I have a '97 XJ nearly stock, with a winch. I'd like to add some offroad driving lights for occasional use. What kind of amperage will the stock alternator power? I don't want to spend big bucks for lights that I will only use once in awhile. Any suggestions appreciated. I should add that I will be using these only offroad on overland type trails and FS roads. What beam pattern would work best?

 

In my opinion ( and I am heading down this route myself) several smaller LED off-road lights draw a very low current and are easily manageable with the stock alternator

You can set up separate switches, relays and fuses for each "bank"

Even very bright single LED off-road lights are within stock alternator power imo

I believe it puts out 90+ amps. I believe a Grand Cherokee Alt can be installed with minimal mods which puts out about 136A

You may wish to consider installing the strongest battery that will fit when the time comes

In my personal opinion, you would only need to upgrade the electrics if you want to have the A/C on full blast, music pumping to the max, and all lights blazing

 

Thanks for your response. I had come to the somewhat same conclusion and needing only two driving lights mounted on my winch bumper with a spread beam is where I'm at now. Finding a reasonably priced pair with a spread beam isn't an easy search. Hopefully someone will chime in with a reference to a set they use that doesn't break the bank. If I were racing price wouldn't be such an issue, but for something that I'll only use a few times a year I don't see the need for the extra $$$.
I think my stock alternator is rated at 117 amps and the battery I currently have is rated at 850CCA. I also prefer the old school round 5-6" light, but I'm flexible with the shape of the light. Ihave LED headlights and the only other electronics I run is my GPS, heater and or AC, and other normal electronics.

If you come up with any other thoughts, I'd be pleased to hear them. Again, thanks.

 

You can also upgrade to a 160 amp here's a link https://www.naxja.org/forum/attachme...1&d=1495748007
The link will down load the write up they talk about a 2001 xj but it shows a 1997 and earlier xj

 

Thank you for the link! If I have to upgrade, that seems the way to go.

 

There are also youtube videos on alternator upgrades for the XJ .

 

The kinda cool thing about '97 and '98 is the alternator.
From what I can tell stock it is only 90 amp for some reason.
But those years also appear to have come with a 136 amp alternator.
Guessing a factory option.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/RAY2...pressionRank=1

 

Thought about old school Hella oblong Halogen 100w blue globes on roof cross bars? Also a central one on the rear cross bar facing rearwards?
Dont tell me you never reverse in the bush? The three can be wired using trailer cable and a plug (Anderson would work) Long enough cable to go
in through driver window to mating plug mounted under dash to unplug or switch to turn off for highway use?
Worked well for this aussie! also no big deal to remove for anti theft reasons

 

I would've thought the need for an uprated alternator was when fitting the winch, not a couple of 55w lights but, fwiw, I ran a couple of cars with hi-beams totalling 460w, when the highest output alternator was 65 amps & never gave it a thought.