I read some past threads about putting Navagator taillights on an Expedition, but didn't see anything about the backup light dilema. I would really like to put these lenses on my truck, i like the smooth clean look compaired to the triple bubble apperance. I would like to know if anyone has maybe added custom backup lights to their truck somewhere. I dont want to add the entire Nav license plate/back-up light assemble. This looks kinda corny on an X. Thought about the possibility about plastic welding a clear lens to the Nav taillight assembly so that it looks like the X taillights. Dont know if this would work though. Maybe some custom lights at the lower outside corners of the lift gate? I might just have to accept the fact that if i go with the Navigator tails I just wouldn't have b/u lights. Has anyone done this and had any problem with the law enforcement on a slow night? I need ideas or suggestions. Thanks.

 

Mount some cheap, but high powered driving lights under the truck (facing the rear of course). They do not have to be visible from the rear when off, but you want them to provide enough light to see behind you. There are a lot of trucks that mount small driving lights to the ends of the receiver hitch mounting plates.
You can look in the "technical articles" section of the website about electrical hookups, but all you need to do is tap the back wire and run that tap into a 12v relay that is getting full power, so that your new lights have a stong source of power.

The only other option that I can think of is that I have seen a few of these over the years, and its a metal license plate frame with backup lights built into them.

Good luck.
Greg

 

Alan, I put these tail lights on also. I use some slim lights from sears and put them on my trailer hitch tubbing. I'll e-mail you a picture. I installed them in 30 minutes. Includes soldering the wires.

 

hdlouie,

Thanks that would be much appreciated! My e-mail address is AlanM96SS@aol.com. Just in case you didnt want to go to my profile.

 

A few questions:

Okay, I know the Nav tail lights work or shall I say fit in an X. The Nav lights i believe have a different socket - or does the X's harness and sockets fit right in the Nav's light - or will I need to cut the X's harness and splice in the Nav's socket? If I need the Nav's socket, are the redily available without the complet harness. I think the Nav's sockets are integrated with the harness and the X has separate socket. At least that is how it appears in the pictures I have seen.

Now the back up light issue. I understand I will need to add some rear facing lights of some sort to be legal, hell, I am not even sure they are required by law! Well anyway, in the X, the b/u light wires will be up with the harness in the quarter with the rest of the light's wires. What is the best way to get the back up light wires routed outside for the addition of external mounted b/u lights? Or, is this harness routed under the truck where I can splice into it? If so where is it and what is the color of the wire? Once I have the source wire, I can hook up a relay or connect directly to factory wattage lamps.

Any and all help is appreciated. I don't want to buy these thing and find out I have a can of worms on my hands. I also want to make sure I have everything on hand that I will need to do the job.

Gmizell

 

gmizell


They bolt right in and, the socket fits just fine. The back up lights will have to mounted some where under the bumper (aftermarket one's). Once you take out the oringinal lens, there is a foam type insulation at the bottom. You can move the foam to the side and see straight down to the ground. I cut the back up lights wires and extended them to some remote quartz lights that I mounted on my trailer hitch cross bars. I didn't put in a relay because I only use them to back up and not as work light which you can use them for (the lights came with a relay and work switch). Minimal time. I e-mail AlanM96SS a picture but I should of turned them on in the picture, oh well If you need a picture I'll send you one.

ALSO I'M HAVING TROUBLE LOGGING ON TO THE SITE. I'm I the only one????????????

 

Hey hdlouie,
I really appreciate the response. That is the detail I was looking for. Now its just a matter of doing it now. Thanks again!
Guy

 

No problem, I took a picture last night just click on it.

Bad picture but you'll get the idea.