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Are there seriously no tail light guards available?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by MountainMan, Oct 18, 2019.

  1. Oct 18, 2019 at 7:27 PM
    #1
    MountainMan

    MountainMan [OP] New Member

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    The 5th gen tail lights are just begging for damage with how they are configured, so I thought a set of black steel guards would be both functional and attractive.

    I have searched Google, Bing, multiple 4Runner forums, and Amazon and apparently nobody makes guards for the millions of 5th gen 4Runners out there.

    Amazing.
     
    Toy4X4 likes this.
  2. Oct 18, 2019 at 7:41 PM
    #2
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    Won’t pass inspection in most states. My old foreman had a Range Rover with them from the factory and they failed inspections..:annoyed:
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2019
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  3. Oct 18, 2019 at 7:43 PM
    #3
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    That is surprising. Maybe someone makes a rear bumper with integrated taillight protection.:laugh:
     
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  4. Oct 18, 2019 at 7:53 PM
    #4
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    Those would probably cause more harm than good.
     
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  5. Oct 18, 2019 at 8:21 PM
    #5
    MountainMan

    MountainMan [OP] New Member

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    How so?
     
  6. Oct 18, 2019 at 8:22 PM
    #6
    MountainMan

    MountainMan [OP] New Member

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    Just want something like this for 5th gens...

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Oct 18, 2019 at 8:23 PM
    #7
    MountainMan

    MountainMan [OP] New Member

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    Really? I've never heard of that. I've never lived in a state that had government-mandated inspections of vehicles.
     
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  8. Oct 18, 2019 at 8:24 PM
    #8
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    Once a year here......Ugh.....the lines and my Corolla is due next month....during peak rut....
     
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  9. Oct 20, 2019 at 7:56 AM
    #9
    wawuzit

    wawuzit New Member

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    Is that a George Forman grill ? :crapstorm:
     
  10. Oct 20, 2019 at 9:16 AM
    #10
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    IMO they are ugly.
    If you look the taillights are pretty well tucked in so...
    The guards stick out farther than stock which will actually increase the likely hood of it getting hit.
    If you hit something it's going to bend sheet metal vs just breaking the light.
    Also, they are ugly.
     
  11. Oct 20, 2019 at 9:59 AM
    #11
    Banzai

    Banzai New Member

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    The pic shows a 4th gen. 5th gen tail lights aren't tucked in.
     
  12. Oct 20, 2019 at 12:19 PM
    #12
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ---

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    Useless
     
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  13. Oct 20, 2019 at 12:31 PM
    #13
    tonycaputo

    tonycaputo New Member

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    For what reason are taillight guards needed?!
     
  14. Oct 20, 2019 at 6:30 PM
    #14
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ---

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    Because they're bro-tastic!
     
  15. Oct 20, 2019 at 11:53 PM
    #15
    MountainMan

    MountainMan [OP] New Member

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    I thought the reason was fairly obvious... To prevent damage to the tail lights?
     
  16. Oct 20, 2019 at 11:54 PM
    #16
    MountainMan

    MountainMan [OP] New Member

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    Must be a California thing...
     
  17. Oct 21, 2019 at 4:00 AM
    #17
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

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    Gawd no
     
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  18. Oct 21, 2019 at 5:44 AM
    #18
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

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    In case you back into a tree when "wheelin"?? :lalala:
     
  19. Oct 21, 2019 at 8:26 AM
    #19
    tonycaputo

    tonycaputo New Member

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    Yeah because a plastic guard is going to do anything...
     
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  20. Oct 21, 2019 at 10:49 AM
    #20
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ---

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    There's three kinds of people in the 4Runner world:

    Stock
    Modded for purpose
    Modded for appearance

    Things like taillight guards, bull bars, raptor lights, etc fall into category three. There's nothing specifically wrong with that - I mean, I'm a category two man myself - but whatever gets you hard.
     
