Ultra-bright reversing lamps

[casm]

Anyone know where I can get a set of reversing lights (3157 bulb pattern) that're considerably brighter than stock yet won't melt the lamp housing?

I tried a set of 25-element (19 straight, 6 radial) 8200mcd white LED lights (http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/3156_57_specs.htm) from superbrightleds.com, but the lens seems to have a filtering effect on them that makes them less effective than the standard units. The lack of reflectors in XJ light clusters doesn't help much either.

[KarlVP]

Most truck stops have 12 volt implemnent lights.

Tractor supply places too.

Or, if you are good with wiring up relays and stuff, take a stock headlight and wire up both beams (high and low) together. Run your relay and some wire to your backup light switch.

Winner.

[casm]

Most truck stops have 12 volt implemnent lights.

Yup. I'd just prefer to not go that route if possible - don't really want extra lights up top or in the license plate frame area, though I do like the Olds Aurora license plate holder modification rather a lot.

[casm]

though I do like the Olds Aurora license plate holder modification rather a lot.

Screw it, I just scored one cheap on eBay. Problem solved.

[theksmith]

Try also searching for a 3156 as that is actually what it is (3157 has 2 filaments, only really need the single for reverse). I have a 35 watt xenon in but I can't remember where online I got it. I believe 27 what is the standard "bright" ones - that aren't really that bright!

Aha... this looks like what I have:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300037440200&category=71537

And just found this... let me know if you get it and how you like it, I might upgrade!
http://www.autobarn.net/des20108.html

[8Mud]

Wiring a relay into the back up light circuit is pretty easy. I got lucky and had an unused high amp hot wire for the trailer harness I tapped for power.
I use a single 55 watt lamp, 8 inch wide metal housing defused lens.
I tucked it up near the gas tank, well underneath the bumper. The bumper keeps it directed low so it doesn't blind anybody. I haven't managed to break it off yet.
I was thinking of a pair of small roof mounts, but the police around here are death on most any sort of aux lighting (up high).
I tried most everything in the stock taillights over the years and never found anything that was satisfactory. Either the bulbs were too hot or weren't an improvement.
Hella makes a cut into the bumper (or hatch) mount, that may be a neat install.

http://www.hella.com/produktion/HellaDE/WebSite/MiscContent/Download/Autofahrer/LichtModule/Premium_Heckleuchten-Module.pdf

[casm]

And just found this... let me know if you get it and how you like it, I might upgrade!
http://www.autobarn.net/des20108.html

Dammit - that's a quarter of what I just paid on eBay for both! :) No biggie, though. I'm planning on wiring these through a switched relay so that I can make them independent of the reversing lights on an as-needed basis. It'd be nice to be able to flip them on as campsite floodlights while setting up, for example. Running a Yellowtop so not too concerned about the current draw.

Hella makes a cut into the bumper (or hatch) mount, that may be a neat install.

Shades of the Talbot Rancho (http://www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk/matra-rancho.html) front bumper ;) Actually, I rather like those vehicles; briefly owned one once. Styling was good enough to be recycled for the Land-Rover Discovery a decade later...

[XJ Beater]

olds aurora liscense plate holder?????

[stewie]

olds aurora liscense plate holder?????

i agree. please elaborate

[casm]

i agree. please elaborate

Basically, the licence plate holder from a '95-'99 Olds Aurora came with integrated reversing lights and fits in the rear plate indentation on XJs like a glove:

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/454827/original/95_aurora_reverse_lights.jpg

The original thread detailing the installation was here (http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=24759), but it looks as though the images are broken. Go-Jeep's did something similar (http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoReverseLights.htm), but not using that exact item - however, if you scroll down to the bottom of that page, you can see how JEONLYEP's Aurora setup looks. Obviously this isn't too useful if you're using a rear spare carrier, but since my spare goes up on the roof rack it wasn't a consideration.

AFAIK nobody's done this on a '97-up model yet. Be interesting to see how it looks on the later 'flat' tailgate without the plate indentation.

