I only have one set of extra lights on my XJ at the moment. But it got me to thinking, at what point do you start considering a larger alternator when adding lights to your Jeep?

Not that I am planning on putting a ton on mine but it's just something I was wondering about.

By the way, I have had my lights on my Jeep for all of 3 days or so now and they have already paid off for me. I was able to spot a deer next to the road who looked like it wanted to jump out there much further down the road than I would have been able to have done with just the headlights alone. So I'm pretty happy with them so far.

 

Have you upgraded your ground and power wires yet?

Something to consider before jumping into a higher output alt.

 

Not yet. And I don't know that I will on this particular XJ. It's just a 2 wheel drive and the plan is to upgrade to a 4 wheel drive in the near future. I'm just learning do do some things with this one. Trying to build some skills up before I get a 4x4 and really start modding.

Is there a thread here on the site that deals with upgrading the wiring?

 

Well I think the factory alternator is 90Amps, Each aftermarket light you add, assuming its 55W will use about 4.6amps. The only thing is, you have to evaluate how many amps your jeep uses normaly to see what you have left to play with, best way to test it is with a multimeter with the a/c on full bast, wipers full speed, crank the radio and turn the highbeams on. Or you might find some specs online, look for "load test". Also taking your jeep to Advance auto parts or Autozone would work too, they have a tester that will print out a load test. Make sure to kick all the stuff on, before they test it. Hope it helps

 

Great. thanks for the tip about Autozone or Advance auto parts. I may take it up there one day soon. I'd like to know how many amps I have left over.

Thanks again.

 

It might cost you more to convert to 4 WD than to just find an old Cherokee with a decent working drivetrain. I got my '88 for $800....cigarette lighter, interior light and radio don't work though.

 

That's actually what the plan. I just didn't say it clearly.

I've been looking at Cherokee's that are for sale for a few weeks now.