Need headlight advice

[Akajam]

Hi, all,
I've got a 2015 Rubicon (JK) and the factory lighting is dismal (as you all know). Problem: after dark, when I turn, I cannot see what I'm about to drive over or into to the side - I need some kind of additional side lighting to light my turns. I only need it off-road (or in my pasture) so it doesn't need to be highway legal, but I really need something.
Oh, and backup lights, too - can't see a darn thing backing up after dark.
Any suggestions?

 

[TNHEADDUCK]

I replaced my fog lights with a couple of LED lights (flood pattern) and angled them to each side for this very reason, made all the difference in the world when turning and they pull less amperage than the original fog lights.

Jason

 

[Akajam]

I replaced my fog lights with a couple of LED lights (flood pattern) and angled them to each side for this very reason, made all the difference in the world when turning and they pull less amperage than the original fog lights.

Jason

What exactly did you replace them with? Sounds like what I need.
Julia

 

[Chris]

I can tell you what will solve your problem for certain.

First off you need a set of good headlights. Hands down (in my opinion) the best and brightest replacement headlights are the Truck Lite 7" LED headlights. I have these and run them myself, they produce an enormous amount of light output:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007K8AA7I/?tag=wranglerorg-20

In addition to that, these will solve your reverse lighting problems:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K1HPOBW/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I know what you're thinking: "How will new taillights help me see better in reverse?"

Trust me (and I mean this), I have those same taillights on my Wrangler and holy effin' shit, what a difference they make. Not only are the brighter all around, but there's so many LEDs in the reverse light that when I put my Wrangler in reverse it lights up the night behind me, even when it's pitch dark. It's absolutely amazing how bright the reverse light on those things is! It's more like a headlight than a reverse light in all honesty.

You could also get a light bar, but I am running the same setup I mentioned above, and believe me when I say there's no need for a light bar if you go this route.

 

[Chris]

And you could also do what @TNHEADDUCK suggested and get some LED fog lamps as well. That will complete the package.

You won't regret it if you go the route I suggested above, the light output is astonishing.

 

[Akajam]

I can tell you what will solve your problem for certain.

First off you need a set of good headlights. Hands down (in my opinion) the best and brightest replacement headlights are the Truck Lite 7" LED headlights. I have these and run them myself, they produce an enormous amount of light output:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007K8AA7I/?tag=wranglerorg-20

In addition to that, these will solve your reverse lighting problems:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K1HPOBW/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I know what you're thinking: "How will new taillights help me see better in reverse?"

Trust me (and I mean this), I have those same taillights on my Wrangler and holy effin' shit, what a difference they make. Not only are the brighter all around, but there's so many LEDs in the reverse light that when I put my Wrangler in reverse it lights up the night behind me, even when it's pitch dark. It's absolutely amazing how bright the reverse light on those things is! It's more like a headlight than a reverse light in all honesty.

You could also get a light bar, but I am running the same setup I mentioned above, and believe me when I say there's no need for a light bar if you go this route.

And the Truck Lite lights will light to the side? I don't need anything (well maybe also the canted new fog lights...)

 

[Akajam]

Okay, sounds like you guys have answered my question - thanks so much!!!

 

[Chris]

And the Truck Lite lights will light to the side? I don't need anything (well maybe also the canted new fog lights...)

They'll throw out a ton of light both in front and to the side as well. You will NOT be disappointed, I assure you of this.

 

[TNHEADDUCK]

What exactly did you replace them with? Sounds like what I need.
Julia

Just some inexpensive LED flood lights off of Amazon, don't remember which ones they are because I had them on the shelf from a previous buy.

Jason

 

[Akajam]

Okay, Chris, I finally went to Amazon to check out your specific recommendations - wow - expensive! But if I bite the bullet and go with those headlights, do they need any kind of wiring conversion kit? Or are they plug-n-play in my JK? I assume the taillights are just plug-n-play. And it looks like the tail lights are a set of two (for $291) but the headlamps are $185 each? So I need to buy two separately? Just checking...

 

[Chris]

Okay, Chris, I finally went to Amazon to check out your specific recommendations - wow - expensive! But if I bite the bullet and go with those headlights, do they need any kind of wiring conversion kit? Or are they plug-n-play in my JK? I assume the taillights are just plug-n-play. And it looks like the tail lights are a set of two (for $291) but the headlamps are $185 each? So I need to buy two separately? Just checking...

Yes, since you have a JK you need the anti-flicker headlight harness:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F50T8GM/?tag=wranglerorg-20

The headlights are 100% plug-and-play.