[JEONLYEP]

Olds Aurora liscense plate holder.

Before:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/Jeonlyep/Jeep/reversebefore.jpg

After:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/Jeonlyep/Jeep/reversedone.jpg

Durning:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/Jeonlyep/Jeep/reverseholes.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/Jeonlyep/Jeep/reverseinsideholes.jpg

On:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/Jeonlyep/Jeep/reverseon.jpg

DAryl

[KarlVP]

That's sweet dude.

Nice work!!!

[Atl XJ]

Thats pretty sweet. It sucks that you have to cut those huge holes in the liftgate though...

[JEONLYEP]

Thats pretty sweet. It sucks that you have to cut those huge holes in the liftgate though...
Yea, surface mounts would be nice, but I used some foam weather stripping for sealing a topper to a truck bed. The only time that I have had water trouble was durning a heavy rain and we were under the open hatch. That makes the tag pocket more like a rain gauge.

DAryl

[mtsz52784]

Has anybody done this with a 97+?? I am looking to do this and would like to know if anybody has even tried this? Thanks

[casm]

Has anybody done this with a 97+?? I am looking to do this and would like to know if anybody has even tried this? Thanks

I will be in the next few weeks, assuming I survive the Christmas season without going on a murderous rampage. That aside, it looks as though the procedure's going to be pretty much the same as for the earlier vehicles only you're cutting into metal instead of fibreglass. I've already scoped it out and everything should fit without any serious issues. Doing the wiring's going to be a complete PITA, though.

[WheelinJR]

dang, ebay doesn't have any of those right now.

[casm]

dang, ebay doesn't have any of those right now.

Check the For Sale forum; I know there were a couple in there in the last week or so.

[mtsz52784]

i seen 1 on ebay last night while searching "olds aurora"

[andrew2516]

And just found this... let me know if you get it and how you like it, I might upgrade!
http://www.autobarn.net/des20108.html

Will those fit a 93 XJ? I just ordered them and now that I look at the description it only says they fit 97+ grand's...

[andrew2516]

anyone?

[1985xjlaredo]

Yea they will work going to pick mine up in a little bit

[andrew2516]

Yea they will work going to pick mine up in a little bit

Nice...I'll let you know how they work when I get them...I just thought that was kinda weird they show them in an XJ...but don't have it listed under vehicles it fits.

[1985xjlaredo]

:flamemad: Ok so I am on the Sylavaina site now and it says that the 1156 and the 1156LL are the bulbs that fit the backup lite! Not the 3156. That 3156 Bulb doesnt even Fit anywhere on an XJ and its not the right kind of base to fit into the backup lamp socket!
1988 JEEP Cherokee
High & low beam headlamp
H6054
H6054ST Silverstar High Performance Lighting: The Whiter and Brighter Halogen
H6054XV XtraVision Halogen Upgrade: 3x brighter; 2x the life
H6054CB Cool Blue Halogen Upgrade: White Hot; Super Cool; 100% Street Legal
H6054LL Long Life Halogen Upgrade: Lasts 6x longer
Parking light
2057A
2057AST Silverstar Signal Lighting: Complete the Look: Crisp, Clean, Style
2057ALL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
Front turn signal
2057A
2057AST Silverstar Signal Lighting: Complete the Look: Crisp, Clean, Style
2057ALL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
Rear turn signal
1156
1156LL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
Tail light
2057
2057LL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
Stop light
2057
2057LL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
License plate
168
67
Back up light
1156
1156LL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
Front sidemarker
97
Rear sidemarker
194
194LL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
Ash tray
1891
Glove box
194
194LL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
Map light
906
Step/Courtesy light
561
74
906
Trunk/Cargo area
561
Under hood light
105
90
Instrument-general
37
658
74
Automatic transmission indicator
658
Here is the 1156 Diagram
http://www.sylvaniaautocatalog.com/xenarc/xenarcfigs/fig20.gif
And here is the 3156
http://www.sylvaniaautocatalog.com/xenarc/xenarcfigs/fig28.gif
The 1156 is the older bayonet style base and the 3156 is the newer wedge type.
So who is correct here. Has Anyone done this upgrade?

