Notices
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd/3rd gen pickups, and 1st/2nd gen 4Runners with IFS

should i paint my tail lights?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 11:26 AM
  #1  
4runner4life93's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Question should i paint my tail lights?

OK i was on RESmith711 thread of his truck he painted his tail lights i don't want to pay 70 dollars for covers so has anybody done it does it work can you see the lights any thing well help thank you

Last edited by waskillywabbit; Apr 27, 2009 at 05:42 PM. Reason: Title clarity per posted sticky
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 12:18 PM
  #2  
snobdds's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 8
From: Cheyenne, Wyoming
Sounds to me like a cop magnet more than anything. Plus I never got the whole light cover thing...what purpose does it serve.

But to each there own…

I don’t think it would work, just my $.0178 (inflation sucks)
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 12:22 PM
  #3  
4runner4life93's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
i hate orange in a tail light a cover makes it black
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 12:59 PM
  #4  
snobdds's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 8
From: Cheyenne, Wyoming
Well this might make you think twice about doing that.

I had a friend who put those black covers on his tail lights. He was rear ended by a guy who was on the ball and insisted that he did not see my buddies brake lights go on. Guess what, the cop did not give him the ticket he gave my friend the ticket. Those covers are illegal in Wyoming and probably most states. And since his truck only had liability insurance...he took it up the you know what just so he could look cool.

Moral of the story - don't use covers.
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 01:00 PM
  #5  
Cwaters1184's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Tally
like snob said your asking to get pulled over. i dont know where you live but in FL this is the statue "Florida law requires that tail lamps “shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of 1,000 feet to the rear…” most states have similar restrictions.
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 01:07 PM
  #6  
4runner4life93's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
i donnt care haha as long as my ride looks nice
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 01:20 PM
  #7  
iamsuperbleeder's Avatar
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,248
Likes: 33
From: Lake City, Fl
Originally Posted by 4runner4life93
i donnt care haha as long as my ride looks nice
that's just a stupid responce...



dude, don't want to fork over $$$ for new OE style tail lights? look on ebay; I got these got $50 shipped

Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 02:31 PM
  #8  
4runner4life93's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
no trust me dude i have called many people about those i have a 4runner they wont fit
=[
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 02:40 PM
  #9  
Junkers88's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,371
Likes: 6
From: Texas
You could go with a red lamp (bulb) and try that. I think they are a few dollars at any auto parts store. Or am I misunderstanding in that your factory lenses without the brake light on is orange?
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 02:41 PM
  #10  
iamsuperbleeder's Avatar
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,248
Likes: 33
From: Lake City, Fl
Originally Posted by 4runner4life93
no trust me dude i have called many people about those i have a 4runner they wont fit
=[
ah damnit, that's right, you rock a Runner ma bad man, that little fact slipped my mind
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 02:46 PM
  #11  
Junkers88's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,371
Likes: 6
From: Texas
Originally Posted by iamsuperbleeder
ah damnit, that's right, you rock a Runner ma bad man, that little fact slipped my mind
Yup you truck guys are all about bling..........
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 03:04 PM
  #12  
iamsuperbleeder's Avatar
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,248
Likes: 33
From: Lake City, Fl
Originally Posted by Junkers88
Yup you truck guys are all about bling..........
actually, the left one fell victim to a tree, and the right one was already cracked but yeah, I wasn't going to settle to stock replacements; I wanted to spice it up a bit plus, the refector behind the reverse light bulb combined with 50watt halogen 1156 bulbs makes for some BRIGHT reverse lights
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 03:48 PM
  #13  
Sin91's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Close to COLDSTONE ICE CREAM
federal (DOT) requries some distance visibility I think 1/4 mile for clearance lights and states can require more but not less than that. I can only guess that brake lights require more distance than so that means they are brighter and can be seen better.
if the light or cover doesnt have a DOT stamp on it it is not legal for highway use but local streets arent highways so you may be ableto get away with it unless the local law says otherwise.
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 04:19 PM
  #14  
Robert m's Avatar
Registered User
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,974
Likes: 143
From: Apple Valley, CA
if you dont like the orange, then do what i did to my pickup lights, paint the outside of the lens with candy apple red model paint. light is still very visible through them and they look like a factory light still.

Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 05:29 PM
  #15  
4runner4life93's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
thats a good idea but i live in tennessee and in my parts cops dont care in your tires stick out 7 inches from your truck and you black out all the way around lol i still want black =]
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 05:50 PM
  #16  
lr9788's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
where in tennessee do you live?
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 05:54 PM
  #17  
4runner4life93's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
knoxville
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 05:55 PM
  #18  
Toyvana's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: Godfrey, Illinois
Hood scoop and tail light covers are not functional and I would consider it a waste of money. I'm sure you could spend that cash on something worthwhile for your truck.

Never heard of anyone blacking out their tail lights with paint either...you may not get pulled over in your town but as soon as you hit the highway or another town it's gonna happen. Then you're gonna have to replace your tail lights with OEM or DOT legal.
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 05:59 PM
  #19  
4runner4life93's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
do you have hell cats on your truck i have lways wondered lol
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 10:10 PM
  #20  
xzyragon's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: LA
IMO, blacked out lights only look good on FULLY blacked out cars. i did see a FJ cruiser that was fully blacked out and it was PIMP, but he probably gets pulled over because of his tinted windows and taillights.
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 10:37 AM.