Looking for rally lighting upgrades advice

[1007_Wrangler]

Hi all!

Hoping to seek your guidance and advice for some rally external lighting. I have a 2020 4-door Jeep wrangler Sahara (has the factory tow package w/aux light panel).

Are there any external lighting (roof/hood/etc.) mods that are dead simple to install? I'm seeing most setups require drilling (permanent) or are level 2 installations and up. Was hoping to find something that I can use the AUX switches, but with a super easy non-perm install. Thanks for any recommendations!

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[JT1]

A pillar lights are pretty easy. The AUX switches make the wiring a breeze too.

 

[Headbarcode]

Hi all!

Hoping to seek your guidance and advice for some rally external lighting. I have a 2020 4-door Jeep wrangler Sahara (has the factory tow package w/aux light panel).

Are there any external lighting (roof/hood/etc.) mods that are dead simple to install? I'm seeing most setups require drilling (permanent) or are level 2 installations and up. Was hoping to find something that I can use the AUX switches, but with a super easy non-perm install. Thanks for any recommendations!

Bumper and a-pillar pod lights have worked very well on my Jeep.

First off, what front bumper do you have? And does it have a bull bar?

 

[1007_Wrangler]

You guys are the best thank you for the recommendations! My jeep is completely standard (no mods yet on anything). This was one of the first things I was hoping to do and needed (I do a ton of Astronomy so lighting helps a ton where possible).

Do you guys recommend a brand/model for the A-Pillar lighting thats easy to attach?
Also, was having issues with this. Was trying to find a helpful YouTube video if possible to understand how the Aux wiring (w/factory tow pkg) works.

 

[aldo98229]

Due to the location of the auxiliary switches, you are going to have to go through the firewall with any set of lights.

I’d be careful with mounting lights on the A-pillar; they can add significant wind noise at speed.

I got these 7-inch Anzo halogen driving lights for $110/pair a couple years ago now. They mount easily onto the Mopar bumper.

Good luck.

 

[AFD]

Due to the location of the auxiliary switches, you are going to have to go through the firewall with any set of lights.

My manual shows that there are factory aux connections both under the hood and inside the cabin for aux #1 through #4. Why would you need to go through the firewall?

 

[Rustynail11]

Due to the location of the auxiliary switches, you are going to have to go through the firewall with any set of lights.

I’d be careful with mounting lights on the A-pillar; they can add significant wind noise at speed.

I got these 7-inch Anzo halogen driving lights for $110/pair a couple years ago now. They mount easily onto the Mopar bumper.

Good luck.

there is a wire bundle for the AUX Switches in the engine bay near the battery, no need to go through the firewall to wire lighting.

 

[Rustynail11]

You guys are the best thank you for the recommendations! My jeep is completely standard (no mods yet on anything). This was one of the first things I was hoping to do and needed (I do a ton of Astronomy so lighting helps a ton where possible).

Do you guys recommend a brand/model for the A-Pillar lighting thats easy to attach?
Also, was having issues with this. Was trying to find a helpful YouTube video if possible to understand how the Aux wiring (w/factory tow pkg) works.

tons of options from expensive to more affordable, all depends on your needs and budget. Also pay attention to the beam pattern when you are looking. Do some research on what the best beam patterns fit your needs are.

Wiring the lights is easy if you have some basic wiring skills. You will need to do some cutting and splicing. I would suggest using heat shrink butt connectors if you aren't going to solder/heatshrink the connections.

 

[Headbarcode]

You guys are the best thank you for the recommendations! My jeep is completely standard (no mods yet on anything). This was one of the first things I was hoping to do and needed (I do a ton of Astronomy so lighting helps a ton where possible).

Do you guys recommend a brand/model for the A-Pillar lighting thats easy to attach?
Also, was having issues with this. Was trying to find a helpful YouTube video if possible to understand how the Aux wiring (w/factory tow pkg) works.

The aux switches wiring can be accessed from a taped up bundle of color coded wires, both under the hood on the inside of the passenger fender next to the main battery and a 2nd bundle behind the glove box. The system is already set up with fuses and relays, so all you need to do is to wire the positive wire from the lamp to whichever aux switch you choose, and than hook the ground wire to the aux ground studs that should be right next to the aux wire bundle under the hood. Hope that made sense. ?

