[Yak’n-Wag’n (2001_XJ_2WD)]

I have the switch panel with the OEM switch and the plan is to just swap that panel in and use that switch for the stock look.

 

[4.3L XJ]

Is the switch hole rectangular?

 

[Yak’n-Wag’n (2001_XJ_2WD)]

This guy is the one going in. I haven’t taken the switch apart to see if the bulb has melted it and destroyed it yet, but if I need to, I can replace the switch with an OEM replacement switch and swap out the hot little incandescent bulb with an LED to keep it from getting to hot in the future.

 

[Yak’n-Wag’n (2001_XJ_2WD)]

This will be replacing the cigarette lighter for utility. Thought this was the best looking one on Amazon that might look like it actually belongs in the switch panel. We shall see...

 

[4.3L XJ]

Here is what I did. Sorry for the blurry pic. Best I have

 

[Yak’n-Wag’n (2001_XJ_2WD)]

Cool rocker switches!

 

[Ralph77]

Thanks for finding that video.
One of the things that I started parts hoarding is wiring harnesses.
When the come up for sale on Ebay I try to look at the pictures to familiarize myself with the connectors.
They never really show clear shots of the connectors though.
That video let me see a lot of the connectors that I have always been curious about.
Wish he touched on the main body wiring harness that runs in the Jeep.
The one that starts on the driver's side and runs towards the back.
Cause the one for a Jeep that has the Infinity Sound System is different then a regular one.
And I always wondered what might be different.
I also think the wiring harness in the dash might be different for a Jeep that has the Infinity System too but not sure.

But back to the topic at hand. LOL.
Hey you could still wire the Jeep to look factory for the fog lights.
IMO though the work involved, which I think would be immense, is just not worth it.
But while that is not plug and play he did touch on a bunch of things that are.
Like cruise control, overhead console, and heated/power seats.
At least in my '00 they were.

 

[Ralph77]

View attachment 229199
This guy is the one going in. I haven’t taken the switch apart to see if the bulb has melted it and destroyed it yet, but if I need to, I can replace the switch with an OEM replacement switch and swap out the hot little incandescent bulb with an LED to keep it from getting to hot in the future.

Those 2 torx that are on the fog light in the one picture.
The ones that attach the fog light to the Jeep.
I used regular bolts there with washers and lock washers too.
M8x1.25x16.
So I say get rid of them.
Not really fond of torx.

 

[Yak’n-Wag’n (2001_XJ_2WD)]

Thanks for finding that video.
One of the things that I started parts hoarding is wiring harnesses.
When the come up for sale on Ebay I try to look at the pictures to familiarize myself with the connectors.
They never really show clear shots of the connectors though.
That video let me see a lot of the connectors that I have always been curious about.
Wish he touched on the main body wiring harness that runs in the Jeep.
The one that starts on the driver's side and runs towards the back.
Cause the one for a Jeep that has the Infinity Sound System is different then a regular one.
And I always wondered what might be different.
I also think the wiring harness in the dash might be different for a Jeep that has the Infinity System too but not sure.

But back to the topic at hand. LOL.
Hey you could still wire the Jeep to look factory for the fog lights.
IMO though the work involved, which I think would be immense, is just not worth it.
But while that is not plug and play he did touch on a bunch of things that are.
Like cruise control, overhead console, and heated/power seats.
At least in my '00 they were.

