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View Full Version : My LED Off road Lights Story



Mudderoy
12-13-2013, 06:55 AM
4130

4131

:link: (http://www.ebay.com/itm/171171227898?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649)

jeepin_idaho
12-13-2013, 09:02 AM
I'm looking forward to hearing/seeing how these perform. Shouldn't take but a min to install anyways :-D

bluedragon436
12-13-2013, 09:48 AM
Those look like some good quality lights... Also look forward to hearing a review on them..

Mudderoy
12-13-2013, 11:04 AM
I'm looking forward to hearing/seeing how these perform. Shouldn't take but a min to install anyways :-D

Dan that link you were asking for is in the original post. It wouldn't let me put it in the comments on youtube last night.

XJ Wheeler
12-13-2013, 02:59 PM
Very nice! I love LED bars.

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

NW99XJ
12-13-2013, 04:38 PM
Well I would have responded sooner, but I shorted out my keyboard with drool.....

bulrid8
12-13-2013, 09:15 PM
I was looking at those. Definitely would love a review of them!

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Mudderoy
12-14-2013, 11:45 AM
For reference; The headlights are IPF with 88/110 watt bulbs, on low beam in the pictures.

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Before and after video will be coming soon.

Brasscatz
12-14-2013, 11:50 AM
I know of a perfect place for your left over kc lights.... :D

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 because my microwave couldn't do it

Mudderoy
12-14-2013, 02:24 PM
I know of a perfect place for your left over kc lights.... :D

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4 because my microwave couldn't do it

Mounted on the CARR light mount and put on the 1999 XJ?!?!? You are correct sir!

Mudderoy
12-14-2013, 02:27 PM
If not already apparent, to all but me, I think I may have a problem with my Jeep(s)...

4140

Currently I have no way to mount it.... :rolleye0012: :bang:

Brasscatz
12-14-2013, 02:46 PM
Is that not the one in the middle of your bumper?

Mudderoy
12-14-2013, 04:50 PM
Is that not the one in the middle of your bumper?

lol, oh it doesn't say in that image. No that's a 44" LED light bar, soon to be on it's way to mi casa!

The 20" is 10,500 lm and 123 watts(?) This one is 288 watts and 24,000 lm

Brasscatz
12-14-2013, 05:16 PM
Time for a Detours light bar mount ;)

Mudderoy
12-14-2013, 05:19 PM
Time for a Detours light bar mount ;)

No I want to go a different direction, besides DETOURS is for a 42" or 40" is what Mark calls it.

Mudderoy
12-15-2013, 03:16 AM
Are inexpensive LED light bars from eBay ready for PRIME TIME? This video helps to answer that question.

http://youtu.be/U0Sp2tiHVX0

bigjim350
12-15-2013, 03:33 AM
Great. So now your ready for some night wheeling.

XJ Wheeler
12-15-2013, 05:19 AM
Are inexpensive LED light bars from eBay ready for PRIME TIME? This video helps to answer that question.

http://youtu.be/U0Sp2tiHVX0

Wow, what a difference! I can't wait till i can get some.

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

Mudderoy
12-15-2013, 01:27 PM
So the 4 KC lights got recycled to the 99 XJ that my daughters drive. This is a CARR rotary mount that I bought from BigJim a couple three years ago for $40.

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NW99XJ
12-16-2013, 10:53 AM
VERY NICE!, all around Tony.
All that looks great, the new set up, it's performance, even the upgrade to the 99....well done man.
...and I'm SUPER jealous of all that shiny new LED tech your Jeep is now sporting.
It seems like just a few weeks ago we were talking about this stuff on the podcast, and lamenting on how expensive this stuff was..... and "if only the price would drop so I can get my hands on some of it!"..... looks like thta time has come.

So my one and only concern...... longevity, and strength.
RIGID Ind, has videos up of their products, being ran over, submerged in water, drug behind a vehicle, hit with hammers, and baseball bats, and even being shot at with a gun, ...and STILL working.....
I'm wondering if these "cheaper" versions will hold up to the same level abuse.
Time will tell I guess.....

