Upgrading under hood light?

[XJMikey]

Anyone add led lights under their hood? My stock unit stopped working again, and I'm done fixing it... so it's upgrade time! :bacondance:

To start, these are the lights I'm looking at using: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2X18W-CREE-LED-Flood-Fog-Driving-Work-Light-Lamp-Truck-Roof-Bar-Off-Road-4X4-UTV-/161254508011?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item258b8485eb&vxp=mtr

My plan is to mount the lights with self tapping bolts, make a "Y" harness with an in-line toggle switch, and add wing nuts so I can easily angle the lights.

I was thinking of mounting them in these locations (google'd image):
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/UnderHood.jpg

Any thoughts? Suggestions? BFH, maybe?

[Brasscatz]

I think that's a great idea. Are you going to make them flush or even receded in the hood at all? I'm just thinking about my heater hose rubs on the "frame" of the hood right there and I wouldn't want to slam the lights on engine parts. Might be just fine though.

[XJMikey]

I think that's a great idea. Are you going to make them flush or even receded in the hood at all? I'm just thinking about my heater hose rubs on the "frame" of the hood right there and I wouldn't want to slam the lights on engine parts. Might be just fine though.

I'm not 100% sure on the mounting yet, just picked a cover-all location. I'll have to pull my vents and see what my clearances are along the hood frame when it's closed. I agree with the not wanting to damage parts by smashing a light into it/them.

I had considered using led accent pods and strips sold for motorcycles, but I don't know if they'd be bright enough, or handle the heat. 8pcs pod set: http://www.ebay.com/itm/8PC-WHITE-POD-LED-MOTORCYCLE-NEON-LIGHTING-KIT-/281087189305?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item41721a2139&vxp=mtr LED strip: http://www.ebay.com/itm/White-15cm-15-LED-Stripe-Water-Proof-Boat-Lights-RV/170494182259?rt=nc

[Brasscatz]

Hard to say with the heat. Are you thinking of installing a manual switch under the hood? You can also cover them with some sort of a heat shield material and easily uncover them to use them.

[XJMikey]

Hard to say with the heat. Are you thinking of installing a manual switch under the hood? You can also cover them with some sort of a heat shield material and easily uncover them to use them.

I'm going to put in an in-line toggle switch, that way I know they're off when not in use. I didn't think about that, would make mounting locations easier to pick.

[cpttuna]

this is what I use for an under the hood light. I buy a regular tractor light from NAPA(around $9.00) and use an old clorox bottle wire and battery clamps I had in the garage, and presto. I make the length long enough to give myself some flexibility.

[cpttuna]

the light in the pic happens to be an old 150 watt driving light.

[Philxj4L]

Have you considered a few of these ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/White-24-LED-5050-SMD-Reading-Panel-Light-Car-Auto-Interior-Dome-Box-Lamp-12V-/161254536327?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item258b84f487

As they're only a few mm thick, there's no space issues to worry about, MUCH cheaper, and at just short of 300Lm each panel, loads of light. I have one as an interior light,mans it's a massive improvement over standard. :) most come with a self adhesive back, so no holes to drill.

[XJMikey]

this is what I use for an under the hood light. I buy a regular tractor light from NAPA(around $9.00) and use an old clorox bottle wire and battery clamps I had in the garage, and presto. I make the length long enough to give myself some flexibility.

Thanks for the portable work light idea. I have some 12ga wiring laying around.


Have you considered a few of these ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/White-24-LED-5050-SMD-Reading-Panel-Light-Car-Auto-Interior-Dome-Box-Lamp-12V-/161254536327?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item258b84f487

As they're only a few mm thick, there's no space issues to worry about, MUCH cheaper, and at just short of 300Lm each panel, loads of light. I have one as an interior light,mans it's a massive improvement over standard. :) most come with a self adhesive back, so no holes to drill.