Yeah, I thought Dan H answered a handful of questions I had too. The one thing! The absolute one thing that I needed can not be added to a Jeep without replacing a freakin body harness.
FOLKS LISTEN GOOD!!! IF YOU COME ACROSS A LIMITED JEEP CHEROKEE IN A JUNK YARD THAT STILL HAS THE HARNESS RUNNING THROUGH THE ENGINE BAY AND BODY, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY, TRY TO SAVE AS MUCH OF IT AS YOU CAN! Even a sport or a classic that has factory fogs, save that too! Just a quick peak inside the PDC will tell you all you need to know. Someone will want those harnesses in the future! If you are doing a complete restoration of a Jeep, like stripped down to the unibody, acid dipped and repainted etc..., a limited harness along with the infinity wiring is what you want to put back, if you can afford it. If you have a limited from 97-01 or even a factory fog sport, consider yourself a really lucky Jeep owner and never let it go lol
Yeah, Ralph, it looks like I’m going the old fashioned way and wiring up my fogs the way everyone else does it. Just going to have to do my best to hide the wires and make sure my switch gets gets powered by a signal wire so the fogs turn off when I turn the switch off. I’d like to wire them to where they go off when I turn the bright lights on, but I will have to ponder on that for a bit. Perhaps that is the reason Fog light harnesses have two relays... so they can be turned off when the brights are activated? Just a complete guess there...
Going back to the Torx bolts... I have a nice torx bit set so I will just have to see how it goes when I go to install the fogs.

 

[Ralph77]

Yeah, Ralph, it looks like I’m going the old fashioned way and wiring up my fogs the way everyone else does it. Just going to have to do my best to hide the wires and make sure my switch gets gets powered by a signal wire so the fogs turn off when I turn the switch off. I’d like to wire them to where they go off when I turn the bright lights on, but I will have to ponder on that for a bit. Perhaps that is the reason Fog light harnesses have two relays... so they can be turned off when the brights are activated? Just a complete guess there...
Going back to the Torx bolts... I have a nice torx bit set so I will just have to see how it goes when I go to install the fogs.

I also kinda thought that Jeep using 2 relays might have something to do with the fog lights going off when you turn on your high beams.
But never could confirm that. But I did not want them to do that anyway so.....
Plus factory fogs don't really throw that much light IMO.
The only reason I added them is cause I like the look.
So never really understood why the high beams would shut them down.

Little confused.
Do you mean you don't want to be able to turn on your fog lights without the Jeep running?
Even if you leave the switch on they would go off when you turn off the Jeep?
Cause that is more then doable.
I used a fuse tap in an open slot in the Junction Box, fuse box under the dash on the passenger side, that has power all the time.
Cause I wanted to be able to turn mine on without the key being in the on position or running.
If I leave them on and kill my battery that is on me. If I do something stupid like that then I get what I deserve. LOL.
But there is also a open slot in there that will only have power when the key is in the on position.
I wired my Ext Idle switch to that to power the switch so......

As far as the torx go I just don't like them.
They are used around the Jeep but in some places you have no choice but to keep them.
Others can be replaced by regular bolts.
They are easy enough to strip when in good shape let alone when rusty.
And most of us have to deal with rusty 20 year old hardware so.....
So again I say get rid of them now. LOL.

 

[Yak’n-Wag’n (2001_XJ_2WD)]

I also kinda thought that Jeep using 2 relays might have something to do with the fog lights going off when you turn on your high beams.
But never could confirm that. But I did not want them to do that anyway so.....
Plus factory fogs don't really throw that much light IMO.
The only reason I added them is cause I like the look.
So never really understood why the high beams would shut them down.

Little confused.
Do you mean you don't want to be able to turn on your fog lights without the Jeep running?
Even if you leave the switch on they would go off when you turn off the Jeep?
Cause that is more then doable.
I used a fuse tap in an open slot in the Junction Box, fuse box under the dash on the passenger side, that has power all the time.
Cause I wanted to be able to turn mine on without the key being in the on position or running.
If I leave them on and kill my battery that is on me. If I do something stupid like that then I get what I deserve. LOL.
But there is also a open slot in there that will only have power when the key is in the on position.
I wired my Ext Idle switch to that to power the switch so......

As far as the torx go I just don't like them.
They are used around the Jeep but in some places you have no choice but to keep them.
Others can be replaced by regular bolts.
They are easy enough to strip when in good shape let alone when rusty.
And most of us have to deal with rusty 20 year old hardware so.....
So again I say get rid of them now. LOL.