The taillights may be different on the JK. I have those taillights on my TJ and I had to remove my stock taillights, cut the factory harness off the taillight, solder the factory connector to the new taillight, and then plug it in and I was good to go.

So, once you get the harness swapped over it's entirely plug-and-play, and it's 100% reversible without damaging your factory harness that goes from the vehicle to the factory taillights.

And yes, $185 a piece for the headlamps and you need TWO of them. However, I found them for much cheaper here:
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=131410968491

That price is $325 for a pair of two!

 

[DarkKn1ght]

There is a set of JW Speaker headlights and fog lights for sale on Craigslist if you are in the New Jersey area. I personally own the fog lights (on my Charger) and they are amazing.

 

[Akajam]

Great - thanks for all the advice. More things for my Christmas list but next time I'm driving in the dark without them, I'll be kicking myself for not putting them higher up the list. As expensive as they are, it really does help getting feedback on them from folks who already use them - thanks again.

 

[Chris]

Great - thanks for all the advice. More things for my Christmas list but next time I'm driving in the dark without them, I'll be kicking myself for not putting them higher up the list. As expensive as they are, it really does help getting feedback on them from folks who already use them - thanks again.

You won't regret it! And if you end up getting them let us know how you like them.

I absolutely love mine.

 

[Akajam]

Hi, guys,
It's been almost a year since I first asked for lighting help in my JK - it took me this long to save the pennies for the lights. So I ordered the taillights - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K1HPOBW/?tag=wranglerorg-20 - and they arrived today, and I installed them, and they don't fit. They leave a gap across the top, where they should fit flush. And I'm both angry at the seller for claiming they fit a 2015 Jeep Wrangler, and very frustrated that I still cannot see a darn thing behind me when I back up at night. And these were expensive! Which is why it's taken me a year to find out they won't fit.
The headlamps should be here soon - the anti-flicker harnesses already arrived - I hope they fit! Meanwhile, any other suggestions on taillights?

 

[Chris]

Hi, guys,
It's been almost a year since I first asked for lighting help in my JK - it took me this long to save the pennies for the lights. So I ordered the taillights - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K1HPOBW/?tag=wranglerorg-20 - and they arrived today, and I installed them, and they don't fit. They leave a gap across the top, where they should fit flush. And I'm both angry at the seller for claiming they fit a 2015 Jeep Wrangler, and very frustrated that I still cannot see a darn thing behind me when I back up at night. And these were expensive! Which is why it's taken me a year to find out they won't fit.
The headlamps should be here soon - the anti-flicker harnesses already arrived - I hope they fit! Meanwhile, any other suggestions on taillights?

Did you consider these ones?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016W7M1YC/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Akajam]

Did you consider these ones?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016W7M1YC/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Just looked them up - too many bad reviews, and none of the reviews rave about how bright they are.

The first new lights, the ones I'm whining about, are brighter (that's good) - not as much brighter as I expected, but brighter (I can see the tree before I back into it now...). My husband said the gap is not that bad, just live with it or put in a gasket. At this point I fear trying any other new lights, so I'm going to keep these and put GOOP around the edges for a gasket. I wish they weren't so expensive, but they are better.

That iconic spare-tire mount in the back makes it hard to see behind you no matter how bright the lights are! Thanks for your help, Chris.

 

[Chris]

No problem at all! If you had a TJ I could definitely point you in the right direction. Unfortunately I am not that knowledgeable with JKs.

 

[Akajam]

No problem at all! If you had a TJ I could definitely point you in the right direction. Unfortunately I am not that knowledgeable with JKs.

A little late with this post, but the headlamps did arrive and they are phenomenally brighter! An amazing difference! Now I need to find tail lights that are that much brighter, too. I only recently learned that there is a 4-wheel parts store nearby that my husband says I'm not allowed to visit(!) which tells me I might find what I want there. Thanks for the steer to the fantastic headlamps!

 

[The Real Lxxtsy]

Hi, all,
I've got a 2015 Rubicon (JK) and the factory lighting is dismal (as you all know). Problem: after dark, when I turn, I cannot see what I'm about to drive over or into to the side - I need some kind of additional side lighting to light my turns. I only need it off-road (or in my pasture) so it doesn't need to be highway legal, but I really need something.
Oh, and backup lights, too - can't see a darn thing backing up after dark.
Any suggestions?

I'm currently using JK headlight housings with upgraded headlights "Sliverstar" on my TJ, love the setup and have no issue's seeing. I'm going to grab a set of LED bulbs from a buddy who used them on his JK before going LED. I've been looking at all of the LED headlights and going to save the cash for a complete Rubicon soft top with hardware from another buddy for $100.

Pic below is with the JK housing and Sliverstar bulbs