Operating temp is 30° - 60°... pretty sure they'd become fired eggs. Lol

After putting some though into it, I'm going to pickup 4 of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/141014526350 to mount under the hood. Along with a illuminated rocker switch http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-1x-2-Pin-Terminal-On-Off-SPDT-Round-Rocker-Switch-With-Red-Neon-Lamp-KCD1-/220967024812?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3372a938ac flush mounted in the fuse panel lid.

[Philxj4L]

We'll spotted. :) hadn't thought about that.

[bluedragon436]

I'm def going to be looking to do something as the 90 I picked up has no light, so happy to see what others come up with..

[abebehrmann]

Thanks for the portable work light idea. I have some 12ga wiring laying around.



Operating temp is 30° - 60°... pretty sure they'd become fired eggs. Lol

After putting some though into it, I'm going to pickup 4 of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/141014526350 to mount under the hood. Along with a illuminated rocker switch http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-1x-2-Pin-Terminal-On-Off-SPDT-Round-Rocker-Switch-With-Red-Neon-Lamp-KCD1-/220967024812?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3372a938ac flush mounted in the fuse panel lid.

Awesome idea! Do us a favor and try to take some pics as you go. Would love to do this to my XJ and the lady's TJ!

[XJMikey]

We'll spotted. :) hadn't thought about that.

I've melted a lot of stuff in the past. Since then I've learned to read the suggested environment temps.


I'm def going to be looking to do something as the 90 I picked up has no light, so happy to see what others come up with..

Stay tuned! For my slow upgrade. :D


Awesome idea! Do us a favor and try to take some pics as you go. Would love to do this to my XJ and the lady's TJ!

Will do!

[XJMikey]

Update:

My light pods and switch have shipped. They're coming via USPS, so I should get them by the end of the week.

[NW99XJ]

Looking forward to seeing the finished results.

[OneArmArrowSlinger]

Great idea, looking forward to seeing pics!

[bluedragon436]

I might try to see if I can work some LED's into the stock light setup.. that way it won't turn on unless the hood is up... that way I can bypass having to have a separate switch.. all in time though..

[XJMikey]

I might try to see if I can work some LED's into the stock light setup.. that way it won't turn on unless the hood is up... that way I can bypass having to have a separate switch.. all in time though..

You can do LEDs and add a mercury switch that would turn them on when the hood is opened. I was going to do that, but after having my battery drained by the hood light last summer (parked on too steep of a hill) while camping, I'll stick to a manual switch.

[XJ Wheeler]

I might try to see if I can work some LED's into the stock light setup.. that way it won't turn on unless the hood is up... that way I can bypass having to have a separate switch.. all in time though..

I haven't looked at it but i'm pretty sure you could just cut off the old light and splice in some LED strips/pods/etc and you would still be good on the wiring and everything. With the lesser draw of LEDs you should be okay just as long as you don't put anything too powerful under there.

And if you're worried about the light staying on there's a connector you can disconnect right near the factory light. I do it all the time when i'm gonna have the hood open for extended periods. Now, for the ones that didn't come equipped with a hood light you could either do the mercury type switch mentioned above, a manual switch, or a spring loaded push switch that is closed when there's no pressure and open when the hood is pushing it down (like the door light switches). Although mounting the last one could get fairly technical.

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

[XJMikey]

:worthlesspics:

====

Here y'all go. My attempt at adding lights. :camera:

To start, here's the goods!!!
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_164842.jpg

Next, we move onto safety! Pull the blue 15amp fuse, or you'll get zapped cutting the wires together. :oops:
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_164916.jpg

After cutting the wires, I crimp on some connectors.
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_164942.jpg

Then I made some mounts using some sheet metal I had laying around. These allow me to adjust the light aim... which oddly worked. :confused: I also got trigger happy with the first self taping screw, and made the hole too big. :o Nothing a zip tie can't fix!
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_180607.jpg
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_180615.jpg
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_180620.jpg

Moving on, I used the 3m tape on the back to mount them. I broke one of the lights trying to remove it, so it's pretty strong stuff.
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_180859.jpg

The pods only came with 8" pig tails, so I used 16ga speaker wire to extended them. The pods wiring is only 20ga, so using 12ga would have been mega overkill.
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_181451.jpg

