Oracle lighting rear bumper LED reverse lights do not fit

[Rock Hopper]

Yeah, that's totally their call if they don't want to modify their already very specific application to cover a larger market. And likewise, it's also the customer's prerogative if they're not willing to spend their money on something that needs grinding for proper fitment.

Not that the risk of ruining a $100 part is all that much of a financial risk or anything, but personally, I was already a little hesitant after hearing of fogging and water intrusion on that particular light as well as some of their others. Grinding material away from the lens and/or housing just seemed like it would only increase the chance of that happening.

Certain things I fully expect will need a bit of modification or adapting it to your particular setup, while other parts that are tailor-made for a very specific application shouldn't need much if anything done for a proper fitment.

But now that Oracle has the steel bumper warning, that's a fair enough solution for now. What I personally want and what's a current reality are often two very different things. Just because I think they should tweak their design to guarantee fitment on both definitely doesn't equate to them thinking it's a feasible idea for whatever reason. And that's.. okay

I couldn't agree more. If I were installing the set that I already have on a steel bumper, I would likely do as many have reported (grind a little material off of the bumper and not the light). In these cases, a good file or a Dremel is your friend! For me that would be the first step rather than to grind away at the light casing itself. I think that is what Oracle is recommending. I originally bought a set of these lights because I have the Plastic covered bumper and no modification is necessary. They do look good and if installed correctly seem to be a solid product.

On the other hand, as a different example; I bought the MOPAR factory winch plate ($$$) which required grinding at least 1/4" off of the very thick steel of the plate to get a Warn Evo 10s to seat in the factory drilled mounting holes. There is no way the Warn winch would sit flat and install with the flipped up lip of the MOPAR plate. (Others have run into this as well). So it appears even with a factory part sometimes fabrication is unavoidable. Maybe it's just a "Jeep Thing" ???

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[AFD]

If I were installing the set that I already have on a steel bumper, I would likely do as many have reported (grind a little material off of the bumper and not the light). In these cases, a good file or a Dremel is your friend! For me that would be the first step rather than to grind away at the light casing itself. I think that is what Oracle is recommending.

Oh hell no! There's absolutely no way I'm grinding away on a $1,000 bumper just to fit a cheap $100 set of lights. I'd certainly 'eff it up badly just based on that math alone ?

If I was gonna go that route, I might as well buy a nicer set of flush mount lamps and cut openings in the steel. Don't really trust my skills with that either, but 5 years from now when one of them inevitably craps out and the product is replaced or discontinued, I'll still have a decent chance of finding something similar or just slightly bigger to fit.

Maybe it's just my faith in Murphy's Law, but I really don't think Oracle should be recommending that just anyone should start hacking away at a far more expensive product just to fit theirs. Some people sure, but it still kinda feels like taking a mallet to your floorboards trying to make a set of floor mats fit ?

 

[ChuckQue]

Yeah, that's totally their call if they don't want to modify their already very specific application to cover a larger market. And likewise, it's also the customer's prerogative if they're not willing to spend their money on something that needs grinding for proper fitment.

Not that the risk of ruining a $100 part is all that much of a financial risk or anything, but personally, I was already a little hesitant after hearing of fogging and water intrusion on that particular light as well as some of their others. Grinding material away from the lens and/or housing just seemed like it would only increase the chance of that happening.

Certain things I fully expect will need a bit of modification or adapting it to your particular setup, while other parts that are tailor-made for a very specific application shouldn't need much if anything done for a proper fitment.

But now that Oracle has the steel bumper warning, that's a fair enough solution for now. What I personally want and what's a current reality are often two very different things. Just because I think they should tweak their design to guarantee fitment on both definitely doesn't equate to them thinking it's a feasible idea for whatever reason. And that's.. okay

Seal it up along the seams and area you did the grinding with RTV. Same with the harness ingress point. It’ll negate the moisture intrusion.

 

[ChuckQue]

Oh hell no! There's absolutely no way I'm grinding away on a $1,000 bumper just to fit a cheap $100 set of lights. I'd certainly 'eff it up badly just based on that math alone ?

If I was gonna go that route, I might as well buy a nicer set of flush mount lamps and cut openings in the steel. Don't really trust my skills with that either, but 5 years from now when one of them inevitably craps out and the product is replaced or discontinued, I'll still have a decent chance of finding something similar or just slightly bigger to fit.

Maybe it's just my faith in Murphy's Law, but I really don't think Oracle should be recommending that just anyone should start hacking away at a far more expensive product just to fit theirs. Some people sure, but it still kinda feels like taking a mallet to your floorboards trying to make a set of floor mats fit ?

You must be new to Jeeps. I’ve cut up so much shit on my older vehicles to make aftermarket stuff fit it isn’t even funny….

Plus the steel “$1000” steel bumper is a joke anyway.

 

[Left Field]

I purchased the Oracle rear bumper lighting for my 2021 JLUR with steel bumpers. These are the LED lights that replace the red reflectors in the rear bumper on Sahara and Rubicon JL vehicles.

