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under hood lighting

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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 10:28 AM
  #1  
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From: Salem Nh
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default under hood lighting

I wanna put some lights under the hood so if i have to add some fluids or something at night i can see, without the use of a flashlight. my only thing is idk were i should mount them or what type of lights to get and im worried about the heat from the engine having an effect on the lights. any ideas? if you done this could you post a pics please.
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 10:30 AM
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From: AnkaraTurkey
Year: 1997
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i removed the bulb from its housing and soldered two wires to its contacts. that housing has a ball inside and when you close hood it disconnects the connection.

I bought 1 meter of LED stripe in warm white color and glued to hood with silicone glue. it works.
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 10:32 AM
  #3  
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From: Salem Nh
Year: 1998
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Originally Posted by gmv93
i removed the bulb from its housing and soldered two wires to its contacts. that housing has a ball inside and when you close hood it disconnects the connection.

I bought 1 meter of LED stripe in warm white color and glued to hood with silicone glue. it works.
i have no idea what you are talking about here
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 01:10 PM
  #4  
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From: Salem Nh
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Nobody else has underhood lights?
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 01:23 PM
  #5  
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I think gmv was talking about the factory underhood light.
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 02:56 PM
  #6  
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From: Miami,Fl
Year: 1998
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Engine: 4.0 L6 Srt
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Ive been trying to think of the same thing. What lights would work best without it looking funky.. I kinda like the led stripe idea but who knows how long clue will hold under jeep hood conditions. I was thinking more of a florescent light tube with plastic cover just incase it breaks from heat or closing the hood. Other than that i have no idea.

Well i came up with one.. its not under hood but like the guys that have off road lights on the edge of the wiper cowls just turn them inwards when you need them and vuala spot lights for under hood and off road use.
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 03:01 PM
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go to the junk yard and look for GMC/chevy trucks they had under hood "inspection" lights i have one in mine and its amazing...it has a magnet on it and you can stick it to the sides of your jeep when changing a tire and it has a cord so you can go all the way to the back of your jeep i love mine and it comes in use a lot ! they had a similar light on early xj's but they have a problem with retracting. the gmc one reels in like a fishing pole and does not break...your xj is even factory wired for an under hood light



after i added the under hood insulation


Last edited by e30; Dec 10, 2010 at 03:09 PM.
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 03:01 PM
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From: Hesperia
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i have a light from harbor freight that plugs into my cigarette lighter outlet and will reach under the hood and it has a magnet to put it on the bottom of the hood when its open, then the cord retracts into the light housing when your done with it by turning the back of the housing to wind it up so theres no spring to get messed up in it either. i got it at harbor freight
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 03:05 PM
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heres one for WK's

http://www.wkjeeps.com/hoodlamp.htm
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 03:14 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by sandaddik2
i have a light from harbor freight that plugs into my cigarette lighter outlet and will reach under the hood and it has a magnet to put it on the bottom of the hood when its open, then the cord retracts into the light housing when your done with it by turning the back of the housing to wind it up so theres no spring to get messed up in it either. i got it at harbor freight
If you get the chance could you post a link to HF's website and the light you got?
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 03:17 PM
  #11  
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http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt...ase-90048.html
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 03:19 PM
  #12  
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Thanks man!

$3.99 is cheap as hell. How bright is it? Does it have a lumen rating anywhere on it?
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 03:24 PM
  #13  
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im not sure, i found mine in a pile of junk in my dads garage but i knew they sell them at hf. its not super bright but it works great for what it is and when your out somewhere and you need light for under the hood or for airing up tires also
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 03:32 PM
  #14  
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Nice, I saw a LED version, too. Dunno if that'd be brighter, though, depends on the reflector. The LEDs may just wash out.
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 03:52 PM
  #15  
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LEDs should be much brighter
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