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panama red
09-08-2010, 05:14 PM
Figured I might as well share this build here. I bought some $10 boxes from a local club member.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c260/88swampedmj/jeep/DSCF0798.jpg

and some cheap lights from harbor freight.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c260/88swampedmj/jeep/DSCF0797.jpg

then measured the whole

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c260/88swampedmj/jeep/DSCF0796.jpg

and cut it out

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c260/88swampedmj/jeep/DSCF0793.jpg

Test fit, had some clearance issues but was able to trim the inner fender back and they fit.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c260/88swampedmj/jeep/DSCF0795.jpg

finish product, self tapping screws for now but plan on rivet it on.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c260/88swampedmj/jeep/DSCF0909.jpg

at night

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c260/88swampedmj/jeep/DSCF0803.jpg

just ran a toggle switch to the dash and fused link to the battery.

Indiana Jeep
09-08-2010, 05:19 PM
Looks good I like this idea

4x4Dalton
09-08-2010, 05:42 PM
Cool idea man thanks for the pics.

4.3LXJ
09-08-2010, 07:25 PM
I like the way those work

Mudderoy
09-08-2010, 10:25 PM
I saw something simular that the border patrol was using except it was a while LED panel.

This is very cool, thanks for sharing!

_StationWagon_
09-09-2010, 10:28 AM
I saw an XJ with those several months ago, wasn't sure what I was looking at, PM'd the owner & he confirmed that indeed they were lights. So I said gee, those are really sweet, I want some ... but then I never followed up.

Cutting or drilling sheet metal on my XJ is usually a very traumatic decision for me so it takes "a while" before I pull the trigger on any mod that requires either. I've been thinking about a snorket for about a year. I'll have one in about another year ... :D. And these lights? Well, in another couple years ... :p

Mudderoy
09-09-2010, 11:30 AM
I saw an XJ with those several months ago, wasn't sure what I was looking at, PM'd the owner & he confirmed that indeed they were lights. So I said gee, those are really sweet, I want some ... but then I never followed up.

Cutting or drilling sheet metal on my XJ is usually a very traumatic decision for me so it takes "a while" before I pull the trigger on any mod that requires either. I've been thinking about a snorket for about a year. I'll have one in about another year ... :D. And these lights? Well, in another couple years ... :p

The first cut is the most difficult! :smiley-laughing021:

Indiana Jeep
09-09-2010, 04:29 PM
Cutting or drilling sheet metal on my XJ is usually a very traumatic decision


The first cut is the most difficult! :smiley-laughing021:

AMEN!!! I kept looking at my hood over and over before I finally cut the vent holes. :shocker: Now I keep thinking, maybe if I put one here, or here or trimmed this back. And now I;m looking at the fender for a light hole:D

Mudderoy
09-09-2010, 04:32 PM
AMEN!!! I kept looking at my hood over and over before I finally cut the vent holes. :shocker: Now I keep thinking, maybe if I put one here, or here or trimmed this back. And now I;m looking at the fender for a light hole:D

Hmmm I sense a name change from Indiana Jeep to Jeep Swiss Cheese!

Indiana Jeep
09-09-2010, 04:37 PM
LOL, I like cheese

Mudderoy
09-09-2010, 04:42 PM
I've been doing some searching and I cannot find anything like these. Off road lighting, side, fender, etc... Anyone have a clue what they may be called, or is it really that unique?

Indiana Jeep
09-09-2010, 04:57 PM
I don't know what these would be called I was thinking about using some metal "switch" boxes like electricians use in home building. A small metal box that would just need to be primed and painted. Saw some made of plastic at Menard's. But I'm thinking metal would be better than plastic. A little silicone or marine goop to seal the corners and edges think it might work.

panama red
09-09-2010, 05:07 PM
You can use YJ fuel filler housing for a square hole and TJ for a round hole.

ie. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-TJ-Wrangler-Fuel-Gas-Filler-Bezel-97-98-99-00-01-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5adbeea530QQitemZ39023 6906800QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/17742-01-OE-Style-BLK-Gas-Filler-Neck-Jeep-CJ-YJ-77-95-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2eaf5d5990QQitemZ20051 0626192QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries

they even have stainless

4.3LXJ
09-09-2010, 05:49 PM
If I was going to do this, I think I would mount some smaller LED lights on the roof or A pillars in combination with rock lights underneath. Just a thought.

Indiana Jeep
09-11-2010, 06:23 PM
I think one of these will work:

http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/99JeepXJ/th_7337d559.jpg (http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/99JeepXJ/?action=view&current=7337d559.jpg)

http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/99JeepXJ/th_ae271308.jpg (http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/99JeepXJ/?action=view&current=ae271308.jpg)

http://i935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/99JeepXJ/th_c668db61.jpg (http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad192/99JeepXJ/?action=view&current=c668db61.jpg)

use black door edge trim around the edge of the hole and black silicone to seal any holes and along the edge. Would probably have to use a couple metal strips to hold it in place and bolt or rivet it to the fender. The prices were from 2 - 5 bucks each.

panama red
09-11-2010, 06:44 PM
the fuel trim pieces will look much better than that.

Pink
09-12-2010, 08:16 PM
The first cut is the most difficult! :smiley-laughing021:

no no no tony the lyrics go "the first cut is the deepest..."

