What did you do to your TJ today?

[MikekiM]

You probably will get those points and need them

I've never understood it either. Most that have them in the wheel wells are probably there for the "look" only. There is almost no light that reaches the ground. Same for the ones that are RGB rock lights. What good is a pink light?

I had enough wire (10' per light) on the passenger side and front to get them all to where the AuxBeam controller is (behind the passenger headlight). The driver side and rear I connected the 2 rear lights behind the driver taillight. Then ran them all up to inside the driver fender, connected them all together, and ran 2 wires in a jacket across the firewall to the AuxBeam. <— That was a lot of explanation to just say that I connected them to the AuxBeam

With as bright as these are I can see using just six.
One on the front frame cross member, one under the back bumper and one on each side, under the doors.

Do you think you could have daisy chained them down each side by cutting the wires just before the LED, soldering the next LED in-line and then doing the same with the third/ rear LED? So, have three (or four) all soldered together in series resulting in just one pair of wires for each side? Connect those two pairs and send just one pair to the Auxbeam? It's just two wires per light?

 

[mjonesjr84]

With as bright as these are I can see using just six.
One on the front frame cross member, one under the back bumper and one on each side, under the doors.

That count equals 4 . You could do 4 and it would be fine; although there isn't a good spot in the middle of the rear bumper to mount 1 too and protect it. I had 8 so I used them all instead of just letting them lay around.

Do you think you could have daisy chained them down each side by cutting the wires just before the LED, soldering the next LED in-line and then doing the same with the third/ rear LED? So, have three (or four) all soldered together in series resulting in just one pair of wires for each side? Connect those two pairs and send just one pair to the Auxbeam? It's just two wires per light?

Yea, that is essentially what I did, just at a different location. I wouldn't soder them. I've seen too many soder joints come lose. I use the crimp connectors that are heat shrink and then tape everything up really good. The only way I'd use a soder joints is one of the connectors that has the soder ring in the center.

Yes, there is just a + and - per light.

 

[MikekiM]

That count equals 4 .

Good lord.. long day.

Yea, that is essentially what I did, just at a different location. I wouldn't soder them. I've seen too many soder joints come lose. I use the crimp connectors that are heat shrink and then tape everything up really good. The only way I'd use a soder joints is one of the connectors that has the soder ring in the center.

Yes, there is just a + and - per light.

I do use the waterproof heat shrink with the solder ring. @mrblaine would be very unhappy with me. Stagger the joints to reduce the bulk and then heat shrink for good measure, especially where they are sure to get wet and/or submerged. Pretty sure I will run them inside the frame rails. I think.

 

[mjonesjr84]

Good lord.. long day.


I do use the waterproof heat shrink with the solder ring. @mrblaine would be very unhappy with me. Stagger the joints to reduce the bulk and then heat shrink for good measure, especially where they are sure to get wet and/or submerged. Pretty sure I will run them inside the frame rails. I think.

I've seen several who use those style that will put the connector on then twist the wires together before heating the solder. They seem to hold better that way.

 

[MikekiM]

I've seen several who use those style that will put the connector on then twist the wires together before heating the solder. They seem to hold better that way.

The ones I use have a heat activated adhesive inside the shrink jacket. The solder secures the wires, the heat shrink molds around the bundle of core wires and the adhesive secures the jackets. I have yet to have one fail in any way. No downside I can see to twisting the core wires together other than the extra step.

 

[Zorba]

Never really got the need to illuminate the tops of the tires. Maybe at full flex?

My take on that is to have good illumination if you have a flat and need to either change or plug the tire. *shrug*

 

[mjonesjr84]

My take on that is to have good illumination if you have a flat and need to either change or plug the tire. *shrug*

I can see that need, but rock lights in the wheel well won't do that.

 

[Zorba]

I can see that need, but rock lights in the wheel well won't do that.

No? (Not arguing, just questioning.) Looks like it would help... *SHRUG*

 

[mjonesjr84]

No? (Not arguing, just questioning.) Looks like it would help... *SHRUG*

No arguing taken.

The tire will completely block the light if it is in the wheel well. The best way to use light to change a tire is well outside of the Jeep. The locations I put mine will help, but not as good as a light source pointing at the Jeep.

 

[Zorba]

No arguing taken.

The tire will completely block the light if it is in the wheel well. The best way to use light to change a tire is well outside of the Jeep. The locations I put mine will help, but not as good as a light source pointing at the Jeep.

Yea, that makes sense.

 

[mjonesjr84]

Yea, that makes sense.

I'm a practical person. I don't like things for looks. Something better serve a purpose or I'm not interested.

 

[Zorba]

I'm a practical person. I don't like things for looks. Something better serve a purpose or I'm not interested.

I could see a wheel well/over tire light still being of some help under "certain" circumstances.

 

[BillW]

Well it wasn't today, but she turned over 295,000 miles....Last time I drove her was last Tuesday the 24th.. Picture was taken today 12/28...

View attachment 582080

As far as I know, the engine has not been opened up. I had the exhaust manifold and gasket, and valve cover gasket replaced shortly after buying it.changed the tires for less noise after about a year,and had the shifter mechanism for the transfer case replaced with a cable kit. Also all the upper and lower control arms 2 years ago. Last October I had the front hubs replaced.

 

[mjonesjr84]

As far as I know, the engine has not been opened up. I had the exhaust manifold and gasket, and valve cover gasket replaced shortly after buying it.changed the tires for less noise after about a year,and had the shifter mechanism for the transfer case replaced with a cable kit. Also all the upper and lower control arms 2 years ago. Last October I had the front hubs replaced.

The 4.0 is pretty well known for getting very high miles if taken care of. I had an XJ once that had almost 400k on the original engine without any major repairs.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I'm a practical person. I don't like things for looks. Something better serve a purpose or I'm not interested.

Same here. I can pick up Fox news with my antenna.

 

[Kiwi TJ]

Happy New Year !!
Had big plans to get up before dawn and watch the sunrise on 2025 but tropical winds were pretty strong this morning so had to come out about 9 am…

My new stove and Table worked well… although the Coleman seems to be difficult to get a low heat… more reason to practice more

 

[John Cooper]

Happy New Year !!
Had big plans to get up before dawn and watch the sunrise on 2025 but tropical winds were pretty strong this morning so had to come out about 9 am…View attachment 582728View attachment 582729
My new stove and Table worked well… although the Coleman seems to be difficult to get a low heat… more reason to practice more

And what's this plate called?

Peckers, dog's and hog???

 

[mjonesjr84]

Installed the UCF 1/4" aluminum engine skid plate as well as got the Wolfbox mirror mounted. Tomorrow, whenever I wake up, I'll get the camera ran for the rear.

 

[John Cooper]

Installed the UCF 1/4" aluminum engine skid plate as well as got the Wolfbox mirror mounted. Tomorrow, whenever I wake up, I'll get the camera ran for the rear.

View attachment 582731

View attachment 582732

View attachment 582733

Which Tcase skid do you have??

 

[mjonesjr84]

Which Tcase skid do you have??

The UCF no body lift aluminum one. I may be changing it now that I have a body lift.