  21. Oct 21, 2019 at 11:39 AM
    #21
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

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    Gotta love seeing Lexus with taillight guards lmao
     
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  22. Oct 21, 2019 at 12:40 PM
    #22
    MountainMan

    MountainMan [OP] New Member

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    That's pretty narrow-minded.

    You really think that anyone who does a mod that is simply for appearance falls neatly into your category two and doesn't do other mods for purpose?

    You have done no mods on your vehicles that enhanced the appearance AND had a purpose?

    I agree that there are folks who build mall crawlers that will never see gravel; big lifts and aggressive tires look great, but on those vehicles, purely for appearance. Not my cup of tea.

    But anything that provides protection against physical damage is functional and enhances appearance. Pretty sure I'm not the only person here that has had a tail light broken while parked in a parking lot or while turning around on a tight trail and bumping into an embankment.

    You don't like tail light guards, fine, but why the need to mock others for wanting them?
     
  23. Oct 21, 2019 at 1:14 PM
    #23
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    Damn if you get a broken taillight in a parking lot. Thats some bad luck.

    I'm one of those that will park in the far back and walk. And yet I still get people parking next to me for some reason.
     
  24. Oct 21, 2019 at 1:17 PM
    #24
    MeefZah

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    Not mocking anyone, read the post you quoted
     
  25. Oct 21, 2019 at 2:38 PM
    #25
    Kyblack76

    Kyblack76 New Member

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    You do black diamond trials in moab or something...?? Sheesh. The tail lights bug me also the way they "stick out" but, in all the trials and wheeling I've done, was never worries about them. You must do some wicked shit to be trippin on them getting damaged. Unless,...... your worried about a shopping cart hitting them.

    Edit- and if the shopping cart thing is the case.... I dont really know what to tell ya. You worry about the mirrors like that too?
    And no, I've never had a tail light broken in a parking lot, nor trail. Or, ever... (probably why you cant find any bolt on ones,... no one wants or needs them)
    My want with the tail lights, would be some I could buy and put in, that didnt hang out 47 feet. If anything
     
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  26. Oct 22, 2019 at 5:31 AM
    #26
    kbp810

    kbp810 rebmem wen

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    Just my opinion: Tail light guards are “mostly” for appearance. If you back into something with one on, it’s not going to save your light. You're going to get damage in that scenario with or without a guard; and may actually increase your odds of turning just a broken taillight into body damage. They might possibly stop a branch from getting flung against the light and cracking it, but in my experiences, it’s usually more of a branch poke that will do it in, which these will not protect against. Many I’ve seen (like the example posted above), would also only protect against a vertical strike, if it was horizontal, it’s likely going to find its way in between the bars and still hit the light. Also, based on the ones I’ve seen for jeeps, they are not very stout... a branch swipe that would have cracked a light, is also likely to dent the guard.

    Not to mention, that in most scenarios, you’re going to make contact with the body or bumper before the light.
     
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  27. Oct 22, 2019 at 11:15 AM
    #27
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    That's why I have sliders. My 4 is not getting dinged in the parking lot. :D:evil:
     
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  28. Jan 30, 2021 at 9:24 PM
    #28
    jacksondmj

    jacksondmj New Member

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    I bought a 2020 4Runner. When I got to the tail light cover issue it was the final straw. The 4Runner has been problematic. Lack of accessories is one of many reasons you should not buy anything from Toyota. I'm done with Toyota. Won't buy anything from them ever again. Very cheaply made SUVs.
     
  29. Jan 31, 2021 at 12:48 AM
    #29
    MountainMan

    MountainMan [OP] New Member

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    Is today opposite day?
     
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  30. Jan 31, 2021 at 3:10 AM
    #30
    Toy4X4

    Toy4X4 New Member

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    Best of luck finding a more reliable, tried and true ride. Did you not look into any of this before you bought it? See you on the Bronco forum, Bye.
     

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