Making your OEM fog lights brighter without going to LED bulbs

[Rubiconned]

First of all I don't use them as fog lights. I haven't seen fog here in 25 years, so, I use them as additional driving lights. The first thing I did was take the reflector'/lens unit out of the plastic housing so I could clean the lens from the inside. There is some sort of chalky white deposit that forms inside. I have no idea what it is. Unlike a popular Youtube video you do not need to cut the sealant and remove the lens from the reflector. It's a hassle and you have to use sealant to put it back together. An easier way which I discovered is to just remove the socket from the reflector. There are 3 tabs you need to bend back and the socket will come out. With the socket is that black shield which restricts your light beam. Just break it off. Now you have an access hole to the inside of the lens. Another Youtube video suggests rinsing the inside with Brakekleen. That doesn't work. Neither does using a bristle brush and Brakekleen. Acetone doesn't work either even with scrubbing. It was obvious to me then that the chalky deposit isn't organic, it must be a salt. Probably a base salt. So, I tried vinegar with scrubbing and it came right off. So, now it looks clear like new. I also replaced the standard Hella H3 bulb with a Hella 2.0 H3 bulb which claims to be up to 100% brighter over standard but is still 55w. Yeah, I know I could use a 100w or 130w but I'm not going to upgrade wiring or deal with excessive heat in the housing.

 

[WestCoastDan]

I was in a similar situation so i matched the new lamps to the headlights CCT so that they matched.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-tj-today.1784/post-1229894

 

[TheBoogieman]

I called China and they hooked me up with crazy bright LED lights for $40. Promo code HUNTER LAPTOP.

 

[JEEPSTEVENANAIMO]

I called China and they hooked me up with crazy bright LED lights for $40. Promo code HUNTER LAPTOP.
View attachment 555533

hahaha looks just like the light output from my chinesium lights as well!

 

[Rubiconned]

First of all I don't use them as fog lights. I haven't seen fog here in 25 years, so, I use them as additional driving lights. The first thing I did was take the reflector'/lens unit out of the plastic housing so I could clean the lens from the inside. There is some sort of chalky white deposit that forms inside. I have no idea what it is. Unlike a popular Youtube video you do not need to cut the sealant and remove the lens from the reflector. It's a hassle and you have to use sealant to put it back together. An easier way which I discovered is to just remove the socket from the reflector. There are 3 tabs you need to bend back and the socket will come out. With the socket is that black shield which restricts your light beam. Just break it off. Now you have an access hole to the inside of the lens. Another Youtube video suggests rinsing the inside with Brakekleen. That doesn't work. Neither does using a bristle brush and Brakekleen. Acetone doesn't work either even with scrubbing. It was obvious to me then that the chalky deposit isn't organic, it must be a salt. Probably a base salt. So, I tried vinegar with scrubbing and it came right off. So, now it looks clear like new. I also replaced the standard Hella H3 bulb with a Hella 2.0 H3 bulb which claims to be up to 100% brighter over standard but is still 55w. Yeah, I know I could use a 100w or 130w but I'm not going to upgrade wiring or deal with excessive heat in the housing.

I wanted to add that unbeknownst to many TJ owners is the fact that there is no power relay to the OEM fog lights. All the power comes through the fog light switch and like the head light switch is a choke point. And no, the fog light relay under the hood is not a power relay. It is a cutoff relay when the high beams are turned on. So, another way to increase brightness to the fog lights would be to make a new harness with a relay that powers the fog lights directly from the battery just like an aftermarket head light harness. This will probably be my next project.

 

[JustDandee]

I wanted to add that unbeknownst to many TJ owners is the fact that there is no power relay to the OEM fog lights. All the power comes through the fog light switch and like the head light switch is a choke point. And no, the fog light relay under the hood is not a power relay. It is a cutoff relay when the high beams are turned on. So, another way to increase brightness to the fog lights would be to make a new harness with a relay that powers the fog lights directly from the battery just like an aftermarket head light harness. This will probably be my next project.

I would agree. I ran the 100 watt in the factory unit and was underwhelmed. It just didn’t move the needle much.

I recently moved to a dedicated relay and I think it improved. Caveat to my observation in that I had also switched fog lights to another model with out a lot of driving time before and after the upgrade.

 

[Rubiconned]

I would agree. I ran the 100 watt in the factory unit and was underwhelmed. It just didn’t move the needle much.

I recently moved to a dedicated relay and I think it improved. Caveat to my observation in that I had also switched fog lights to another model with out a lot of driving time before and after the upgrade.

So the OEM fog light housing could take the 100w bulb heat?

 

[JustDandee]

So the OEM fog light housing could take the 100w bulb heat?

No problem running the 100watts- other than underwhelmed as stated above. Dont think I had heard of anyone having issue with overheating but I will leave room in that discussion as I live in Idaho and a likely foggy day can be 20 degree weather

 

[erickpl]

Mine never had the factory fogs. I installed IPF lights with the brighter bulbs. Never had an issue with light from them.

 

[Duda]

Howdy all,
I am slowly upgrading my (1st) Wrangler an 04 Unlimited, retirement toy. In trying to upgrade my fog/driving lights to somthing I can notice when they are on at night. The lens is foggy and I thought I might be able to clean them up. They are sealdbeam bulbs (Old school) All the replacements bulbs are the tiny (thumb size) halogens.
I am open to getting some LEDs but thought I'd ask if any one know where the proper sealed beams might be found? The dealer was way off the mark between when he said was the Proper bulb and the replacement fixture for $400+/- .

Any leads for good replacements on-line would be welcome.

 

[Rubiconned]

If OEM they are not sealed. The lens is held to the reflector by something like RTV. It can be removed but it's a hassle. An easier way to clean is to remove the bulb, pour in white vinegar, then take a small wire brush that will fit inside and scrub the glass. Rather than LEDs I would upgrade the fog light wiring with a relay circuit and use 100W Hella bulbs.

 

[MikekiM]

Howdy all,
I am slowly upgrading my (1st) Wrangler an 04 Unlimited, retirement toy. In trying to upgrade my fog/driving lights to somthing I can notice when they are on at night. The lens is foggy and I thought I might be able to clean them up. They are sealdbeam bulbs (Old school) All the replacements bulbs are the tiny (thumb size) halogens.
I am open to getting some LEDs but thought I'd ask if any one know where the proper sealed beams might be found? The dealer was way off the mark between when he said was the Proper bulb and the replacement fixture for $400+/- .

Any leads for good replacements on-line would be welcome.

I have a set of Hella 500FF Driving lights I am about to list in the For Sale forum..
Removed them about a month ago. Perfect condition. Two sets of bulbs. LaminX film over the lens since they day I bought them, so no chips or hazing. PM me you have any interest in them.

 

[JustDandee]

Howdy all,
I am slowly upgrading my (1st) Wrangler an 04 Unlimited, retirement toy. In trying to upgrade my fog/driving lights to somthing I can notice when they are on at night. The lens is foggy and I thought I might be able to clean them up. They are sealdbeam bulbs (Old school) All the replacements bulbs are the tiny (thumb size) halogens.
I am open to getting some LEDs but thought I'd ask if any one know where the proper sealed beams might be found? The dealer was way off the mark between when he said was the Proper bulb and the replacement fixture for $400+/- .

Any leads for good replacements on-line would be welcome.

Don’t think I have seen a good H3 LED bulb replacement but follow the relay upgrade and then a 100w bulb swap if your still not happy- is the most cost effective route. About $30 all in if you have the factory Hellas. To get a truly clean fog light pattern in a LED light you going to need to budget a couple of hundred. Any less than is an inaccurately advertised auxiliary light claiming it’s a fog. If the Fog light pattern is not critical then for sure lots of low cost LED possibilities

 

[WestCoastDan]

In 2017 upgraded the original H3 lamps to LED, but the process was not for the faint of heart.
I was limited to only a few 6000K options (to match the headlights), and the highest rating was only 50W (they don't actually draw that much, they put out as much light as a 50W incandescent lamp).
I had to disassemble the LEDs and resolder the connector in order for them to work because of the way they install & secure into the OEM housing, but they are still running strong today.
They are plenty bright and I really liked being able to retain the classic look.

These are what I used, but they are NLA.

 

[Tom Andersen]

These work pretty good for me. No wiring changes.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YLW4KLK?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[JustDandee]

These work pretty good for me. No wiring changes.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YLW4KLK?tag=wranglerorg-20

Tom- do they retain the clean cut off light pattern of the originals, close too or?

 

[Tom Andersen]

Tom- do they retain the clean cut off light pattern of the originals, close too or?

Yes they do if you follow the instructions that come with them. They need to be oriented correctly.

 

[JustDandee]

Yes they do if you follow the instructions that come with them. They need to be oriented correctly.

Cool deal, good know there is something out there. These thin blade style led chip sets seem to to do a pretty good job when clocked at the 3 & 9 position.

 

[CreepinDeth]

So the OEM fog light housing could take the 100w bulb heat?

….ewww boy.

20+ year old sockets and harnesses with oxidation, plus drawing more amperage then spec’d for longterm- youre gonna get aome serious voltage drop, heat, and resistance issues

Not a recommended solution

 

[Duda]

I have a set of Hella 500FF Driving lights I am about to list in the For Sale forum..
Removed them about a month ago. Perfect condition. Two sets of bulbs. LaminX film over the lens since they day I bought them, so no chips or hazing. PM me you have any interest in them.

Mike,
I am interested, What is your asking price? Are you located anywhere near D.C.?
Thanks much

Duane