Driver's Tail light guard- NEED INPUT

[Y33TREKker]

Going by Julian's thread at least, it looked like a lot of time custom fitting the brackets/tabs was necessary to get his "just right", so I imagine what you're experiencing is normal.

Things like this are difficult to offer any input on if a person isn't standing right there looking at the clearances, so I'd say just give it some time and either you or your fabricator will eventually have an AHA! moment and determine what is needed to make it work.

And out of curiosity, are you wanting functional guards meaning that metal would be your first preference, or is it mostly a visual standpoint you're operating from?

If it's more of a visual thing, what would be the chance of picking up a set of GTS smoked tail light covers and simply cutting out sections of those so that the remaining material would give you the look you want?

[Ldub]

Things like this are difficult to offer any input on if a person isn't standing right there looking at the clearances, so I'd say just give it some time and either you or your fabricator will eventually have an AHA! moment and determine what is needed to make it work.

I'm agreeing with Trek too...without "eyes on", there is no answer to this question...

Sorry Suzee... You know I still ya...

But that's what fab guys are supposed to be able to figure out.

[VX KAT]

it's mostly visual/aesthetic, but some functional aspect with all these nasty cats claw bush things around here that etch the side of the car and lens, ..... I really like the look of the metal guards (call me old school I guess) so wouldn't be happy with the GTS smoked ones, either as is, or if I cut out sections to make it appear it has horizontal "bars".

STATUS UPDATE......

As post #1 says....fab shop started, but found MY Driver's side clearance too limited.

Last week some brand new Manik tail light guards for 98-02 Rodeos (style #488659) popped up on ebay, so I snapped up a pair in case they may work out.

Came today, after I started this thread. Look great, took them up to the fab shop. Metal tabs are much thinner...so that's definitely part of the solution on the custom ones. Have to re-locate and change the angle of the 2 metal tabs to line up with our VX tail light screws (like wekilled mentioned too).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110833475533...9#ht_500wt_878






Here's the tabs they fabbed so far (on pass side, but too thick for Driver's side)










So to recap this classic Suzy fiasco....er, um, I mean project.....

Plan A -Black plastic ones...wrong curvature.....

Plan B -Stainless steel with flat metal instead of tubular style....wrong curvature and no one can bend the suckers....

Plan C - Custom made from scratch....my specific VX rear gate tolerance on driver's side is really narrow.........

Plan D - Use the Manik guards, re-locate the thinner tabs, then evaluate if we can shave or shim the lens in some way AND / OR notch the edge of the rear door. Yes, I THINK I'm willing to alter the metal edge of the rear door (and cladding edge) to make this work.......while making sure lamp integrity is maintained.

So......tomorrow they'll evaluate the Manik guards.....and we'll see what has to be done to the lens or gate......stay tuned......
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Still welcome any advice / input /cautions /suggestions!
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......and yes, I'm going to get a 2nd opinion tomorrow from my other "regular" off-road shop.....
Come on guys, you've got custom fabbed sandrails, VW buses, pick-ups, and other custom things all over your shop....what's so freakin' hard about this? Are they afraid because my VX is so pristine and this is the first time we've worked together and they're not sure how flexible I am, etc...? Could be.

Plus, I have a horrible, I mean HORRIBLE chest cold and can hardly speak (as V can attest to), so all my communication has been in a raspy whisper which doesn't help.....

[Ldub]

took them up to the fab shop. Metal tabs are much thinner...so that's definitely part of the solution on the custom ones.

I'm sorry, but that's the kind of thing a good fab shop should be able to figure out...bust out da grinder...

However, knowing how picky you are, they may be a bit gun shy...

But that's just you... And that's O K