up high. The other thing I have always thought was to dark were the sides of my CC when backing up. To add light to the sides I mouned another set to the frame just behind my front tires the point out and to the rear and they help alot. My thought is that the higher the lights are the better.

All my added on reverse lights have been ran off a relay.

Carey

must just be cheap lights

Using relays prevents overloading the factory switches(which are notoriously weak).
I've been using the 50w halogens bulbs in the tail lens from JCWhitney for over a year now and it's like backing up with headlights. I do have aftermarket tail light assemblies which help out as well because there totally clear over the back up bulb, the factory ones were clouded.
Hope this helps.

Couldn't you tap into the trailer wiring for "backup" lights. I think there is a wire for trailer backup lights?

do a search for "backup lights", there has been lots of discussion. the ones i installed are low profile 55w lights from pep boys that are designed for backup lights (they come with a bracket to clamp them on your trailer hitch, but i didnt use that). they have a wider beam than driving lights. i have been very happy and they were only like $30. metal housing with glass lens, not cheap plastic.

I got a set of lights at Cabella's which seem to be working really well. Mounted them in the back, tapped into the trailer back up wire to trigger the relay and got the power from the 30 amp hot feed into the trailer harness. Has worked perfectly since day 1.

Doesn't look too bad either.

http://dieselplace.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3118

Along with the lights coming on with Reverse I always add a switch inside to activate them whenever I want. Great for gates, etc. Beats throwing the transfer case in 'N' .. oh, that's not an option on the Electronic Shift is it.
Also, I wire a pin on my trailer connection to that switch for lights on the back of the trailer. Where else could they be more handy?

I wire mine up so that I have a three position switch.

1. lights come on when in reverse
2. off
3. manually turn on lights

Here an old wiring diagram that a buddy made for me:
http://www.ansley.net/images/truck/backup/wiring_diagram_(Small).jpg

Im very happy with mine. They light up the rear area pretty good..... http://www.pbase.com/image/45635486/large

I bought some small cheap lights back in 2000 and mounted them as far apart as I could. My right now only come on in revers, but I bought a switch that is on in both postions so they are either on manually or in the automatic postion ie come on when the truck is placed in reverse.

My crew cab 8' bed is still dark on the sides when backing at night so I got two more and mounted them to the frame right behind the front tires pointed to the rear and tied them the relay I used for the first set and it makes a big difference in the dark.

Carey