[Saudade]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=009&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=190052288138&rd=1,1

Ends in 5 1/2 hours.....

[casm]

The 1156 is the older bayonet style base and the 3156 is the newer wedge type.
So who is correct here. Has Anyone done this upgrade?

It depends on the year of the XJ. Earlier ones used the bayonet-mount, later ones used the wedge-type. I don't remember the cutoff years, but my 2000 uses 3157s - so somewhere in the '95 - '97 range would be my best guess. Best bet is to pull the tail light cluster and check.

FWIW, a 3156 is essentially the same as a 3157, only doesn't have dual inputs for high and low illumination - it's meant to be used for turn signals or reversing lights, not as a combined park/brake light.

[1985xjlaredo]

2000 JEEP Cherokee
Back up light
1156
1156LL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp

All the sites I have been too call for a 1156 bulb. GE, Eautoworks, Sylavaina, LSI, Phillips.
Maybe you have a one off? Who else knows what lite goes into the backup socket?
I found a site that has 38Watt bulbs that look like they would fit the 1156 socket.
27021 – 1195

GE RP11 - Automotive; Low Voltage http://genet.gelighting.com/LightProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=COMMERCIALSPECPAGE&PRODUCTCODE=27021
tell me what you think?

[DenLip]

:flamemad: Ok so I am on the Sylavaina site now and it says that the 1156 and the 1156LL are the bulbs that fit the backup lite!

I love all the "long life" versions of the bulbs. My XJ is now seven years old... with 70k miles... and still has EVERY factory original bulb, except for headlights (which I changed to Hella at 55k voluntarily - the originals were still good).

My previous Dodge had 77k miles on ALL the original light bulbs, except for one taillight that burned out shortly after I was rear-ended.

How much extra is a "long life" bulb worth?

:)

Den

[casm]

All the sites I have been too call for a 1156 bulb. GE, Eautoworks, Sylavaina, LSI, Phillips.
Maybe you have a one off? Who else knows what lite goes into the backup socket?

I doubt it's a one-off; I may be misremembering what goes in there (or the catalogues are off, but I doubt all of them would be). I just gave away a couple of unused 25-element white 3157 LED lights I'd intended to use in there that had been sitting around for a year or so, so I was basing my memory off of that.

[yikes]

Basically, the licence plate holder from a '95-'99 Olds Aurora came with integrated reversing lights and fits in the rear plate indentation on XJs like a glove:

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/454827/original/95_aurora_reverse_lights.jpg

The original thread detailing the installation was here (http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=24759), but it looks as though the images are broken. Go-Jeep's did something similar (http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoReverseLights.htm), but not using that exact item - however, if you scroll down to the bottom of that page, you can see how JEONLYEP's Aurora setup looks. Obviously this isn't too useful if you're using a rear spare carrier, but since my spare goes up on the roof rack it wasn't a consideration.

AFAIK nobody's done this on a '97-up model yet. Be interesting to see how it looks on the later 'flat' tailgate without the plate indentation.



GM part # 5976427 - $168.54 sugg retail WOW !!

$126.41 my price and yours plus tax and shipping

[casm]

$126.41 my price and yours plus tax and shipping

You're kidding, right?

That's well over double what I paid for mine - which, in turn, was twice what this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=009&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=190052288138&rd=1,1) is going for on eBay right now.

[1985xjlaredo]

127 bucks is way too much! Its just some metal and plastic

[JEONLYEP]

127 bucks is way too much! Its just some metal and plastic
That's why I got mine off of e-bay. It's funny that the Corvette's lights are so much cheaper, one would think that if it has to do with a Corvette, that it would cost more. Maybe cause it's a newer part? The aroura ended in the late 90's? the vette lights were for an 03. IIRC.

Plus a new one won't have the bulb holders or any wiring. There's a chance that an e-bay buy will have this. At lest mine did.