One last question, did any of these come with amber lenses?
Just curious, as those smaller ones if amber, would make for great fog lights.

Mudderoy
12-16-2013, 07:09 PM
VERY NICE!, all around Tony.
All that looks great, the new set up, it's performance, even the upgrade to the 99....well done man.
...and I'm SUPER jealous of all that shiny new LED tech your Jeep is now sporting.
It seems like just a few weeks ago we were talking about this stuff on the podcast, and lamenting on how expensive this stuff was..... and "if only the price would drop so I can get my hands on some of it!"..... looks like thta time has come.

So my one and only concern...... longevity, and strength.
RIGID Ind, has videos up of their products, being ran over, submerged in water, drug behind a vehicle, hit with hammers, and baseball bats, and even being shot at with a gun, ...and STILL working.....
I'm wondering if these "cheaper" versions will hold up to the same level abuse.
Time will tell I guess.....

One last question, did any of these come with amber lenses?
Just curious, as those smaller ones if amber, would make for great fog lights.

Thanks. I didn't see any on eBay, but with the minimal heat that is generated from the LEDs I suspect a yellow filter cut to size would work just fine.

runnerswife
12-17-2013, 06:12 AM
Interesting looking. On the fence if I like them or not.

Mudderoy
07-13-2014, 02:11 AM
5732

Mudderoy
07-13-2014, 08:06 PM
5733

4.3LXJ
07-13-2014, 10:07 PM
The astronomers will be talking about sunspot activity …...

XJ Wheeler
07-13-2014, 11:15 PM
Nicely done on the mount tony! Soon we will have to do a lighting duel!!! :D

Mudderoy
07-15-2014, 09:20 PM
Still need to wire the switch up but have the lines run and the relay installed.

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Mudderoy
07-18-2014, 04:29 PM
I ordered a 2nd 20" LED light bar. The plan is to place it pointing back and down slightly to use while backing up off road.

Well, sadly and often seems to be the case, my research isn't complete until I purchase or purchase and install the equipment.

I calculate that with all the LED lights on I will pull 640 watts or 46 amps. From what I have read a XJ will pull 400 watts and another 240 watts if the A/C is running.

117 amp alternator and Optima Red Top, don't fail me now!

I think I better (at least) upgrade the cables between the battery and the alternator.

Rocco83
07-18-2014, 08:52 PM
Just go grab a high output alternator and cross your fingers.

4.3LXJ
07-18-2014, 08:54 PM
Yeah Tony, I think you will be doing some upgrades as soon as you turn it all on and and watch your volt gauge take a plunge. Remember you also have an air compressor to throw in that pulls a few amps too

XJ Wheeler
07-19-2014, 03:12 AM
And with that winch too...

Philxj4L
07-20-2014, 06:21 PM
If it's any help, I can answer a couple of the questions here.
I'm running a standard spec battery/alternator, with that set up, I can leave 60" x 300w of bars running for an hour before starting is affected. I know this as I unknowingly caught the switch after I parked up, didn't realise until around 75 odd minutes later. Then had to phone a friend to swing by with a jumper pack, turned out, it was below half charge, but as soon as it was hooked up the Jeep fired up straight away. 10 minute drive home and everything was good to go.
As for build quality on the 'cheaper' bars, in reality, they're all pretty much on a par, ally casings, toughened less lens. As for the internals, there's nothing more than the emitters and printed circuits,so not much to go wrong. A friend in Burgaria is running a cheap bar (mounted below the bumper) and has been through deep water and foot deep snow with no adverse affects at all.

Mudderoy
07-20-2014, 07:46 PM
I finally got the switch hooked up so I'll be able to turn the 44" LED light bar on at will, from inside the cab.

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Here is a picture of the volt meter with headlights (88 watts), 2x7" LED, 1X20" LED and 1x44" LED all on at idle.
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Same items on just raised the RPM.
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http://youtu.be/YLPxkEZHAHQ

Seems I remember there's a PCM mod you can do that raises the idle. Something that was on the Police models. I may do this where I can manually switch it on and also wire it to come on any time the 44" light bar is on.

