If you are big into off-roading and you want that off-roading feel, the Morimoto 4Banger LED pod lights are the ones you are going to want on your Jeep Wrangler. We spent a full day mounting these pods two different ways on a 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK, once as a direct fog light replacement and once as A-pillar ditch lights, and we came away impressed with how easy the process is when you have the right brackets and harness in hand. In this guide we walk through the beam pattern and chip level choices, then take you step by step through both installs so you know exactly what to expect before you start turning wrenches.
Choosing the Right Morimoto 4Banger Before You Install
Before we started anything, we made the point that you have to choose the right LED pods for your build. The good news is you can put any of the 4Banger pod lights into the fog kit, so the decision comes down to brightness, chip level, beam pattern, and color rather than fitment. Getting this right up front means you only do the install once and end up with the output you actually want on the trail or on the street.
NCS vs HXB Chip Levels
The 4Banger comes in two levels. The entry level uses a Nichia chip and we call this the NCS version. The secondary level is for the premium users, the off-roading crowd, the top dog of pod lights, and it uses an Osram chip. We call that one the HXB, or HX Boost. Both share the same driving beam pattern for a given pattern choice, so the difference is really about raw output and where you land on price versus performance.
Three Beam Patterns, Two Colors
Once you decide on the application level, you move on to the driving pattern. We offer three patterns to choose from: a spot beam, a wide beam, or a combo driving pattern. All three come in either amber or white. Many people are drawn to the wide pattern to help increase night visibility and to use it as a fog light replacement, and no matter whether you choose the NCS or the HX Boost, you experience the same wide driving beam pattern.
The combo beam pattern is a super cool spot beam with a little bit more fill. It stacks up to the competition very well, though most people will choose the wide beam over something like this. The spot beam pattern is an incredibly bright, tight beam that looks like a square, and that shape is done on purpose because we at Morimoto know a thing or two about beam patterns. If you want to dive deeper on the premium wide option, we detail it on the 4Banger HXB Wide Beam pod product page, and it is also carried through Headlight Revolution’s HXB Wide Beam listing.
White vs Amber Output
One thing to note is that your light output will be a little bit less with the yellow lenses. On the higher end, the HXB uses the Osram chip but it does not come in yellow. The white light has to pass through the yellow lens, losing about 30 percent of its brightness. It is still an incredible option, but it is worth understanding that tradeoff before you order amber HXB pods.
Something neat about the entry level is that those Nichia chips do come in a yellow option. Having a yellow light pass through a yellow lens means it does not lose as much output, so the amber light stays closely matched to that of the white counterpart. If amber is a priority for you, the NCS version keeps its brightness better than you might expect.
Size, Fitment, and Street Legality
The overall footprint of the 4Banger is approximately 30 percent smaller than alternatives that offer comparable performance. That compact housing is what allows for an unbeatable 30mm plus like fitment when paired with Morimoto’s fog light or A-pillar mounting kits. Smaller pods with the same output mean more mounting flexibility, which matters a lot on a Wrangler where space around the bumper and A-pillar is limited.
With a standard negative 3 degree aim, the beam pattern produced by the NCS wide beam model is designed to comply with the latest SAE F3 regulations for use as a street legal fog light. The HXB wide beam has a very similar beam pattern but too much intensity to be considered a street legal fog light, so if street legal fog use is your goal, the NCS wide beam is the model designed for that. And lastly, the Morimoto 4Bangers are backed by a limited lifetime warranty, so you can install them with confidence.
Installing the 4Banger Mounting Bracket
Now that you know all about the 4Bangers, let us get to installing the bracket so we can get it onto the Jeep. This is a very easy process and it comes with all the hardware you need. First we take the 4Banger and uninstall the two shorter bolts on the back. Then we install a U-bracket at the very top using the two longer bolts included in the kit. When installing this, make sure you put the divoted side up against the 4Banger, then screw the longer bolts down.
Next, take the plastic piece that came inside the kit and make sure the circle side faces toward the bracketry so you can put the adjustable screw in at the very end. Then take your 4Banger and feed the bracket through, lining up the hole on the top of the bracket with the adjustment hole. There are also two little divots on the side of your 4Banger, so make sure they line up and you will hear a very slight snap once it is in.
From there you move on to the spring, which slides directly into that area, then take the long screw and screw it in to help adjust the 4Banger inside the fog light housing. Tighten it down with an H4, but you do not have to fully tighten it just yet, since this adjusts your vertical angle once it is in the Jeep. Then line up the outer part of the bracket with the little divots on the 4Banger bracket and tighten down the four included screws. Finish by plugging the Morimoto harness into your 4Banger so it is ready to connect to your OEM harness on the Jeep.
Fog Light Replacement Install on the Jeep Wrangler JK
For the fog light replacement, we start by removing the grille on the Jeep. There are four plastic tabs on the inside and two on the outer side. Once those are out, continue removing the front grille by tugging on the very base of the grille along the whole base. Before you fully remove it, disconnect your OEM turn signals, then set the grille aside.
The next piece to remove is the plastic trim piece between the bumper and the main grille. Take a wedge tool and wedge the two bolts out from the grille area, then remove the plastic trim piece. After that, unplug your harness from your OEM harness. This particular Jeep already had some aftermarket fog lights, so your harness may look a tad different. That is exactly why, when you are on our website, you should put in your year, make, and model so you get the proper wiring harness with your 4Banger kit.
The next step is a little hard to see on camera, but on your OEM kit there are four holes on the sides, and the same is true for your 4Banger bracket. Once you get those four screws out, remove your OEM fog light, put your 4Banger in place, and put those four screws back in. That completes the fog light side of the swap.
