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Metal Tail Lamp Housings

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Old 01-28-2012 | 06:35 PM
  #1  
lynskynbnd's Avatar
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Lightbulb Metal Tail Lamp Housings

I got tired of paying $50 each time I broke a tail lamp. The aftermarket offerings from JCR and Mafia Motor Works did not thrill me and cost too much. So...........................








I made some templates from cardboard










And used my Poor Man's Plazma Cutter to cut the 14ga sheet












Then there was a lot of fitting, welding, bending, grinding.......


















Then the right side......

















How I made the bends
















Fitting before final welding and holes for lamps
















After final welding and grinding, drilling/cutting for Lamps














Ready for paint















Compared to OEM lamps











My original plan was to combine the signal and brake lamps with a trailer adapter. However the OEM trailer harness caused a feed back that stopped the brake lamps from working. I removed the OEM harness and the lamps worked as I designed them. Problem, now I couldn't light my Off Road Trailer. Redesign is to change the backup lamps to signal lamps. I'll mount backup lamps to my Tire Carrier later.














So, finally, after many hours of work, here they are.
The upper lamps are Brake/Park lamps, the lower lamps are Signal lamps, and there are side markers.





















I invested $40 in lamps, grommets, and connectors,and $8 in paint.
The 14ga sheet was leftover from my Off Road Trailer.

If I break a lamp now it'll cost $3-$5 to replace.



Old 01-28-2012 | 06:46 PM
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ol'DixieJeep's Avatar
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From: Warrenton MO
Year: 2000
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im doing the same but making it a part of some side armor. good work and looks awesome!
Old 01-28-2012 | 06:49 PM
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1988cherokee's Avatar
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From: Lancaster PA
Year: 1988
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They look great and thats some good fabrication
Old 01-28-2012 | 07:13 PM
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1998-RED-XJ's Avatar
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From: Southeast Michigan
Year: 1998
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Those are awesome! Fantastic fabrication skills!
Old 01-28-2012 | 07:36 PM
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What thickness metal did you use?



Also why didnt you do LED's.. would have made what you did pimp.


Still good fab work.
Old 01-28-2012 | 07:44 PM
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lynskynbnd's Avatar
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Originally Posted by PingPong
What thickness metal did you use?



Also why didnt you do LED's.. would have made what you did pimp.


Still good fab work.
14ga. I stated that twice in the post..

I ain't no pimp or tunner!! no LED's for me

Old 01-28-2012 | 08:19 PM
  #7  
ol'DixieJeep's Avatar
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From: Warrenton MO
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L I6
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as far as flat bed/trailer/semitruck lights go, ive found that the led's arent as bright. and dont have that smooth all over light look like the regular ones have.
Old 01-28-2012 | 08:27 PM
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CPLSeraphim's Avatar
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From: Pennsylvania
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Very nice Fab. Why do you Cherokee Forum Fab guys keep making me put more on my to do list!!! Lol. Looks great and functional.
Old 01-28-2012 | 08:29 PM
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b. lee's Avatar
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From: near Chattanooga, TN
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
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H ha, why read the actual words when the book has so many nice pictures!

Nice work, those look good!

Similar LEDs are $10-25 a piece. Turns a $40 project into a $100+ one.
Old 01-28-2012 | 09:49 PM
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N20jeep's Avatar
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From: Jacksonville, FL
Year: 92
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those look badass.

great work. ive got 2 busted tails from wheeling, so this is definitely making its way up on my to-do list
Old 01-28-2012 | 10:12 PM
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Would you consider making and selling a set privately? If so pm me I'm super interested.
Old 01-29-2012 | 06:50 AM
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XJUSMC's Avatar
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From: Wekiva, FL
Year: 99 sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 i6
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Originally Posted by unvmyxj
Would you consider making and selling a set privately? If so pm me I'm super interested.
x2 I want some bad those look amazing. Thank you for allowing me to see them. You sir are a stud.
Old 01-29-2012 | 07:45 AM
  #13  
papaj's Avatar
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From: Westfield MA
Year: 1992
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Engine: 4.0L
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Nice fab skills they look good much better then buying new ones everytime u crack em up
Old 01-29-2012 | 07:48 AM
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MallCrawlXJ's Avatar
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From: Littleton, CO
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2001 4.0L
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Im impressed!....I dig the tail lights!
Old 01-29-2012 | 11:15 AM
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From: Boise, Idaho
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
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Man those are super clean and look really good.


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