It's time to mount a pair of driving lights on the front bumper of the 01 XJ. Many have their own idea when it comes what they want in lights. I like functional and cheap. I start with 5" round utility light (#127082) from Northern Tool. This is because it has a rubber housing and rubber does not rust. I replace the sealed been with a Wagner 13 volt 100 watt aircraft landing light (#4509) about $6.00 each on the internet or about $16 if you go to NAPA. By the way the utility light is $5.99 each. I remove the wiring and upgrade to at least 12awg. I also cover the three bolts holding the light to the mounting flange(inside the light) with Shoe Goo(Wal mart $4.95) this seals against rust. Even though I bolt the light to the bumper , I also run a ground wire and use a relay in the wiring. I guess when I'm done I have about $15 or so in a 100 watt driving light. They serve me for what I want them for. You can see from the one picture that several of the jeeps in the family already have a pair of the lights.

 

Cheap, simple, and effective. Love it. I also love the lineup in the driveway.

Are those lights DOT approved for on road use? Also, are they wired through a relay?

 

don't know about DOT approved, but yes they are wired through a relay.

 

Look on the lenses for a dot and numbers on them

 

I could not find anything on the sealed beam but the internet said it was DOT compliant

 

Let's believe the internet haha...but really all lights that are dot approved are marked...at least all the ones I've seen.

 

There is no such thing as a "DOT approved" or "SAE approved" headlamp. "The letters "DOT" and/or "SAE" on a headlamp lens do not signify any kind of an approval. There are Federal guidelines that lighting must follow, but the manufacturers are allowed to certify their own products as compliant."

"The manufacturer or authorized importer of the headlamp is legally responsible for the compliance certification; their placement of a "DOT" mark on a headlamp lens constitutes their assertion that the lamp meets all applicable regulatory requirements. If a noncompliance is later found, they're the party NHTSA (the DOT agency responsible for auto safety standards in the United States) will require to recall and repair/replace/refund the noncomplying lamps, and they're the party NHTSA will assess civil penalties and fines on."

Relevant link from which above quotes were taken from Alaric Darconville and Virgil.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...ved-headlights

 

Chances are those lights are not for road use, even more so with the 100w bulbs. Its okay to use them as high beams but they're probably blinding for oncoming traffic.

 

I only use them with no oncoming traffic.

 

Even having Federal DOT approval doesn't assure they are legal in each State. I know in Kentucky they have their own rules which also gives height above road surface restrictions and other requirements. Such as Driving lights can only be on with the high beam, while fog lights can only be on with the low beam. Also I believe fog lights can not be more than 18" above the road surface and driving lights can not be above the regular headlights.

Some places get pretty specific and others are quite vague.

 

never been stopped or questioned about them.