Install
Let's talk about procrastination... I
have wanted to put some sort of guards on the Jeep ever since I
got it. I guess it's not so much that I wasn't sure as
that the cost of these things is surprisingly high. They always seemed
to be just a little bit more than I wanted to spend. For
the price of them I have purchased several items that have true
functional uses. These things on the other hand are
largely cosmetic. Some will argue that they really do
protect the lights. Sure they do! And they
cost considerably more than any two lamps put together!
So I waited and waited to get them. I
got quicker disconnects,
steering box skid plates,
spare tire relocator brackets,
CB parts, and all manner of small but
important parts. But finally, I guess you could say, I
reached the point of needing something for the man who has
everything... And one night browsing
eBay they
showed up for about half what they sold for in magazines and
catalogs. Buy It Now!
And much to my surprise later when they
arrived, the tail light guards were not what I expected but just
what the doctor ordered! They also appear to be
discontinued. I saved a good chunk of change and ended up
with something that I had waited years to purchase.
These are good parts to consider if your only
skill is operating a screw driver or Allen wrench. That's
all it took. I even wore my business casual clothes while
I installed them... No children were injured! While
I was at it, I moved the chicken wire guards that were on the
headlights to the driving lights. Gotta keep the faith!
There isn't much to say.
They are poseur material for sure, but I have to admit I like
the look. And after all, I will gladly demonstrate for
anyone who thinks I am posing as a four wheeler, what real lamp
guards can do!
Update: 2/26/06
I'm a little surprised and a lot
disappointed to report that after only 3 months, these parts are
looking like junk. The heavy metal protection bars are
still very well coated. That part looks like quality
powder coating. On the other hand, the light-gauge, mild
steel part that goes around the lamp edges has rusted so badly
that most of the paint has blistered off. This problem is
very apparent with the front guards that go on the side marker
lights, and on the guards that go on the tail lights. The
headlight guards and the front turn signal guards seem to be
relatively unaffected.
Anybody that knows me has seen
how careful I am to keep my Jeep clean. So there is no
accounting for this premature and sad condition. It was
not what I was expecting from Sun Performance Products.
The powder coat on the Rocker Protection has held up very well
for years. So I don't know what to say. But I do
know what to do.
I took them off the Jeep.
My son Tom and I spent an hour taking all the blistered paint
off. Then we wire-brushed them. Then we treated the
rust with a rust inhibitor. Then we painted them with a
black satin rust-inhibiting paint. I doubt this will keep
them from continuing to rust but it will freshen them up a bit.
Except for the ones on the fender flares that required drilling,
they would come off without a trace.
So if you're thinking of getting
these, think again. I still like the look - well, the look
without the rust...
Update 4/30/06
Again, I removed these parts and
wire brushed and repainted them. I regret putting these on
the vehicle, especially the ones that I had to drill holes for
because if I remove them, I will have ugly holes where the
screws used to go. This was a bad purchase. I wrote
the the manufacturer to tell them about the rust problem.
I got no answer. As much as I love the heavy duty rocker
protection from Sun Performance, these were a big surprise and
disappointment. About all I can say is "they clean up
well" (picture above shows them reinstalled after four
hours of restoration.
Update 6/27/06
This is getting old...
Actually, the headlight guards
had held up pretty well. They were the only ones that
lasted this long without any attention. And I might have
left them alone but the headlights were being replaced and I was
going to have the guards and the doors off so I just decided to
paint them. The complete story is located here:
5/13/07
Another round of repainting the parts.
These things are good for looks - when they're not rusty...
Install Instructions
Headlight Guard
Jeep: Wrangler (TJ) 97-UP
Part# tjp005
Installation:
Remove the Torx screws that secure the trim ring around
the headlight. Position the headlight guard and align
the mounting tabs with the holes in the trim ring.
Re-install the Torx screws and tighten securely.
Turn Signal/Indicator
Guards
Part# tjp006
Installation:
Front Lamp - Remove the two screws that secure the turn
signal in place. Position the guard over the light and
install using longer screws and spacers included.
Side Indicator - Position the guard over the light on
the fender flare and mark hole locations. Drill the
appropriate size holes and install the guard using the
hardware provided.
Safari-Style Tail Light
Guards
Part# tjp005R
Fits all CJ and Wrangler
(YJ & TJ)
Install easily with factory screws
