Just installed KC Cyclone Rock lights / Courtesy lights.

[Edub]

Rock lights

• KC Cyclone x6

*Important note, I was not aware that KC sold a kit for rock lights, just individual Cyclone lights. so, imagine my disappointment when I found out AFTER.

Nevertheless, I like the way I set it up and I don't intent to change anything. building your own wiring harness is more satisfying I and it's a custom fit. Each loom is protected in a nylon sleeve and paired with Deutsch connector.

I started by creating my own wiring harness with 16-gauge wire that split 3 ways. One branch to the front bumper, one that runs to the passenger side and one to the right driver side. Both wiring harnesses reach just to the front door, and I ended those with a female Deutsch 2 Pin Connector. Once that part of the harness was set, I went off and built the brackets I would need. My goal here was I did not want the actual LED's visible (nothing more annoying than getting blinded by direct light) and I didn't feel they would be verry solid tucked inside the plastic fender lining.

I then created two smaller harnesses that connected the two lights on either side to the appropriate harness. The entire thing can be removed in minutes if I ever need to make changes.

I mounted two just behind the front bumper, tucked in just a bit for the bumper to provide some protection.

The other 4 were mounted under the side steps.

(The side steps provide adequate protection as the cyclone lights are much thinner than the tubing)

Next, I wanted these lights to double as courtesy lights. I found multiple ways of doing this online but what worked for me was using a Roadmaster Diode. The first input went to the aux switch, the second to the courtesy light located in the driver footwell. There's even a conveniently placed port you can use right next to the master cylinder/up and to the left of the brake pedal. It was as simple as that.

(This is a temporary mounting location while I test to see if it all works)

I tried this with and without using a relay. it worked fine both ways but without a relay, the lights fade off like the interior dome light so that's nice and the cyclones draw verry little amps (I think 0.5) but this needs to be verified.

Now I can activate them by either pressing my aux switch or by unlocking my doors as I walk up to the truck.

I have a night crawl event I'm going to this weekend and Ill test the position of the lights for functionality then. As well as take some photos.

I am by no means an electrical engineer and can't begin to say with confidence if I am doing this right however the end result is what I wanted. If you spotted a mistake, please let me know. My main concern is if tapping into the footwell for the power to run all six is too much? so far, no problem but time will tell.

Next up, Wire management. I want to turn that Spod mounting bracket into a mounting point for a power distribution enter and clean up all my leads.

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[TrlRnr]

That’s awesome! Well done! The KC rock lights are on my mod list, as well. I would love to see some pics when they’re all lit up!

 

[blau iii]

I have this exact same setup on mine as well! I went with 8 amber cyclones in the roughly the same spots you did and even used that same gizmo to stop the power backflow. Much like you, I ordered them individually and bought a simple bus bar on amazon. I knew KC had the kit but it was taking forever for them to release.

I have two more cyclone that I'm going to put under the hood with a switch. I was also thinking about putting two red ones on the soundbar with their flush mounts. Lastly, I bought blackout panels to replace the reflector in the rear bumper, I was thinking about adding a white cyclone to each to add some reward light when reversing but am not sure if that's the best path vs. some proper flush mount lights.

 

[Edub]

I have this exact same setup on mine as well! I went with 8 amber cyclones in the roughly the same spots you did and even used that same gizmo to stop the power backflow. Much like you, I ordered them individually and bought a simple bus bar on amazon. I knew KC had the kit but it was taking forever for them to release.

I have two more cyclone that I'm going to put under the hood with a switch. I was also thinking about putting two red ones on the soundbar with their flush mounts. Lastly, I bought blackout panels to replace the reflector in the rear bumper, I was thinking about adding a white cyclone to each to add some reward light when reversing but am not sure if that's the best path vs. some proper flush mount lights.

That looks sharp. Unfortunately, the amber covers are a little hard to come by at the moment, but they are definitely on my list. So you didn't use a relay either? its nagging away at me in the back of my head that we probably should.

I definitely want to get the under-hood kit, and Ill probably end up putting an additional pair in the rear before too long.

thanks for the reply.

 

[blau iii]

That looks sharp. Unfortunately, the amber covers are a little hard to come by at the moment, but they are definitely on my list. So you didn't use a relay either? its nagging away at me in the back of my head that we probably should.

I definitely want to get the under-hood kit, and Ill probably end up putting an additional pair in the rear before too long.

thanks for the reply.

I did not use a relay. I am getting power from the OEM aux switch to my rock light bus bar. I'm debating on hooking my underhood cyclones into the bus bar and just using my aux switch to control them or if I should put a switch/fuse underhood and run their own power. I'm worried my dumbass might leave them on by accident and there'd be no way of knowing. With the aux switch, I'd at least have the light on the dash but then I worry the white from the underhood lights would bleed into where I have the amber rock lights.... oh the decisions..

