GEN 2 Baja Designs S2 back up lights install

[hamster]

Very nice write up.

 

[halogrinder]

Halo, do you think itll hit the exhaust?

nah.

 

[WhatExit?]

Thanks for posting this! I appreciate you taking the time to type it up and share your pics and info

 

[halogrinder]

update: lights have not touched the exhaust tips, and they work great in the camera view as well!

 

[Gilligan]

uh..... low visibility wants lights very low.....

Ever heard of fog lights? lol

If you want to blind your view, get those lights nice and high so it will illuminate the fog/mist/whatever lol

Uhm they are rear facing......

Rear facing lights are generally meant for off-road use in shit conditions so other trucks can see you easier from behind. When they are that low everything that the rear tires kicks up blocks them out making them useless.

Those probably light up the Starbucks parking lot great though.

Source: I've been off road more than once in my life

 

[halogrinder]

If I was installing an amber or red marker light for other vehicles to see me, I guess I'd have an install thread showing where those are, vs installing purpose built and installed back up lights.

Source: this thread and these lights are for reverse.
I've never been off road, ever.

 

[Frank N]

@halogrinder thanks for the write up and pics, I tapped the power and ran ground as you did since I wanted something on when I put it in reverse when I am in Starbucks. I fabbed up a set of bolt LEDs under the bumper, I will run a set of S2's as well when they come in to the upfitters from your mounting point.
Thanks again, you answered a few questions for me!

 

[Robtor310]

update: lights have not touched the exhaust tips, and they work great in the camera view as well!

Glad to hear that. Im following in your footsteps on this one.

 

[WhatExit?]

I've noted the color for you to poke at
Grey with a brown tracer

I stripped the factory tape back to gain access, and cut the wire to splice into it.

Now, I use BMW crimps, naturally because I own a BMW shop. In my opinion they are *THE BEST* way to crimp a wire. The best. They look like Weatherpack or Deutsch connectors ends, and use a special crimper- but lemme tell you, if BMW allows airbag wiring repairs with these, then they are good enough for me.

In fact, heres a video I made of how to properly crimp these wires.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUBjb_SOTis

A proper splice, in my opinion is done like this. It keeps the wire from moving, and allows the assembly to be taped back into the harness without a ton of nonsense like a T-tap or something.


The heat shrink I use is adhesive lined. If anything get adhesive lined heat shrink any time you use it. It really DOES make a difference!


So, cut the wire, splice 'er in, tape the harness back together again with the factory tape, and you'll only see a red wire run in there. Plug that back in.

If I understand what you did you cut the factory wire, stripped the ends and used a BMW Butt Connector to connect the (red) wire used to power the 2 lights and reconnect the factory wire you cut, correct?

So you used a Butt Connector to connect 3 wires? Based on your text and your video it seems like that's what you did.

 

[halogrinder]

yes. A butt connector can be used for a 3 way splice, if done correctly- and I believe how i spice it is the best way to achieve that.