Blacked out lights, legal?

bike4miles · 06-10-2004, 08:30 PM

I was wanting to black out my tailights and backup lights and I was just wondering if it is legal. Has anyone been pulled over for this? Where do I get that special paint to do it?

Yoter · 06-10-2004, 08:32 PM

I have a GT brand rear tail lamp black out kit. Bought it for $50 or so, sell for $20+S*H

WSU4runner · 06-10-2004, 08:55 PM

Mine are blacked out. Never had a problem with the police. I even asked one about it, he said as long as you can see the brakes you're good. He also said some cops might give you crap about it.

jimbo74 · 06-10-2004, 08:59 PM

they are illegal

bike4miles · 06-10-2004, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WSU4runner

Mine are blacked out. Never had a problem with the police. I even asked one about it, he said as long as you can see the brakes you're good. He also said some cops might give you crap about it.

Yea, I have clears right now and it sounds like they are the same deal as blacked out. They are basically leagal but not 100% bacause of the whole reflector issue. With clears, the reflectors are white instead of red/amber. Do the reflectors still work when they are blacked out?

bike4miles · 06-10-2004, 09:32 PM

Ok, well this is my 4runner now:

And this is a 4runner with blacked out tails:

Which do you guys think looks more stylish?

WSU4runner · 06-10-2004, 09:34 PM

BLACK!!! I'll try and post a pic of mine tomorrow.

terky · 06-10-2004, 09:39 PM

i ahve seen factory dogde trucks with black lights. so it should be legal.

jimbo74 · 06-10-2004, 09:39 PM

to me, it depends on the vehicle... white would look better wit hclears.... darker colors look better with blackouts

bike4miles · 06-10-2004, 09:49 PM

Nice, I wan't to black out my backup lights also. Does anyone have experience with blackout paint? Does it dim the lights significantly?

jimbo74 · 06-10-2004, 09:57 PM

the actual rule on tailight blackouts is that the lights still need to meet distance glow requirements..... in CA its something like visible from 500 feet away or something like that

motrhedx81 · 06-11-2004, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimabena74

they are illegal

Thats cause you're in the Republic of Kalifornia.

My buddy had some of that paint stuff on his sidemarkers and it didn't look to good. It could chip of pretty easy if you don't do it just right. I would just get some GTO's or AutoVentShade's for $40-50. I've never had any trouble with the Fuzz about mine, but Kentucky is pretty leniant.

SLC Punk · 06-11-2004, 04:33 AM

I have been pulled over for the black headlight covers on my 94 Ranger. He would have given me a ticket for my rear covers, but they were slotted.

Roadrunner · 06-11-2004, 05:38 AM

Here in Virginia they're illegal. I read a trip report from a local group and one of the Jeeps got pulled over and ticketed for those black-out covers over his tail lights.

X-AWDriver · 06-11-2004, 07:35 AM

Blackout lights? *Bling Bling* from like 10 years ago;not bad looking but it has been played out.

I personally look at going back to red but looking at newer 3rd gen lights with some led or some type of high intensity bulbs.

potroast · 06-11-2004, 07:43 AM

depends on the state. In cali, black tails are okay as long as your lights are visible from a distance of I think 100 meters.. Might be more. And you *must* have a red reflector. That's why the clears are illigal.

sn0w_m0nkey · 06-11-2004, 07:43 AM

illegal in new mexico and utah as well. my brother is a cop and i asked him, he told me cops will make a judgement call on those. depends on the ticket quota, mood and all those great factors when it comes to getting a ticket

i should clarify, he said the smoke (or darks) are the ones that are not legal.

i have wade brand clears on mine, definately worth protecting against pitting of the glass over the years.

jx94148 · 06-11-2004, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bike4miles

Yea, I have clears right now and it sounds like they are the same deal as blacked out. They are basically leagal but not 100% bacause of the whole reflector issue. With clears, the reflectors are white instead of red/amber. Do the reflectors still work when they are blacked out?

Good point on reflectors. Here's the WA law:

Quote:

RCW 46.37.060
Reflectors.

(1) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer shall carry on the rear, either as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two or more RED reflectors meeting the requirements of this section: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That vehicles of the types mentioned in RCW 46.37.090 shall be equipped with reflectors meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.110 and 46.37.120.

(2) Every such reflector shall be mounted on the vehicle at a height not less than fifteen inches nor more than seventy-two inches measured as set forth in RCW 46.37.030(2), and shall be of such size and characteristics and so mounted as to be visible at night from all distances within SIX HUNDRED FEET to one hundred feet from such vehicle when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps, except that reflectors on vehicles manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1970, shall be visible at night from all distances within three hundred and fifty feet to one hundred feet when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps.

[1977 ex.s. c 355 § 6; 1963 c 154 § 4; 1961 c 12 § 46.37.060. Prior: 1955 c 269 § 6; prior: 1947 c 267 § 2, part; 1937 c 189 § 16, part; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 6360-16, part; RCW 46.40.030, part.]

NOTES:

Severability -- 1977 ex.s. c 355: See note following RCW 46.37.010.

Effective date -- 1963 c 154: See note following RCW 46.37.010.

06-10-2004, 08:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
bike4miles Contributing Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,381	Blacked out lights, legal? I was wanting to black out my tailights and backup lights and I was just wondering if it is legal. Has anyone been pulled over for this? Where do I get that special paint to do it? __________________ --Miles Sold '91 4runner, 22re, 5 spd manual, 180,000 miles, cone filter, Downey 1.5"HD coils, SkyJacker Nitrogens, Magnaflow Exhaust, Stull grill, Clears all around. Check out my sound proofing project and other mods: My 4runner page My 2006 Camry page I'm a Myspace Addict!

