Stop Crushing Your Wires! DIY Jeep LED Pod Install & Wiring Fix
Performing a Jeep LED Pod Install isn’t just about how bright the lights are—it’s about how you install them without ruining your Jeep’s electrical system. If you recently followed our Light Bar Install, you know that adding a 768W curved bar to your roof is a game-changer. But once that main bar is up, you usually find yourself needing “side-eye” illumination for the ditches and trail markers.
Today on Chris Does What, we’re adding auxiliary 18W Spot Pods to the team. More importantly, we’re fixing a major “rookie” mistake: crushed and kinked wires.
🛠️ The Gear List
- 18W LED Spot Pods (2pc): https://amzn.to/2Fm1v9V
- Xprite Front Windshield Mounts: https://amzn.to/2OwKIjz
- The Main Setup: 768W Quad Row Curved Light Bar
🔧 The “No-Short” Wiring Method
The biggest issue with Jeep A-pillar lights is running the wire through the door seal. If you just slam the door on the wire, you’re going to kink the lead, ruin the seal, and eventually cause a short circuit.
- Heat-Shrink Armor: We used crimp-on heat shrink connectors and added extra tubing over the existing positive leads. This adds a layer of protection against the sharp metal edges of the Jeep body.
- Routing Behind Trim: By pulling the interior trim pieces loose, you can tuck the wiring safely out of the way. This ensures that when the door closes, it hits the weather stripping, not your power wire.
- Strain Relief: We pulled the wire tight and secured it so there’s zero chance of the wire stretching or shifting during high-speed driving or heavy vibration on the trail.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Are off-road LED pods waterproof? Most quality pods are rated for off-road use and feature weather-resistant seals. However, adding your own heat-shrink tubing to the wire connections (as shown in the video) is the best way to ensure a lifetime of service without corrosion.
- Will these pods fit a Jeep Wrangler YJ or TJ? Absolutely. Using A-Pillar Windshield Mounts, you can mount these pods to almost any Wrangler model. They provide the perfect mounting point for auxiliary lighting without drilling new holes in your body panels.
- How much power do auxiliary LED pods draw? At 18W each, the draw is minimal. You can easily run these on a standard 12V circuit. For the best results, we recommend a dedicated wiring harness with a relay, especially if you are running them alongside a massive 768W Curved Light Bar.
- What is the difference between a Spot and Flood beam? Spot pods throw a concentrated beam of light far down the trail. Floods are better for wide, short-range work, but spots are essential for seeing what’s coming up on the side of the road at night.