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Len1304's Build Thread

85K views 327 replies 44 participants last post by  Pondhopper 
#1 · (Edited)
I'll be putting everything in here that I've done, how I did it, and what I still plan to do. At the very end I will provide links to everything I've added that I can so if you want it, you can have it as well. This thread will be loaded with pictures. If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask here in the thread or you can PM me and I'll gladly answer them as best I can. If anyone has any picture hosting ideas, let me know. Otherwise I'll just post them here. Some of this will be copied and pasted from other threads into this one. What doesn't have a link, will have a link just give me time to add them to the list.

Here's my pictures. http://s1168.photobucket.com/user/Len1304/story

So I have been approached by several people about how many lights I have, which brands and kinds of lights, how they are wired, how they are controlled, and why I chose each light so I'll give you a run down on what I've done and how it's been done. First, I'll give you a list of each light I have on my TH, then I'll explain why I picked each light.

All my lights are from Rigid Industries

1 40" E2 Combo light (was 40" SR combo) replaced today
4 D2 Diffused
2 D2 Hyperspot
2 DOT/SAE legal fog lights
2 D Series Flood lights
1 10" SR Driving pattern
1 20" E Series Combo (pending)

So, the 40" light is a long distance light only used for off-road use or during extreme weather and area lighting. I had the 40" SR (Single Row) light but it was an original from about 4 years ago and while great for off-roading it had far too much light bleed and lit up the windshield like crazy making it for too difficult to see. My useable light went from 1100 meters to almost 2000 meters.

I have one D2 diffused light on each side and two on the rear for scene lighting only. They have no other purpose.

The two D2 hyper spot lights on the hood are my supplemental high beams. Yes, I'm aware they aren't road legal which is why I use them only with amber lenses and in extremely bad weather. Since installing my fog lights I don't use my high beams.

I replaced my factory fog lights and housings with Rigid's DOT/SAE legal led fog lights using the JK fog light mounts. They provide so much light I no longer use my high beams and yes, they are aimed properly.

The two D series flood lights are installed on my powerchair lift and only used when hauling the powerchair. I want to clarify I personally don't use a powerchair, it belonged to my late wife. I donated it to a local kid that required a powerchair and I haul it for her from time to time. I am however disabled with damage to my back and hips from the military.

My 10" SR driving pattern light will be installed on the top of the bar for my RRO winch mount if RRO can find a way to fit my TH with the mount. This light will supplement my high beams, it too will have an amber cover. This light is wired but not hooked up.

My 20" E Series Combo light is currently pending and may not be done at all. If I can make it and the control box for my winch fit together then this light will do between the bar on the winch mount. It will have an amber lense and be used as extreme weather light as low to the ground as it can get to provide long range light to light up the road.

Now onto the wiring. I have the Gobi rack I got as part of the group buy. Officially the E series 40" light doesn't fit according to Gobi, but I managed it just fine without ANY complications. All the wire is ran to the drivers side rear corner of the TH by the leg and then a hole was drilled through the roof to run the wires along the headliner then behind the dash where it was all hooked up to a custom made relay pack. Each light was given it's own switch except the two hood lights and the two rear lights which are each wired to two switches. The relays are individually wired for each light to a Wired HDH control box, which provides 8 button switches to control my lights. I have my first button to turn on all the lights together, it's really just an emergency function so I don't have to turn on each of the other switches. I can just roll up to a situation and turn everything on at once. Now the following switches turn on each light. Each circuit was wired with diodes to prevent each circuit from back feeding all the other lights. The diodes were wired into the switch circuit rather than the power circuit as the power circuit runs far too much power through it and causes them to heat up enough to melt the solder attached to them. I also have my winch solenoid controlled from this switch panel for my rear winch. Yes, I will be running dual winches front and rear. The rear however will only be brought with me during storm chasing to be used as an anchor, currently it's being used as my primary winch. It's an OLD Warn M8000i.

I should point out that Wired HDH is out of business and if you can find the control box you are completely on your own for tech support or anything for that matter. I would personally recommend an SPOD with a touch screen interface as you can set individual circuits to strobe which I desired but didn't do since I already had the Wired HDH box. The way I have it setup it looks factory.

If you decide to run a 40" E series light or E2 light be warned, you MUST wire that one light bar directly to the battery. Do not combine it with any other circuit. It pulls far too much power and causes the light to not work properly if the engine is off. All said and done with all the lights on the entire system pulls about 55 amps and the TH handles it light a champ.

