O.k so ive had lights on top of my rack for years now and they were never wired correctly. They ran all the way to the back to the tailgate, grounded somewheres back there and the power ran all the way back to the engine bay. I know, what a waste of wires ! But now they are all cracked and old and plus I re-painted my entire roof rack in rhino-lining so I planned to re-wire them. My buddy told me that 1st off, the ground shouldnt be longer than 3 feet, and that I should go down the a-pillar, which makes alot of sense, but I wanted a clean look so I was looking if there was anyway to run the wires down through the factory roof rack lines or maybe through the windshield rubber ? The other issue would be leaking if I had to drill or make a hole anywhere. Basically, can you guys show me your set-up, or tell me the best way to go about doing this ? Thanks

 

Im not so sure about running it under the windshield rubber because the risk of leaks, im sure it can be done though. I have seen holes drilled and sealed up with permatex or clear silicon. Im prob not the best to talk to but ill try to help anyway I can!

 

I saw this somewhere and there is a write up but I don't know where. This way there is not drilling.

Run the wires inside of the roof rack track to the rear of the vehicle. Have the wires enter the inside of your jeep through the rubber of the preexisting grommet for the third brake light. Run the interior wires under the interior panels.

 

Also Im using this wiring diagram for each set of lights that I have, but there is one different thing with my switches. They are OFF-NONE-ON, and only have 2 prongs coming out of the back of the switch and this diagram shows 3 prongs ? what do I substitute or change ?

 

This is what I was talking about...

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/r...wires-1042622/

 

I know some people drill under the endcap if the rails then used a grommets to help seal it and then covered it in a sealant/caulking.

 

I heard though, the longer you make your wires the more power is lost, hence the lights will not be as bright as they could be. I think Im going to run the lights right behind the front passenger side door and into the interior. Passenger side too cause the battery is on that side and that will make for optimal wire lenth usage. I got 10 gauge wire for both sets and 12 gauge ground wire. And with my switches only having a power and a ground prong, the power with attach directly to the relay at #86 and the #30 from the relay will go to a waterproof fuse and then to the battery. Im gonna buy a small pelican waterproof case to put the relays in as well !

 

I have a memory of reading about there being a little channel next to the windshield under the weatherstripping that people ran the power line down. I've often considered it but never actually looked to see what was there.

 

On the driver side and passenger door post on the four door models there is a body plug that you can run wires through. Also you can run lights without a relay write me back I will explain how...

 

I run two #10 power wires thru the door weatherstrip (from under dash into front midway up door, snip a small hole in the rubber, thru the hollow weatherstrip, another small hole and out above the door pillar, yes there is some exposure as they travel about 8" up to the roof rack. Overall length about 48" each. The five lights draw just over 20 amps total. Double grounds from the light bar to Stainless screws into the door pillars (about 10" of wire lenght), remember there is as much power thru the ground wire circuit as the delivery, don't skimp on ground wire or clean solid connections. How many power problems have I traced to bad grounds over the years??

 

 

My set up. I wouldn't drill through my roof, that's why I didn't. Wired everything in, ran the wires up the fender past the computer (under the hood) brought it out through the fender as you can see. Just had to remove one bolt on the fender closest to the windshield, pull on it, tuck the wires back, then refasten. Has worked great, no wire corrosion or anything, been on all through the winter here in Michigan. I tucked the wiring behind the windshields weather stripping. Easy.

 

Thanks for the options guys, I should be installing next week, just got a little busy at work but ill post pics when im done ! Thanks again !

 

Cherokeecountry: that's what I was talking about, thanks for providing the info

 

Subscr