Sylvania Silverstar Fog Lights as backup lights.....yep it works!

Tyler-98-W68 · Jun 1, 2009

I was bored today and took apart my tail lights to discover that the backup lights were wimpy 906/921 bulbs, with a max wattage of 16-18W

I soon found out that it was very tough to actually get any high wattage bulbs. I stumbled across this thread on a Honda Element board and found that you can put most of the 800 series fog lights into the 906/921 socket.

I picked up a set of Silverstar 893 bulbs and proceeded to hack the **** out of the base in order to remove it. It wasn't pretty but I got it off and to my amazement it worked.

Only stupid thing is that when I purchased the bulbs while they were the same type one had a bluish coating on the bulb and the other was more clear than blue(And they were both exactly the same bulb # ect o well), as a result one seems brighter than the other. Daytime pics right now and tonight once its dark i'll post some more pictures, and no I didn't take the time to do a vs the stock bulbs.

Cliff Notes:

Replaced stock 16W backup lights with 38W foglights and it works just fine:banana:

Instructions here http://www.skidmore.edu/~pdwyer/e/backup_bulbs.htm

heckler · Jun 1, 2009

interesting. let us know how it works out long term.

what's the fuse size on the reverse lights?

Kahbrohn · Jun 1, 2009

Hmmm... Interesting. Before and after pics would have been nice.

As for long term, I was thinking overheating against the lens BUT then again, one only reverses so much so I think it shouldn't be much of an issue over time.

Tyler-98-W68 · Jun 2, 2009

If you ask real nicely I"ll get some before and after pictures

In terms of heat output they do get warm, which is a no brainer due to the wattage, however the bulbs are far away from both the base and the socket, so I can't see the housing melting, although I'll be the first to melt the tail lamp housing

In all seriousness I can't see any problems from the heat perspective.

I also ordered another set of bulbs online that actually match so i'll be putting those in once they come.

psaulesl · Jun 2, 2009

Tyler-98-W68, I want to do this project now. Thanks for bringing it to light ;-)

Tyler-98-W68 · Jul 11, 2009

Small update, after using these lights for a little over a month now, no problems to report at all. I'm actually now looking at getting the 07 tail lights to I can rig another set of backup lights into them, although I'm sure that might draw a bit too much power.

These lights are bright and light up very nicely. Its especially nice when your backing up because when you use the side mirrors it really allows you to see much better than before.

Worst part is hacking the bulbs apart to make them work. Bought some cheapo bulbs of ebay but the base and wiring was so cheap and crappy that they "broke" before i could get the base off, so basically stick to the silverstars or whatever you can find in your local store as they will work best.

discojables · Oct 19, 2009

I really need some brighter lights for backing up at night. I put limo tinting on the back window and now I cant really see out the back window at night. It does not look like you have any tinting so I am wondering if this would even help me?... I am thinking I might get a roof rack and put some flood lights in the back or something. Any other suggestions?

goochmayweather · Oct 22, 2009

discojables said:
I really need some brighter lights for backing up at night. I put limo tinting on the back window and now I cant really see out the back window at night. It does not look like you have any tinting so I am wondering if this would even help me?... I am thinking I might get a roof rack and put some flood lights in the back or something. Any other suggestions?

I got a back up camera and had it wired to come on whenever the Pat is on. Got a good deal on the camera and 10 inch rearview monitor and Best Buy installed it for like 90 bucks but it's something you can do yourself pretty easily

Tyler-98-W68 · Oct 22, 2009

even if you have window tint on the back window you should still benefit from this mod. I usually look out my side view mirrors when backing up and there is alot more light that what normall is available. My back windows have the factory tint on them.

shiftynj · Nov 20, 2009

I have the factory tint and limited vision in my left eye and the wussy backup lights are high on my (short) list of complaints with this truck. So you the lights with the base that fit were the ones from eBay that didn't work?

Tyler-98-W68 · Nov 20, 2009

I bought those cheap "Xenon" bulbs off ebay and the bases were just crap, they broke before I had modified them enough to go in the sockets. You don't even need to get silverstars, just 893 fog lights and you'll be good to go.

type_s kid · Nov 21, 2009

I was looking for this post yesterday, I'm doing this mod tomorrow I'll post day/night and before and after pics

Tyler-98-W68 · Nov 21, 2009

Sweet deal can't wait to see how it turns out, just be carefull when you're modifying the bulbs.

zonzin · Jan 25, 2010

Tyler-98-W68 said:
,,, just be carefull when you're modifying the bulbs.

Would it be possible for you to post up a picture of a modified 893 and a quick rundown on what steps you took to do it?

I attempted to make this work and just destroyed a 9$ bulb. Do want to attempt to mod another until I see how it's done.

Thanks in advance for your help!!

.

heliwrench · Dec 8, 2010

Update?

Any updates or more detailed how to on the bulb mod?

Very interested....

sick · Dec 18, 2010

Does anyone know how to remove the tail light harness/shell?

MrJeepR44 · Mar 24, 2011

Tyler-98-W68 said:
Small update, after using these lights for a little over a month now, no problems to report at all. I'm actually now looking at getting the 07 tail lights to I can rig another set of backup lights into them, although I'm sure that might draw a bit too much power.

These lights are bright and light up very nicely. Its especially nice when your backing up because when you use the side mirrors it really allows you to see much better than before.

Worst part is hacking the bulbs apart to make them work. Bought some cheapo bulbs of ebay but the base and wiring was so cheap and crappy that they "broke" before i could get the base off, so basically stick to the silverstars or whatever you can find in your local store as they will work best.

Hey Tyler, it's been a while. Can you update us on the long term use of the fog reverse bulbs? Still no issue? When you said you had to hack the bulb apart, did you just have to cut the base of the bulb to fit the original socket? If you bought another Patriot, would you do the same mod again?

Tyler-98-W68 · Mar 25, 2011

Everything has been working fine in regards to my backup lights. I got rid of the base up until where its round just before the glass starts (if that makes any sense) basically to expose the 2 metal prongs, I then bend each one back until they touched again and stuck it in the socket. No problems with heat ect. I can't imagine not having them, it's so nice to be able to SEE when you are backing up.

Sylvania Silverstar Fog Lights as backup lights.....yep it works!

Tyler-98-W68

heckler

Kahbrohn

Tyler-98-W68

psaulesl

Tyler-98-W68

discojables

goochmayweather

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