Are tail light guards lame?

[Mike W]

I think these look pretty cool, but I didn't them for the first four years of ownership.

I installed them today because I feel like I crossed a threashold of ... as my wife calls it... "Expensive black crap bolted to your car". I'll soon also have a front ARB Bull bar and i recently finished the rear bumper with dual swing outs (removed right now).

What do you think? Do they actually protect the lights (the LR4 lights are really massive).... do they just look nice? (or do you dislike the look?)

The ones I got are OEM, seem like they flex and will hold up well... let's not talk about the silly accessory prices (ignore that for now.. or at least tell my wife that).

I'd like to avoid mall crawler mods, but I thought these might actually help protect. I do have some scratches on the lights already and with the swing arms and trasharoo etc.. i worry about bumping something into them and crushing a light.

 

[Winterpeg]

Years ago I thought about those for my FJ... but ultimately decided replacing a taillight was cheaper than doing bodywork.
If there's an impact it is transferred to the body rather than cracking the lens.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[mmnorthdirections]

Years ago I thought about those for my FJ... but ultimately decided replacing a taillight was cheaper than doing bodywork.
If there's an impact it is transferred to the body rather than cracking the lens.

Just my 2 cents.

I went through the same thaught on my FJ, and did not ever by them.

 

[Hafaday]

Looks are one thing, functional is another. that said, I have never been much for them on any vehicle going off road. Have seen to many broken lenses with the guard in ok shape. and sticks/twigs wedged between the guard and lens.

My $.02

 

[Mike W]

Looks are one thing, functional is another. that said, I have never been much for them on any vehicle going off road. Have seen to many broken lenses with the guard in ok shape. and sticks/twigs wedged between the guard and lens.

My $.02

I thought about that also, but these mount flush to the body and actually have a ramp shape on the leading edge. They don't stick out like the old wire cage type with the gap.

I've been on some forums/communities where people like them and others where people all agree they are not worth it. I am going to try them out for awhile and see how it goes. If they ever become an issue it is easy to remove them.

 

[Hafaday]

I thought about that also, but these mount flush to the body and actually have a ramp shape on the leading edge. They don't stick out like the old wire cage type with the gap.

I've been on some forums/communities where people like them and others where people all agree they are not worth it. I am going to try them out for awhile and see how it goes. If they ever become an issue it is easy to remove them.

Rite rite. Cool, Hope they work out for you.

Question for ya?? Are they plastic or alloy? My eyes say an alloy/metal from the looks. Just curious.


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[The_Just]

I like them. Added LineX w/ UV to keep them black.

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[Rexplorer]

im in the same fj boat as above. we were actually talking about this today on the trail. the lights on the fj stick out pretty far. further with guards. rather change a lens than pull screws out of the body. pretty sure the impact strength of them is pretty low anyway. i'll save my $200 for something different.

 

[canadianoverlanders]

I don't think they will protect anything, and may cause more damage.
BUT....I like the look. They look great in your pictures. I say accessorize if you have the money and personalize your rig. It doesn't affect safety or traffic and vehicle regulations. So never mind about thinking you look like a mall crawler, whether it is or not, it's your rig, if you like it do it.
I like the look and your rig.


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[BigSwole]

I don't think they will protect anything, and may cause more damage.
BUT....I like the look. They look great in your pictures. I say accessorize if you have the money and personalize your rig. It doesn't affect safety or traffic and vehicle regulations. So never mind about thinking you look like a mall crawler, whether it is or not, it's your rig, if you like it do it.
I like the look and your rig.


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I agree with the looks. I think they good, so personally I'd leave them on.

 

[IdahoGrizz]

I got a chuckle out of the wife's comment about expensive black crap. We all have to admit, I think, there is a certain amount of vanity involved aside from whatever perceived and conjured-up benefit. But then, to one degree or another, vanity is what drives much of our economy ... and, the ladies have their own kind of vanity going. (another chuckle). So I'll join in and say, "Looks good, dude."

 

[TAF_Taco]

If you like them, that's all that matters.

 

[toxicity_27]

I've got them for my JK. They use the same screws holding the tail lights to the body, so they won't really protect them from much of anything. I like the look, so I'll leave them on, even though they stick out a bit and could catch on something that could do some damage.

 

[HU5KRS1]

I agree with a few others on here...I like the looks of them and if you like them I say go with it

 

[Kcrkolby]

I guess it comes down to your vehicle. For the FJ i'll pass and save my money for full length skid plates.

 

[Scarab]

I've got them on my Discovery and, like you, I think it's mainly aesthetics, at best it will stop a branch scratching the lenses (which is a bonus) or at a very lucky angle one in a million stop a rock/pebble hitting them.

They'd have to be some pretty lucky angles though.

I'm keeping mine on because I do like the look. Also they weren't cheap accessories (£114 GBP / $154 USD) so it seems silly to have them in the garage.

 

[Remington_PRO4X]

I think these look pretty cool, but I didn't them for the first four years of ownership.

I installed them today because I feel like I crossed a threashold of ... as my wife calls it... "Expensive black crap bolted to your car". I'll soon also have a front ARB Bull bar and i recently finished the rear bumper with dual swing outs (removed right now).

What do you think? Do they actually protect the lights (the LR4 lights are really massive).... do they just look nice? (or do you dislike the look?)

The ones I got are OEM, seem like they flex and will hold up well... let's not talk about the silly accessory prices (ignore that for now.. or at least tell my wife that).

I'd like to avoid mall crawler mods, but I thought these might actually help protect. I do have some scratches on the lights already and with the swing arms and trasharoo etc.. i worry about bumping something into them and crushing a light.

I have some guards on my truck. I think they look awesome regardless if they do a ton to actually protect the taillights.

 

[Mike W]

I think these are pretty sturdy on the outboard side. I had to drill holes in the body behind the tail lights, and install riv nuts (threaded rivets) for the metal mounts. The guards are a plastic, but its pretty high quality and flexible.

I do like them, so I think they will stay. Once I get my front bumper project done, I will do a photo shoot of this thing. She's going to be mean looking.

 

[Mike W]

It pulls it together...

 

[Craig M]

I got a chuckle out of the wife's comment about expensive black crap.

Me too! :p

My opinion is that they are purely for aesthetics and will probably never actualy benefit anyone from a functional standpoint. I have always felt that way. At the same time, I don't think there is anything wrong with that at all! It's the same reason I have a couple of decals and a couple of other appearance mods.

I would never buy them personally, but I bought my Jeep used and it already had them, and I'm not complaning. :p

I think those look good on the rig @Mike Wesner , and agree they go well with the other 'expensive black crap'!