Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Installing 52” 300W Auxbeam X-series on an FJ Cruiser

I chose these lights because, in addition to the typical LED flood beams, they tout a separately-switched set of DRLs or spot beams. I planned to mount the lights on my bumper. However, as I gathered parts and waited for everything to arrive, I ended up believing they’d be in the way and susceptible to damage being right in front of the hood.

This is the “DRL” mode. They are way too bright to be DRLs except maybe if they were mounted well below the bumper.
DRLs at night

These are the floods. The artifact toward the bottom of the photo is a more perceptible representation of the bar itself.
Floods at night

Again, the DRLs, or spot beams, but during the day.
DRLs during the day

For the cleanest look, I wanted to bring the wiring in through the roof but was worried about putting a prominent hole right there in the open. I opted to pass the wire into the roof rack and through a hole located under the driver’s side rack foot. This required also putting a hole through the rack’s foot.
Hole through foot Hole through roof

This method also required dropping the headliner and running the load wires through the A-pillar. A time consuming and delicate but simple process.
Removing headliner

A view of the driver’s side mount and the switches. I wired the DRLs such that they can only be on when the car is on so I won’t accidentally drain my battery. I suspect the floods are bright enough that I won’t make that mistake with them.
Lightbar on mounts Switches on with no flash

Parts

1x Auxbeam 70021817 X-series light bar, https://www.auxbeam.com/70021817.
part auxbeam

1x Auxbeam wiring harness with relays and fuses, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H1MTSGQ. This is the perfect harness for these lights as it has two relays, two fuses, and, if you intend to use them, two switches. The length of the load and switch runs was good with a disconnect on the switch side.
part relay harness

1x FJ Cruiser light bar mount, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B2KI7T2. Several people complained that these came with the “FJ” backward on one side. Mine were correct.
part lightbar mount

1x “LED Light Bar” switch for FJ Cruiser, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011KZE1B2.
part main switch

1x “Spot Lights” switch for FJ Cruiser, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EQV69NK.
part spot switch