I learned early on in my mechanical dealings that I wanted to see how something worked, I would take it apart. Unfortunately, it took a couple of whippings to remember to put it back together before my father caught me.
Per your question, I would assume that there are a couple of studs coming out the back side of the "back up light" housings. I'd poke and prod until I found a couple of nuts that are in about the right place.
If you like having the lights, I would just leave them be for now, same as the switch to turn them on and off. If the switch looks "original", then it has probably been there for a long time and should be kept. Of course that is your choice, not mine or anyone elses.