BlueXJ
09-12-2010, 09:10 PM
Well excuse my ignorance but what are these side lights supposed to help you see on the sides of your Jeep. Approaching bears or alligators? I'm just at a loss.

Mudderoy
09-13-2010, 02:05 AM
Well excuse my ignorance but what are these side lights supposed to help you see on the sides of your Jeep. Approaching bears or alligators? I'm just at a loss.

Well I saw them used on off road vehicles being used to look for illegal aliens along the US border. Knowing how people put lights under their rigs and angle off road lights to the side so they have a wider field of illuminated view, I just figured they would be good for that. Seeing things to the side before you start turning that way.

panama red
09-13-2010, 08:17 AM
when you have the doors off and are doing some night wheeling its nice to be able to see where you are turning, these point right where the tires will go. Plus if a bear is coming up on your side don't you want to know?

oderdene
09-13-2010, 08:26 AM
... Plus if a bear is coming up on your side don't you want to know?

once doorless and see the bear coming - easy to run away through passenger door :smiley-laughing021::smiley-laughing021::smiley-laughing021:

4.3LXJ
09-13-2010, 10:11 AM
Plus if a bear is coming up on your side don't you want to know?

I was out wheeling at night here in CA. Saw the back half of a black bear before it disappeared into the brush. When I got home, I told the wife that I saw a bear black butt. :D

panama red
09-13-2010, 04:38 PM
See you can also use them to see big black butts.

panama red
03-29-2011, 05:36 PM
finally going to be able to test the lights out. getting my jeep out of the shop this week and will be able to go wheeling again. It sat for 2 years while my life flipped up side down but ready to hit the trails.

4x4Dalton
03-29-2011, 05:40 PM
once doorless and see the bear coming - easy to run away through passenger door :smiley-laughing021::smiley-laughing021::smiley-laughing021:

Ok before anyone says it. I swear it wasnt me.:smiley-laughing021:

Switch_knuckles
03-29-2011, 09:13 PM
I like the idea, and think they could be useful.

Mudderoy
03-30-2011, 06:31 AM
I like the idea, and think they could be useful.

An LED panel would be perfect.

xj4life2
03-30-2011, 01:13 PM
Well excuse my ignorance but what are these side lights supposed to help you see on the sides of your Jeep. Approaching bears or alligators? I'm just at a loss.

I agree , I have never had a rock attack me from the back or side of my Jeep mabey things are different here in Ca. :stars:

Mudderoy
03-30-2011, 01:19 PM
I agree , I have never had a rock attack me from the back or side of my Jeep mabey things are different here in Ca. :stars:

I like the idea (maybe I've mentioned this already) because the majority of my experience has been on the road, either at night, or during the day but the weather was so bad it was like night.

When things are going to shit it's great to be able to have more light on the sides so you can see water level, debris, etc...

I originally saw lights on the side fenders on an border patrol truck. Obviously they weren't using those very bright LED panels looking for bears, etc...

I was driving home about 3 months ago and the rain was so bad I couldn't see the concrete white-ish median in the road! It was just too damn bad for the small car in front of me, I had to turn on the side mounted off road lights to see. Side lights, especially if I could have just turned them on separately would have been perfect, or so I think.

PolarXJ
03-30-2011, 01:48 PM
Nice, I haven't seen this mod before.

xj4life2
03-30-2011, 04:00 PM
I like the idea (maybe I've mentioned this already) because the majority of my experience has been on the road, either at night, or during the day but the weather was so bad it was like night.

When things are going to shit it's great to be able to have more light on the sides so you can see water level, debris, etc...

I originally saw lights on the side fenders on an border patrol truck. Obviously they weren't using those very bright LED panels looking for bears, etc...

I was driving home about 3 months ago and the rain was so bad I couldn't see the concrete white-ish median in the road! It was just too damn bad for the small car in front of me, I had to turn on the side mounted off road lights to see. Side lights, especially if I could have just turned them on separately would have been perfect, or so I think.

Not saying its a bad thing, just not my thing. As for useing them on road, here in Ca that would be a BIG ticket. We can have nothing on other than normal headlamps/brights no other lights are legal, in fact any light above the headlamps must be covered at all times here. I'm not really sure what they would say about lights mounted in the side pannels ???

modestmar00xj
03-30-2011, 04:56 PM
hmm very interesting!

rguignard
03-31-2011, 10:14 AM
Not saying its a bad thing, just not my thing. As for useing them on road, here in Ca that would be a BIG ticket. We can have nothing on other than normal headlamps/brights no other lights are legal, in fact any light above the headlamps must be covered at all times here. I'm not really sure what they would say about lights mounted in the side pannels ???

same here if you get caught running them you will get a ticket :thumbdown:

panama red
04-01-2011, 08:47 AM
First of all these are not on a street jeep. And B when you are night wheeling, headlights work fine for seeing straight ahead of you. I have had many times where I was turning and could not see where I was about to go. I have these pointed towards the front corners of the jeep basically lighting in front of the tires when fully turned. No where on here did I say I would be using them on the street, not too concerned with any state laws. My tires and lack of flares would get me pulled over in most states. As soon as I get the ebrake hooked up it should pass inspection as is.

Mudderoy
04-02-2011, 04:52 AM
same here if you get caught running them you will get a ticket :thumbdown:

Where are the tickets for the people running the 4 HID lights?