Why do people put square lights on JTs (or any wrangler minus the YJ)?

[AustinL911]

I painted them myself to match my Black/Bronze color scheme.

Thanks!

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[texanjeeper]

I guess I never thought about it. I don't have any lights attached yet, but I wouldn't be opposed to an LED bar or square lights, if that's what struck my fancy. I'm a big fan of LED, and its funny to me to even compare old school lights to LED's, if you're wanting brightness.....there is no comparison. Like the OP said, you do you.

 

[Sportsbiz]

My ditch lights (on A pillars) are KC G34’s, which are square. These were recommended to me by a buddy who at the time was the Director of Marketing at KC. I’ve recently added a light bar, Diode Dynamics Stage series, which is rectangular and integrates nicely with my Rhino Rack Pioneer platform and therefore doesn’t add additional frontal surface area. The KC Pro 6 light bar would limit the already small field of vision we have, and adversely affect MPG with the air turbulence it creates (let alone wind noise). I’ll admit they look cool and work well particularly for desert running (had them on a Taco I built), but its function over form for me.

 

[JamVox]

I’ll preface this by saying, your Jeep, you do you, but I just don’t get it. Is it price? Availability? Are there more small square lights added than round? Totally a personal preference and I’m not hating. I just have never thought it looks right. They have round headlights and fog lights and there isn’t one square line on them minus their brick like shape.

Just curious, don’t take it too seriously if you have added square lights. It’s just a thought that’s always on my mind when I see Gladiators that I like with square lights added.

Why do people put round lights on their JT? After all it's shaped like a box on wheels.

 

[DocMike]

Running all KC round. The new ones are LED. All I can tell you is 14.67A draw on a light bar that throws light 1,600m is impressive. I went with throwback covers. Feel like I got the best of both worlds.

I like old school and round as well. Can’t stand all the new LED lighting. Yes, they are more efficient and bright etc, but nothing beats an old school KC daylighter that makes your alternator sing when you flip the switch. You’ll never catch me with a cube light or light bar.

 

[Fcmalie]

Running all KC round. The new ones are LED. All I can tell you is 14.67A draw on a light bar that throws light 1,600m is impressive. I went with throwback covers. Feel like I got the best of both worlds.

Those KC light bars do look nice, might have to try catching a sale on one to fit on my bed rack. I think pricing is closer between those and DD than DD and BD.

 

[Cruizer8]

I agree that round lights look better on the Wrangler/Gladiator. However, I ended up going with rectangle Hellas, as they could be squeezed between the light bar and bumper. This provides less obstruction to the radiator. One white driving light in the middle, two amber fogs on the sides.

I am not typically a fan of the aesthetics of light bars on the JT, but I really like how yours looks. Having three smaller rectangles instead of one longer light bar fit it much better. Kinda matches up with the running lights.

 

[DocMike]

I snagged mine on a Christmas sale. It dropped to a sane number and then went back up to the usual inflation based price.

Those KC light bars do look nice, might have to try catching a sale on one to fit on my bed rack. I think pricing is closer between those and DD than DD and BD.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Running all KC round. The new ones are LED. All I can tell you is 14.67A draw on a light bar that throws light 1,600m is impressive. I went with throwback covers. Feel like I got the best of both worlds.

You get the old school look with modern function. I’m a fan.

My KC’s that haven’t shipped yet will be a hybrid. Four round lenses in a somewhat square housing. I’m not even sure how I’ll like them until they get here. Overall, I agree that round looks great. I’ll post pictures for everyone to use as the example of what not to do. They’re KC, so they’ll likely perform without compromise though.

can’t wait to do some night wheeling with you and that light bar leading

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I guess I never thought about it. I don't have any lights attached yet, but I wouldn't be opposed to an LED bar or square lights, if that's what struck my fancy. I'm a big fan of LED, and its funny to me to even compare old school lights to LED's, if you're wanting brightness.....there is no comparison. Like the OP said, you do you.

Fun thing about LED...........they actually aren't brighter in total lumens. In fact, I have a fraction of the total light output in my shop since changing out all of my auto shop lighting to LED (have yet to convert the dozen long tube fluorescent lights in the wood shop upstairs) and yet it's brighter.
When trying to decide about lighting - I learned from lighting suppliers, Daniel Stern, and other scientific sites that it's not the total lumens or luminosity, it's the light the human eye can use. So much of the light produced by other lights isn't used as well by the eye and yet it's read by the devices measuring light output. A 6,000 lumen non-LED light can often be replaced by a 4 or 5,000 lumen LED and appear brighter (also depending on the light temperature) and allows you to see better. They have even had to redesign the light meters to compensate in recent years to give a more fair comparison. I cut my shop's lighting bill in less than half, have a fraction of the total lumens out there but it's so much "brighter" it's crazy.

Personally, I think both round and "square" LEDs have their place, depending on placement/location, and other factors.

On this Jeep, for example, these KC lights worked well (pic below) - the headlights were not round so it was sort of a match. On the JT, I think either can look good depending on the lights, the location and other factors.
But - don't put on lights to impress someone else, put them on to achieve your own goals.
Ya should never build something to make someone else happy (unless it's your wife, that is) as you may find it hasn't made you happy when those others you tried to impress are all gone.

 

[MaysvilleStig]

I think it really just comes down to the fact that some people choose function over appearance. It's not like the Wrangler was really designed with style in mind, it's clearly more focused on performing a specific function. I bought my lights to provide more light, I put more consideration into the shape of the beam, didn't really care about the housing.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I think it really just comes down to the fact that some people choose function over appearance. It's not like the Wrangler was really designed with style in mind, it's clearly more focused on performing a specific function. I bought my lights to provide more light, I put more consideration into the shape of the beam, didn't really care about the housing.

Ditto.

 

[NC_Overland]

But - don't put on lights to impress someone else, put them on to achieve your own goals.
Ya should never build something to make someone else happy (unless it's your wife, that is) as you may find it hasn't made you happy when those others you tried to impress are all gone.

Totally agreed.

Still rocking the ‘stache? It’s pretty solid.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Totally agreed.

Still rocking the ‘stache? It’s pretty solid.

I’d pay good money for the jacket.

 

[NC_Overland]

I’d pay good money for the jacket.

I don’t think it would fit me, but agreed.

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