The bundle under the hood will include numbers 1-4. The bundle behind the glove box will have all 6 wires.

 

[aldo98229]

there is a wire bundle for the AUX Switches in the engine bay near the battery, no need to go through the firewall to wire lighting.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[GATORB8]

While A Pillars may be the easiest install, it's not necessarily the best location if you are only looking to install a pair. Unless you are ditch lighting to the side, you'll want spots on the pillars to keep the light from getting thrown all over the hood. While spots are good as part of a lighting system, I'd lean toward a combo (driving+spot) beam if you are only doing one set. The best place for that will be the front bumper.

EDIT: I run KCs, but another great brand (and forum supporter) is Baja Designs. They do a great job explaining the lighting pattern basics in their zone information. I'm recommending Zone 3 if you only do one: https://www.bajadesigns.com/help/lighting-zones/

 

[mrtm1970]

The aux switches wiring can be accessed from a taped up bundle of color coded wires, both under the hood on the inside of the passenger fender next to the main battery and a 2nd bundle behind the glove box. The system is already set up with fuses and relays, so all you need to do is to wire the positive wire from the lamp to whichever aux switch you choose, and than hook the ground wire to the aux ground studs that should be right next to the aux wire bundle under the hood. Hope that made sense. ?

The bundle under the hood will include numbers 1-4. The bundle behind the glove box will have all 6 wires.

AND wiring is EASY! you DO NOT need to use ANY of the wiring harnesses that come with any lighting kit. Why? each Aux switch wire is already in a fused circuit and a relayed circuit.

You simply cut the positive and negative of each individual light at the farthest point away from the light so you have plenty of wire length to get to the Aux Switch wire under the hood and to get to a grounding point. You WILL need to tie both the positive wires from the lights together and then attach to Aux switch wire & tie both ground wires together and ground to a body ground (there are plenty under the hood and right next to the battery). THAT SIMPLE

IPF 901XS install on 2019 JL Rubicon with Factory Aux Switch

 

[Headbarcode]

While A Pillars may be the easiest install, it's not necessarily the best location if you are only looking to install a pair. Unless you are ditch lighting to the side, you'll want spots on the pillars to keep the light from getting thrown all over the hood. While spots are good as part of a lighting system, I'd lean toward a combo (driving+spot) beam if you are only doing one set. The best place for that will be the front bumper.

EDIT: I run KCs, but another great brand (and forum supporter) is Baja Designs. They do a great job explaining the lighting pattern basics in their zone information. I'm recommending Zone 3 if you only do one: https://www.bajadesigns.com/help/lighting-zones/

My thoughts exactly, as far as bumper vs a-pillars. That's why I previously asked what bumper was on the jeep. If the factory steel, Maximus-3 has a great bracket that accommodates 2 pod lights, so everything would be bolt on and plug and play. No permanent drilling like OP wanted to avoid. If a different bumper, but has a bull bar, a tube clamp is another non permanent solution.

Also, keeping the light lower to the ground on the front bumper would lessen bounce back when driving in fog/dust/snow conditions, compared to on the a-pillars.

 

[GATORB8]

My thoughts exactly, as far as bumper vs a-pillars. That's why I previously asked what bumper was on the jeep. If the factory steel, Maximus-3 has a great bracket that accommodates 2 pod lights, so everything would be bolt on and plug and play. No permanent drilling like OP wanted to avoid. If a different bumper, but has a bull bar, a tube clamp is another non permanent solution.

Also, keeping the light lower to the ground on the front bumper would lessen bounce back when driving in fog/dust/snow conditions, compared to on the a-pillars.

Mopar has a light bracket that sits behind the plastic bumper, but I think it requires trimming the little plastic cover, and maybe some drilling.

 

[1007_Wrangler]

Seriously, you guys are the best! Cannot thank you enough for all the help and advice with this. And thank you so much for the pictures!

And I think you're right. I'm leaning/settling on a Front bumper lighting setup. The KC lights look great, but looking at the installs it maybe more than just plug and play.

Also, apologies I should of stated my front bumper is the OEM plastic bumper (no steel). I'm still searching for some lighting setup that is dead simple (if it exists ) to install without any permanent modifications. Sadly, I'm not mechanically inclined (in fact I'm horrible at it) hence the need for an easy install .

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