Only One Reversing Light !

[DougM]

I have a 10 year old Focus Ghia TDCi. When I bought it, I was surprised to see that it had only one reversing light and only one rear fog lamp. When did this cheepskate idea start? My old Rover 216 (which I drove for 22 years) had two of each, and so did most other cars of that vintage. I would have thought that a Ghia trim would have included a full set of lamps! Did no-one tell the cheese-paring manufacturers that you need two reversing lights when you back into a dark driveway?

[SeanW]

Exactly why some folk have got a little creative and installed a 2nd reverse light with fog light in place of the fog light. Coupled with some nice, bright lights and you're away :-)

[luke.grimbley]

Get the left hard drive reverse. Modify it to fit 2 bulbs and wire in reverse at both sides. Works a treat :)

[Stoney871]

Indeed.

A European clear lens plus a spare bulb holder and the bulb sleeve from your old red lens.

Cut a neat hole in the back of the clear right hand lens and glue the sleeve in place.

I'd recommend using the original sleeve as the point to fit the new reverse bulb and use the new sleeve for the fog bulb (red needed to replace the white light which shone through the red lens).

I say to put the reverse bulb in the original position so as to keep the light pointing directly rearwards.

You will also need to cut a small amount of plastic out from behind the bumper where the lens clips in (clearance for the new bulb sleeve and wires).

Brighter Cree bulbs are also far more useful.-

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=350942095449&alt=web

[Lenny]

I have a 10 year old Focus Ghia TDCi. When I bought it, I was surprised to see that it had only one reversing light and only one rear fog lamp. When did this cheepskate idea start? My old Rover 216 (which I drove for 22 years) had two of each, and so did most other cars of that vintage. I would have thought that a Ghia trim would have included a full set of lamps! Did no-one tell the cheese-paring manufacturers that you need two reversing lights when you back into a dark driveway?

Get the left hard drive reverse. Modify it to fit 2 bulbs and wire in reverse at both sides. Works a treat :)

+1

Here's a guide to performing this on the Mk1/mk1.5 focus:

http://www.focusowners-social.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=114&t=15179

I recommend this guy for some 15amp cable and tape:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180513876557?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Purchase Qty: 2 to receive a 4 metre length.

Tape:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180483586959?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

LHD reverse unit:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/271604518269?nav=SEARCH

Factory loom plug:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321294764624?redirect=mobile

You can also ource this from breakers,

Snip loom plug with some loom from the reverse or fog side,

Its required to plug in to the additional bulb socket.

And if desired some cree reverse bulbs clive has linked you to the premium latest model, they may be a bit big for the mk1/1.5 housing when fitting a red fog aswell so heres the first model cree Q5 instead may fit better,

http://www.alltronix.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=275

Also Cree RED rear fog:

http://www.alltronix.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=322

In my opinion it would have been cheaper and more ascetically pleasant had ford just fitted clear lenses on both sides in all country's then changed the loom depending on the country to have the fog light on alternative sides as required,

Cheaper to make all clear lenses rather than having a machine making red lenses too.

[Stoney871]

Totally agree.

Twin clear lenses look more aesthetically pleasing too.

[troy45]

In my opinion it would have been cheaper and more ascetically pleasant had ford just fitted clear lenses on both sides in all country's then changed the loom depending on the country to have the fog light on alternative sides as required,

Cheaper to make all clear lenses rather than having a machine making red lenses too.

Got a sneaky feeling there's some regs which specify that rear fogs should be red lenses with clear bulbs plus there could be regulations for other markets saying similar so they'd not want to have more types of lamp than necessary.

If it was allowable I think they'd have gone for clear lenses all round as it's rare for feasible cost-saves to be missed.

[Stoney871]

I can promise you that a red bulb in a clear lens is 100% legal in the UK.

[troy45]

Seems that way having googled it a bit more - course I can't remember where I might have seen the info which made me wonder otherwise

Anyhow my Focus looks loads better at the rear with matching clear lenses and the airport landing lights which light up in reverse :P

[Stoney871]

You can trust Me ;)

If it wasn't legal I wouldn't do it myself. 8)

[Lenny]

You can trust Me ;)

If it wasn't legal I wouldn't do it myself. 8)

if you were found to be riding dirty, would your fellow colleagues stick on a blue and give you occupational finger wagging for not setting an example?