Wish List:

Ladder mounted jerry can holder
Dually D2 Amber Wide Beam lights
Spod touch screen with expansion board for more switches
Warn Jumper Cable Kit

Inventory List:

40" light
http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting/14231

20" light
http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting/120312

10" SR light
http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting/910612

D2 hyperspot
http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting/50471

D2 diffused 4 of these
http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting/50251

D flood
http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting/20211

LED Fog lights
http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting/50481

Fog lights mounted using this kit
http://www.rigidindustries.com/mounting-options/40138

AirLift remote compressor kit
Craftsman Tool Kit
ARB Winch Recovery Bag
Bubba Rope
Bubba Gator Ropes x2
Smittybilt Winch Recovery Bag
Heavy Duty Air Compressor
Speedtech Amber LED Strobes x4
Wired HDH Controller
RRO Brushguard
RRO Winch Mount
RRO Step-Rail Sliders
Warn Harse Fairlead
Warn License Plate Kit
Warn M8000-S Winch (Front)
Warn M8000-I Winch (Rear) w/Smittybilt Synthetic Rope
Warn Multimount Receiver System
Hi-Lift Jack 48"
Flat Short Shovel
Fisker Axe
Gobi Stealth Rack
Gobi Ladder
Gobi Sparetire Mount
Myfirstcherokee A-Pillar Mounts
Rigid 1.5" Bar Mounts
Rigid 1" Bar Mounts x2
Cobra 29 LTD Classic CB
Wilson HD Antenna Mount
HD CB Antenna Quick Disconnect x2
Hustler Super HD CB Antenna Spring
Firestic II 2' Antenna (extreme low clearance around town)
Firestic II 3' Antenna (short range around town, flying flag)
Firestic II 5' Antenna (long range storm chasing)
CompuStar Dash CD-3200 Dash Cam with GPS Antenna
Wrangler DuraTrac 245/70r17 Tires x5
5 Gallon Old School Jerry Can
Jumper Cables
Reflective Vest x2
Reflective Gloves
First Aid Kit
Personal 9MM Firearm
Suspension Airbags
4' RGB LED trail whip with remote
 
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#3 ·
Photobucket is one of the biggest, and easiest to use.

Dropbox is another free-to-use. A lot of my pics are just hosted through Tapatalk. I'm not sure what kind of space limitations it has, but when I upload from my phone, the url's are always Tapatalk.
 
#4 ·
I considered TapaTalk myself but as I was uploading them it gave me an error saying I could only upload 25 when I was trying to upload almost 100 photos after I had spent almost an hour trying to post them. I didn't want to link an album cause I figured most people wouldn't click the link and I personally haven't been a fan of photo bucket when I've tried to view photos but I'll give it a shot and see what the limitations are from that.
 
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#5 ·
Photobucket is what I use for pictures, it's a bit finicky but it usually works well, and gives you easy links to attach to forums.

That's a heck of a list, always been a fan of your build!
 
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#6 ·
Upped from 1100m to 2000m of useable light? I could never understand how light 2km away is considered useable! Would love to see that in person (have tried lighting photos amd they never do them justice)

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#7 ·
My old man owns 40 acres (imperial) and this light can be left on at the head of his pasture while he goes and retrieves the live stock. Thats just one use.
 
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#8 ·
Alright so I got my new test bumper from RRO so when I recover from surgery and when the weather clears up I'll put it on. In addition I may have snagged myself a sponsorship through a company I've had a lot of work done. Basically right now I let them wrap the jeep and they make the additions I want. Then I just have to put the miles on it.


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#9 ·
Doing a little urban off roading today I under estimated the height of a median curb between parking lots and hit pretty hard.




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#10 ·
Wow that was a rathet significant misjudgement! Even lifted you wouldn't have cleared that :)

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#11 · (Edited)
Yea, it's a small area between some parking lots at a mall here which requires about 1/4 mile drive to go around, so I often just cut through. Sadly many have this same idea. On a good day it's prolly a foot deep or so and I just barely scrap but being that I was in a hurry and it's rained heavily here it was deeper than I thought and I was going too fast so when I fell into the hole I bottomed out the front on the curb before I let the suspension settle. It was almost completely compressed when I got it as you can see. Lesson learned. Big deal.