Where did you buy them & when?
I spoke with Oracle a few days ago about this issue and they said they'd recently redesigned the LED housings to improve the fit on the LH side. They also said there may still be inventory of some of the older version still floating around.

Based on that I pulled the trigger - directly with them - we'll see how they fit....
LF

 

[AFD]

You must be new to Jeeps. I’ve cut up so much shit on my older vehicles to make aftermarket stuff fit it isn’t even funny….

Plus the steel “$1000” steel bumper is a joke anyway.

I didn't say it was good, I said it was $1,000.

And to each their own. Things I'd be willing to do to an older vehicle aren't the same as one I just bought a few months ago.

 

[Rock Hopper]

Oh hell no! There's absolutely no way I'm grinding away on a $1,000 bumper just to fit a cheap $100 set of lights. I'd certainly 'eff it up badly just based on that math alone ?

If I was gonna go that route, I might as well buy a nicer set of flush mount lamps and cut openings in the steel. Don't really trust my skills with that either, but 5 years from now when one of them inevitably craps out and the product is replaced or discontinued, I'll still have a decent chance of finding something similar or just slightly bigger to fit.

Maybe it's just my faith in Murphy's Law, but I really don't think Oracle should be recommending that just anyone should start hacking away at a far more expensive product just to fit theirs. Some people sure, but it still kinda feels like taking a mallet to your floorboards trying to make a set of floor mats fit ?

I understand. I do think you might be overestimating the unnoticeable amount of material that you would have to (file) remove to make the installation easier (many have been successful in forcing the light in). As it is, that $1,000 bumper doesn't have symmetrical reflector cutouts, so you would technically be "fixing it" and bringing it up to the correct tolerances with one's that have the plastic bumper cover. Of course I say this in Jest...as I am more OCD than most.

5 years from now, at the very worst you could just pop your original reflectors back in, if a light crapped out.

Just spitballing here, but I get your point.
It "killed me", when I had to cut a tiny (not even noticeable) slot in my rear bumper to install my overpriced Maximus tow hooks!

"No Ragrets" ???

 

[calemasters]

Where did you buy them & when?
I spoke with Oracle a few days ago about this issue and they said they'd recently redesigned the LED housings to improve the fit on the LH side. They also said there may still be inventory of some of the older version still floating around.

Based on that I pulled the trigger - directly with them - we'll see how they fit....
LF

Amazon.com 2 weeks ago.

 

[cjljl2018]

Where did you buy them & when?
I spoke with Oracle a few days ago about this issue and they said they'd recently redesigned the LED housings to improve the fit on the LH side. They also said there may still be inventory of some of the older version still floating around.

Based on that I pulled the trigger - directly with them - we'll see how they fit....
LF

I had the same experience with the LH side and Oracle's response. They sent me a replacement light that fit perfectly. Originally purchased through a parts supplier and not direct. Good customer service on making it right.

 

[ChuckQue]

I didn't say it was good, I said it was $1,000.

And to each their own. Things I'd be willing to do to an older vehicle aren't the same as one I just bought a few months ago.

Fair points it was more in jest. Damn shame a $1000 factory bumper is the way this one is…

 

[AFD]

Fair points it was more in jest. Damn shame a $1000 factory bumper is the way this one is…

100% agree with that, and no worries! ?

This is my first Wrangler, but I fondly remember my old XJ ('85 I think?). Was too young and broke to get into anything too fun, but I sure as heck made an irreversible mess with my budget stereo and speaker installs. Only caught on fire once iirc, but I eventually learned to do some really clean builds that weren't a rolling safety hazard.

 

[calemasters]

Getting it to fit is a chore but well worth it in my opinion. I had to grind off a decent a mount of the casing on the one light as well as some of the bumper metal. I used RTV to seal up the light and hit the bumper with some rust preventative, installed the light and then ran a bead of RTV around the light, sealing it in the bumper. So far so good. They are super bright and make backing up at night much better. The water intrusion issue I think could be solved with again using RTV around the edge and where the harness enters the light.

I get it. But if the light fails, I assume Oracle would not warranty the modified lamp.

 

[calemasters]

OK, I have a solution. Since the left side punch out for the red reflector is out of spec (too small), I will take the Jeep back to my dealer and have them replace my rear bumper under warranty. Just kidding.

My plan is to call Oracle and see if they have a (smaller) left side light that will fit into the bumper.

 

[calemasters]

OK, I have a solution. Since the left side punch out for the red reflector is out of spec (too small), I will take the Jeep back to my dealer and have them replace my rear bumper under warranty. Just kidding.

My plan is to call Oracle and see if they have a (smaller) left side light that will fit into the bumper.

I contacted Oracle today to see if they had a new light assembly that would fit the left side on the steel factory bumper. They do not, but they sent me this third party video.

 

[Tank2112]

When I called Oracle about fitment, they asked for the date code sticker off of one of the light fixtures. It's the build date. Oracle told me they rounded the edges of the "new design" fixtures so it will fit driver side steel bumper opening.
I haven't pulled rear bumper to test fitment yet, mainly due to history of lights getting moisture inside. They will replace, but pita to remove & re-install new light.

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