Every year, Jeep enthusiasts from all over the country gather in the picturesque town of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, for an event that's nothing short of extraordinary – the Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion. This year, the thrilling gathering brought together Jeep lovers of all ages to celebrate their shared passion for the iconic Jeep brand.
"Jeep Invasion was nothing short of a complete invasion," said John Collier, Social Media Community Manager at Diode Dynamics. "The entire town of Pigeon Forge was taken over by Jeep lovers! The best part of the thousands of Jeeps driving around town and showing off to the crowds lining the streets was spotting our Stage Series and Elite Series products mounted on the different builds."
One of the major draws of the event is the Jeep Parade that winds through the streets of the quaint town, nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. The massive convoy of Jeeps showcases the diversity of the Jeep community and is a sight to behold.
Eventually, many of the Jeep invaders made their way to the Jeep Show and Shine, a vast showcase of custom rigs. Jeep owners take great pride in showcasing their customized vehicles. No matter what type of Jeep you prefer, from the vintage classics to modern marvels, they were all there on display.
In this blog, we'll highlight some of our favorite customs at Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion 2023 that incorporated our Stage Series LED Pods and Elite LED Headlights. We'll also include some honorable mentions of Jeeps that were truly eye-catching.
Table of Contents
SS3 LED Pod Lights
This Jeep enthusiast upgraded their custom Wrangler front bumper with two SS3 LED Pod Lights. The pod lights use high-intensity LED emitters and custom-engineered TIR optics for unmatched focus and overall light output that lights the way for this Jeep off-roader.
These SS3 LED Pods feature a combination beam pattern that combines both the driving and flood optics. This allows for the pods to shine light far downrange in a focused pattern for driving at speed and still provide a wide amount of fill light in front of the Jeep Wrangler for optimal visibility.
The LED pods are a selective yellow 3000K color temperature, which is great for high contrast in poor weather or dusty environments. They also add a distinctive look to the Jeep build, helping it to stand out on the trail and at Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion 2023.
SSC1 LED Pods
It was impossible to miss this custom Jeep Gladiator JT. This impressively modded build took the popular fender chop to the next level by removing the fenders completely. While the modification grants more clearance for oversized tires, it also affords an opportunity to add custom off-road lights.
This Jeep enthusiast mounted two SSC1 LED Pods Lights in the inner fender area of the Gladiator. These ultra-compact LED pod lights are designed for maximum performance and light output. The 10-watt LED chip delivers a strong output of light that is focused through the incredibly efficient TIR optic. The pillow optics on the outer lens of the flood beam pattern on this LED pod deliver an even 50x50 degree spread of light to illuminate the area in front of the Jeep Gladiator evenly.
Elite LED Headlights
The fender chop was a popular modification that we saw during Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion 2023. For Jeep Gladiator JT and Wrangler JL owners, the fender chop presents a unique challenge. On those models, the factory turn signal is located on the front of the fender and requires additional modifications to relocate the turn signal. Luckily for this Jeep owner, they had our Elite LED Headlights for the Jeep Gladiator!
Elite LED Headlights provide a truckload of useful features such as:
- Bi-LED projectors for maximum light output and intensity
- Selectable color daytime running light
- Modern welcome sequence
- Optional show mode and off-road lighting
- Integrated amber turn signal
Though all of those features are impressive, the integrated amber turn signal of the Elite Max LED Headlight is what solves the fender chop turn signal problem. Factory Jeep Gladiator headlights don't have a turn signal, but our Elite Headlights flash amber any time the turn signal is activated. When you're done making your turn, the lights switch back to the white parking light or your selected DRL color!
The best part? The Elite Max provides enough turn signal output to be SAE-compliant. This means they can replace the turn signal completely, unlike the LED strips found in most chop kits. If you're serious about off-roading in your Jeep but want to maintain your safety, the Elite Max LED Headlight for the Jeep Gladiator JT or Wrangler JL is the perfect upgrade!
Honorable Mentions
Not every Jeep that stood out to us at Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion 2023 utilized our lights, but that didn't stop them from catching our eyes! Here are some of our other favorite builds!
This unique Wrangler JK looks as though it might have actually tasted the rainbow during an off-road adventure. From the multicolored skeleton arm windshield wipers to the rainbow grille behind the personalized plate, this Jeep refuses to be ignored!
This custom '92 Jeep Wrangler made us pause and look around for dinosaurs. This Wrangler looked like it might have actually been in the original Jurassic Park film. If there was ever a vehicle to escape dinosaurs with, this Wrangler is it. No doubt it is every bit as capable now as it was 30 years ago.
Speaking of nostalgia, our last honorable mention from Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion 2023 is this classic Jeep that's been fused with some seriously rugged modern off-road capabilities. The rounded body, chrome trim, and circular side mirrors are a call back to a bygone era. However, the oversized tires and off-road suspension convince us that this Jeep is more than ready to march across any terrain, straight into the future.
Conclusion
The Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion 2023 was more than just a gathering of Jeep enthusiasts; it was a celebration of community and the indomitable spirit of Jeep owners. With its stunning location and the chance to connect with like-minded individuals, the event is a must-visit for anyone with a passion for Jeeps and off-roading. Being able to take part in the event and see the impressive builds that incorporated our lights was a highlight for us.
Want to see where Diode Dynamics will be next? Check out our Events page and see if we'll be at an event near you.
Ready to Upgrade Your Jeep With Stage Series LED Pods or Elite LED Headlights?
If you’re ready to add Stage Series LED Pod Lights or Elite LED Headlights to your Jeep, you can upgrade by clicking here or using our dealer locator to find a dealer near you.
Want to know more about Diode Dynamics products? Visit DiodeDynamics.com and subscribe to our newsletter for new product releases and more!
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