BD Reverse Kit install with Apollo wire harness
Finishing up the install of several BD kits on my 2018 SCrew. Want to call attention to a custom wire harness offered by Apollo Optics. When I ordered the lights, Nick mentioned that Apollo offers a custom wire harness that supports using an aux/upfitter switch to operate the reverse lights as well as having them illuminate when shifting into reverse. This harness is nicely done and incorporates a fuse, relay, and diode(s) to allow either voltage source to turn on the reverse lights, and is enclosed in a woven protective sheath. It is conectorized (Delphi Weather Pack) and is plug & play with the BD lights. I don’t see this harness listed on the Apollo website, so you may need to call to order it if you are interested.
I elected to run this harness through the driver side frame rail rather than securing to other wiring outside the frame with wire ties. This was a minor challenge as getting the connectors through the frame took some patience. There are several reinforcing cross members inside the frame rail with limited clearance for the two connectors and a breakout junction for the reverse trigger wire. Due to the size of the relay and fuse holder, the only way to make this work is to pull the harness from the front to the rear. The electrician’s fish tape I attempted to use first was too rigid to get over/under the various obstacles inside the frame rail. Wound up using a small wooden stick (actually a chop stick from my favorite Chinese restaurant) to sort of poke the harness along the inside of the frame. There are many holes in the frame which permit access to do this. In a few cases, it was necessary to use a short piece of wire to pull the harness over an obstacle. I assure you this can be done! My only issue with the Apollo harness is that it is on the edge of being too short, probably because the route through the frame is a bit longer than other routing. Another foot in length would be helpful, but not essential.
The “trigger” wire in the harness attaches to any of several points where power to the OEM backup lights appears. Instead of connecting to the backup light wire in the tail light housing as BD recommends, I attached a PosiTap connector to the wire on the center pin of the round 7 pin trailer connector. This was easy – took about one minute and required no splicing, wire stripping, etc, and is removable instantly if ever necessary. I will put a bead of silicone seal on the PosiTap to keep moisture out.
One of the bigger challenges was tightening the button head allen screws which hold the light fixture to the mounting bracket. There is not sufficient clearance to get a 4mm allen wrench on the screw due to interference with the exhaust pipe. Some here have suggested cutting down an allen wrench to make it fit. Too much trouble for me, so I substituted a stainless cap screw for the allen screw, which makes it easy to tighten this screw with a regular box end metric wrench.
I also purchased an E&G console safe from Apollo after reviewing all the alternatives I could find. The install looks more complicated than some (haven't done it yet) but this is a quality piece, and I like the fact that it leaves some space in the console outside the secure compartment.
Overall, excellent experience dealing with Nick at Apollo. Good prices, good advice.
Finishing up the install of several BD kits on my 2018 SCrew. Want to call attention to a custom wire harness offered by Apollo Optics. When I ordered the lights, Nick mentioned that Apollo offers a custom wire harness that supports using an aux/upfitter switch to operate the reverse lights as well as having them illuminate when shifting into reverse. This harness is nicely done and incorporates a fuse, relay, and diode(s) to allow either voltage source to turn on the reverse lights, and is enclosed in a woven protective sheath. It is conectorized (Delphi Weather Pack) and is plug & play with the BD lights. I don’t see this harness listed on the Apollo website, so you may need to call to order it if you are interested.
I elected to run this harness through the driver side frame rail rather than securing to other wiring outside the frame with wire ties. This was a minor challenge as getting the connectors through the frame took some patience. There are several reinforcing cross members inside the frame rail with limited clearance for the two connectors and a breakout junction for the reverse trigger wire. Due to the size of the relay and fuse holder, the only way to make this work is to pull the harness from the front to the rear. The electrician’s fish tape I attempted to use first was too rigid to get over/under the various obstacles inside the frame rail. Wound up using a small wooden stick (actually a chop stick from my favorite Chinese restaurant) to sort of poke the harness along the inside of the frame. There are many holes in the frame which permit access to do this. In a few cases, it was necessary to use a short piece of wire to pull the harness over an obstacle. I assure you this can be done! My only issue with the Apollo harness is that it is on the edge of being too short, probably because the route through the frame is a bit longer than other routing. Another foot in length would be helpful, but not essential.
The “trigger” wire in the harness attaches to any of several points where power to the OEM backup lights appears. Instead of connecting to the backup light wire in the tail light housing as BD recommends, I attached a PosiTap connector to the wire on the center pin of the round 7 pin trailer connector. This was easy – took about one minute and required no splicing, wire stripping, etc, and is removable instantly if ever necessary. I will put a bead of silicone seal on the PosiTap to keep moisture out.
One of the bigger challenges was tightening the button head allen screws which hold the light fixture to the mounting bracket. There is not sufficient clearance to get a 4mm allen wrench on the screw due to interference with the exhaust pipe. Some here have suggested cutting down an allen wrench to make it fit. Too much trouble for me, so I substituted a stainless cap screw for the allen screw, which makes it easy to tighten this screw with a regular box end metric wrench.
I also purchased an E&G console safe from Apollo after reviewing all the alternatives I could find. The install looks more complicated than some (haven't done it yet) but this is a quality piece, and I like the fact that it leaves some space in the console outside the secure compartment.
Overall, excellent experience dealing with Nick at Apollo. Good prices, good advice.
Last edited:
