I'm sure I'm not the first to notice how ridiculously dim the backup lights are on the JK especially through tinted windows so I decided to brighten things up. I went to Harbor Freight and bought the cheapest fog/driving lights I could find. Mini Fog lights - $12.99 (not every mod on a JK will cost you a new mortgage). Well after 3 hours a 6' splice to run lights that are supposed to be up front to the back :zap: a burnt knuckle from soldering and 1001 trips from driveway to basement for the correct tool (why does Chrysler use metric on one side and SAE on the other? :flipoff I was finally ready to flip the switch, when I did.....Nothing:banghead: I checked all connection, wires, grounds, bulbs and finally the fuse. When I took it out the end fell off (you get what you pay for). A quick trip to Radio Shack (excuse me its called "The Shack" now) for a package of 4 ceramic fuses cause that's the only kind they had in that size, I ran to my jeep with fingers crossed and voila they worked . I could swear I smelled electrical smoke on the way home even though the sunrider top was back but everything looked good, here are the before and after pics. Not bad for an afternoon when I should have been doing yard work. View attachment 19064
Here are some very nice lights that you can mount right above your tail lights, rig a switch; each one is as bright as a standard headlight, only draws an amp, and is available as a flood or spot: Rigid Industries - LED and HID lights
The reason that you can't navigate by a backup light is that they're not designed to light the way. They're designed to indicate that you're backing up and allow people to jump out of the way, scream, beep their horns, etc.
If you rig some backup trail lights, make sure they are switched. It's illegal to rig them to come on automatically; you can blind people, etc.
Well thanx, but It's not brilliant, I just can't see any use for low backup lights on an off-road vehicle and
LED lights are all hype and no light, if your going to use relays and a switching sys, what do you care about amperage draw, might as well use some good ol incandescent lights !!
Nice rig Jim, we thought about getting yellow I've always loved that color. I would have liked to put them up top that is ideal but I run the soft top in the summer and the tow hitch mount provides a little protection since they are low profile. They are on a switch so they should be handy for camping this summer.
I just added the vision x solo as a back up light on my Rubicon and can say I am really happy with it on an off road. I went with the elliptical pattern.
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