Notices
Scion xB 2nd-Gen Owners Lounge
Second Generation 2008-2015 [AZE151]

What is with the light on the back bumper, just on one side?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 4, 2008 | 01:10 AM
  #1  
alank2's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 115
Default What is with the light on the back bumper, just on one side?

Hi,

What is with the light on the back bumper, just on one side? I somewhat remember seeing this on other cars, but I forgot its purpose...

Thanks,

Alan
Old Jan 4, 2008 | 01:13 AM
  #2  
lil_will's Avatar
Senior Member

10 Year Member
5 Year Member
ScionERA
SL Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,400
From: Back in AZ!!
Default

Reverse light.
Old Jan 4, 2008 | 01:26 AM
  #3  
CIONIDE's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,012
From: Napa, CA
Default

You probably never noticed it when backing up because it is so dim. Many of us have been working on a solution, but so far no answer.

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...199001&start=0
Old Jan 4, 2008 | 01:44 AM
  #4  
ATxB's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 188
From: Pflugerville, Texas
Default

i notice it when i back up but i would like to have it on both sides....is there any way to do that or would u have to customize it
Old Jan 4, 2008 | 03:14 AM
  #5  
lvbitwiz's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,066
From: Vegas baby!
Default

Buy the Rumion tails and wire up the reverse lights in them
Old Jan 4, 2008 | 04:09 AM
  #6  
AAG's Avatar
AAG
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
DeepSouth Scions
SL Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,194
From: Dallas, TX
Default

You could buy another Reverse Light and cut a hole in the right side of the bumper. Why Scion did you not do this from the factory .
I know Scion is all about being unique and what not but its just not logical IMO from a safety stand point. Especially if someone is coming from your far right.....

The only real solution right now is the Reverse lights from the Japanese "xB" version.

__________________

Last edited by MR_LUV; Apr 26, 2021 at 12:10 PM. Reason: Awarded 10 Yr Badge
Old Jan 4, 2008 | 01:15 PM
  #7  
VC-17's Avatar
Senior Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 109
From: California
Default

I like the single reverse light, I think it's one of the many COOL features this car has, JMO!
Old Jan 4, 2008 | 01:56 PM
  #8  
UNOHxB's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 136
From: Saratoga Springs, NY
Default

The whole 1 Reverse light thing doesn't bother me. I come from a family of driving beaters and none of the cars and trucks
I've had before my Camry had working Reverse Lights. So I'm used to backing up blind. lol

__________________

Last edited by MR_LUV; Apr 26, 2021 at 12:12 PM. Reason: Awarded 10 Yr Badge
Old Jan 4, 2008 | 02:00 PM
  #9  
714xb's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 185
From: Anaheim, CA
Default

I think they assumed that most of us would be reversing in shopping centers/streets that are already lit up. Reverse lights are hardly brighter than street lamps, so there is no real need for them, EXCEPT to let others know that you are reversing.
Old Jan 4, 2008 | 03:07 PM
  #10  
midtowndesi's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,215
From: Cupertino, CA
Default

a light on the other side is a $900 option.


just kidding ;] l0l0l0l
Old Jan 5, 2008 | 03:46 AM
  #11  
IB-Carl's Avatar
Junior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13
From: Torrance, CA
Default

Hi there!

One light = Less $$$. Just like one door lock, one armrest, one power plug. etc. Otherwise we'd be paying $30K for an xB instead of $18K!

But I have an idea that I'm thinking of trying to bounce off the forum........

I want to put a pair of those small round or rectangular fog/driving lights peeking out from under the rear bumper, and wire them to the back-up light. Then, I want to convert the existing
back-up light a super bright, super red, Euro-style tail light like you see on the autobahn road cars. It would be wired to come on with the tail lights, or it could be on an independent switch.

I figure more light in the tail-end (both driving and backing up) can't hurt! Thoughts? Any ideas on what parts would work?

Thanks.

