New Rear Lighting Idea

From my days in a Cherokee, I enjoyed having lights that shined out, around, and back, instead of umpteen-thousand lights shining only forward. With my new rig, it was clear there are no high mount locations, here is my plan for the rear. The front lights might require a more invasive approach.

This platform can extend up to the roof line for better antenna propagation, and puts the lights up high to see better. When collapsed, it lowers everything for entering parking garages and still allows for a clear line of sight out of the rear window. My future plans will put the brake light inside the spare wheel, and this post in the very center.


The Platform is 3" by 6", and is offset to the rear to mount the NMO connector for the antenna in the center. The posts are 2 foot even, with holes at 1" and 16" (and 20" just because.) for the quick disconnect pin. Note: I didn't have the proper quick disconnect pin yet, a big screw will have to do.


Welded tabs for existing bolts, bent and recessed to clear the aluminum edges.


My Sport edition doesn't have all the fancy stuff, so i decided to make use of those delete panels. Cheap Amazon switches beware, the dang things were assembled wrong, down would turn it ON.


When wiring the switches, the tabs need cut off for clearance, and the wires need to clear the circuit board, that means lower than the locating pins.


Never run full power through cheap switches. Here, I have a Bussmann fuse/relay panel, giving signal power to the switches, and higher gauge wire to the actual lights. The lights use a diode to also trigger on when backing up, and the ham radio kicks on with the key or when I hit the switch. There are preparations for puddle lights that turn on with the interior lights or a dedicated switch as well.


I will not be doing the typical 4 foot front light bar, but instead these same lights at 45 degrees out on the top window frame. Trail clearance will be a top priority and it will require holes in the shiny new Jeep, so I may wait a little on this.
I'm a first time poster, Let me know what you think, I welcome all comments and suggestions.

Looks like a clean install to me . I have been looking at a new relay panel .Good luck with this. and all the other thing you do thanks for taking the time and showing your work .

And welcome to Wayalife stop buy and give a wave .

That's awesome man! Looks great

Nice setup with your rear lights. I have a similar light setup that I use for camping. It's on top of my AEV tire carrier. Here's a couple of pictures.

That's a pretty cool idea. I've been wondering how I'm going to go about adding lighting to the back end - this is cool.

Welcome to WAL

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! I'll have to make a proper introductory Wave soon and give a little background. Everyone likes origin stories right?

8pound, I like your setup there, what kind of LEDs are those? They look much more functional than mine. How is that antenna position treating you? My EE background is screaming, seeing a grounded post right beside the radiating element.

I want to make a few taps into the jeep fuse box and use some of the unused slots, I will have to post up if the Bussmann connectors will fit the the empty spots in the jeep connectors.

This weekend we are going top down and doorless to the top of the Harquahala Mountain. If any Phoenicians are interested, Its out west towards Salome, and climbs about 3500 feet on a ten mile trail. Its a steep but easy trail, just difficult enough to weed out the SUVs and crossovers.

Nice work on the factory switch location modification. :thumb: Not many people go that route because of what is involved and the risk of screwing up the factory circuit board.

Good Idea

I also agree that this is a good idea, you should do something with the idea before someone else makes a fortune with it!:yup:

It went together pretty well! The delete panels are slightly wonky, but it's hardly noticeable. You can also see my radio location and the extra 12V outlet to get rid of that ridiculous little hook.

Frydaddy said:

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! I'll have to make a proper introductory Wave soon and give a little background. Everyone likes origin stories right?

8pound, I like your setup there, what kind of LEDs are those? They look much more functional than mine. How is that antenna position treating you? My EE background is screaming, seeing a grounded post right beside the radiating element.

I want to make a few taps into the jeep fuse box and use some of the unused slots, I will have to post up if the Bussmann connectors will fit the the empty spots in the jeep connectors.

This weekend we are going top down and doorless to the top of the Harquahala Mountain. If any Phoenicians are interested, Its out west towards Salome, and climbs about 3500 feet on a ten mile trail. Its a steep but easy trail, just difficult enough to weed out the SUVs and crossovers.

Click to expand...

They are Maxxima led lights. About 650 lumens per light.

The antenna works out pretty good. It's for my signal booster. When we get on the trails, I mount it between the lights, so it's above my hardtop. It has a magnetic base, so it makes it pretty easy to move around.

Welcome! I like your ideas so far

I successfully tapped into the original fuse box without using any fuse taps. The link below goes to my resource for finding the right place to tap in, but today I am here to tell you that Bussmann connectors, meant for their fuse panels, do fit... barely. Fuse M7, the selectable fuse, is completely unused and can be tapped into by adding a connector on cable C6 pin 12. Yea, good luck trying to find out that on your own, just go to the link below.

The Bussman connector is too tall. The two little tabs may need trimmed with side cutters, and the square cage around the spring needs smashed a little by some flat pliers to fit the hole.



Now all i need to do is find a Pinout diagram for the rest of this cable plug. I know there are a few fuses that dont go anywhere, but i dont know where to add the pins.

Frydaddy said:

I successfully tapped into the original fuse box without using any fuse taps. The link below goes to my resource for finding the right place to tap in, but today I am here to tell you that Bussmann connectors, meant for their fuse panels, do fit... barely. Fuse M7, the selectable fuse, is completely unused and can be tapped into by adding a connector on cable C6 pin 12. Yea, good luck trying to find out that on your own, just go to the link below.

The Bussman connector is too tall. The two little tabs may need trimmed with side cutters, and the square cage around the spring needs smashed a little by some flat pliers to fit the hole.


View attachment 203667

Now all i need to do is find a Pinout diagram for the rest of this cable plug. I know there are a few fuses that dont go anywhere, but i dont know where to add the pins.

Click to expand...

Please don't link to other Jeep forums, If you need to post some info, just screen shot it from that forum. Just a friendly heads up.

WJCO said:

Please don't link to other Jeep forums, If you need to post some info, just screen shot it from that forum. Just a friendly heads up.

Click to expand...

^^ Yep.

I removed the link.

OK, Here are the relevant pics for reference

Clean install for sure.

Subscribed .... where was this when i was wiring in my light bar...

Subscribed!!

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I'm going to have to do something like this tinted windows suck at night lol. After standing the Rubicon up on its tire last weekend I was trying to think of where to place lights so they don't get smashed so this would work perfect.