Taillight suggestions? Rugged or Cheap

[WestCoast_JL]

I have a bad tendency of breaking my taillights wheeling and crawling...looking for suggestions for something that is either rugged and won't break or cheap enough that it won't be as painful

The two main ones I am looking at are the Quake Metal-Tek
Quake Metal-Tek

And the Motobilt High clearance
Motorbilt High clearance

I can't seem to find much real world (unbiased and non sponsored write ups or reviews on either though which makes me skeptical) Alternatively I am not opposed to going with some cheap Rough country ones (I saw a they go for like 150-200) or Amazon ones that range in the 1-300$ area if they'll hold up for at least a year like the OEM ones seem to.

Since 2023 I've gone through 2 sets of oem and one set of the oracle flush mounts....if it wasn't for keeping it street legal I'd probably just jerry rig some pods in there but such as life I suppose. Also before any points out yes I realize I am the problem not the lights but if I can shell out 300$ a year opposed to 600-1000 I am a happy camper. Or if either of those will last a few years they both look decently durable.

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[RatZero]

Instead of the Oracle lights, I've been looking at the Morimoto XBs. Not cheap but they're low profile and not Oracle.

Morimoto XB Tail Lights

 

[WestCoast_JL]

Instead of the Oracle lights, I've been looking at the Morimoto XBs. Not cheap but they're low profile and not Oracle.

Morimoto XB Tail Lights

Those look nice too...its just the significant lack of reviews for me. Although I do run their lights in my truck and one of my cars and the quality is there. Wasn't aware they made lights for these too.

 

[Terrymo]

I have a bad tendency of breaking my taillights wheeling and crawling...looking for suggestions for something that is either rugged and won't break or cheap enough that it won't be as painful

The two main ones I am looking at are the Quake Metal-Tek
Quake Metal-Tek

And the Motobilt High clearance
Motorbilt High clearance

I can't seem to find much real world (unbiased and non sponsored write ups or reviews on either though which makes me skeptical) Alternatively I am not opposed to going with some cheap Rough country ones (I saw a they go for like 150-200) or Amazon ones that range in the 1-300$ area if they'll hold up for at least a year like the OEM ones seem to.

Since 2023 I've gone through 2 sets of oem and one set of the oracle flush mounts....if it wasn't for keeping it street legal I'd probably just jerry rig some pods in there but such as life I suppose. Also before any points out yes I realize I am the problem not the lights but if I can shell out 300$ a year opposed to 600-1000 I am a happy camper. Or if either of those will last a few years they both look decently durable.

When you say a set of taillights, does that mean a pair of tail lights or a single taillight? It sounds like you’re saying you’ve broken 6 individual lights in 2 years. Even if it’s only 3 tail lights in 2 years I’m not following the math on wanting Motobilt or Quake. I’m having trouble visualizing how you break a flush mount tail light without some serious body damage.

 

[WestCoast_JL]

When you say a set of taillights, does that mean a pair of tail lights or a single taillight? It sounds like you’re saying you’ve broken 6 individual lights in 2 years. Even if it’s only 3 tail lights in 2 years I’m not following the math on wanting Motobilt or Quake. I’m having trouble visualizing how you break a flush mount tail light without some serious body damage.

Singles but outside of OEM no one sells just one light and the oracle cost the same as a single OEM so i figured it was worth a shot and being flush I thought less chance of breaking in the bush but it didn't do me much good bouncing off a rock....there was some good body damage but nothing that would prevent me from re-mounting new lights. The Quake in particular have a lot less plastic so in theory would be more durable. While the Motobilt are recessed which again gives me the impression if there was another impact that they might survive more.

 

[Terrymo]

Singles but outside of OEM no one sells just one light and the oracle cost the same as a single OEM so i figured it was worth a shot and being flush I thought less chance of breaking in the bush but it didn't do me much good bouncing off a rock....there was some good body damage but nothing that would prevent me from re-mounting new lights. The Quake in particular have a lot less plastic so in theory would be more durable. While the Motobilt are recessed which again gives me the impression if there was another impact that they might survive more.

