Wheel Well / Rock Lights - Where the F do you run the wires?

[cafecito820]

Basically, title. My wife and I are planning to install some LED light pods in each of the wheel wells on her 2-door, and I am at a loss for where to safely run the wires from the rear wheel well, under the body exterior, and then up into the engine bay.

The only clear route was inside the actual frame rail itself, but I'm not a fan of having a loose wire just flopping around inside there. That and it would be rubbing up against one of the holes in the frame rail over time, which is also less than desirable. Other than that, I barely saw any good points to zip tie a wire to.

Has anyone done anything like this and got some advice (or pictures) they could share?

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[Rhinebeck01]

2dr. or 4dr. JL, run through the frame rail. Easy to do on a 4 dr. and even easier on a 2 dr.
Your concerns about loose wire in the frame rail is unfounded.

Wire is protected in the frame rail.... not so when you run wire underneath, exposed....say zip tied to whatever.

 

[Reinen]

If you're concerned about a wire rubbing against a frame hole, secure it to something connected to the frame so it doesn't rub and/or put a sleeve on the wire at that point. The wire has the best armor plating you're gonna get inside the frame.

You'd be surprised how many wires are run loose like that under trim pieces. It'll be fine.

 

[MacombRoger]

Any recommendations for rock lights? I have had a 10 different links saved, but saw these at the Smokey Mountain Jeep Invasion:
https://dcslighting.com/shop/ols/products/jl-frame-mount-rock-light-kit
They are a little more money, but the lights all fit in existing frame holes, and seems like a good kit... plus USA made.

 

[jim00]

I have the 8 pod version. Solid aluminum housing and great wiring / connectors. See my other posts for some pics at camp. If you don't know, there is a gasket underneath the front seats (similar to the ones that cover the holes in the floor mats for washing out the interior). I mounted the controller underneath the front passenger seat and through that gasket (sealed later). I didn't want to mount it under the hood due to heat / dust and to minimize wiring since this is a more central location.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VHW7L63/

 

[melendez69]

Consider using flex tubing to cover the wires & run through the rail.

 

[GtX]

I ran 10 KC Cyclones, 5 down each side, with all the wire run through the frame rails and protected with heat shrink tubing.

 

[Jeepeto]

+1 on frame rails

I ran KC cyclones through the frame rail as well. It’s easy enough to do and does a fine job protecting the wires.

 

[Philly_]

I have 8 KC Cyclones and ran none through the frame rails. I thought about it, but it didn’t make sense based on where I wanted to put them.

I did run them through the holes in the tub under the rocker, though.

For the rear corner lights, I ran both through the tub on the passenger side, and then over the fuel tank (no issues yet) then followed any factory harness I could find that ran the direction I wanted.

Magnets were then my best friend as they allowed me to mount on my rear body bolts!

I can head out tomorrow and take more pics if you’d like, but I have a few more here in my build thread.

 

[Headbarcode]

Any recommendations for rock lights? I have had a 10 different links saved, but saw these at the Smokey Mountain Jeep Invasion:
https://dcslighting.com/shop/ols/products/jl-frame-mount-rock-light-kit
They are a little more money, but the lights all fit in existing frame holes, and seems like a good kit... plus USA made.

I've been very pleased with the Lux Lighting set. I installed 2 on the front, rear, and each side for a total of 8 rock lights, plus 1 in each wheelwell just for the hell of it. They utilize strong neodymium magnets for both ease of install and heat rejection. They are also incredibly bright, and these pics don't do them justice. Not to mention, the grass mutes the light compared to when they're shining on dirt, gravel, roadways, etc.

 

[GtX]

The light pattern is very good.

 

[Headbarcode]

The light pattern is very good.

Yeah, it's the biggest spread I could get, while still keeping the lights and wiring out of the way of damage.

 

[Flatties 4ever]

Speaking as an Electrician: we run wire inside EMT & RSC (Electrical Metallic Tubing & Ridged Steel Conduit) all the time. EMT and RSC are round and the frame is rectangle shape , otherwise no real difference.
However, if you are worried about sharp edges inside the frame or wear from vibration, instead of using wire, use a cord or cable assembly with an outer jacket. You can buy 14-2 SO cord at Lowes or Home Depot.

 

[jaardappel]

Speaking as an Electrician: we run wire inside EMT & RSC (Electrical Metallic Tubing & Ridged Steel Conduit) all the time. EMT and RSC are round and the frame is rectangle shape , otherwise no real difference.
However, if you are worried about sharp edges inside the frame or wear from vibration, instead of using wire, use a cord or cable assembly with an outer jacket. You can buy 14-2 SO cord at Lowes or Home Depot.

This is great advice. Thank you for the expert opinion...I'm about to run rock lights and this helped point me to what I need. Good on you.

Cheers--John

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