Buying trail lights tomorrow, 5 differnt options, what do you like?

[Plays For Jeeps]

^Headlights ordered and I picked up 4 of option #3

Thanks guys!

 

[aroncull]

Well im glad that you got the headlights.. i guess you will have to see for yourself how well the harbor frieght lights will hold up..

i have the 55W pro comp lights on m roof and they are OK as far as durability but light output is well..... pointless.. maybe if they where 100W but even then, to make any differencec i think you need to have some 100W floods up top. its better to see wide and clear up close with roof lights.. driving or fog need to be mounted below the belt line for best functionality. Also blowback [reflecting] off of your hood from the roof lights is a concern.. i have that too.. so my roof lights are totally pointless and im glad they where cheap.
if i was to replace them i would do 4 100W flood in the Hella or KC or Pro Comp.. most likly the lowest price option due to lack of use and that they will eventually break since i do mountain trails with trees and not the baja which is where you could actually useem lol..

 

[RCman]

^Headlights ordered and I picked up 4 of option #3

Thanks guys!

Not what I would have done... but at any rate. Why did you listen to what Cal said in his very first post?

Also, please PLEASE do not use that cheap wire that is for sure going to come with those lights. DO IT RIGHT with quality wire, quality relays, and a decent switch (even though if you wire it correctly there should be mA of current through it).

 

[xjnco]

You would,t believe the difference in just replacing your stock headlights with "High Output " replacements available from most major retailers,
ie; Pep Boys, Advanced Auto, Autozone, etc...
I just wish there was a way to have both the hi-beam and lo-beam shine at the same time, like when tou hold the turn signal lever in, but not fully clicked. With the HO bulbs the coverage is excellent.

 

[RCman]

Well im glad that you got the headlights.. i guess you will have to see for yourself how well the harbor frieght lights will hold up..

i have the 55W pro comp lights on m roof and they are OK as far as durability but light output is well..... pointless.. maybe if they where 100W but even then, to make any differencec i think you need to have some 100W floods up top. its better to see wide and clear up close with roof lights.. driving or fog need to be mounted below the belt line for best functionality. Also blowback [reflecting] off of your hood from the roof lights is a concern.. i have that too.. so my roof lights are totally pointless and im glad they where cheap.
if i was to replace them i would do 4 100W flood in the Hella or KC or Pro Comp.. most likly the lowest price option due to lack of use and that they will eventually break since i do mountain trails with trees and not the baja which is where you could actually useem lol..

Mostly well put.

Like Cal said (and I repeated/added to) before, quality lights and gear to go with them. Cheapo lights will do nothing on the roof but flood your hood and not the trail. Only problem with mounting expensive lights up top, is that unless you're in the open... they're going to get broken. Fine on a DD that sees only occasional trail time, but on a trail rig... I'd stay away from roof lights (unless in open areas, but even then...)

I had four 130W Daylighters on my roof and they really did light up the world (combined with the two 130W Slimlights on the bumper), however it was a DD that didn't see the trail all to often. Now thats its a dedicated trail rig, they're done from the roof.

Before someone asks/comments... I was running an Optima battery and a Mean Green alternator with 2 12awg power feed to the roof lights (2 each per circuit) and a short 8awg ground. Overkill, maybe, but I never had to worry about it.

 

[aroncull]

Mostly well put.

Like Cal said (and I repeated/added to) before, quality lights and gear to go with them. Cheapo lights will do nothing on the roof but flood your hood and not the trail. Only problem with mounting expensive lights up top, is that unless you're in the open... they're going to get broken. Fine on a DD that sees only occasional trail time, but on a trail rig... I'd stay away from roof lights (unless in open areas, but even then...)

I had four 130W Daylighters on my roof and they really did light up the world (combined with the two 130W Slimlights on the bumper), however it was a DD that didn't see the trail all to often. Now thats its a dedicated trail rig, they're done from the roof.

Before someone asks/comments... I was running an Optima battery and a Mean Green alternator with 2 12awg power feed to the roof lights (2 each per circuit) and a 10awg ground. Overkill, maybe, but I never had to worry about it.

NO DOUBT.. I also totally agree about the wiring... at least with quality light kits you get relays and good wire...

 

[Plays For Jeeps]

I actually found a Mean Green alternator in the Junkyard for $35. It should only be $55 for a rebuild if it needs it. $90 for a Mean Green isn't bad if you ask me

Its currently at a alternator rebuild shop in Quakertown. Thats pretty much the only reason I decided to go with #3.

As for the wiring, I was only going to use the wire that came with the kit for the ground.

What do you guys suggest for the rest of the wiring?

Thanks!

 

[habibi]

well ive got 4 of option 2 and i used my wiring not the cheap wiring that comes with it. i got 2 lights to each relay with 12 gauge going through the car and into my surco roof rack coming out where the lights are. then ive got 16 gauge going from relay to switch. each relay has its own 12 gauge wire to an aftermarket fuse box. with a 30 amp fuse. if u need any help or question pm id love to help! i do want to build a relay box like a fellow jeeper did i just cant find the right place to put it! i dont want to put it in the back like he did and i cant find enough room in the engine bay. so im hinking under the seat but who knows... good luck on the wiring!

 

[RCman]

As for the wiring, I was only going to use the wire that came with the kit for the ground.

Thats just as bad. The ground wire is one of the most important...

I get all my wiring stuff from Delcity. www.delcity.com

I bit the bullet and bought 100ft of each 12, 10, and 8 in red and black. (Find 10, 100, 500, 1000, and 3000ft spools here: http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servlet/catalog?parentid=360&page=1)

 

[Plays For Jeeps]

Hey thanks guys, I guess Ill figure out something else for the ground. Habibi, Ill send you a PM when Im ready wire these puppies up. Im working on welding up the light bar now. I decided to use a old fridge metal shelf cut and powder coated as a gaurd for each light. Looks pretty sweet.

I also went and pulled another glove compartment door at the JunkYard for $5 Im gonna mount my switches in that and have the relays and fuses mounted to the back of it for easy hidden access.

What do you guys tap into for a 12v? I never wired up a relay before and of course the directions are in spanish