Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Wiring Harness with Stock Bulbs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 18, 2015 | 07:45 AM
  #1  
TulpaKC's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO AMC L6
Default Wiring Harness with Stock Bulbs

Not sure if this is the right location for this thread, sorry if it isn't.
I've seen wiring harness upgrade threads for H4 bulbs, but is there a way to upgrade to a new, better harness without switching from OEM style bulbs?
I'm so tired of replacing my headlight switch every three months.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2015 | 08:02 AM
  #2  
jeepfreak82's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 255
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Liter L6
Default

Simple way to take the load off of the switch would be to consider running the draw of the headlights through relays. I have heard of this on the older Dodge Ram trucks as they had some headlight switch problems too. Would also be easier than trying to run a new harness
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2015 | 08:10 AM
  #3  
unidentifiedbomb's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 6,098
Likes: 250
From: DE
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
Default

Yes. The putco harness, I did it recently and immediately noticed a difference with my silver stars. Don't recall the part number but with some searching it is easy to find, only cost about $30 if I recall as well.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2015 | 08:34 AM
  #4  
Basshark7's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 242
Likes: 1
From: Dayton, Ohio
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

yes, the H4 bulbs and OEM sealed beam lights use the same plug. A harness upgrade will increase your stock light output and later if you decide you want even more light output you can drop in some H4 housings and bulbs.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2015 | 08:57 AM
  #5  
BassHeadBiondi's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Default

Amazon.com: Putco 230004HW Premium Automotive Lighting Wiring H4 100W Heavy Duty Harness and Relay: Automotive Amazon.com: Putco 230004HW Premium Automotive Lighting Wiring H4 100W Heavy Duty Harness and Relay: Automotive

There you go.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2015 | 10:55 AM
  #6  
TulpaKC's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO AMC L6
Smile

Awesome. All the posts I saw made it seem like you had to switch to the new bulbs. I just wanna stop having to replace my switch for now, upgrades will have to wait til I get my exhaust header.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2015 | 11:40 AM
  #7  
JPXJMOAB's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by unidentifiedbomb
Yes. The putco harness, I did it recently and immediately noticed a difference with my silver stars. Don't recall the part number but with some searching it is easy to find, only cost about $30 if I recall as well.
x2 I have the putco harness and it is GREAT for the price! Super easy to get wired in... A 12 year old could do it
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2015 | 04:40 PM
  #8  
TulpaKC's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO AMC L6
Default

I'm actually studying automotive electronics in starting in the fall, doing my own studying now. This'll be my biggest project yet for the Jeep. (wiring/electronic-wise at least)
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2015 | 05:22 PM
  #9  
JPXJMOAB's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by TulpaKC
I'm actually studying automotive electronics in starting in the fall, doing my own studying now. This'll be my biggest project yet for the Jeep. (wiring/electronic-wise at least)
trust me .... It's really easy
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2015 | 08:12 PM
  #10  
GregGA's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock, GA, originally from S. CA.
Year: 1987 149k, original owner
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by JPXJMOAB
x2 I have the putco harness and it is GREAT for the price! Super easy to get wired in... A 12 year old could do it
I just don't understand why everyone wants to cheap out on a headlight wiring harness! Build your own with quality wire, connectors, and relays. Read some of the reviews on Putco on Amazon. Great experience to lose your headlights in the middle of bumf@#k Egypt.

I bought a harness from www.rallylights.com. Hella relays, US wire, made in USA.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2015 | 08:30 PM
  #11  
Parsnip's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 2
From: Roanoke, VA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by GregGA

I just don't understand why everyone wants to cheap out on a headlight wiring harness! Build your own with quality wire, connectors, and relays. Read some of the reviews on Putco on Amazon. Great experience to lose your headlights in the middle of bumf@#k Egypt.

I bought a harness from www.rallylights.com. Hella relays, US wire, made in USA.
You say we should make our own, yet you bought one...?

Side note, you can also do it without the whole harness if you understand how relays work. I ended up going with led (yes, led, not hid) h4s, but will be actually doing the upgrade eventually
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2015 | 08:43 PM
  #12  
leaftye's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Southern Utah
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Sure, I could order a bunch of thick silicone wire, heat shrink, and wire wrap from Hobby King, and then wait a month for it to get delivered. Then I still need to order relays, fuses, holders for both, and then connectors. By the time it's done, I've spent way too many hours on something I could have bought for much less and got it done quickly.

The problems with the Putco harness and easily be remedied quickly and for much less than building my own high end harness.

That said, I'm going to build my own harness for my light bar. I still bought a harness though, one that's like all the other ones out there with wiring that I think is too thin, but I bought it because building a harness the right way requires ordering a bunch of parts, and I don't want to bother with it yet, and certainly don't want to be kept waiting when there's a harness that I could install right now...and would, but my FJO brackets aren't expected to ship until the 20th.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2015 | 09:05 PM
  #13  
GregGA's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock, GA, originally from S. CA.
Year: 1987 149k, original owner
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Parsnip
You say we should make our own, yet you bought one...?

Side note, you can also do it without the whole harness if you understand how relays work. I ended up going with led (yes, led, not hid) h4s, but will be actually doing the upgrade eventually
Should have said "build your own, or if you don't want to, buy a quality one" I paid $108for a quality harness, but if you wanted to spend the time, you could build it yourself for less.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2015 | 09:15 PM
  #14  
cpttuna's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 666
Likes: 50
From: napoleon ohio
Year: 98, 00, 01 and another 01
Model: Cherokee
Engine: both 01 jeeps have viper coil pack
Default

lmc truck also offers a harness: 36-3580 $ 29.95 or about $40 shipped UPS
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2015 | 09:21 PM
  #15  
Parsnip's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 2
From: Roanoke, VA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

2 relays- 10$
Box o spades- 5$
10ga spool- 5$

Really not that bad. That is, if you have the soldering iron, solder and tape already (you own a jeep....You should lol)
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:04 PM.