Aftermarket Lights Theft?

Is this even a thing? I’m starting to hear more of people’s aftermarket lights getting stolen. Thinking again about getting some aftermarket fogs for my daily driver but unsure if it means being targeted. Having improved lighting would be great but if light theft is trending I’ll make do with the OEs.

 

Any small and valuable item that's easily removeable from a nice 4Runner or Wrangler is always a target for theft. Add-on lighting is no exception. I don't believe it's a bigger thing now than it has been in the past, but it's always been a thing.

 

Getting the passenger side fog light out isn't a 5 minute job for someone that hasn't done it before. If they try that side first, good chance they give up quick.

The odds that someone tries to steal your fog lights is slim. If you want new fogs, I'd just get 'em. Life is short. And probably nobody is gonna steal your fog lights.

 

BTW @Scarif_1 -
My opinion above assumed the aftermarket fogs you were talking about would be surface mounted like the picture I attached below. But if you're just talking upgrading the fog lights in the existing housings, I'd completely agree with @4runningMan's assessment - they're too hard to remove to be at risk.

 

Parking in the garage is another option.

 

WHAT ABOUT WHEN IM IN DA MALL?

 

Mail order.

 

Theft is a "thing" everywhere, is someone going to steal the fog lights out of the stock location on a 4Runner? Probably not.. Rigid fog lights, a little over $400, go for it!

 

I parked at a restaurant in south St. Louis with my Tacoma OR , when I came out, my mudflaps were gone. I understood why they would steal them when I had to replace all 4, not cheap.

 

Thieves may steal your OEM lights as well, with "surgical precision": https://www.reddit.com/r/Porsche/co...can_turismo_brutal_headlight_theft/?rdt=45496



But no, if you have a newer-year 5th gen, don't worry about it. Thieves are probably already canvassing the whole vehicle and lining up buyers in Nigeria. Lights will be the least of your concerns.

 

So what did you decide on this? I am eyeing the SS3 Diode Dyanamics fog lights (not sure if Pro or Max), but have similar concerns. I don't know how easy they are to remove after installed. Also, have concerns about someone mangling up bumper to get them out.

I park in a carport, but the concern is more when car is parked while I'm out (although I'm usually pretty close). I hate thieves!

 

I plan on getting the Baja SAE fogs. Someone mentioned it here, “you only live once”. My truck isn’t super bult out so I still manage to stay under the radar. Might also go clear lenses to be even more low key.

 

I have the older SAE's, love them, definitely the a top manufacturer and the next gen you will be getting of the Baja SAE are even better. The factory fog location is the safest too.

I also made a custom magnetic mount for my Baja S1's on the back of my 4R. No one has touched them.

 

If your want aftermarket fogs go with the dynamic diodes pro series. Look for sales. The best of the best

 

Install question for your Baja SAEs. How difficult was the passenger side install? Did you have to cut up the fog shroud there? Really want to avoid that. Also don’t want to omit it as some people have.

 

I didn't have a shroud on my driver's side but only had one side shrouded

 

It was quite a few years ago but i recall it taking less than an hour with nothing crazy except having to pull back the wheel well shroud to have the reach to install. There may have been some back cover shroud for the old fog light that was unimportant, but i honestly don't remember.

 

Light theft, especially BDs, is more common here in So Cal. It’s usually ditch lights and light bars on roof racks. Not fogs or light bars inside winch bumpers that are harder to get at. There’s anti-theft hardware available to slow thieves down, but some will just use a sawzall, clip the wiring harness and go. It depends on where the vehicle is parked and how long the thieves have to work without being seen or heard. But it is very much a thing in some places.

 

In most parts of populated California, it is now a good idea to start evaluating things as if you are visiting Baja California or one of the border towns. If you park cars with nice rims and accessories on the street or on your driveway, nothing is safe these days. Not saying it's anyone's fault for having nice things, just the way it is in today's world. Unless you vehicle is behind a barrier of access denial like a gated place or garage(even those are not 100% safe of course), you roll the dice.

Living in an expensive town is no guarantee either unless your house is on an obscure street with zero traffic. With how many rando people roll by all the houses doing house cleaning, landscaping, gig work and foot/Amazon delivery, whatever is in your driveway is open season to one pair of wrong eyes out of many honest working people.