I have a 2004 LJ Unlimited with the factory fog/off road lights or whatever they are called. Saw another TJ in town that was likely a Sahara model (green w/tan top) that had the same lights on the bumper as mine. Got me thinking about how many years Jeep put these same lights on. Is it only the 2004-06 models? I'm new to Wranglers and cannot identify years of production by looking at the bumpers, if that is even possible. Like others, once you buy a particular model you tend to notice them a lot more. I live in a mountain community and there are LOTS of Wranglers and the newer four door models here. I was usually noticing pickups like mine. Of course maybe I am just not observant.
TJ's With Factory Fog Lights
- Thread starter Mariposa Mike
- Start date
Factory fog lights were an option. 1997-2004 had the OBEN fog lights like these.
2005-2006 had the Hella fog lights.
2005-2006 had the Hella fog lights.
Thanks. That should help me place the age of the vehicles much better now. Pretty easy to mistake the 04 from 05/06 unless you get a close look. Probably won't see many earlier models with these. Factory bumpers and after market lights likely being added to most.
My 99 Sahara had them when I bought it but one was cracked and the other didn't work. Not knowing anything about lighting at the time, I replaced them with LED cubes that threw out decent light but didn't have a fog pattern.
My 06 came with them but they'd been replaced by some Hella driving lights that weren't worth a damn. I've since replaced them with KC halogen fogs with yellow laminx film.
My 06 came with them but they'd been replaced by some Hella driving lights that weren't worth a damn. I've since replaced them with KC halogen fogs with yellow laminx film.
I have seen comments before on this forum about the replacement of these lights and the cleaning of the originals since they tend to fog up inside. Cleaned mine but really did not notice a difference. I don't have a critical need for them so likely will not invest in changing them but I did change out the headlights with the Toyota option. That really helped on our dark, curvy mountain roads.
Just to chuck a spanner in the works Exported TJ,s came with a single "rear" fog light but none on the front. The rear on later TJ,s is connected to light stalk same as front fogs but there are no front wires in the harness to fit front fogs.
Okay. I give up. What the heck is that for? You have the back up light, which is practically useless by the way, so maybe that was the reason.
alot of the newer import vehicles are coming standard with these. highly annoying imo because the red light is intensely bright... but then again I see them too. think its a European spec for them. something to do with questionable weather.. easier to see a bright ass red light in fog whereas without you can asspack someone alot easier.
first time I seen these type of rear fog lights I couldn't figure out why someone was driving with their foot on the brake. until they braked and the rear marker lights illuminated brighter with the brake pedal operation.
first time I seen these type of rear fog lights I couldn't figure out why someone was driving with their foot on the brake. until they braked and the rear marker lights illuminated brighter with the brake pedal operation.
AutoCrat
TJ Enthusiast
Any differences between OBEN & Hella fog lights? Is any better then other in their stock form. My TJ does have wiring harness for front fog lamps from the factory (Minus fog lamps off course) and rear fog lamp connected.
Australia got them but not required, it is a European requirement to help with motorway/freeway/Autobarn pile ups which are fog related "Rear end" pile ups due to drivers slamming on their brakes at high speed when they all of a sudden lose visibility in patchy fog and their brake lights lose brightness as they come to a stop!
Australia on the other hand had strict regulations on front fog lights and their positioning which until recently was below the bumper and illegal to be used in daylight hours in some States fog or not!
Another spanner in the works! European TJ,s had adjustable headlights and Australian TJ,s have the headlight adjuster harness in place of the usual USA Fog light harness
Export TJ,s have no plug and play front fog light availability like US models. !I think the Hella 500,s are the best option. They look similar but are much cheaper than OME!
The older style had the Sahara check pattern on the outer casing the later ones didn't so if looking for similar to 2004 factory just get the Hella 500,s, They will have to be wired to your high beam with an on/off switch, you cant add them to your TJ fog function on the light stalk unless you remove the rear fog and re rout the rear harness wires to the front.
AutoCrat
TJ Enthusiast
Thanks for Hella 500 tip. I was indeed looking for those. Here are the pictures of blank wiring harness connectors that I got on both sides on inner fenders. I always thought these are for adding factory Fog Lamps. Also multi functional control on stalk does have one blank pull for Fogs and then forward rotation from there activities rear fog lamp.
Am I wrong with my assumptions above?
That's for the headlight adjusters Europeans got but we didn't (I think we got UK specs wiring as I have the same) later UK TJ,s had a switch Right of steering wheel to adjust headlights if towing and a rear fog on the stalk, cant remember how to use it as its as useless as a tits on a bull in Australia so I only tried it once! lol
Off topic a little, I'm curious how the brake. clutch and gas pedals are set up on your right hand drive Jeeps. Are they in the same position, clutch on the left then the brake pedal and the gas pedal on the right? Might be the same as our postal Jeeps here in the USA but after all the discussion on the different lighting, maybe the pedals are different too. BTW, I do wish we had some automatic kind of adjustment for lights on vehicles that tow trailers. With more power in lighter vehicles now we have more idiots hooking up to heavy tongue weight trailers then driving down the road with their LED lights shining into oncoming drivers eyes. Even with a device to adjust the light under these conditions our millenials would not be using them.