__________________

Last edited by MR_LUV; Apr 26, 2021 at 12:15 PM. Reason: Awarded 10 Yr Badge
Old Jan 5, 2008 | 04:45 AM
  #12  
ibnboxin's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 852
From: Marysville, CA
Default

umm IB_carl check with the vehicle code. those type of lights in cali might be concidered tailgator lights (forgot the name the copped used when i have them on my toyota 4x4. got a fix it ticket to get them taken off as they could be used to blind people. even thought mine were tilted at the ground to begin with.
Old Jan 5, 2008 | 06:36 AM
  #13  
CIONIDE's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,012
From: Napa, CA
Default

IB-Carl:
To put fog/driving lights under the rear bumper will require a complete rewire job (too many amps needed). If you're going that route, just rewire the existing back-up light and replace it with this:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/I...D:100000151319

It should fit in the existing back-up light hole.
Old Jan 6, 2008 | 07:31 AM
  #14  
IB-Carl's Avatar
Junior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13
From: Torrance, CA
Default

Thanks for the input, ibnboxin & CIONIDE.
Good point about potential problems with the cops - I'll have to dig into the CA lighting codes and the SAE standards to see what is allowed.

There is probably a lot of latitude - There any many other cars on the road, factory stock, with much brighter back-up and tail lights than our xB's.
There must be some way to push the limit to the max. that won't get unwanted attention!

__________________

Last edited by MR_LUV; Apr 26, 2021 at 12:18 PM. Reason: Awarded 10 Yr Badge
Old Jan 8, 2008 | 05:00 AM
  #15  
Daarken's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 275
From: Lake Charles, LA
Default

the salesman, informed me that it only had one backup light because the light was really bright.. bah
Old Jan 8, 2008 | 06:46 AM
  #16  
SquallLHeart's Avatar
Senior Member

10 Year Member

5 Year Member

SoCal tC Club
SL Member
Team N.V.S.
Scinergy
Scion Evolution
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,699
Default

well.. technically it is really bright

but it's more an aesthetic/cosmetic design that was implemented after numerous positive comments from the concept design.

asymmetrical reverse light... i like it.
Old Jan 8, 2008 | 09:25 PM
  #17  
ZOMGXB's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 787
From: Chicago...ish
Default

i've never understood the controversy over this thing... if another driver misses the first light, and the fact that there's 2500 pounds of car lurching toward them, they're probably not going to notice two lights as opposed to one.

i appreciate that you want to make it brighter (i'm the one with the 16-LED dome light) but the single placement is just another cool thing that makes the car unique.

has there even been a SINGLE accident attributed to this issue yet?
Old Jan 8, 2008 | 09:37 PM
  #18  
trentonm's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
5 Year Member
SL Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 753
Default

Originally Posted by IB-Carl
Hi there!

One light = Less $$$. Just like one door lock, one armrest, one power plug. etc. Otherwise we'd be paying $30K for an xB instead of $18K!

But I have an idea that I'm thinking of trying to bounce off the forum........

I want to put a pair of those small round or rectangular fog/driving lights peeking out from under the rear bumper, and wire them to the back-up light. Then, I want to convert the existing
back-up light a super bright, super red, Euro-style tail light like you see on the autobahn road cars. It would be wired to come on with the tail lights, or it could be on an independent switch.

I figure more light in the tail-end (both driving and backing up) can't hurt! Thoughts? Any ideas on what parts would work?


Thanks.
The rear fog light idea could possibly work IF you are able to integrate them into the bumper instead of it obviously being underneath the bumper. There are some cars out there with a
red/white rear bumper lights, being able to get them attached to the bumper would be extremely beneficial. I think a PT Cruiser is one of them, but don't quote my on that.

The Autobahn road cars, is also on many every day vehicles. It is called a Rear Fog Light, and tends to be slightly brighter than regular tails, so that it can be more easily visible in adverse weather.
Some cars, including Honda del sol, a Honda Civic, have them integrated into the taillight themselves, while others have it lower on the bumper like the mini Cooper.

You are do a Search for Rear Fog Light, and I'm sure you will find many late 90's Civic with it already, Raybrig also makes an aftermarket set up.


Last edited by MR_LUV; Apr 26, 2021 at 12:25 PM. Reason: Awarded 10 Yr Badge
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Tman08
Scion tC 2G Aero & Exterior
4
Aug 24, 2011 02:35 PM
daneisthegreatest
Scion xB 1st-Gen Owners Lounge
12
Jan 9, 2008 10:02 PM
posjetta96
Scion tC 1G Aero & Exterior
3
Feb 27, 2007 06:07 PM
HotSalsaXB
Regional - Great Lakes
5
Aug 11, 2006 04:41 PM
tieccDOTnet
Scion xB 1st-Gen Owners Lounge
2
Oct 22, 2005 07:31 PM




All times are GMT. The time now is 05:33 AM.