Does the JL need off road lights?

[American Jeeper]

i posted this elsewhere but this is a better home for the video and discussion. Even with upgraded LED lights in the stock locations, there are some obvious deficiencies in off road lighting on the JL. What do you think is most important to upgrade for night trail runs?

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[LincolnSixAlpha]

I think the more relevant question is, do you feel that the vehicle needs more offroading lights. My personal experience is that the factory LED's are awesome, however, for me, driving at night offroad feels completely stressful for some reason. Even on trails that I've been on before. I guess I'm of the opinion that more light is even better. Because of that, I installed a pair of Rigid Industries D-Series Pro Flood and Spot's on the A-Pillar. I can tell you that these two pairs of lights are extremely bright, and overpower the factory LED's. Very happy with them. Did I need them, no, probably not! But again more light is better. Just my 2 cents.

 

[American Jeeper]

I think the more relevant question is, do you feel that the vehicle needs more offroading lights. My personal experience is that the factory LED's are awesome, however, for me, driving at night offroad feels completely stressful for some reason. Even on trails that I've been on before. I guess I'm of the opinion that more light is even better. Because of that, I installed a pair of Rigid Industries D-Series Pro Flood and Spot's on the A-Pillar. I can tell you that these two pairs of lights are extremely bright, and overpower the factory LED's. Very happy with them. Did I need them, no, probably not! But again more light is better. Just my 2 cents.

Great point! Sounds like those lights are doing the job nicely. That A pillar spot is a great choice, and makes the most sense to start filling in the coverage gaps. I agree that more well placed light is better too, especially when going anywhere technical. Night can totally change a trail and add to the difficulty level (and fun) of the terrain.

It is possible to go overkill and mount in places that aren’t ideal, but that goes back to intended use of the Jeep.

I upgraded my halogens to LED, and they are twice as bright but still need some help!

 

[JIMBOX]

I don't have any use for additional FRONT LIGHTS(even socially)--a maneuverable spotlight I've had before and it was very helpful and USEABLE--I did add rear lights for obvious reasons-but--

Front lighting--my Ruby has enough, but Golight makes some pretty neat spotlights and that's what I had for almost 9 years before-

little tougher now with a soft top-

W.E.

JIMBO

 

[plex]

Yes, and the lights also add horsepower to the engine, just like the "never-been-there" stickers and the "never-carry-anything" roof rack!

 

[American Jeeper]

I don't have any use for additional FRONT LIGHTS(even socially)--a maneuverable spotlight I've had before and it was very helpful and USEABLE--I did add rear lights for obvious reasons-but--

Front lighting--my Ruby has enough, but Golight makes some pretty neat spotlights and that's what I had for almost 9 years before-

little tougher now with a soft top-

W.E.

JIMBO

I remember my dad had a big yellow portable spot light in his Jeep when I was younger. It was mounted internally somehow too I think. Convenient! I think the biggest deficit is side/corner lights and maybe better spots to see far away. For me, I “need” them all.

 

[American Jeeper]

Yes, and the lights also add horsepower to the engine, just like the "never-been-there" stickers and the "never-carry-anything" roof rack!

In all seriousness I am sure there are plenty that mount lights as more visual accessories than for actual use a la hilift jack...

 

[JIMBOX]

I had a GOLIGHT on the roof of my XTERRA and I used it ALL THE TIME OFF-ROAD--

I HAD 370 DEGREES of rotation--cool unit--

W.E.

JIMBO

I remember my dad had a big yellow portable spot light in his Jeep when I was younger. It was mounted internally somehow too I think. Convenient! I think the biggest deficit is side/corner lights and maybe better spots to see far away. For me, I “need” them all.

 

[American Jeeper]

I had a GOLIGHT on the roof of my XTERRA and I used it ALL THE TIME OFF-ROAD--

I HAD 370 DEGREES of rotation--cool unit--

W.E.

JIMBO

Sweet! I’d be afraid I’d rip that thing right off. Sometimes I make it halfway down a trail and realize it was probably more for an ATV than a 7 ft tall Jeep...

 

[HardRock]

i posted this elsewhere but this is a better home for the video and discussion. Even with upgraded LED lights in the stock locations, there are some obvious deficiencies in off road lighting on the JL. What do you think is most important to upgrade for night trail runs?

I don't think the fog lamps are very bright at all - certainly not off-roading in the middle of nowhere. They are expensive but I got Baja Designs replacement inserts. They go right in to OEM slots in the steel bumper (non-steel bumper needs special bracket I believe) and use the same switch in the cabin. Extremely bright.

 

[American Jeeper]

I really like the BD lights as fog replacement. My Oracle replacement LED are crazy bright, but they are white.

 

[Martindfletcher]

In all seriousness I am sure there are plenty that mount lights as more visual accessories than for actual use a la hilift jack...

I carry my hi-lift with the intention “if I have it, I won’t need it”. Not for looks.

 

[47Jeepster]

Just installed a JLTazer and reprogrammed the OEM fog lights to stay on with brights. There is a noticeable improvement in the OEM lighting with brights and fogs on together. If you have a JLTazer, don't overlook this option.

However, adding a pair of Rigid Side Shooter spots was a huge improvement in lighting on the trails. My wife really didn't enjoy night time off-roading ... with the Rigid lights she has no worries about getting caught on the trails after dark. Money well spent.

 

[HardRock]

Just installed a JLTazer and reprogrammed the OEM fog lights to stay on with brights. There is a noticeable improvement in the OEM lighting with brights and fogs on together. If you have a JLTazer, don't overlook this option.

However, adding a pair of Rigid Side Shooter spots was a huge improvement in lighting on the trails. My wife really didn't enjoy night time off-roading ... with the Rigid lights she has no worries about getting caught on the trails after dark. Money well spent.

Is the Tazer easy to install and program? With that option I don’t think I’ll need the Side Shooters. Good to know tho.

 

[47Jeepster]

Is the Tazer easy to install and program? With that option I don’t think I’ll need the Side Shooters. Good to know tho.

The hardest part is removing the OEM plugs up under the dash ... I have big hands and the engineer who put it right there had a small drawing board. Programing was a cinch. (Side benefits ... love that my start/stop button is always pushed, the wife can enter addresses on the move ... and the light show is a blast. Waiting on the front camera to come out next month.)

The OEM equipment will not do, for lighting the side of the trail, what the side shooters do. Here's a video that @Fuel Fire Desire posted of the Rigid D-SS lights:

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