Adding a LED tail light to a John Deere Gator 850D

stduck54 · Feb 16, 2013

Our Gator gets used at night on very dark, unsealed country roads. It has headlights but no tail light. We have had trucks almost tailgating us, so I am adding a large single LED tail light under the tray. I plan to tap into the headlight wiring loom, but a JD Gator wiring diagram that in fact is readable is hard to find. There was one on this site but has been taken down. What is the best place to tap into the factory loom:
1) After the head light switch relay (is there one and if so, is it one of the three mounted under the middle of the dash, and which of the three is it?)
2) straight off one of the headlights?
3) before the relay (if there is one) and add its own relay? (seems an overkill)

The idea is to switch the tail light so that it turns off when the ignition is turned off, just like the head lights. In the future I will also add 2 high power LED spots to the front as the headlights do not quite cut it at higher speeds. And hitting a kangaroo in the middle of the night is no fun! These LED spots will get their own relay switch.

I plan not to use a separate switch relay for the tail light, being LED based, it has very low current draw. Thanks for the help in advance.

DT86 · Feb 16, 2013

I know nothing of the Gator you have but you might also want to add some reflective tape to the back of your machine. I have a Kubota RTV and my tail lights are often covered with so much mud they can't be seen. I have reflective tape across the rear for a little added safety.

94BULLITT · Feb 17, 2013

The quick and easy way would be to use a Scotch lock connector on the hot wire going to the headlight and run the wire back the gator for your taillight. You won't need a relay.

You probably won't need a relay for your LED spot lights. How many watts are they?

I agree with DT86 some reflective tape would be good to add also. The conspicuity tape like they use on trailer is really reflective.

I put a light on the ROPS on of the BX that would make a nice taillight for your gator. New 24cm 48cm 72cm 96cm 120cm Waterproof PVC LED Neon Car Light Strip | eBay It is 50" long and draws 175mA.

yankeerider · Feb 17, 2013

Your best option is to buy or get a look at a Deere service manual for your machine. I expect it's similar to my HPX, and when I added hazard flashers, I was able to identify connection points (what the color code of wires already in the harness) was that Deere would have used if you bought the factory lighting. You can probably find a connector already at the back of the machine that is already switched by your existing light switch.

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Zebrafive · Feb 17, 2013

Tie into the load side of the headlght switch. As others have stated current draw of LEDs is so low no need for a relay.
If your headlights have a relay, to check, pull one a time and see if the headlights go out, and IF it is easier to access than the headlight switch, you could hook up to the input wire to the relay. Tail lights would still, work if relay failed. Or the output from the relay could be used.
Lots of options.

stduck54 · Feb 18, 2013

Thanks guys. As suggested, I pulled the relays one by one and they did not affect the headlights. Then traced the head light wires (they have unique numbers) back to the switch. So you guys are right: no relays and none needed. I will connect to the load side of the switch. Only when I add the LED spot lights, will I add a relay. And that reflective tape looks very good, I will add that too.
I converted an old Landcruiser licence plate bracket and attached it under the tray of the Gator, smack in the middle. The large tail light is now out of harms way.