DIY Tip! Crimps don't fit side by side in 1/4" wire loom... SO TAPE 'EM!
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_185808.jpg

I'm addicted to zip ties... :smiley-scared003:
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_185803.jpg

I should have bought 3/8th's loom.
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_185811.jpg

When drilling holes... remember to check twice, drill once... unless she'd hot.
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_194234.jpg
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_194239.jpg

I went in through the rear! :bacondance:
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_194458.jpg
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_194502.jpg

All wired up.
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_203923.jpg

Wiring all secured. I drilled extra holes to run the zip ties through.
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_205947.jpg
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_210028.jpg
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_210045.jpg
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_210055.jpg

And here's what y'all really came to see..... A DUCK!!!
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/Male_mallard_duck_2.jpg

No? All well...
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_205913.jpg
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140418_210114.jpg

[XJMikey]

Now that I know what I'm doing, I'm going to order some more pods, proper wiring, better switch, connectors, and build a better harness. I may add (2) pods along the rear hood "frame" to fill in the spots the (3) pods don't cover.

[Rocco83]

Wonder what a little LED bar would look like mounted right under your hood vents would look like. Might even be able to rig it up to where it could plug into the OEM one. Not sure whether or not it would draw too much. Like your setup though.

[XJMikey]

Wonder what a little LED bar would look like mounted right under your hood vents would look like. Might even be able to rig it up to where it could plug into the OEM one. Not sure whether or not it would draw too much. Like your setup though.

Thanks.

It might work. It'd be a bit low to illuminate the fans, belt and radiator, tho. Maybe add a magnet strip to the back. That'd allow perfect placement for the job you're working on.

[Rocco83]

Thanks.



It might work. It'd be a bit low to illuminate the fans, belt and radiator, tho. Maybe add a magnet strip to the back. That'd allow perfect placement for the job you're working on.


That would be awesome with a magnet on the back to move it around. Skinny little light bar you could snake it down to get a look at those dark grimy spots.

[Brasscatz]

Nicely done man!

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

[XJMikey]

That would be awesome with a magnet on the back to move it around. Skinny little light bar you could snake it down to get a look at those dark grimy spots.

One of those 2"x2" tuffstuff dually flood light pods, would be badass. I may work on that next. I need to work on soldering skills, first. Haven't soldered anything since 7th. Lol


Nicely done man!

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

Thanks.

[XJMikey]

After a drive to work and home, the 3rd light lost its shyness, and came out to play!

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140419_195919.jpg
http://s942.photobucket.com/user/OffRoadJunkie_photos/media/My%20XJ/IMG_20140419_200116.jpg

As you can see, the light output is more than bright enough to easily work under the hood. The mounts I made allow enough side to side, and up/down adjustment to illuminate anywhere you can reach from the topside of the engine bay.
http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/OffRoadJunkie_photos/My%20XJ/IMG_20140419_200842.jpg

My next project will be adding a GM retractable hood light, with a led bulb and rare earth magnet. They have 19' of wire, which would make for a perfect onboard work light.

[OneArmArrowSlinger]

Very nice! I'm adding this mod to my list for sure

[XJMikey]

Light pods and switch cost me $14, and took about 4 days to show up. I'd suggest buying connectors meant for 20-22ga wiring, and 18-20ga wiring.

[NW99XJ]

