Im looking into getting lights to go along with my roof rack, I want to know what you guys are running. Pics and links would be great if they are available. I want to run 4 in the front and 2 in the back.

 

I like my Hella 500's.

It was my initial intention to go KC Slimlites, which I still think look great, but decided against it. After reading a lot of other posts at the time, the KC's seemed a little pricey to go mounting up on the rack just to bang them on low hanging branches.

The Hellas can be had for $80ish per pair, which isn't exactly cheap, but it's not like shelling out $175 a pair if you destroy them. I ended up buying two pair and four grilles for the cost of one pair of the KC's at the time I bought them.

The Hellas came with 55w bulbs. I emailed Hella and an engineer said that the plastic housings were safe with 100w bulbs, but recommended against 130w. All four of mine have 100w bulbs installed now and they are amazingly bright and far reaching.

Now, if I were mounting lights lower, like on my bumper...those KC's sure are nice...

 

I love your setup, I love your xj man. My question now is that you have to buy the mounting kit and grilles for the lights separately correct?

 

If you dont have a boat load of money go to auto zone 50 dollars for 2 knock off KC lights their bright as hell and look and and work just like KC

 

Thanks...

The lights cam with basic mounting hardware. They have studs on the bottom and come with nuts. They also have wiring, relays and switches, but that's pretty much the norm for any light you choose...cheepo or pricey.

I did have to come up with a way to attach them to my rack. I bought a piece of this at Lowe's:

http://www.lowes.com:80/pd_22064-376...064&facetInfo=

I cut the strap to the length I needed and rounded the edges with a belt sander for a finished look. I drilled & tapped into the front of my rack & used about 1" spacers between the rack and the slotted angle strap to position the lights properly. Bolts run through the strap, the spacers and into the rack. I could be wrong, but I think I have about $10 in the light mounting setup, including stainless bolts...I hate rust.

 

Yes, the grilles are sold separately. I bought my lights and grills both at Pep Boys. The lights came with solid covers, but I didn't like the idea of taking them on and off all the time. I live in a rural area and use them on backroads almost daily. For me, solid covers would be a pain.

 

Yeah, thats why I was looking at the grilles as well, the solid covers seem like a pain. I appreciate you sharing how you mounted them, Ill have to look into that.

 

if your looking for a nice cheep but bright setup i have 4 offroad lights from harbor freight on my bumper. they cost 25 dollars for a set of 2 and you get switches and relays, you can leave the regular bulbs in and they are moderatly bright, however i swapped in HID bulbs and they are more light than youd ever need, can post picks if youd like

 

How did you get hid bulbs in it, just plugged right in?

 

I run 2 sets of these: (Painted black)

And mounted them with these: (I was able to find a 4 pack on ebay for about 20 bucks.)
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/mi...-stud-454.html

They throw a huge amount of light, I love them. Plus when people pull out in front of me off I just blind them and force them to pull off.

 

I really liked my hella setup. My only complaint was the wiring they included was junk. I ended up running my own 14 gauge wire and using there relay and switch.

 

what is that on the front headlights that give it a mean look? paint?

 

I am going to add a second for the Hella's. Searching on ebay can get you a pair of the 500s for $50. I bought two off ebay and a friend gave me two off the front of his truck. They are super bright!

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/pr...x6/#post652613

 

Agreed. I had to go buy 10g from the parts store, and the switch they gave me was burned up already. Had to hit up the local radio shack.

 

Yes. There is a thread here for those needing help.