I saw a Garda here drives a drift spec Nissan Silvia S14

As saw in video below except its white,

[Lenny]

[Stoney871]

I would not compromise my integrity by blatantly flouting the law I am sworn to uphold.

I have the burden of setting a moral example to others.

[Lenny]

I would not compromise my integrity by blatantly flouting the law I am sworn to uphold.

I have the burden of setting a moral example to others.

i apologize for my ignorance,

Allow me to explain...

For example:

Fire works are illegal in Ireland,

Yet when the Garda remove them from those holding them,

There supposed to dispose of them safely,

Not stock pile and bring them home for there own families entertainment,

Ya see where im coming from here,

Or removing crates of beer from youths in the park,

Taking it home to there own fridge,

Obviously you guys dont opeate in such manner which is most likely why you guys get alot more respect towards you.

I was even on the motorway once,

120kmh zone i was doin 140

Garda bike appears in my mirror,

Flashing his headlight not blue light,

I checked clearance and pulled to the left lane,

He then passed by and waved in a bid to say thanks for letting me pass lol

I was doin 140kmh in a 120 zone and he thanks me for pullin over while he goes faster and no blue light or siren on so he wasnt on a mission clearly speeding for nothing.

See what i mean

[Stoney871]

The Garda have their own rules and methods.

I wouldn't say I always get respect, many people I deal with would gladly spit on my grave.

It's often a thankless task but someone has to have a working moral compass in an environment where many laws are seen as an inconvenience.

I am but a humble (and oft abused) servant of the Crown.

[Guest]

I have a MK 1.5 Ghia Estate and we only have 1 reverse light(N/S)

[luke.grimbley]

There are a few laws I don't agree with but would never disrespect the police. They do a difficult job and as you said, often don't get the rewards they deserve.

Someone attempted to break in to my house about a month ago. Luckily I was in the kitchen so they ran off as soon as they saw me. I called 101 to report it and within about 5 minutes I had Police cars all round the street. In he right set of circumstances that could have saved a life or someone's property.

[Lenny]

I have a MK 1.5 Ghia Estate and we only have 1 reverse light(N/S)

Hang in there buddy, i feel your pain

[chrisroberson99]

What's wrong with one reverse light? You're never going to see it unless someone else drives your car so why is it a big deal?

[Lenny]

What's wrong with one reverse light? You're never going to see it unless someone else drives your car so why is it a big deal?

[luke.grimbley]

What's wrong with one reverse light? You're never going to see it unless someone else drives your car so why is it a big deal?

Reversing at night up dark lanes etc. Not a problem if there's street lights but for me at least the reverse lights are essential.

[Cragrat]

Hi Totaly agree with STONEY 871 post 8. I did this mod a couple of years ago. As I wasn't sure it would get through MOT I swapped the clear lense and red Cree back to red lense with clear bulb for the test and swapped back afterwards. This year I forgot. No problems at Vospers Ford main dealer in Exeter.

[Stoney871]

To put it into perspective- Vospers in Plymouth actively sell the clear lens with a red bulb on eBay.

As a Law professional I can also promise that the clear lens with a red bulb is fully legal and will pass an MOT with no problems.

[DougM]

Back from the entertaining tales of the Italian Garda, to reversing lights!

I gave up on installing a second reversing light in the fog lamp housing. Instead, I installed a garden lamp by the wall on my driveway. I also ordered a Cree 1156 5W LED bulb, as suggested by luke.grimbley. Alltronix (http://www.alltronix...products_id=275) had sold out, and still have none. But I just got two from HIDS, also known as Xenon bulbs, Bradford. Great service - ordered Wednesday evening via amazon, arrived Saturday morning. £16.95 for two including p&p.

Am looking forward to trying them in the dark.

[jmurray01]

Both our '97 Fiesta and '00 Focus have only one reverse light, as do most other Fords as far as I know.

I really don't see it as a problem...