Mudderoy
07-20-2014, 07:49 PM
If it's any help, I can answer a couple of the questions here.
I'm running a standard spec battery/alternator, with that set up, I can leave 60" x 300w of bars running for an hour before starting is affected. I know this as I unknowingly caught the switch after I parked up, didn't realise until around 75 odd minutes later. Then had to phone a friend to swing by with a jumper pack, turned out, it was below half charge, but as soon as it was hooked up the Jeep fired up straight away. 10 minute drive home and everything was good to go.
As for build quality on the 'cheaper' bars, in reality, they're all pretty much on a par, ally casings, toughened less lens. As for the internals, there's nothing more than the emitters and printed circuits,so not much to go wrong. A friend in Burgaria is running a cheap bar (mounted below the bumper) and has been through deep water and foot deep snow with no adverse affects at all.

:wow: That's amazing you can leave it on that long. Good to know, thanks!

Mudderoy
07-20-2014, 11:32 PM
http://youtu.be/OXGn13uIOHE

EekGirl96
07-21-2014, 01:26 PM
Got lights?! Lol it'll be like a UFO coming down the trail ;)

Very nice....love the light bars.....as soon as I get my roof rack I'll be (contemplating) buying one....or two....

Lol

Mudderoy
07-21-2014, 04:45 PM
5783

rabies
07-23-2014, 10:43 AM
looks really nice. i would be nervous to snag it on anything though.

bluedragon436
07-23-2014, 11:11 AM
looks really nice. i would be nervous to snag it on anything though.

Yeah this is a worry I've always thought about as well when I was looking at LED bars for my 98.. Was looking at how to build a semi cage around the one I was looking at putting up not the roof to kind of protect emf rom getting snagged, either on low hanging stuff, or in the even of some off camber situations where the roof might scuff on something.. I think I'll def put some LED lights on the front bumper and possibly on the lower windshield mounts once I get to that point figure those should be safer from getting snagged on anything.. I mean I figure there are enough folks that run their lights up there and haven't seen too many talking about having them ripped off or torn up on the trails, so should be alright I guess..

rabies
07-23-2014, 11:55 AM
yea i guess it depends on the trial and terrain people go on.
il be buying a led light bar soon also. most likely one of those curved ones though.
on ebay they are like $150
maybe weld or bolt gussets to the roof rack. inbetween top and bottom bar.

i had a weird idea...what if one had a roof rack. and had or made a wind deflector. but cut out the shape of the light bar in the delfector so its flush.
overkill for function but would look cool and kill the safari rack noise

Mudderoy
07-23-2014, 12:15 PM
looks really nice. i would be nervous to snag it on anything though.

That's the first pipe I've ever bent, on purpose, so now I'll be working on another piece that goes above the LED on the roof to help protect it from stuff.

rabies
07-23-2014, 12:51 PM
found this pic surfing da interwebs.
what if the led bar was recessed? would be perfect.
5798

Mayooo
11-23-2014, 08:55 PM
I love my cheap led bars.. Looks like we got the same ones. Mines a 31" and four 4". Got them mounted on my rack. Pretty darn bright.

NW99XJ
11-24-2014, 09:16 AM
found this pic surfing da interwebs.
what if the led bar was recessed? would be perfect.
5798

Man.... i really like that... the rack, the light mount... everything.
Maybe Santa will decide that I've been a good boy and need a roof rack upgrade! :D

Philxj4L
11-24-2014, 01:51 PM
I think I've enough now. 20" double row, 30" single & a 40" single. All Cree bars, combo beam. 450w 51,500 Lm.
Before
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/8A3F1394-5EDB-454D-8DCF-16A155BFC033_zpsc6ixqqb0.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/8A3F1394-5EDB-454D-8DCF-16A155BFC033_zpsc6ixqqb0.jpg.html)

And after
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/B0182B84-343A-4F0D-83F4-C87AE2097E98_zpsmwywlfge.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/B0182B84-343A-4F0D-83F4-C87AE2097E98_zpsmwywlfge.jpg.html)