To make things even more complicated... I have a pair of KC Flex Era 3's being delivered tomorrow. They're going on the A-Pillar. My plan is to wire the backlight wire straight to the aux switch where I have the power going to my bus bar for the rock lights so the backlights come on when the rock lights are switched on. But that way, the backlights won't come on when I unlock/lock the car, just the rock lights will then. Or at least that';s how it should work in theory if my understanding of 12v wiring is correct.

But no, no relay's needed. I've opened the doors with the rocks lights already turned on and nothing ill happened.

I need to figure out the wiring for these FE3 lights. I'm going to wire power to the main light to one aux switch and the backlight to the rocklight switch. KC isn't as blatant about powering both at the same time as Baja Designs is but I'm still worried about accidentally having both switched on. I think I'll have to figure out a relay solution for that one.

Aren't 12v systems fun!

 

[Edub]

I did not use a relay. I am getting power from the OEM aux switch to my rock light bus bar. I'm debating on hooking my underhood cyclones into the bus bar and just using my aux switch to control them or if I should put a switch/fuse underhood and run their own power. I'm worried my dumbass might leave them on by accident and there'd be no way of knowing. With the aux switch, I'd at least have the light on the dash but then I worry the white from the underhood lights would bleed into where I have the amber rock lights.... oh the decisions..

To make things even more complicated... I have a pair of KC Flex Era 3's being delivered tomorrow. They're going on the A-Pillar. My plan is to wire the backlight wire straight to the aux switch where I have the power going to my bus bar for the rock lights so the backlights come on when the rock lights are switched on. But that way, the backlights won't come on when I unlock/lock the car, just the rock lights will then. Or at least that';s how it should work in theory if my understanding of 12v wiring is correct.

But no, no relay's needed. I've opened the doors with the rocks lights already turned on and nothing ill happened.

I need to figure out the wiring for these FE3 lights. I'm going to wire power to the main light to one aux switch and the backlight to the rocklight switch. KC isn't as blatant about powering both at the same time as Baja Designs is but I'm still worried about accidentally having both switched on. I think I'll have to figure out a relay solution for that one.

Aren't 12v systems fun!

Yeah I've actually started loving wiring. My concern is more about the amount of amps being pulled on the tiny courtesy wire.

your Flex3's are pulling 3.4 amps (x2) = 6.8 and the cyclones pull .5 (x8) = 4 amps for a total of 10.8 which should be fine for one of the smaller aux switches.

Edit: I just realized you meant the back light. Yeah that should be no problem at all.

I did something similar with the Hella LED floods. I tapped the back light into my DRL. they are always on and I like the accents.

 

[blau iii]

Yeah I've actually started loving wiring. My concern is more about the amount of amps being pulled on the tiny courtesy wire.

your Flex3's are pulling 3.4 amps (x2) = 6.8 and the cyclones pull .5 (x8) = 4 amps for a total of 10.8 which should be fine for one of the smaller aux switches.

Edit: I just realized you meant the back light. Yeah that should be no problem at all.

I did something similar with the Hella LED floods. I tapped the back light into my DRL. they are always on and I like the accents.

The way I'm going to have it setup, the courtesy lights will only power the 8 cyclones. Since I'll have the amber FE3 backlight wired to the aux switch that is also powering my cyclones, that will minimize the draw from the courtesy wire. I had the exact same concern. I couldn't find out the power draw of the backlights. The amps you listed above is for the actual spot lights.

I'm digging that bumper you've got there. I went with the RR HD Stubby.

 

[mx5red]

I was planning on hooking up some rock lights at some point and wondered if I could be lazy and just hook them to the courtesy light. Also saw somebody wire it to the bed light and I think that accomplished the same thing turning on with key, and being switched from inside (though with a timer).
I'm glad they are able to run just hooked up without more complicated wiring/relay.

 

[Edub]

I was planning on hooking up some rock lights at some point and wondered if I could be lazy and just hook them to the courtesy light. Also saw somebody wire it to the bed light and I think that accomplished the same thing turning on with key, and being switched from inside (though with a timer).
I'm glad they are able to run just hooked up without more complicated wiring/relay.

that's what we were discussing, apparently you don't need a relay at all. bed lights would work too. that would have the added bonus of not having the dome light on every time you want the rock lights.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

Yeah I've actually started loving wiring. My concern is more about the amount of amps being pulled on the tiny courtesy wire.

your Flex3's are pulling 3.4 amps (x2) = 6.8 and the cyclones pull .5 (x8) = 4 amps for a total of 10.8 which should be fine for one of the smaller aux switches.

