US-UK rear light conversion

[Rob80]

Hi all,

First time contributor here so thanks for all the advice and info I've read about over the years!

I'm hoping someone here may be able to help with an issue I have with my rear lights.

I recently imported my 2018 JLU from Canada to the UK and had to have the rear lights converted for UK compliance - namely the indicators had to be changed from red to yellow, but to do this the import company had to insert some small yellow LED lights. This means I no longer have the indicators flashing from the main surround.

As it turns out, these small LEDs aren't big or bright enough to be seen easily by other road users. We've added in some extra lights onto the rear bumper on both sides but it seems that's still not enough to warn others when I'm turning.

Has anyone else imported their JLs to the UK and had a rear light conversion that works?

My local Jeep dealership won't touch it as it's an import so looking for any recommendations on rear light units or companies who can do this work.

Any advice gratefully received!

Sponsored

 

[The Last Cowboy]

What a cheesy, lazy way they did that. Why not just order the proper Euro lights that Wranglers are equipped with there?

There are some options on eBay that are Euro CE rated . Here's an example,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Taillight-For-Jeep-Wrangler-JL-JLU-2018-2020-Turn-Signal-Running-for-Truck-Light/154078611513?fits=Model:Wrangler&_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item23dfcd0839:g:~zoAAOSwMmVfo7Y6&amdata=enc:AQAFAAACgBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%2Fn%2BzU5L90Z278x5ickkxGz2ccqatkEnoeekHqhLkcNd6EUFEdX3ACQ4SPyHZKsLvbr2m0Q1v8PAaUc4LoCNg3YAz1QKwSddCLx%2BcSMlfc4ZoYqOZl71BKeEVo9o4g8FmDXvFmxqHj0gt95XbgzV2mKm18qD86%2Fcgi8tmZXFTM4oloV3FliAkcHk2k0QWxsaAnzLuvu%2B9vAaMnw5TnIc1hF5%2FvwmaDhQkmDh2JKmOmwk%2FOy2EgXGKnStoH6yKd2%2FOqj0Y6vSnJym2Sxh%2BMnmAUxukC8jjXMgvQCSCnxfwHI8Ftllzo0mx2lNhnpFOBoMcRw%2Bb9hU%2FNcFcIkHmOYrbcLv9gv6o30rrfzQuN3bQJiR9SMo%2Bf93NhSq0MEnbmmTV2yCnQOC6gv4G6fJ0orea4Zn5l4coSgE3mXtNDy0UxWcxH6M1f%2FKdacJfp61xR7V1ati6rWIIaNEsWwdQXUruzMNacSdpD%2FqinQqzOy%2B63leNrpuOOTLxaZJs1sl%2FIJLjJlUVfzDKWz4sLjEzyw9Yjktfbs%2FO2DxrzwOJTBrA6WJEcb0Z8X2UuUKDsFAFP4L8lw%2Fi2NNuPyzRj6A4ZZmJ%2Ba2qkcEYohK1JzUs8fDPdkleQFFbGC%2B9HD1JD%2B1nXXdscWUKi0G7bjdzTcsqzD8fk6eYZZ6RVHNREI3ICCc0b5dcsmffvClF6%2BDhrh0kfbj8SQf%2FEWmRWnWIPzoG1zNrgH%2BWD28Jztlg6HkvEJmuV9Xkm90pkygtRvMqymG0AvzTpIL6bpnNSZ1y6%2Bdr69eF%2BzyVRdur%2B65ymfDdHJTLTRxuxW8HSwErndAnfurxEE%3D|cksum:154078611513363aabf2d2d74a32ac85b5f55e64fc05|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2334524

Found these on a Google search

https://www.youstar-light.com/produ...ps-brake-reverse-light-daytime-running-lights

 

[NJJeep Guy]

If I remember the NA region wiring harness is different from the EU spec. There is an extra wire in the harness for the EU turn signals.

 

[Rob80]

If I remember the NA region wiring harness is different from the EU spec. There is an extra wire in the harness for the EU turn signals.

This is my understanding too, which is why my local Jeep dealership doesn't want to touch it! I'm currently looking into whether there are any US rear light clusters that have yellow indicators, but not holding out much hope!!

 

[Rob80]

What a cheesy, lazy way they did that. Why not just order the proper Euro lights that Wranglers are equipped with there?

