Lights Lamps Action

[YosemiteMatt]

I am building up an 89 XJ. Huge thanks to jragen for all he has helped me with and advised me on so far. My idea is to keep this project fairly simple. I want something to still run down the highway at 75 fairly easy, but still beefy enough to have some fun on some fair to moderate trails and be strong in the snow. So getting to the question, I want to add some lamps up front. I have never built up anything intended for off road. I plan on installing them onto my brush gaurd. The obvious choice for a newb is KC daylighters. So there it is. What do you guys recommend? I really want some lights with quite a bit of throw to them. Thanks.

 

[Kiefer316]

get the 7" HID's really bright

but really expencive just for 1 but they really have some lighting to them i belive they are 109 for 1 but not too sure

 

[XJNOOB93]

I like my hella 500's.. check em out. like $55 for 2

 

[YosemiteMatt]

thanks guys. i'll check into both of those.

 

[Original_MudButt]

get the 7" HID's really bright

but really expencive just for 1 but they really have some lighting to them i belive they are 109 for 1 but not too sure

$119.99 Thats dirt cheap!! But then I wonder about quality....

Most HIDs are in the $500 price range with the new KCs going for almost 1k each!

For that price I might be tempted to buy a pair (as Im a cheap bastage!)

 

[Dustin_Z]

I have the Hella 500s. I hated them so much, I put a 100 watt bulb in them. Still hate them, so I turned them into reverse lights.

Go to Wal-Mart and get the el-cheapo 6" metal round light housing. Gut the housing. Go to a aviation supply store and buy 13 volt, 130 watt or greater aircraft landing lights (piper cub, cessna, etc) Thats what I use, and I LOVE them.

The close up stuff will be identical to your KCs, but get 100 yards on them, and the KCs craap out, while the landing lights are still strong at 250 yards. They will pull about 16 amps for 2 lights while running at 14.7 volts (standard running engine voltage)

 

[YosemiteMatt]

Whoa! I think I might need to see these in person. Do you live in Colorado Springs by any chance? How much do you have invested in these by the way?

 

[Dustin_Z]

Sorry, I live in Arkansas. I can take video and/or pic tonight for ya though!

Cost, not sure, I bought them this way, probably close to what a KC costs, and 10x better.

 

[Hammered]

http://cgi.ebay.com/201-200PAR56-La...7404450QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

 

[MisterFubar]

I love my Hella Rally 4000's, but I haven't got around to installing them on the XJ yet... They won't fit on the stock bumper without removing the grill. Had 2 driving and 2 fog on my last rig and it was like driving in daylight.

Dustin_Z is right about the AC landing lights, you'll be hard pressed to find an aftermarket automotive light that will come close to the light output without breaking the bank.

 

[Dustin_Z]

http://cgi.ebay.com/201-200PAR56-Landing-Light-Bulbs-Case-List-358_W0QQitemZ4437404450QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

Very close, those are 30V. Most aircraft run a 28V or 30V system. The reason I said a Piper Cub, or Cessna is they usually run a 12V system.

It dark enough now, I'll go get some pics for you guys!

 

[Dustin_Z]

Fully updated......

http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h35/lrafb_age_ranger/Jeep%20lights/

It'll ask for a password, its Password

The tree lit up in the center the frame is approx 120 yards from the lights. I walked past the tree to 300 yards, and its still just as bright as at 100 yards. I have the two focused for about 100 yards, but can be spread out more.

 

[Hammered]

Yup thats bright

 

[Dustin_Z]

that one is with head lights too, the other ones are the aux lights only.

 

[YosemiteMatt]

I'm in!