Morimoto Universal Backup Light Boost Bar

[Shotgun76]

Anyone happen to install one of these? Thoughts?

Morimoto Backup Light Boost Bar

www.morimotohid.com

DESCRIPTION​

The ultimate in reverse lights, the Morimoto Backup Light Bar! Designed to fit US/CA-spec license plate hole spacing, this bar features an array of 45 CREE J Series 2835 LEDs behind a uniquely-designed polycarbonate lens. The Backup Light Bar is constructed with a durable powdercoated die-cast aluminum housing designed to IP69K standards for water and dust intrusion. The optical-grade and UV-coated polycarbonate lens was designed in-house with a focused 45-degree beam pattern, which provides more useful reverse light pattern compared to an unrefined standard clear lens. Technical specifications include 45 CREE J Series 2835 LEDs with a 4500K/80CRI rating, driven by a 180mA driver that produces 29.9W of power. This translates to an impressive 2700 raw lumens, providing you with 1950 real lumens after passing through the lens.

 

[5280tunage]

No but I like the idea, my issue is that on a truck you have a great spot to install this on the bumper and the wiring is easy, on our vehicles, where would we mount this, on the liftgate? seems like a pain to run the wiring from the taillights, through the wire loom and down into the tailgate.

 

[Ugh_J]

The LED lights on my F-150 I wired through the trailer harness reverse wire. I need to look and see if I have something back there on the Expedition.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

No but I like the idea, my issue is that on a truck you have a great spot to install this on the bumper and the wiring is easy, on our vehicles, where would we mount this, on the liftgate? seems like a pain to run the wiring from the taillights, through the wire loom and down into the tailgate.

As shown on the mfgr's website, they are designed to be mounted using the existing holes for the license plate, and the wiring can be routed along the inside of the bumper, over to one side & up to the tail light housing. Seems fairly straightforward to me, and I am by no means a wiring, lighting or body mod expert nor a mechanic

I don't get your part about a "tailgate" on an Expy though...

 

[Ugh_J]

On an Expedition, you would not run the wire down through the bumper unless you were certain you'd never open the liftgate. The only way to make it work and not get bound up would be to run it up the D pillar from the tail light, over to the wiring harness ingress for the third brake light, through that into the trim, then back over to the side and down around the liftgate window, then back over to the middle where the license plate lights are. I agree with @5280tunage that it sounds like a real pain in the ass.

 

[5280tunage]

On an Expedition, you would not run the wire down through the bumper unless you were certain you'd never open the liftgate. The only way to make it work and not get bound up would be to run it up the D pillar from the tail light, over to the wiring harness ingress for the third brake light, through that into the trim, then back over to the side and down around the liftgate window, then back over to the middle where the license plate lights are. I agree with @5280tunage that it sounds like a real pain in the ass.

thank you, exactly what i was saying. The license plate on our expy's is on the liftgate. You need to get the wiring from the taillights to the inside of the liftgate. Not worth it IMHO. I upgraded my reverse lights from standard incandescent to LEDs that were brighter, to me that's a pretty easy option.

 

[Shotgun76]

Appreciate all the discussion and comments; need to do something to increase my lighting when in reverse as it just seems so dark (my street and driveway are fairly dark/little ambient light).

 

[Ugh_J]

Appreciate all the discussion and comments; need to do something to increase my lighting when in reverse as it just seems so dark (my street and driveway are fairly dark/little ambient light).

Yeah, I hear you. If you want to go the custom route (wiring something in yourself) there are lots of options if you're handy with electrical wiring, or at least willing to do some research on e.g. youtube and be careful about what you're doing -- I can share some details on what I did on the F-150 if you decide to go that route. I love my bulbs but I bought them back in 2023; I just looked and they are no longer available. The downside to ordering these bulbs online is every chinese alphabet-soup vendor has some, and it's really difficult to know what the quality level is on any of them. They're cheap, though, so that's a plus. You might start with something like this and see if that suits your needs. Easy to return if they don't fit right or you notice some other quality problem.

 

[SyndicateZ]

Just replace the halogen reverse bulbs with LED. I noticed they are brighter and I can see better when backing.

Disregard this if u already have LED reverse bulbs in your taillamps

 

[Deadman]

I just put brighter reverse bulbs in the housing......

 

[fuzzmanmatt]

I slapped LEDs in my tail lights, and I added some flush mount driving lights into the bumper, pulling from the trailer wiring harness. Yes, you have to cut the bumper cover, but they look fantastic and work amazing out in the boonies. Probably overkill in the city, but they're bright!

 

[Shotgun76]

Pics?

 

[Shotgun76]

I ordered some Diode Dynamics LED bulbs (license plate, reverse, and brake). Awaiting their arrival; hoping they get the job done!

 

[fuzzmanmatt]

Pics?

It's a couple years old at this point, but yeah, quickest picture I could find (a week later)

 

[Shotgun76]

Opened up tail light; thought maybe the stock lights were LEDs, once I opened it. Couldn't get the "lock" to release, trying to get where I thought the led might be and crushed the clip. It looks like my stock tail lights are integrated led units, which sucks because reverse light output is garbage. I was able to put it back together and works, for now, but might be looking at a $800 mistake if I have to replace the entire tail light. I'm going to open it back up today and see if I can at least electrical tape/epoxy the connection. I'm going to call dealer tomorrow to see if I can confirm that these are sealed units before trying to return the leds I bought. SMH.

 

[Mr Big]

I purchased LasFit LED backup lights. They are super bright and really light up the back area.
LasFit LED backup lights

 

[Mr Big]

View attachment 83641
It's a couple years old at this point, but yeah, quickest picture I could find (a week later)

That's not a 4th Gen. But I'm sure it could be implemented on one. I didn't need any extra light once I went with the LasFits.