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#12 ·
Okay, so now that I have a functional RRO bumper I can say I think I'm pretty close to done with modifications. I'd like to do rock lights still, the snorkel, and a ham radio install then I think it'll be done for sure. Oh and replacing the airbags since one leaks. But otherwise I think I can safely say the major stuff is done.

My grandmother had her house essentially destroyed early this week when a hail storm devastated Wylie, Tx. I wasn't storm chasing at the time as I don't chase during the week, however since this was family I rushed out there. Fully loaded the TH, turned on my strobes and rushed to my grandmothers house. I run dual winches along with a lot of other gear I carry and thankfully I had lots of spares. Winches were required to drag cars out of the way to make neighborhoods accessible as people abandoned their cars in the road. Roofs were caved in, ceilings collapsed. I ran my strobes for over 70 miles and never once had a problem with law enforcement. I did once turn them off as I waited at a light because the guy in front of me was trying to run the light thinking I needed through. Once I helped my grandmother get settled and patched up her house I turned my attention to anyone that needed help on my way home. Again, law enforcement gave me no trouble for my lights as I towed people off the road or provided basic first aid to those cut by glass or something.

I can't stress enough having blankets and an emergency kit in a vehicle for situations like this.


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#13 ·
I had a 3rd SpeedTek strobe go out on me this week. They keep filling up with water. But I can't afford to replace all the strobes AND they discontinued my model strobes a couple months ago. So irritated.
@myfirstcherokee how's it coming with that switch panel? I need more switch locations. The 8 I have are taken. I need one for rock lights, one for front angled lights, and one for a second set of strobes I plan putting on either side of my license plate. I also need one for a kill switch for my rear winch. I need switches man. That look factory. And the little cubby next to our left knee isn't an option since my brake controller is there.


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#14 ·
So last night someone made themselves welcome into my apartment without permission. Caught it on camera. This morning I went to my local police station to report the incident and all went smoothly. When the officer walked me back to my Jeep he noticed it and commented. He said various other officers have also noticed it and wondered who owns it. So, now they know who owns it and where I live. Guess I better keep my nose clean.

On a different note I got my first Jeep wave from a built Wrangler and yes I did wave back.


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#15 ·
So this week I've noticed a bit of a swampy garbage smell in my TH. So I decided to do some digging thinking maybe it was water damage from my little adventure this week with the flood waters. Turns out I was right about water, but wrong about where it came from. Turns out, during the last two very heavy storms water followed my antenna cable and dripped passed the seals. I did have it ran through a door though so I knew it was a risk as I didn't want to drill a third hole in my roof. The water collected under the drivers side cargo area pocket and soaked into the carpet like noise dampening material. So I've pulled the pocket out and I'll give it a week or two to dry out. The rest of the TH is dry so I'm assuming that's what happen. Guess I'll research just where I want to drill a hole to run my antenna cable now, so sad.
 
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#16 ·
This is the first I am seeing your thread man. Let me say I am sorry for the loss of your wife. It would be cool to meet up with you this summer, but I am not going down by DFW. Your build is awesome. I presume you have seen my interior mods thread. I keep a lot of stuff with me.

Are you going to mount your rock lights where mine are? I ran the Rigid Rock lights. I have been considering getting another 4 light set and mounting them in the front and back. I am also kicking around putting a 10" diffused SR on the hood, up front by the Jeep badge.

BTW, I was a Generator Mechanic then earned a scholarship and went to the (at the time) last all male military college. I resigned my commission in 2012 after 12 years. All Reserve, I was supposed to be active but my file was lost for 9 months by Cadet Command. I have been to Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan in various capacities. Service to the line, On the line, On time.
 
#17 · (Edited)
As far as my late wife, accidents happen, medical mistakes were made. She wouldn't have wanted me to dwell on her death.

As far as seeing your interior, yes I have seen it and I'm envious. I would love to be that prepared and I am to an extent for bare essentials.

I can't really mount rock lights where you did because I've got the RRO rock rails. But what I was thinking was mounting them to the doors, the little plastic on the bottom of the doors. But I have a hard time justifying rock lights when I have area lights mounted to my roof. If I got rock lights they'd likely be used in conjunction with my strobes.

I have the 10" SR driving pattern light and it does pretty well, but it's easily over powered by my a pillar lights and my roof light (which dwarfs everything). I mainly use the 10" as a supplement to my a pillar lights and my headlights during storms and nothing else since I have an amber cover over it which greatly reduces its effectiveness. As you may have noticed in my storm chasing flood video my amber light is on almost the whole time.

