Off-road and Auxiliary Lighting 101

I had a bad case of insomnia last night so I decided to do this little write-up about auxiliary lighting. If you have any of the new Jeep models, you are already familiar with one of the types of auxiliary lighting because bumper fog lamps are standard equipment. But if your older Jeep or Jeep model did not have this option, you may want to consider additional exterior lighting to enhance your off-road fun. Off-road lighting is specifically designed with rugged weatherproof construction and is made to handle difficult off-roading conditions. While many people add extra lighting to enjoy night off-roading or to improve visibility in foul weather conditions, it is equally wonderful at illuminating a great campsite in the country. Whatever you are going to use it for, additional lighting can add personality and real function to any Jeep.

Choosing exterior auxiliary lighting may appear to be an endless task; so hopefully, this will help you sort through some of your options. First, do you need additional lighting because you want to off-road at night or do you live in an area with foul weather? Do you like to go hunting and fishing in the dark or do you just like the way extra lights look on your Jeep vehicle? You’ll need to decide on the use for your additional lights as this can sometimes be the deciding factor in where they are mounted. Some of the mounting options include: The front bumper, a light bar on the front bumper, light bars on the top, or mounted on the windshield frame. Each location has its advantages depending on the purpose of the lighting.

What kinds of lights are available? Basically, there are flood lights, driving lights, and fog lights. Flood lights are used to illuminate large areas….like that nice camping spot you found in the country. They are typically mounted either on a light bar on top of the vehicle or on a windshield frame mount. Driving lights are good for seeing off-road obstacles at long distances and can be mounted either on a light bar on the bumper or also on a windshield frame mount. Fog lights are used for poor weather conditions such as rain, fog, or mist, or anywhere you may need additional lighting for safe driving. Fog lights are sometimes amber in color and are mounted low to help illuminate the road in front of the vehicle.

The location you choose for your lights will greatly depend on the intended use. Light bars mounted on the front bumper are very popular, and depending on how many lights you desire, there are a variety of styles and designs to choose from. Windshield frame mounts are also popular. The lights are easily installed with an after-market mounting bracket directly to the outside corners of the windshield. This is a low-cost lighting option that adds a great look to your Jeep brand vehicle. A light bar mounted on the top of the vehicle is a great option for the person looking for maximum lighting capability for their Jeep. This method is very popular for highly modified vehicles that need maximum lighting for extreme off-roading conditions.

Be sure to check your state laws on using auxiliary lighting during highway driving. Also, high-powered lighting systems may need additional electrical components such as relays which could require professional installation. No matter what light system you choose, additional auxiliary lighting can enhance your Jeep brand lifestyle experience and help illuminate your world.

Now it’s your turn! Tell us what kinds of auxiliary lighting you have on your Jeep vehicle and what do you use it for?