KC HiLiTES FLEX ERA 3 Dual Mode SAE - Kit for Jeep JK, JL and JT Plastic Bumpers

KC builds three versions of the same kit and the only thing that separates them is the mounting hardware. This number, 97146, is made for plastic front bumpers: Jeep Wrangler JK in Sport-S, Sahara and Rubicon trim, and Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator JT with the Premium Plastic bumper (Sahara, Rubicon, Special Edition). For the plastic Sport and Sport-S bumper on the JL/JT use part number 97148, and for Mopar steel bumpers part number 97149.

An ordinary fog light does a good job in fog on the road and nothing at all once you leave the tarmac. FLEX ERA 3 Dual Mode brings the two together: in the first mode it runs an SAE J583 fog beam, and switched over it moves into a high power off-road mode where a spot beam is added to the fog pattern. The manufacturer declares compliance with the American SAE J583 standard for the fog beam and does not state any European ECE approval. There is no mention of DOT compliance in the KC HiLiTES specification table either. For a customer in Poland this means the light in this form has no confirmed European approval and is intended for off-road use.

Key benefits

• Two modes on one switch - on the road the SAE J583 fog beam does the work, and once you leave the tarmac you switch the lights into a high power mode that adds a spot beam to the fog pattern.
• Two sets of lenses in the box - clear for maximum brightness, selective yellow for better penetration through heavy rain, fog, snow and dust. No choosing at purchase and no second set to buy.
• 3682 lm / 5949 lm per light at 5000 K - the difference between the modes is a real jump in output of over 60 percent, not a cosmetic one.
• 9,440 cd / 19,984 cd per light and a beam distance of 84 m / 124.6 m - in dual mode the lights reach over 40 metres further.
• Aluminium alloy housing in black - the metal pulls heat away from the diodes, which at 55 W per light translates into stable output.
• IP65 sealing - dust tight and resistant to water jets, the level a light mounted low in a bumper needs.
• 9-36 V supply - the lights run on both 12 V and 24 V systems.
• Premium harness with weatherproof connectors and a two position switch - the kit is ready to wire in, with no extra loom to build.

What is in the box

• 2 x KC FLEX ERA 3 Dual Mode SAE LED light pod (with SAE clear lenses factory installed)
• 2 x SAE selective yellow lens
• 2 x round shroud
• 2 x Jeep specific mounting bracket
• 2 x H16 Jeep fog light harness adapter
• 1 x Premium wiring harness with weatherproof connectors
• 1 x two position switch

Technical data

• Our part number: TXKC 97146
• Manufacturer part number: 97146
• UPC: 084709971465
• Series: FLEX ERA 3, Dual Mode SAE type
• Raw luminous flux per light: 3682 lm in fog mode / 5949 lm in dual mode, at 5000 K
• Luminous intensity per light: 9,440 cd (fog) / 19,984 cd (dual mode)
• Illuminance per light: 94.4 lx / 199.8 lx - the manufacturer does not state the measuring distance
• Beam distance: 84 m (fog) / 124.6 m (dual mode)
• Power per light: 35 W / 55 W (70 W / 110 W for the pair)
• Current draw per light at 12 V: 2.9 A / 4.5 A (for the pair the manufacturer states 5.83 A / 9.17 A)
• Supply voltage: 9-36 V
• Colour temperature: 5000 K, white light, clear lens
• Ingress protection: IP65
• Beam pattern: SAE J583 fog / fog plus spot for off-road use
• Mounting location: bumper, fog light pocket
• Light dimensions: W 3.6" x H 3.5" x D 2.6" (9.1 x 8.9 x 6.6 cm)
• Housing material: aluminium alloy, black finish
• Kit weight: 4.4 lbs (approx. 2.0 kg)
• Compliance: SAE J583 (Fog) - the manufacturer states no ECE and no DOT

Who it is for

This kit suits the owner of a Wrangler JK, Wrangler JL or Gladiator JT with a plastic front bumper and a factory fog light pocket. If the vehicle runs on the road daily and heads off-road at the weekend, two operating modes and two lens sets cover both scenarios with a single set of lights. Not sure which bumper your vehicle has? Message us and we will check it before you buy.

Installation and notes

The lights tap into the Jeep factory fog light sockets through the supplied H16 adapters, and the kit includes dedicated brackets, the Premium harness and a two position switch. The manufacturer lists one mounting location: the bumper fog light pocket. KC gives no confirmation for cowl or A-pillar mounting, and the kit contains no brackets for it. The interchangeable coloured FLEX ERA 3 accent bezels are sold separately. KC HiLiTES covers its products under the Unlimited Lifetime Warranty programme. Per the manufacturer's terms the programme applies to purchases made after 31 August 2025, requires the product to be registered within 60 days of purchase and is fully transferable to the next owner. The manufacturer excludes, among other things, cosmetic damage, incorrect installation, neglect, normal wear and the effects of extreme events, and requires the purchase to come from an authorised sales channel. Statutory rights under Polish consumer law apply on top of the manufacturer's warranty. If you would rather not take the front of the vehicle apart yourself, we can handle fitting and wiring in our off-road workshop.

Why it is worth it

• Road and off-road beams in one light - no second set of lights to add to the bumper.
• Clear and selective yellow lenses are both in the box, so you pick them for the weather rather than for availability.
• H16 adapters and a ready made harness with a switch mean wiring in without cutting into the factory loom.
• Hardware matched to the plastic bumper - no improvising with mounts from another version of the kit.

Frequently asked questions

Which bumper does this kit fit?

Plastic front bumpers: Jeep Wrangler JK in Sport-S, Sahara and Rubicon trim, and Jeep Wrangler JL and Gladiator JT with the Premium Plastic bumper (Sahara, Rubicon, Special Edition). The manufacturer lists body generations rather than model years.

How does this kit differ from 97148 and 97149?

The photometric and electrical figures of all three are identical. What separates them is the mounting hardware and the bumper: 97146 is for plastic bumpers (JK Sport-S/Sahara/Rubicon, JL and JT Premium Plastic), 97148 for the plastic Sport and Sport-S bumpers on the JL and JT, and 97149 for Mopar steel bumpers on the JK, JL and JT.

Are these lights road approved in Europe?

We have no confirmation of that from the manufacturer. KC HiLiTES states compliance with the American SAE J583 fog beam standard only and declares neither European ECE approval nor DOT compliance. In this form they are off-road lights. If you need lights with European road approval, get in touch and we will point you to a model that has it.

What is the difference between the two modes?

Road mode is an SAE J583 fog beam: 35 W, 3682 lm and 9,440 cd per light, 84 m of beam distance. Off-road mode is 55 W, 5949 lm and 19,984 cd per light with 124.6 m of reach, because a spot beam is added to the fog pattern.

Do I need to buy wiring separately?

No. The kit contains a Premium wiring harness with weatherproof connectors, a two position switch and two H16 adapters for the Jeep factory fog light sockets.