I commend anyone that takes the time to serve, in any capacity. But I don't shun those that don't either. The military isn't for everyone. I did my time, 7 years. Did two combat tours and one non combat peace time mission in South America. And to be honest while my second tour was on paper technically a wartime tour, it was really a vacation. My tour in Afghanistan was the brutal, harsh, real combat tour. And after the nightmares I experienced there, I swore I would never go back. Despite having a job offer by General Dynamics to serve as a contractor to the communications hub and make 150k. I couldn't do it and I'm glad I didn't since 6 months after getting out my late wife died. I don't talk much about my time in country or the late few years of my service much as they are triggers for me. Just rest assured, I served honorably, I've been in combat, and to this day I would lay down my life in defense of this great nation and my family.
 
#18 ·
Alrighty, so my SpeedTech strobes have bit the dust again so I'm biting the bullet and spending the money on lights I can get through my local fleet contact who says they are ECCO strobes. Either way they come with a MUCh better warranty and should be SAE/DOT approved, since street legal is a bit important to me as they are on a POV. In addition, my controller is starting to go out so I'm planning on replacing it with a touch screen SPOD but I'm going to be forced to add an expansion box for up to 16 different buttons since I currently have 9 items on 8 switches and I have planned like 5 more items still. Rock lights, second set of strobes, separate the rear winch and strobe control, then hard wire an air compressor.
 
#19 ·
You are going to need a trailer to haul all of your wiring and switches soon.
 
#20 ·
Alright, so Wednesday night I'm getting a set of orange rock lights and white rock lights installed on my TH. I'm gonna ask the installer to also do behind the grill. So I'll post up pictures Wednesday night of the extra lights. Orange for shows and meets. White for working with people and doing recoveries.


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#21 ·
Oh, I'm also getting custom storm chasing sillouttes done for each side of the Cherokee and along the kick panels for the doors in a color that matches the paint it'll read weather chaser. Then along the bottom of the tailgate I'll have, smile you're on camera, since people like to tailgate.


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#22 ·
Alright, took my rig to the guy that was going to install the lights. I warned him we don't have a "frame" or even frame like things underneath. So when he crawls under he looks up and goes, well this'll be tricky. But, he has a plan. He actually makes the pods and strips custom for each application, like down to each diode. It's really cool. So he's gonna do strips down each rail protected by an acrylic bulge type thing? Then in the front he's gonna put pods on the crash beams and the rear he's gonna mount pods on the rear sub frame. He guaranties his work. If I light fails, he will replace it. I break a light off, he will rewire it AND replace it.

Turns out he ships his kits nation wide. So once he figures out how to do my Cherokee he should have a good idea what would be required for any TrailHawk with RRO sliders.


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#23 ·
Oh and he's gonna light up the grill mounting strips just behind the horns.


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#24 ·
Had to change the way my cherokee was sealed on the roof. The old way leaked really badly and I had to have my interior treated.
 

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#25 ·
Just ordered this kit for the airbags so I can keep them filled all the time. Got tired of filling them by hand every few days. Got it on amazon for only 200$ and there is currently a 75$ mail in rebate which means it's only 125$! What a steal.

https://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/25850/


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#28 ·
Yes I have. So has @myfirstcherokee. I have the air lift 1000 kit. I don't remember the part number though.


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#29 ·
Well, I got my air compressor kit and Tuesday it gets installed. Kind of stole MFCs center console idea but going a different route. No fault of his I just need it done sooner. And instead of using rocker switches I'm gonna leave my area blank for now and buy barrel switches from like plasmaglow.

Saturday my rock lights get installed so I'll have pictures up soon of what that looks like.

Then also next Tuesday I'm getting Whalen strobes installed to replace my current strobes that keep going out. I'm getting model number TIONA. 8 of them. 4 on the roof and then 4 on top of each wheel well to cover the sides. Only the roof ones are getting done on Tuesday. The others are gonna have to have mounts made. I'm doing side strobes for side viability.


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#32 ·
These are the strips that have been made. They will fit between the slider rails. I happen to get two colors, white and amber. Then we will have pods up front and in the back. Also doing lights behinds the grill.

More pictures to follow.

This will be available as a kit anyone can order.




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