Edit: I just realized you meant the back light. Yeah that should be no problem at all.

I did something similar with the Hella LED floods. I tapped the back light into my DRL. they are always on and I like the accents.

would this kit be easy(ER) to install? https://www.quadratec.com/p/stinger-offroad/led-underglow-wrangler-jl-jk-jt

also did you order the bracket to convert your venator to stubby and how did you mount thr lights on the fair lead? What brand are they and would you buy again?
thanks!

 

[bakobobby]

Awesome seeing some pics of these in action. You did a A plus job with your install! It looks like it'll hold up really well to the elements. I got the x6 kit on order for a few weeks. Supposed to be here next week. I have the ARB Linx controller setup in my rig and I plan to program it to turn on the rock lights when I'm in reverse. Wish it had a tie in for the courtesy too I'd love to do what you have done and have the rock lights come on when getting in/out.

 

[Edub]

would this kit be easy(ER) to install? https://www.quadratec.com/p/stinger-offroad/led-underglow-wrangler-jl-jk-jt

also did you order the bracket to convert your venator to stubby and how did you mount thr lights on the fair lead? What brand are they and would you buy again?
thanks!

easier? probably about the same amount of work. Cheaper? - lots, but probably wont put out as much light.


RR actually sells it as a kit

Rugged Ridge Venator Front Bumper for 18-22 Jeep Wrangler JL & Gladiator JT Stubby without Grille Guard for 18-22 Jeep Wrangler JL & Gladiator JT | Quadratec

I ordered it with the hoop but ended up taking it off. I'm not a fan of how it looked and it served absolutely no purpose as it has no mounting points and is an incredibly difficult PITA to remove if you ever need to do so as the mounting bolts are tucked inside the hoop and there is no room for a wrench.
The only caveat is I mounted the Baja Design Squadron R fog lights in amber to replace the stock and had a hell of a time mounting them. Finally had to fabricate something to make it work.

The fairlead mount is just a run of the mill generic mount. looks like I got this one on Amazon for under $40
Amazon.com: Rugged Ridge 11238.04 Hawse Fairlead Light Mount Bracket : Automotive and that's probably over paying considering what it is. If I'm honest, I feel they may be slightly tilted in apposing directions. you wouldn't see it unless I said it but once I saw it, I could never unsee it. One day Ill slip in in the vice and straighten it out.

the lights themselves are the ever so easy to acquire, Hella LED ValueFit. I'm really happy with them and they are surprisingly affordable. No they don't throw out the most light, but they light my way.

Amazon.com: HELLA 358117171 ValueFit 500 LED Driving Lamp Kit, 2 Pack , Black : Automotive


hope this helps.

 

[Edub]

Awesome seeing some pics of these in action. You did a A plus job with your install! It looks like it'll hold up really well to the elements. I got the x6 kit on order for a few weeks. Supposed to be here next week. I have the ARB Linx controller setup in my rig and I plan to program it to turn on the rock lights when I'm in reverse. Wish it had a tie in for the courtesy too I'd love to do what you have done and have the rock lights come on when getting in/out.

you could easily do like blau iii and I were talking about up above using a diode. You can have it set up the way you mentioned AND also have it tap into the courtesy light (I like to have my cake and eat it too).

I appreciate the compliment. Its a labor of love (and it gets me out of the house when the wife wants to clean). She loves to clean so I've gotten pretty good.

its pricey but I would get some nylon sleeves and wrap those wires when you get it. seal off the ends with some heat shrink tubes and the kit should hold off the elements just as good.

 

[Edub]

| Quadratec

would this kit be easy(ER) to install? https://www.quadratec.com/p/stinger-offroad/led-underglow-wrangler-jl-jk-jt

also did you order the bracket to convert your venator to stubby and how did you mount thr lights on the fair lead? What brand are they and would you buy again?
thanks!

sorry, Just saw you already have the bumper with the different end caps. here's a link to the ones I have.
Rugged Ridge 11549.64 Venator Front Bumper Stubby Ends for 18-22 Jeep Wrangler JL & Gladiator JT

 

[Eventyr_JT]

Great write up! I’ve been thinking of doing this with the bed lights as they are pretty much useless with my current overland setup. The additional functionality of having a dash button seemed like a good idea.
I have switches in the bed and want rock lights that come on for camping lights. I’d probably split the bed area to come on with a switch at the tailgate and the cab lights to come on with the curtesy lights, then have an auxiliary switch in the cab to turn them all on for night rides.

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