Installed my lightbar and new pillar lights the other day. Lightbar is 24x 10w LEDs (all spots). Pillar lights are 9x10w LEDs. Lights throw enough that you can't tell when I turn my high beams on/off (Trucklite LED headlights). Am VERY happy with them.

 

A few pictures from Anza-Borrego Desert State Park ...

On the way out to Sandstone Canyon ...




Chariot Canyon Road ...




Oriflamme Canyon Road ...



Font's Point Road ...


In Borrego Springs ...




Painted Gorge on way to Carrizo Mtn ...




Carrizo Mountain ...




The summit of the mountain was shrouded in fog ...




Headed back down ...










Headed out Coyote Canyon ...

 

Wow, Mark, you are my Jeeping role model, for sure! One of my favorite things about this forum is the pleasure of seeing your adventures and dreaming of a day I can do something like that, even once. (9 kids and the job demands of being principal of a very large middle school make it really tough. Maybe when I retire one day....Of course I still plan to have this Jeep around, even then!) Until then, I'll just keep moderately modding my Jeep until I can go.

How long is your typical trip, in terms of both days and miles? As Lloyd Christmas would say, "...maybe there's a chance!"

Your pictures and videos are always amazing, as is your Jeep. Keep 'em coming!

 

That looks great! On mine, about 1/3 of the lights are flood. I wish they were all spot except maybe 4 to 6 on each side. I don't love the wind noise on it, but I've gotten used to it enough that, along with the amazing light output, I'll probably keep it. I'm also looking to put a couple of very small (2 LED) Rigid floods over my tail lights for back-up lighting and with red covers for thick fog or heavy snow where visibility is greatly compromised. They'd certainly help off-road, because the only damage I've ever done to my Jeep was backing into a tree and stump, both at night. The JKU's length really becomes an issue when backing up on the trail. I cut my teeth on a YJ, and I felt I could almost turn around and touch the tailgate from the driver's seat!

 

Thanks for the compliments! My trips vary, from three days to ten. By mileage, I assume you are asking about off-road mileage (with some connecting highways) once the trip begins, not about staging mileage. And that can vary from 50 or so, to upwards of 500. Next year we have a couple big trips planned, including over 500 miles in Utah (ten days) and 600 miles in Washington (seven days).

 

Thanks Mark. You have showed me another place I have to go now. I think my list is growing faster than my ability to travel

 

Looks like a great trip, Mark!
I got to go and explore more in my own backyard (I live about an hour from Anza-Borrego).
- Michael

 

Yes, that is your backyard indeed. I used to drive through Temecula when it was a sleepy little hamlet back in the late 60s and I lived in Victorville (George Air Force Base) and traveled to visit my folks in Chula Vista.

 

Great pics Mark! Your trips and the documentation of them is such an inspiration for all of us, thanks!

 

Thanks. Yeah the wind noise takes a bit to get used to - but I don't think it'll bother me all that much. Honestly, I'm quite happy they're all spots. I have the pillar lights (and a 20" bar (wide beam pattern) on order for the bumper) to get the ditches.

I also have some LEDs for the taillights... however I've been too lazy to paint up the mounts and to mount them. And considering that it's winter (likely -20 till March), it likely wont' be happening until the spring. Although work does have a heated shop I can use... guess we'll see how much I really want to get it done lol.