Finally got a nice day on Saturday to do some more work on this. I got up early as my daughter usually wakes me up at 6 (ugh). Was out about 9, still a bit cold, but MAN what a nice day!! Spring is on the way folks, got up to 12 or 13 yesterday (55 for you south of the border).
Anyhow, I started by finding locations to mount the light brackets I made for the under Jeep lighting. Mounted the lights and then set to wiring them all in. I ran each side of the front pairs together, then stopped at the firewall. I will rin them through a grommet as soon as I get all the interior wiring done.
Captain Split Loom they call me...
Then it was on to the relay box. I popped the cubby panel out of the back of the XJ, and found that the rubber clean out/drain plug is not sealing all that well in there. No rust, only some crud...cleaned that out first. I then ran the wiring for the power/ground etc. I ran 8 gauge power line from the battery all the way under the XJ to the rear. I used split loom anywhere it may chafe and used a TON of zip ties. I zipped it to the wiring that was run for my 7 pin trailer plug.
I wired in the 2 rear lights (supposed to be 4, forgot to order enough...fail), and ran the wires in through the black plastic plug by the tail light. I did this before for the trailer 4 pin tie in, and it seals up really well!
One line is the left rear, one is the right, one is power from the battery. I FORGOT to do the hole for the roof lights and backup lights...doh! Hope I have enough space?
I then mounted the box to the cubby panel. Worked out awesome, as I was able to utilize the existing vent holes and run all the wires in there. I ran a 4 gauge ground, but forgot the ground fuse! Doh x2. I will pick one up this week, as well as some 4 and 8 gauge connectors and ring terminals. Anyhow...I am getting close, as I also ran the CAT5 from the rear panel to the switch panel. Nothing wired in yet, ready to go however.
Tested the rear lights with an 18V drill battery in the rear. Even with only 2 out of the 4 I wanted to install, they are very bright!!
More to come this week!