There are some options on eBay that are Euro CE rated . Here's an example,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Taillight-For-Jeep-Wrangler-JL-JLU-2018-2020-Turn-Signal-Running-for-Truck-Light/154078611513?fits=Model:Wrangler&_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item23dfcd0839:g:~zoAAOSwMmVfo7Y6&amdata=enc:AQAFAAACgBaobrjLl8XobRIiIML1V4Imu%2Fn%2BzU5L90Z278x5ickkxGz2ccqatkEnoeekHqhLkcNd6EUFEdX3ACQ4SPyHZKsLvbr2m0Q1v8PAaUc4LoCNg3YAz1QKwSddCLx%2BcSMlfc4ZoYqOZl71BKeEVo9o4g8FmDXvFmxqHj0gt95XbgzV2mKm18qD86%2Fcgi8tmZXFTM4oloV3FliAkcHk2k0QWxsaAnzLuvu%2B9vAaMnw5TnIc1hF5%2FvwmaDhQkmDh2JKmOmwk%2FOy2EgXGKnStoH6yKd2%2FOqj0Y6vSnJym2Sxh%2BMnmAUxukC8jjXMgvQCSCnxfwHI8Ftllzo0mx2lNhnpFOBoMcRw%2Bb9hU%2FNcFcIkHmOYrbcLv9gv6o30rrfzQuN3bQJiR9SMo%2Bf93NhSq0MEnbmmTV2yCnQOC6gv4G6fJ0orea4Zn5l4coSgE3mXtNDy0UxWcxH6M1f%2FKdacJfp61xR7V1ati6rWIIaNEsWwdQXUruzMNacSdpD%2FqinQqzOy%2B63leNrpuOOTLxaZJs1sl%2FIJLjJlUVfzDKWz4sLjEzyw9Yjktfbs%2FO2DxrzwOJTBrA6WJEcb0Z8X2UuUKDsFAFP4L8lw%2Fi2NNuPyzRj6A4ZZmJ%2Ba2qkcEYohK1JzUs8fDPdkleQFFbGC%2B9HD1JD%2B1nXXdscWUKi0G7bjdzTcsqzD8fk6eYZZ6RVHNREI3ICCc0b5dcsmffvClF6%2BDhrh0kfbj8SQf%2FEWmRWnWIPzoG1zNrgH%2BWD28Jztlg6HkvEJmuV9Xkm90pkygtRvMqymG0AvzTpIL6bpnNSZ1y6%2Bdr69eF%2BzyVRdur%2B65ymfDdHJTLTRxuxW8HSwErndAnfurxEE%3D|cksum:154078611513363aabf2d2d74a32ac85b5f55e64fc05|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2334524

Found these on a Google search

https://www.youstar-light.com/produ...ps-brake-reverse-light-daytime-running-lights

Thanks for these suggestions! Unfortunately it seems the Euro spec wiring is different to the US spec, which is why I can't just swap them out for European ones. One of the pitfalls of importing your vehicle I guess! (though there was no way I was going to leave the Jeep behind - it's one of the family now!!)

 

[sf5211]

Hi Rob, good luck on your new endeavor. I’m sorry I don’t know about the signal light situation. I’m curious if it’s going to feel weird driving on the left side of the vehicle and left side of the road. I went to London in 2009 and rented a car. It took a lot of concentration just to drive. I hated all the roundabouts too. Give me a good old fashioned intersection with a traffic light. Enjoy your new home pal.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

I wonder if the aftermarket LED units will work, as the ones I found are DOT and CE compliant. Being and aftermarket unit, the part that flashes just has amber lights vs red. Maybe you could contact the seller and ask.

 

[NJJeep Guy]

The trouble is making a light that can separate the signal of brakes vs turns. It's still just electricity coming down the wire. That's why the shop added some crappy wiring and dumb LEDs to your bumper. I would cut in some bigger LEDs to the bumper. Maybe one day you will find a shop that can properly run new wire for the EU Spec lights to tie into properly

 

[The Last Cowboy]

That guy from Wheeler Dealers can probably do it!

 

[c.cunning227]

Moved from Cali to the UK in Oct. 2020. Our Jeep Wrangler finally arrived on Christmas Eve, had no idea about the light changes before we shipped out. Found some marker lights on Quadratec to replace the vents on the front fenders to serve as turn signals on the sides. These were around $140 usd. The hobby shop on base is converting the other lights for around 180 British pounds.

From what he explained he will start by running a wire from the front signals to the side markers, then from them to the rear. This will tie all of the turn signals in together. To have ambers in the rear he will pull the reverse bulbs and replace them with ambers LEDs to serve as the rear turns signals. To stop the brakes from flashing with the rear signals he will clip the wire (same serves as the brake and signal in the rear) and install a resistor to keep computer happy. From here tie in a wire from your third break light, which is not required in the UK, to you brake lights to fix those. The third brake light will be tied into the front fogs to become a rear fog which is required over here. Lastly to replace the reverse lights you can wire in some white LEDs to install on the rear bumper. Here the reverse lights are not a requirement but added them just for GP.

All of this got it so that our 2020 Wrangler passes inspection for the UK.

Sponsored