Yes, I do intend to make sure they go off when I turn the key off so that way I can turn the fog light switch on and never have to touch it. You know, that way they are sort of like constant running lights. I also plan to replace all of the switch bulbs in the switch panel from incandescent bulbs to white LEDs that way they can't get hot enough to melt the switches.
The original fogs I ordered came from North Carolina, but of course I can't be sure where in the country they spent most of their life. Again, we will just have to see how it goes when the install happens.
I know lots of folks are having to deal with rust as public enemy number one, but down here in Georgia, I cant really say the same. I have ran into some small places of surface rust, but generally the rustiest part of my jeep is the rotors when it doesn't get driven for a while. We are very fortunate for rotors being the only rusty parts down here in the south. Put it to you this way, I didn't know what POR15 was until after I was a jeep owner and other folks were talking about it online when I would look up things about the Cherokee.

 

[Cantexian]

I have an "00 Cherokee Classic. My factory fogs burnt out recently and I swapped them out for aftermarket LEDs. I completely respect your desire for OEM lighting. But, don't expect great lighting out of those factory fog lights. They are fine for looks but for actual lighting, they suck. Since it sounds like you will need to redo wiring, consider using better than factory wiring and using a stronger bulb in the stock fog light assembly. I considered this before going to LED. My stock fog light fixtures were both cracked in the glass and it was cheaper to go to LEDs anyway.

 

[Yak’n-Wag’n (2001_XJ_2WD)]

Thanks Cantexian for the input
It’s looking like I’m having to reevaluate my entire plan. Definitely going to have to go with aftermarket wiring and all and yeah, I’m looking into replacing the bulbs and all for an overall better end result... I’ll be sure to post pictures and descriptions of what I have done with the fog lights. It may take a while because I have a stack of parts and replacement parts for the Jeep, but I will get to it eventually

I have an "00 Cherokee Classic. My factory fogs burnt out recently and I swapped them out for aftermarket LEDs. I completely respect your desire for OEM lighting. But, don't expect great lighting out of those factory fog lights. They are fine for looks but for actual lighting, they suck. Since it sounds like you will need to redo wiring, consider using better than factory wiring and using a stronger bulb in the stock fog light assembly. I considered this before going to LED. My stock fog light fixtures were both cracked in the glass and it was cheaper to go to LEDs anyway.
[/QUOTE

 

[Cantexian]

Thanks Cantexian for the input
It’s looking like I’m having to reevaluate my entire plan. Definitely going to have to go with aftermarket wiring and all and yeah, I’m looking into replacing the bulbs and all for an overall better end result... I’ll be sure to post pictures and descriptions of what I have done with the fog lights. It may take a while because I have a stack of parts and replacement parts for the Jeep, but I will get to it eventually

If you decide to go with LEDs, I ordered this from Amazon. I was able to splice the wiring from the LEDs into the existing wiring from my stock harness. The kit comes with wiring if it needs to be run though. I am saving the wiring for future light additions since I didn't need it this time.

18 W Nilight LED fog lights

 

[Yak’n-Wag’n (2001_XJ_2WD)]

If you decide to go with LEDs, I ordered this from Amazon. I was able to splice the wiring from the LEDs into the existing wiring from my stock harness. The kit comes with wiring if it needs to be run though. I am saving the wiring for future light additions since I didn't need it this time.

18 W Nilight LED fog lights

I think what I may end up doing is using theses if I’m not happy with the stock fog bulbs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00QW8JP8C/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_8?smid=A2OPSQDEJW99K&psc=1

Just use these to replace to halogen bulbs and see how it goes. It would be much cheaper to go with some aftermarket fogs, like those you used, but I’m trying to go for the factory look.
That harness that came with your fogs: is it an aluminum wire harness? I’m curious if you have any experience with those and if they hold up for a while? I have a Spal Fan harness that is already ran through the Jeep and I’m thinking I may just use that harness for the fogs. Spal harness is currently used for the cooling fan, but I have a mishimoto fan relay with the temperature prob that will be replacing that set up. Tired of flipping a switch on to keep my Jeep cool. Lol

 

[Cantexian]

I think what I may end up doing is using theses if I’m not happy with the stock fog bulbs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00QW8JP8C/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_8?smid=A2OPSQDEJW99K&psc=1