06-10-2004, 08:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
WSU4runner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mill Creek, WA Posts: 458	Mine are blacked out. Never had a problem with the police. I even asked one about it, he said as long as you can see the brakes you're good. He also said some cops might give you crap about it. __________________ ~93 4Runner~ 33" MT/R's, fj80's in rear, and ball joint spacers in the front

06-10-2004, 09:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
bike4miles Contributing Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,381	Ok, well this is my 4runner now: And this is a 4runner with blacked out tails: Which do you guys think looks more stylish? __________________ --Miles Sold '91 4runner, 22re, 5 spd manual, 180,000 miles, cone filter, Downey 1.5"HD coils, SkyJacker Nitrogens, Magnaflow Exhaust, Stull grill, Clears all around. Check out my sound proofing project and other mods: My 4runner page My 2006 Camry page I'm a Myspace Addict!

06-10-2004, 09:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
WSU4runner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mill Creek, WA Posts: 458	BLACK!!! I'll try and post a pic of mine tomorrow. __________________ ~93 4Runner~ 33" MT/R's, fj80's in rear, and ball joint spacers in the front

06-10-2004, 09:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
terky Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 217	i ahve seen factory dogde trucks with black lights. so it should be legal. __________________ Rig: 1982 longbed pickup 31" tires Diff breather mod (1st mod ever on 4-30-04)

06-10-2004, 08:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Yoter Guest Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 5,050	I have a GT brand rear tail lamp black out kit. Bought it for $50 or so, sell for $20+S*H

06-10-2004, 08:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
jimbo74 Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Nor*Cal Posts: 6,587	they are illegal

06-10-2004, 09:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
jimbo74 Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Nor*Cal Posts: 6,587	to me, it depends on the vehicle... white would look better wit hclears.... darker colors look better with blackouts

06-10-2004, 09:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
bike4miles Contributing Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,381	Nice, I wan't to black out my backup lights also. Does anyone have experience with blackout paint? Does it dim the lights significantly? __________________ --Miles Sold '91 4runner, 22re, 5 spd manual, 180,000 miles, cone filter, Downey 1.5"HD coils, SkyJacker Nitrogens, Magnaflow Exhaust, Stull grill, Clears all around. Check out my sound proofing project and other mods: My 4runner page My 2006 Camry page I'm a Myspace Addict!

06-10-2004, 09:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
jimbo74 Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Nor*Cal Posts: 6,587	the actual rule on tailight blackouts is that the lights still need to meet distance glow requirements..... in CA its something like visible from 500 feet away or something like that

06-11-2004, 04:33 AM	#13 (permalink)
SLC Punk Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 5,877	I have been pulled over for the black headlight covers on my 94 Ranger. He would have given me a ticket for my rear covers, but they were slotted. __________________ -Travis 1997 4Runner SR5 V6 4X4 Supercharged Desert Dune SOLD :( 1992 Celica All Trac (AWD-Turbo) #223 of 271 US spec for 1992 FOR SALE 2005 Tundra Double Cab Limited 4X4 2.5" lift 265/70R17 Dueler Revo's 4Runner and Celica Webpage

06-11-2004, 05:38 AM	#14 (permalink)
Roadrunner Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 929	Here in Virginia they're illegal. I read a trip report from a local group and one of the Jeeps got pulled over and ticketed for those black-out covers over his tail lights. __________________ Ian 2001 4Runner SR5 4x4 - An Evolving Expedition and Search and Rescue Response Vehicle TJM, XD-9000 Winch, Badland Sliders, SAW/OME Lift, 33" MT/Rs, Homemade CO2 Set-up, Optima Blue Top, Cobra 75 WX ST, Icom V8000, Icom IC-F121, Bendix King EPH-5101A, 1" 4Crawler BL, Hayden Tranny Cooler, Wilderness Rack w/Hella 550s, Snorkeled and Trail Armor by BudBuilt. TLCA #14,082 SAR Field Team Leader - Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group

06-11-2004, 07:35 AM	#15 (permalink)
X-AWDriver Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Littleton,CO Posts: 9,273	Blackout lights? Bling Bling from like 10 years ago;not bad looking but it has been played out. I personally look at going back to red but looking at newer 3rd gen lights with some led or some type of high intensity bulbs. __________________ '99 4Runner Highlander 4wd E-locker,rear diff and deckplate mod * 265/75/16 Nitto TerraGrapplers * Yakima Load Warrior rack * clear corners/signals * Tacoma skidplate * Silverstar lamps/fogs Alpine CDA-9831,Bazooka EL Series 250w amp,MTX 10" sub

06-11-2004, 07:43 AM	#16 (permalink)
potroast Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 62	depends on the state. In cali, black tails are okay as long as your lights are visible from a distance of I think 100 meters.. Might be more. And you must have a red reflector. That's why the clears are illigal.

06-11-2004, 07:43 AM	#17 (permalink)
sn0w_m0nkey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: new mexico Posts: 59	illegal in new mexico and utah as well. my brother is a cop and i asked him, he told me cops will make a judgement call on those. depends on the ticket quota, mood and all those great factors when it comes to getting a ticket i should clarify, he said the smoke (or darks) are the ones that are not legal. i have wade brand clears on mine, definately worth protecting against pitting of the glass over the years. Last edited by sn0w_m0nkey : 06-11-2004 at 07:45 AM.

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