My solution for a poorly lit hatch
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L6
I got tired of having little light in the hatch of my little XJ since i converted to blue LED dome lights, and have them pointed toward the front. So I went down to my work, and got myself 2 trailer clearance lights to solve the problem. Unfortunately, I never think to take pictures of the build, but i did take some of the final product. I still have a little bit of my buddy's mess to clean up, there is no hurry on that....
All I did was wire the LEDs together, wired both connected grounds to some metal back there, then tap into my fuse block to a source that constantly gets power with some 10ga. wire, and ran it through the jeep, (with an in-line fuse) to the power of the LED lights. Then from there, ran the ground wire to my switch, and the power to the switch!

All I did was wire the LEDs together, wired both connected grounds to some metal back there, then tap into my fuse block to a source that constantly gets power with some 10ga. wire, and ran it through the jeep, (with an in-line fuse) to the power of the LED lights. Then from there, ran the ground wire to my switch, and the power to the switch!
PLEASE, don't take this the wrong way. I hate it lol, I love the idea, and plan on doing something similar, but I don't like the red, and it's going to conflict with the blue and hurt your eyes. I also don't like that you mounted the both on the same side. sure it"s easier, but it would have been better to have them on different sides. other than that I like the idea, and it seems you wired them up well. it's a great way to go since the stock interior lighting is kinda crap.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, Ca
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
I like the idea. And yes, this is not fabrication. If he would have created his own LED circuit board then it probably would have been considered fab. Still the idea is pretty cool.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: Arlington
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 ltr
Technically speaking still no, fabrication refers to metal work and nothing else... Circut boards and what not would be homebrew moddifications but still not Fab work. Still i like the idea of adding better lighting in the back but would have gone a different rout.
Last edited by Bush League 96 XJ; May 27, 2012 at 05:23 PM. Reason: Added info



