Jeep Cherokee XJ 1984-1996 LEDs, In Exhaustive Detail

by Jason Ferry February 14, 2021

This is a review of what I've learned about installing LEDs in the 84-96 model years of the Jeep Cherokee XJ. Most of what I've learned is from owners and their feedback.

Exterior - (Needs testing by someone with an 84-96 XJ) These seem pretty consistent, though some models appear to have up to three red lamps in each tail light housing. As these variations are covered, I'll add these sets to the store.

Turn Signals, Front: 4 x 1157 Amber (dual brightness)
Marker Lights, Front: 2 x T10 Amber
Turn Signals, Rear: 2 x 1156 Amber
Brake Lights, Primary: 2 x 1157 Red (dual brightness)
Brake Lights, Auxiliary(?): 2 x 1156 Red
Brake Lights, Auxiliary(?): 2 x T10 Red
Brake Light, High Center: 1 x T10 Red
Reverse Lights: 2 x 1156 White
License Plate: 2 x T10 White

Interior - There are lots of variations among the 13 years covered here. Minimally optioned Jeeps may have only a single overhead lamp and one or no floor well lamps. A mid 90s model with the maximum number of interior lights can have up to five overhead lamps!

Dome and Cargo Lamps - These small rectangular lamps are similar to one another. They both use a 44mm long rigid-loop led. They won't blind anyone, but are still a huge improvement over stock. I recommend cleaning the lenses of these lamps with water and dish soap while they're out.
Reading (Map) Lamps - A good number of Jeeps won't have these, but they became pretty common in the mid 90s. These are the two small round lights integrated into some front dome lamp assemblies. They provide a small amount of light to each of the front seats. I recommend a T10 led that is shaped a bit like a flashlight, with a single high-powered end-mount chip. Using multiple chip LEDs in these lamps can result in lots of fixed bright spots projected in the vehicle. Single-chip LEDs minimize this.
Floor Lamps - I use the same T10 flashlight-shaped LED for the Courtesy / Floor Well Lamps. Pretty much any LED that outputs even light from its front will work well. I recommend removing the plastic lens that typically covers this light. It should be well protected, though that choice is ultimately up to the installer / owner.
Visor Lamps - 84-89 models that have visor mirrors with lamps use a small T5 sized LED. I'm not sure how well LEDs work in these lamps. I believe I tested a visor years ago, but I don't seem to have recorded any notes.
Visor Lamps - 90-96 models that have visor lamps use four fuse-type LEDs / bulbs, two in each visor. These are blindingly bright. I recommend aiming the chips up, down, or backwards to reduce their intensity. 97-01 uses the same visors and as far as I can tell, all XJ visors are interchangeable.
Glove Box - This can use most any small T10 LED. I recommend the same flashlight-shaped one that I like to put in the floor wells. It's a good light. Really though, the glove box is a pretty low-impact place for a light, so most anything should work here.
Ash Tray - I believe this uses a BAS7 bulb / LED. I've never sourced LEDs for this. I may stock an LED in this size someday, particularly if more applications are found. It's a bit obscure for me to stock on a whim.
Overhead Console, 90-96 - This is the most upscale lighting option for 84-96. It uses four T10 bulbs / LEDs, positioned roughly with two each above both rows of seats. For these, I recommend a T10 that has LEDs on only one side, facing down. The overhead console has a couple storage compartments, holds the remote lock receiver, and has a digital readout - Fancy Stuff.

Instrument Lights - To be completed another day.