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Jeep Wrangler JK: The Ultimate LED Light Bar Guide

The Jeep Wrangler is one of the more easily customizable cars on the market. A great way to make your vehicle stand out from the rest is by installing an LED light bar on it. Here are some how-to instructions along with three of the more popular options to consider.

By Jeffrey Bausch - November 2, 2015

This article applies to the Jeep Wrangler JK (2007-Present).

An LED light bar makes for a terrific addition to any Jeep Wrangler. They’re fairly simple to install and give the vehicle an eye-catching new look. It’s also an smart investment, as LED bulbs last longer than the standard alternative, so you won’t have to worry about constantly having to replace bulbs if you use it on a regular basis. The following is a pretty straightforward how-to installation process, along with a review of three of the more popular options to choose from.

Figure 1. An array of LED lighting elements installed.

Table of Contents

How to Install an LED Light Bar

Materials Needed

  • Allen key; drill equivalent
  • 12-gauge wiring
  • T40 Torx bit

Step 1 – Remove Jeep hardware alongside windshield

Use a T40 Torx bit to remove bolts. This is where the factory hardware will mount in order to host the LED light bar.

Figure 2. Use your T40 Torx bit and remove the windshield pillar bolts.

Step 2 – Add and secure mounting hardware

Line the hardware up with your Jeep and secure the mounting hardware to the vehicle.

Figure 3. Pillar bracket installed.

Step 3 – Place LED light bar into mounting hardware

Ensure proper placement with washer, plastic pieces, et al. The bar is heavy, and you do not want to drop it—you should ask for help with getting it into place. Angle the bar down, so the light is projected on the roadway—ideal dip is about five degrees. Secure the bar in place by tightening Hex bolts on either side with an Allen key.

  • Figure 4. Sliding the lights into the mounting bracket.
  • Figure 5. Hex bolt secured.

Step 4 – Disconnect battery, secure wire, hook up relay, and add switch

Secure wire to windshield with included hardware and disconnect the vehicle's battery.

Figure 6. Wiring secured to windshield pillar.

A loom and harness is provided with the LED light bar. To install, you’ll want to go through the wiper cowl, but just make sure to avoid the wiper mechanisms. Follow factory harness and relay down into the underhood. Run the 12-gauge wiring over to the power supply, making sure all parts are well protected with conduit. If Jeep has an sPOD (or additional power supply alternative), which (if you’re customizing your Jeep) is likely the case, then choose the appropriate, available switch to apply the LED light bar wiring to.

Figure 7. Harness wired into loom.

Go back into the car and apply new switch rocker for the light bar if you have one on hand. Reconnect the battery and test new light bar.

Figure 8. The finished product.

Featured Video: 50-inch LED Light Bar Installation

LED Light Bar Review
Price
Size
Performance
Lifespan
Warranty
KC Highlights LED Light Bar
 $200 to $1200 6" to 50" Superb 50,000 hours 23-year warranty
Raxiom LED Light Bar
 $90, $170, $445 7.5", 13.5", 50" Excellent 30,000 hours Limited-lifetime warranty
Delta LED Light Bar
 $700 to $2,000 26" to 56" Satisfactory 50,000 hours 5-year warranty
Best Quality: KC Highlights
Best Value: KC Highlights

KC Highlights LED Light Bar

Price – $200 to $1,200

Size – 6" to 50"

Performance – Superb

Lifespan – 50,000 hours

Warranty – 23-year warranty

Given the fact that KC Highlights has been in business since 1974, it is perhaps the best known lighting brand in the off-road vehicle market. Given its reputation, and the fact that it’s been around so long, it’s safe to say the company turns out quality product after quality product. This is true with its roster of LED light bars. Jeep owners who’ve installed the bars on their vehicles rave about how easy it is to do, how well they perform, and how long they last. They are by far and large considered the bench mark alternative lighting option for this market, and for good reason. Recommended for best investment and performance.

Raxiom LED Light Bar

Price – $90, $170, $445

Size – 7.5", 13.5", 50"

Performance – Excellent

Lifespan – 30,000 hours

Warranty – Limited-lifetime warranty

While Raxiom’s roster of LED light bars may not be as robust, it makes up for it in quality and performance. Both the smaller options for the front of the car, as well as the bar that goes across the windshield, have received stellar reviews from Jeep owners. Ease of brightness and impressive brightness are perhaps the most oft-cited praises for this line of LED light bar, and many qualify their purchase of this particular lighting option as being a smart buy for the price. Recommended if you want to get a quality LED light bar for a bargain.

Delta LED Light Bar

Price – $700 to $2,000

Size – 26" to 56"

Performance – Satisfactory

Lifespan – 50,000 hours

Warranty – 5-year warranty

Perhaps not as well known are Delta’s series of LED light bars. The relative anonymity could be due to the fact that the company provides a long list of car parts for all sorts of makes and models, and so hasn’t really devoted its attention to making a name for itself in this niche market. The result of this can be seen in the reviews of its LED light bar products: the most oft-cited praise are price and make; the latter being a reference to the quality of the materials used. But a lot of Jeep owners had trouble with the installation process, and were critical of the company’s relatively short warranty. The company often runs sales, so you do stand to get a good bargain; although, the price isn’t too far off from the other two, which provide a better return on warranty and performance. Recommended for those who want a high quality, higher flowing replacement that they'll only have to buy once.

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