it would cost more to buy led replacements than it is worth. the only good led replacement lights i have seen usually run about $40 per bulb. you can put your stock backup lights on a relay and it will make a noticeable difference. why don't you want to installed auxiliary backup lights? you don't have to mount them to the bumper. you could mount them to the frame and have them out of sight but lights things up good when you are backing up.

 

Years ago, I did the 55W spotties for back'n up, on another vehicle.
I put an ON/OFF/(ON) switch on the dash to control the relay... the 'on' side was a 12V source, and the '(on)' (momentary) side came from the reverse light switch... the relay output looped back via a latching relay.

Select reverse, tag the momentary switch to turn the spots on (if needed)... the latching relay keeps thenm on until you take it out of reverse.
Use the 'on' switch to get light at any time... work light, or imbecile with high beams up your butt.

 

Bump!!

Spillage, could you link to an example switch you are referring to here? In the past I also put some similar 55w cheapies on. They were bolted to the hitch but I busted them a couple years ago on a rock. go figure.

I've got something else to add and perusing, but recently detected my stock reverse lights no work. No mods done them and it wasn't from recent wheeling trip. Gotta trace back to see where they going out.... grrrrr

 

sounds like all he is talking about is a 3 position switch to control the lights but you should be able to get away with a typical position switch. having that extra spot were the auxiliary lights are off all together seems a bit pointless. as far as adding auxiliary backup lights go you need to make a relay harness. stock backup lights pull about 4amps top and a set of 55w lights would pull 9 amps. stock wiring is pretty weak.

i've personally upgraded to LED for the fact you can get a smaller light that draws less power. last set of lights got smashed of the bumper last winter. so far everyone seems to like them and they are fairly bright. 2 10w led lights

 

3 position, yes... On-Off-(On)... sometimes noted as On-Off-Mom.
The second "on" (in parenthesis) is momentary, as in only 'on' whilst held in that position... when you let go it returns to the center 'off'.


Wire this between your stock reversing lights and a latching relay... when in reverse, if you tag the momentary switch the spots come on and stay on until you take it out of reverse.
The other "on" position bypasses the latching relay and just turns the spots on.

In this diagram;
Com = Vehicle Ground
Load = Your Spot Relay trigger [85]
Push Start Normally Open = The momentary circuit of the on-off-(on) switch... center terminal to [85]/[87], momentary terminal to Hot.
Hot = Tap into the stock reverse lights.

The other "on" terminal of the switch should be wired to an accessory "on" 12v source.

 

Just in case the above was as clear as mud, try this diagram;

 

Thanks Spillage and CWolfie (good to see you).

I got these lights awhile back and the above wiring was my intention. Think it will work just right. I hope I can get a low profile switch kind.