Reverse lights

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May 10, 2012 | 08:54 PM

#16

BLKXJ 96

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Joined: May 2008

Posts: 817

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From: Michigan

Year: 1996

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0

I did this, 55w fogs mounted in the factory tail lamps......appears stock till you look close. I don't have them wired to a switch but they work awesome.

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May 11, 2012 | 12:41 AM

#17

unidentifiedbomb

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Joined: May 2011

Posts: 6,098

Likes: 250

From: DE

Year: 1988

Model: Cherokee

Engine: I6 4.0

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLKXJ 96

I did this, 55w fogs mounted in the factory tail lamps......appears stock till you look close. I don't have them wired to a switch but they work awesome.

You have them wired to the factory reverse light wiring? I really like the looks of this setup

May 11, 2012 | 01:29 AM

#18

unidentifiedbomb

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Joined: May 2011

Posts: 6,098

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From: DE

Year: 1988

Model: Cherokee

Engine: I6 4.0

Or what about LED bulbs to just switch out the factory florescent light?

May 11, 2012 | 09:13 AM

#19

arorton

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Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 928

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From: Manhattan, Kansas

Year: 1997

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0L

Quote:

Originally Posted by Makarov

Nice. I actually think that looks pretty cool with just the one light. Too bad I'm one of those sissies who is scared to cut his jeep

Gee Oh Dee is right, cutting the hitch could be dangerous if you ever tow with it.

The main reason I am wanting to use my reverse lights is because they are up out of the way, and I won't be out ANY money other than for a rocker switch. Just wanting something to make it easier hooking up trailers or whatever at night. Which wire should I splice into to hardwire it to the reverse lights? Or, rather, where would be the best place to access that wire?

DO NOT JUST WIRE IT INTO THE REVERSE LIGHTS.
you can splice the power wire to the reverse lights anywhere, but PLEASE run it through a relay. you will burn something up if you don't use a relay.

May 11, 2012 | 09:29 AM

#20

Gee oh Dee

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Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 21,168

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From: Milwaukee, WI

Year: 1987

Engine: Check

X2!!!

Use a relay! If the new lights draw more power than the old ones they will pull too much for the OEM wires!!

May 11, 2012 | 01:38 PM

#21

Makarov

Thread Starter

Member

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 164

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From: Central KY

Year: 1999

Model: Cherokee

Engine: Four Point Slow

Quote:

Originally Posted by arorton

DO NOT JUST WIRE IT INTO THE REVERSE LIGHTS.
you can splice the power wire to the reverse lights anywhere, but PLEASE run it through a relay. you will burn something up if you don't use a relay.

I am simply wanting to tap a switch into the FACTORY wiring to the FACTORY reverse lights, giving me manual control of them. Will this still require a relay? If so, I might just run a complete, new circuit straight from the battery. I'm not a very good electrician and don't want to hack up my wiring harness if it's not 100% safe.

May 11, 2012 | 01:55 PM

#22

Gee oh Dee

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From: Milwaukee, WI

Year: 1987

Engine: Check

If its the factory wiring to the factory light, then no. You should be fine.

It may be easier to run your own, tho.

May 11, 2012 | 03:31 PM

#23

Makarov

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Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 164

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From: Central KY

Year: 1999

Model: Cherokee

Engine: Four Point Slow

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gee oh Dee

If its the factory wiring to the factory light, then no. You should be fine.

It may be easier to run your own, tho.

ten-four good buddy. Thanks for the input.

May 12, 2012 | 01:38 AM

#24

arorton

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Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 928

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From: Manhattan, Kansas

Year: 1997

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0L

Quote:

Originally Posted by Makarov

ten-four good buddy. Thanks for the input.

sorry, my post looked urgent lol, yes for factory lights with factory wiring, you'll be fine to just tap the wire for a switch

May 12, 2012 | 07:15 AM

#25

peep

CF Veteran

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 2,150

Likes: 12

From: Ontario, Canada

Year: 1989 Laredo

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0 L 6 Renix

I have a couple auxilliary lights each side of the license. My rear defog was pooched. Use the rear defog switch and wiring to power and control the aux reverse lights. Helps when u need a little extra backing up or other, ex. hooking the trailer at night.