Just use these to replace to halogen bulbs and see how it goes. It would be much cheaper to go with some aftermarket fogs, like those you used, but I’m trying to go for the factory look.
That harness that came with your fogs: is it an aluminum wire harness? I’m curious if you have any experience with those and if they hold up for a while? I have a Spal Fan harness that is already ran through the Jeep and I’m thinking I may just use that harness for the fogs. Spal harness is currently used for the cooling fan, but I have a mishimoto fan relay with the temperature prob that will be replacing that set up. Tired of flipping a switch on to keep my Jeep cool. Lol

I am not sure what type of metal is used in the wire harness. I did not have to use it since I was able to splice the lights into the stock wiring. I am saving it for when I am ready to replace the halogen fog lights on my brush guard.

 

[trailcreepers]

I am sure there are plenty of threads around here dedicated to installing fog lights on your 97-01 XJ that involve running new aftermarket wires, switches, relays and fog lights, but this thread is not about all that... I wanted to create this thread to address the lack of information on swapping the OEM fog lights, OEM harness, OEM relays and OEM switch into a Non-Fog light equipped Jeep. So, if you have any information on the subject, please do share!
Some of you may think it’s crazy to try to run OEM fog light equipment instead of new custom equipment, but I wanted to set out to tackle a project that might just be rarely attempted and stay true to the OEM wiring.
So recently I decided I wanted to attach a set of OEM fog lights to my XJ that came from the factory without Fog lights. I want to do it “by the book” but I have ran into a problem; I can not find “the book.” So, in the mean time, I have started gathering all of the OEM fog light equipment and am doing the best I can to find as much information I can with the internet that is afforded to us regular folks who do not have access to all of the data bases a mechanic, a dealership or a parts dealer may have. So far I have gathered an original set of fogs, the headlight harness with the fog light wires and the dash panel that includes the cigarette lighter with the fog light switch.
From the best my research indicates, there should be a plug in my non-fog light equipped Jeep that will plug into the fog light switch in the panel I plan to install. Apparently this plug carries power to illuminate the switch and has the wires necessary for the switch to direct current to the future fog lights. So yeah, all well and good and as expected there. The issue I am running into is the relay situation.... from the best I can tell, there are two fog light relays that should plug into the under hood fuse box in order for the fog lights to work properly.
Herein lies the dilemma and the questions I need an answer for. Does a Cherokee that comes from the factory without fog lights still have the correct wires running to the fuse box for the fog light relays? Will I have to run those wires or find a harness with those wires? Will I need to replace the entire fuse box or can I just add the relays?
I know for sure, as far as fog lights go, this is “the road less traveled,” but it’s the road I’ve committed to and I want to do it right. If you have got some information or have pulled this swap off please share what you have found! Thank you in advance!

This is what I came up with. It solves the issue of having a place to put the switches and adds more than the stock slots.

1997-2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 7-Switch Bracket/ Plate / Panel Fits OEM, No Trimming | eBay

Hello, Have I got the product for you XJ/Cherokee lovers. T his will fit the carling/contura sized switches. It is sturdy and the tolerances are tight so it makes for a clean, finished, look and feel.

www.ebay.com

 

[Cantexian]

@trailcreepers I did something similar with mine. But I went with four stock switches and two usb charing ports.

 

[Yak’n-Wag’n (2001_XJ_2WD)]

So good news everybody! While I was poking around trying to figure out why my blower motor suddenly stopped working, I took the PDC apart and made a crucial discovery: I have the wires running to the PDC for the fog light relays!!! I guess I will add those wires and terminals being there as another tick on the list of things that are weird about my Jeep. Looks like I may just need to track down the relays, add the switch and just plug in the fog light harness and see if it all works....
Here are some pictures of the discovery.

I’ll consider that a win!
Relays are a 72472M. Bought a lot of six Siemens relays OEM on eBay for $30...

 

[4.3L XJ]

Those relays are common and can be gotten just about anywhere. I have a bunch of them sitting around