DAryl

[casm]

127 bucks is way too much! Its just some metal and plastic

More accurately, it's just some plastic and plastic. I'm holding mine in my hands right now, and the only metal in it are the screws that hold the licence plate in place. Even the lenses are polycarbonate.

Plus a new one won't have the bulb holders or any wiring. There's a chance that an e-bay buy will have this. At lest mine did.

Nope, mine came completely bare. Looks like I'll also be making a trip to the Help! aisle in the local Kragen when it comes time to install this.

[andrew2516]

:flamemad: Ok so I am on the Sylavaina site now and it says that the 1156 and the 1156LL are the bulbs that fit the backup lite! Not the 3156. That 3156 Bulb doesnt even Fit anywhere on an XJ and its not the right kind of base to fit into the backup lamp socket!
1988 JEEP Cherokee
High & low beam headlamp
H6054
H6054ST Silverstar High Performance Lighting: The Whiter and Brighter Halogen
H6054XV XtraVision Halogen Upgrade: 3x brighter; 2x the life
H6054CB Cool Blue Halogen Upgrade: White Hot; Super Cool; 100% Street Legal
H6054LL Long Life Halogen Upgrade: Lasts 6x longer
Parking light
2057A
2057AST Silverstar Signal Lighting: Complete the Look: Crisp, Clean, Style
2057ALL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
Front turn signal
2057A
2057AST Silverstar Signal Lighting: Complete the Look: Crisp, Clean, Style
2057ALL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
Rear turn signal
1156
1156LL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
Tail light
2057
2057LL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
Stop light
2057
2057LL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
License plate
168
67
Back up light
1156
1156LL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
Front sidemarker
97
Rear sidemarker
194
194LL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
Ash tray
1891
Glove box
194
194LL Long Life Upgrade: Up to twice the life of the standard lamp
Map light
906
Step/Courtesy light
561
74
906
Trunk/Cargo area
561
Under hood light
105
90
Instrument-general
37
658
74
Automatic transmission indicator
658
Here is the 1156 Diagram
http://www.sylvaniaautocatalog.com/xenarc/xenarcfigs/fig20.gif
And here is the 3156
http://www.sylvaniaautocatalog.com/xenarc/xenarcfigs/fig28.gif
The 1156 is the older bayonet style base and the 3156 is the newer wedge type.
So who is correct here. Has Anyone done this upgrade?

that sucks...I already ordered these...

[Blaine B.]

Or just buy 795 50 watt bulbs, like used in Police lights.....shouldn't melt your lenses anyway. How long are your reverse lights on for at a time for heat to increase that much?

I bought some lights to mount under the rear bumper. They will be controlled by the reverse lights, or manually incase I need rear light for some reason.

[yikes]

GM part # 5976427 - $168.54 sugg retail WOW !!

$126.41 my price and yours plus tax and shipping



NOT trying to sell these to any one - just letting you know what a dealer gets for them for comparison.

[casm]

Not to revive this thread, but did want to make a quick note.

If your Aurora reversing lights came without the light sockets (like mine), the appropriate replacement part is the Conduct-Tite 85830 (http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?categorycode=4074B&mfrcode=DOR&mfrpartnumber=85830), available in the 'Help!' aisle at your local auto parts store. I had to remove the rubber gaskets from the back of the lights to make it fit - it seems that the foam gasket that the replacement sockets come with have just enough give in them to be able to get them in, but the rubber ones don't. Should hopefully be cutting the hatch and getting this thing in after the first of the year; by eyeball, it looks as though everything has enough depth to mount up properly.

[shaddady34]

my 2001 xj reverse bulbs are really weak and i want to upgrade to brighter bulbs. What is the best aftermarket bulb for my 01 any ideas

[Blaine B.]

http://galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&style=BU123

http://galls.com/jpegs/6412.jpg

50 watt halogen.....don't leave on for long though, not sure if it might get hot enough to melt the lenses or not?

They also have these, they are a bit shorter.....however, they have a vertical filament.......horizontal is what we want though.

http://galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&style=BU119

http://galls.com/jpegs/6413.jpg