Front External Lights Help ( Hella's?)

Hachi · **Joined:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:43 pm **Posts:** 2

Hey everyone,

First post actually. I am a complete noob when it comes to my Jeep Liberty. I drive a 02 Limited Edition, and I want to put two (external) lights by the grille. I have no idea where to begin, I have been scouring the forums for information and there are so many options/possiblites.

So -- Where do I start? Hella 500's is from what I hear is the best. Also is it complicated to do the wiring? Thanks!

Xodius · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 7:31 pm

I have some KC lights on the front of my 2002 but they are narrow beam. I would recommend Fog light pattern and Hellas are good. As for mounting them...you can either drill a hole in the bumper cover put the light in and bolt it down or you can build a small light rack type bar. You can also put them on a custom bracket sticking out of the grill. Several options you can do.

As for wiring, it is pretty easy to do and I am no where near a master wirer, lol. The place where I get hung up is on relays and adding multiple things. For that Boiler is a good person to ask or...cant remember the other members name...he has or designed a smaller fuse panel for the KJ or is going to this year.

All in all it is pretty easy to do, even for a novice. :JEEPIN:

RED_KJ_666 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 10:00 pm

The 500's come with a pre made Harness and all the necessary info for a DIY install. I'm not a great wiring guy either but within 30 minutes I had Lights lol

Hachi · **Joined:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:43 pm **Posts:** 2

RED_KJ_666 wrote:

The 500's come with a pre made Harness and all the necessary info for a DIY install. I'm not a great wiring guy either but within 30 minutes I had Lights lol

Awesome! Where do you suggest I purchase the lights??

Thanks in advance

Zack A · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 7:15 pm

Hella's can be found at most Walmarts

scoobysnax789 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:53 pm

I've got the Hella 500FF driving lights mounted on my bumper and I'm happy with them for the money I spent. Keep in mind a few things...

I do get flashed quite often from other people, when driving behinds friends they say I'm a A-hole for using them. So I pretty much only use them on back roads/highways with no lights and little traffic. I try to shut them off when there is oncoming traffic. When driving in moderate to heavy snow they suck - there is way too much light directed above the hood that reflects off the snow and back at you making it very hard to see - worse than driving with the bights on. I'm not sure if the Hella 500 Fog lights would make a big difference. I know that the fog light pattern is wider, but I'm not sure if it's also limited to only straight out and down and doesn't allow any light to get cast above the lens itself.

The difference between the Hella 500 and the 500FF is the reflection design -vs- the lense design. Go to the website to find out more about it. Personally, I think the FF also looks a bit better on the Jeep.

Find yourself an aftermarket switch for the lights. Just about every set of lights you will buy come with a large bulky switch. I found a flush mount green switch that glows when it's on. I put the switch on the left side of the steering wheel on the little bar of fake leather between the pieces of plastic dashboard. When I'm driving I can't see the switch which is what I wanted.

With all that said I have a friend who has a set of PIAA 520's and they are really good - much better than the Hellas.

RED_KJ_666 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 10:25 pm

Hella 500's are honestly an entry level off-road light. Cheap to buy Cheap to replace when You bust one off. There is no comparison to PIAA's or any other Hella Product other than the 700/700FF models which are also an entry level light. I run a set of Hella Rallye3000 Compacts. 2 of those where better than the 5-500's I used too have on my roof. I do not suggest the FF Model They offer Poor light dispersion Mostly due to the extremely shallow light pot. I sell Light Truck parts for a living so trust me on this. 500FF's are great only on the Highway and absolutely no where else.

Quiksilver · **Posted:** Mon Apr 11, 2011 4:03 pm

Hey

I'm tried to install some Hella 500's onto the front bumper.

How did you guys mount them straight to the bumber. I removed mine and there is basically only plastic.

Will this hold? surely it will rip out or at best bounce around like crazy.

I figured i can support it with some metal plates underneath but thought i'd ask the wise old sages before i started drilling

infernicus · **Posted:** Mon Apr 11, 2011 4:48 pm

Quiksilver wrote:

Hey
How did you guys mount them straight to the bumber. I removed mine and there is basically only plastic.

This is how I mounted them to the bumper.

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=53045

Front External Lights Help ( Hella's?)

Who is online