Not up to me but visually I would choose the Motobilt. IMHO the Quake looks like they were made for a different style of vehicle.

 

[2nd 392]

Those look nice too...its just the significant lack of reviews for me. Although I do run their lights in my truck and one of my cars and the quality is there. Wasn't aware they made lights for these too.

Review they work properly including BSM, backup brighter, look great IMO, smoke also available, additional PNP backup light bar for the top of the license plate available, very flush- doesn’t stick out as far as the fuel lid. 10% off Tax sale announced (low for the typical holiday sale, $316 for Black Friday), free shipping, maybe an additional promo for first timers. I signed up for alerts and in ~3 weeks the BF sale was announced https://morimotohid.com

edit- they even give the 3’rd brake light some balance so it doesn’t look as bad

 

[Punknhed]

have had the oracles since 2023 no problems with mine. personally i like them better then any of the other options out there. the morimoto ones above my post are pretty nice looking too.

 

[PhrogUSMC]

The metal housing and super low profile of the Quake lights would probably give you more durability and longevity for bashing on the trails. As long as they don't fail on their own within a year, then that would put you ahead of your normal curve.

 

[Chknleggs]

Plan on installing these next weekend, seem sturdy and cheap to replace in case of damage.
https://motobilt.com/products/round...n-kit-for-jeep-jl?_pos=6&_sid=e7a8336e4&_ss=r

 

[Heimkehr]

I have a bad tendency of breaking my taillights wheeling and crawling...looking for suggestions for something that is either rugged and won't break or cheap enough that it won't be as painful

The best bang for your buck will be buying OEM halogen take-offs from fellow owners who advertise them here, in the Member Marketplace, or perhaps on Facebook Marketplace. They'll provide a confirmed plug-and-play fitment, will look correct and have a known build quality.

If you have your heart set on LED tails, there's a crapload of varying price point options available on Amazon.ca. Most will cost significantly less than the two brands you link to in your post.

 

[WestCoast_JL]

Plan on installing these next weekend, seem sturdy and cheap to replace in case of damage.
https://motobilt.com/products/round...n-kit-for-jeep-jl?_pos=6&_sid=e7a8336e4&_ss=r

These look interesting, would you be able to follow up with how they feel on the rig and how install went?

 

[WestCoast_JL]

The best bang for your buck will be buying OEM halogen take-offs from fellow owners who advertise them here, in the Member Marketplace, or perhaps on Facebook Marketplace. They'll provide a confirmed plug-and-play fitment, will look correct and have a known build quality.

If you have your heart set on LED tails, there's a crapload of varying price point options available on Amazon.ca. Most will cost significantly less than the two brands you link to in your post.

I do keep an eye on my local marketplace but I’ll take a peak here…in most forums I find a significant lack on Canadian for sale ads though.

locally I’m finding everyone changes headlights for the aesthetic and doesn’t touch taillights…I have yet to see a pair go for sale unfortunately.

I am kinda leaning towards getting a few Amazon cheapies to test…or potentially seeing if the light covers/cages actually do much. Or I could start being nicer to the rig I suppose but

 

[Jeffy56]

Or I could start being nicer to the rig I suppose but

That would help.

 

[Odyssey USA]

The best bang for your buck will be buying OEM halogen take-offs from fellow owners who advertise them here, in the Member Marketplace, or perhaps on Facebook Marketplace. They'll provide a confirmed plug-and-play fitment, will look correct and have a known build quality.

If you have your heart set on LED tails, there's a crapload of varying price point options available on Amazon.ca. Most will cost significantly less than the two brands you link to in your post.

I was going to suggest the same. I see the halogen taillights for $50 along with the headlights. Stockpile the headlights for later when those are hard to come by lol.

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