xj_

So i just got done with my tail light boxes i made out of 1/8 inch plate. i plan on running two 4 inch LED's. i have the lights already one is a 3 way brake/stop/turn signal, and the other is just a reverse light. what do i need to do for wiring?? i heard i need a trailer wiring box and a new flasher box? is there a way to wire it up without these parts and just splice into the stock harness??

thanks!

Trev1006

I ran the same LEDs on my yj with a wiring harness I made, nothing special. I did have to get a no load flasher from Napa to get the signals to flash.

Trev1006

I would splice into the stock setup, if it doesn't work, get the no load flasher. Never heard of using a trailer box? Did you do it like this?

Trev1006

This is the setup I had. Ive built a ton of wiring harnesses, I just made it a simple stock style setup and they work great.

xj_

Yeah mine are like that i liked the look of diagonal instead of flush like the rustys..and i had them wired up and it either worked as a tail or a blinker not both at once. And it would work when pedal pressed or turn signal pressed but when lights were turned on the tails would not stay come on. Theres 3 wires for tail and only two for blinker that i have to work with on stock harness.

mrfajita

A simple way to balance the load so it doesn't fast blink is just wire one of the old bulbs in series, wrap it in electrical tape (so you cant see it) and stick it inside the quarter panel.

Trev1006

Never tried that, but i did put a bunch of splices in the wire for extra resistance on one once, it worked. I just got the other flasher and it was good.

Omnipotent Octopus

Does somebody still make these?

mrfajita

Go to auto zone and get a digital flasher relay for LEDs. Like 12 bucks

Omnipotent Octopus

****, that quote was supposed to include the picture. I was wondering about the taillight box. I have seen them on other xj's too

mrfajita

I made mine from 16ga sheet metal. Going to put reverse lights in the hatch

NColo33

This includes info about the trailer wire harness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxjpUKXC1u8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I found this very useful and its got some good little tips too...

emptypockets

Somewhere in my build thread I have details on doing this. On my app otherwise I'd make it easier for you.

RusNorthID

So maybe a dumb question but do i change both flashing units to the electric flasher when i convert my front turns to led or should i do both anyways. I have slow turn signals ever since i swapped my taillights in.

Hammered

FIRST - get a TOW READY brand Tail light converter. You can get these from E trailer.com or save yourself some money and find them on ebay. So it seems there are a few versions of this with the same basic outcome. I bought the Tow Ready #119130. there are some others that will do the same thing. (So I am told TOW READY aka draw tite / Hidden Hitch / Reese is the only one that will function) I chose to get two (one for each side) YOU DONT HAVE TO DO THAT, I did... because I didnt want to route wires over or under... around etc. Just made my life easier.

SECOND - If possible, go to your local Junk yard & get the tail light wires out of your same vehicle type. on my 97 XJ it was from the bulbs about a foot long to a white factory connector. Unplug and take them. This will save you a little time & effort later on. PLUS* This way, if you run into some problems you can plug your old stuff back together and theres no worries.

...Other than that its all fairly self explanitory, because your tail light bulb harness and the TOW READY tell you what wire is what. From there its just connecting wires. I chose to do Heat shrink butt connectors and heat shrink Tube.






Chrysler was nice enough to color code Stop / RED - Turn / Orange - Backup / White





You will notice I didnt use the green wires. In my case I bought two Trailer Harnesses, so the Green turn signal wire for the passnger side wasnt needed.
I did both this way. Keeping things simple.



You might choose to cut down the wires so your set up is not 10 feet long. I just left the wire, coiled it up in case I want to cut it and re do it some day (different LEDs... whatever)

With this set up you will get a hyper blinker. I dont mind that, in fact I like it.

Ok so this isnt some Technical wizardry, Nor a wonderful write up. However, I had a heck of a time trying to pin down the trick to doing this PROPERLY. So there ya have it. Maybe this will come in handy for some other feller.