Installing the 4Banger A-Pillar Ditch Lights
Now we move on to the 4Banger A-pillar kit, which is a very easy install on this Jeep. We use the included bracket and make sure it lines up properly with the bolts already on your Jeep. This Jeep already had an aftermarket bracket that did not interfere with the 4Banger kit. We loosen both existing bolts, take them fully out, and set them aside. If you want the complete bolt-on solution, the Morimoto 4Banger A-Pillar Ditch Light System for the JK pairs the pods with everything you need, and you can also grab the JK-specific A-Pillar mounting brackets on their own.
Before you install the A-pillar bracket, put the plastic piece on vertically so the wires can route on the side of the bracket. Then line it up with your OEM holes and tighten it back down.
With the bracket on, we move to the 4Banger. This kit also comes with a U-bracket, and when mounting it onto your 4Banger, make sure the bracket is making a C shape. The kit includes one large bolt, a washer, a nut, and two side screws that mount to the sides of your 4Banger. Slide the larger bolt into the area, add the washer and nut, but wait to fully tighten it until the end so you can aim the pod. Place your 4Banger into the Morimoto bracket, screw in the two existing side screws, and tighten them. Keep the pod decently horizontal with the vehicle, and screw the big bolt down last so you can aim it in whatever direction you want.
Wiring the Harness and Relay
With the pods and brackets installed, we move to the harness, starting with the relay. Always mount the relay vertically so no water can get in it. This Jeep already had a hole we could use, so we placed the relay there and secured it with a nut and bolt.
With the battery connected, run the harness over to the driver’s side. The longest part of the harness goes toward the light furthest from the battery, and the shortest goes toward the one closest to the battery. In our example, light one went toward the passenger 4Banger. Get those connected, then tuck the harness away. There are two bolts on the very top you can remove so you can run your harness up underneath and keep it clean, then tighten those back down. Do not forget the little plastic clip so you can secure your harness on the side. Finally, disconnect the ground and power, slide the ground onto the ear and tighten it, and do the same for the power.
Installing the Morimoto Switch
With both 4Bangers installed and the harness run over, we move to the Morimoto switch. You have a couple of options here. You can use your OEM grommet already in your firewall, or use a step bit and run the harness through the grommet on the harness. We went with option one, using the Jeep’s OEM grommet in its firewall.
A really cool factor on the Morimoto switch is that it has a disconnect area, which makes it easier to run through the firewall and makes the install so much faster. You just unscrew the barrel connector and lay the switch aside. On this Jeep, the grommet is a little hard to see, but the general area is in the right fender well up against the firewall. We ran the harness through the grommet, passed it through the firewall, then dropped the plastic piece and pulled it through all the way.
You can install the Morimoto switch anywhere in the Jeep, but our preference was the right side of the steering wheel. Make sure there is no interference behind the panel, no metal, plastic, or wiring you could damage. Take a three-quarter step bit and drill slightly through the plastic panel, then unscrew the metal ring around the switch. Route the switch through the drilled hole, thread the metal ring back on, and snug it up against the plastic and the switch so it will not move or back out over time. Connect it to the waterproof connector, get it snug, then route the harness back underneath the steering wheel and zip tie it up clean. Tighten and aim your 4Bangers, and you are finished with the install.
Final Thoughts
Whether you run them as street legal fog lights with the NCS wide beam or go all out with the HXB for maximum trail intensity, the Morimoto 4Banger pod lights give you real flexibility on a Jeep Wrangler JK. Between the compact housing, the fog and A-pillar mounting kits, and the limited lifetime warranty, this is a straightforward upgrade we felt good about after installing it both ways. When you are ready to order, type in your year, make, and model so you get the correct harness and brackets for your Jeep.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the NCS and HXB versions of the Morimoto 4Banger?
The NCS is the entry level pod light using a Nichia LED chip, while the HXB (HX Boost) is the premium option that uses an Osram chip for higher output, described in the video as the top tier pod light choice.
What beam patterns are available for the Morimoto 4Banger?
The 4Banger comes in three beam patterns: a wide pattern for night visibility and fog light replacement, a combo pattern that is a spot beam with extra fill, and a tight square spot beam pattern. All three are available in white or amber.
Is the amber version of the Morimoto 4Banger as bright as the white version?
It depends on the chip level. On the HXB, white light passing through the yellow lens loses about 30 percent of its brightness. On the NCS, the Nichia chips are offered in an actual yellow LED option, so the yellow light passing through the yellow lens loses much less output and stays closely matched to the white version.
Can the Morimoto 4Banger be used as a street legal fog light?
The NCS wide beam model is designed to comply with the latest SAE F3 regulations for a street legal fog light at a standard negative 3 degree aim. The HXB wide beam has a similar pattern but too much intensity to be considered street legal.
What warranty comes with the Morimoto 4Banger pod lights?
The Morimoto 4Banger pod lights are backed by a limited lifetime warranty, as stated in the video.
Meet the Experts Behind Morimoto
Jimmy Nguyen – Engineering Manager
Jimmy leads engineering at Morimoto, bringing experience across customer support, supplier management, design engineering, and validation testing. His work ensures Morimoto lighting systems are engineered for real-world reliability and long-term performance.
Mike Hicks – Quality Control Manager
Mike oversees quality assurance at Morimoto, with a background spanning returns testing, RMA analysis, vendor quality control, and manufacturer scorecards. His focus is continuous improvement and accountability across the product lifecycle.