Great idea, good execution, but let me give you a couple pointers if I may.
First off, speaker wire is going to degrade after a while. Typically the stuff is not oil/gas resistant, and even though you have loom around 99% of it, it takes less than 1mm of wire shielding to fail to cause a short.... just food for thought when wiring up new light in the future. Search for "Primary Wire" to source the good stuff.
Secondly.... in order to fit butt/crimp connectors in small loom, you're right, they cant be side by side....so you have to stagger them. have them about 1-2 inches down line from each other, and you'll be able to loom right over them.
This may not be necessary at all if you ground each light at it's mount (just one less wire to run.)
Onto the pods themselves....
With the vibrations, and temperature swings found in the under-hood-environment, I would consider keeping an eye on everything in the way you have it... sheet metal screws of the kind you used, have a more coarse thread-per-inch count than other types of screws that could have been used. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I would suggest some preventive maintenance to ensure things stay where they're supposed to... throw a liberal amount of loctite on the screws as you put them in... this will ensure that all the vibrations of road and off-road driving, don't work those guys loose over time. The pods themselves may also benefit from a little something extra. The adhesive tape may degrade over time... not saying it WILL, just saying, it MAY. To prevent a pad from coming loose when you least expect it, a zip tie around its equator to the bracket its mounted to might be a good "safety-strap" ...use small/thin zip ties to eliminate as much shadowing as possible. Another option would be to forgo the adhesive backing all together, and epoxy them onto your mounts.
One last thing, and I'll quit picking on you :) ...get a better set of crimpers... the ones your using dont create a good mechanical connection, true, they smash the connectors around the wire, and they may appear to be "connected" ....but take it from someone who spent over a decade in the mobile electronics field as an installer, and get yourself a decent set of crimpers. Something along the lines of THESE may end up becoming your new favorite tool. (trust me they're worth the investment)
http://ace.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pACE3-991253enh-z7.jpg

Ok, that's it... thats my 2cents, ...again, great concept, I love the idea, and you certainly accompished your goal for under hood light, and did it on a great budget! :thumbsup:

[XJMikey]

Thanks for the advise. I have (2) of the pliers crimpers (standard and mini size), but I don't have a clue as to where they're hiding. The pods have mounting holes in them, and I'm going to put a bolt /nut in each one, I just haven't found a small enough size to fit.

Thanks again. I achieved my goal, and I will be upgrading the "cheaper out" areas, in due time.

[Basslicks]

pretty good litle mod man! I've got the old GM pickup truck work light on a reel that I'll be installing and I'll probably install something like this as well eventually.

[jeepin_idaho]

This is such an awesome mod! Well, another thing to add to my list...

[Pyrokid4]

A mod that I want to do that is similar to these is get three KC Cyclone LED ( http://www.kchilites.com/lights/cyclone.html ) lights and run them the same way. More expensive but the brightness is insane. Have these for dome light on my interior

[bluedragon436]

A mod that I want to do that is similar to these is get three KC Cyclone LED ( http://www.kchilites.com/lights/cyclone.html ) lights and run them the same way. More expensive but the brightness is insane. Have these for dome light on my interior

I've looked at the Cyclone lights before for use as dome lights... How did you mount them??

[Pyrokid4]

In the 95 that dome light has a rivet holding on the lightt "circuitry", so it can be drilled out and I made a backing olate with strap and riveted back into place. Then tabbed a metal cover for it. I will upload pictures in the morning if you want to see it. I made a second hole between the visors and at the time had it body clip riveted (if that makes sense) into the header

[XJMikey]

A mod that I want to do that is similar to these is get three KC Cyclone LED ( http://www.kchilites.com/lights/cyclone.html ) lights and run them the same way. More expensive but the brightness is insane. Have these for dome light on my interior

When I do this again, I'll use better, insanely bright led pods. This was just a cheap fix and trial run for an annoying problem.

[Pyrokid4]

When I do this again, I'll use better, insanely bright led pods. This was just a cheap fix and trial run for an annoying problem.
Yeah totally understand. I should be doing mine in a couple of weeks, if you want me to do a write up I can. Same for my dome lights that I did with the KC Hilites cyclone lights. Would be the same as yours (which was great by the way) just a couple things changed for their connectors they have.

[XJMikey]

Yeah totally understand. I should be doing mine in a couple of weeks, if you want me to do a write up I can. Same for my dome lights that I did with the KC Hilites cyclone lights. Would be the same as yours (which was great by the way) just a couple things changed for their connectors they have.

Do it up. It never hurt to have different write ups on how to achieve the same thing... bright ass underhood lights. :D

[Mayooo]

I've been wanting to do a led upgrade as well. And yeah my hood light doesn't work.