Question on mounting factory tail light guards

[Marauder]

I ordered a set of factory tail light guards. I just read the instructions and I had been under the impression you mount them with screws behind the tail gate (its an suv) and 3m tape on the outside mounting location.

But it looks like you have to drill into the sheet metal of the truck to install 'well nuts' and then attach the guards to those nuts with screws.

I hate the idea of creating holes in the truck that if I ever wanted to take them off, would have to be fixed by a body shop or the screws left in them and look ugly.


What did you guys do? And was I mistaken when I read some people say the factory used 3m tape?

[badss98]

The factory guards mount to the inside taillights using the existing screws(torx) that hold the taillights in.When you install these do not remove the tape and test fit first to make sure you get the alignment correct as to not hit your hatch when closing.Then remove tape and fasten in location observed and you will then be a happy and scratch free owner.

[Marauder]

The tape is the issue. Mine do not have tape on them.

There are the tabs that mount to the torx screws on the side of the tail light housing like you mentioned. Then there are 2 other tabs that mount to the outside of each tail light housing on the sheet metal of the vehicle. You actually have to drill a hole in the truck.

I have the guards here now. They have no tape.

[Marauder]

I just realized these do not say HUMMER on them either.

I ordered them from Adventure Accessories. They shipped from Lynch Hummer.

Maybe they shipped me the wrong part number.

The part number listed on the install sheet says 88968381. The part number on the outside of the box says 17801241. The install sheet says 'Cover ASM Tail Lamp'. It doesn't have any other descriptions.

[Easy Ed]

Should look like these http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c..._2019_62481477 which is Item# 178012 at the http://www.adv4x4.com/index.html site and has HUMMER on them. You may not have the correct ones

[Marauder]

Originally Posted by Easy Ed

Should look like these http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c..._2019_62481477 which is Item# 178012 at the http://www.adv4x4.com/index.html site and has HUMMER on them. You may not have the correct ones

Those are the ones I ordered. But NOT the ones I got. The ones I got have the 2 'tabs' you can see on the inboard side that mount inside the tailgate area. But they also only have 2 tabs on the outside that mount to the truck body.

If you look at the ones in the picture, they have what looks like 4 little bars that go to maybe a longer strip that mounts to the body of the truck.

I will take a picture of these and post them in a few minutes. I will also take a pic of the instruction sheet in case that helps.

Give me maybe 10 minutes or so.

[Easy Ed]

Pics of mine. The yellow areas are where the 3M tape goes. Not sure if they changed over the model years or not but mine is a 2003.

P.S. Sorry for the bad photo chop


Attachment 49612

Attachment 49613

[Marauder]

Here are photos of what I got from them...

Anybody know if they are correct and if not, what they are actually for?

[Marauder]

Man, BIG difference between those and what they shipped me.

Thanks for the pics. That clears up a lot on how they are supposed to mount.

Now to find out what they sent me and go through the pain of returning these and waiting for more I guess.

Originally Posted by Easy Ed

Pics of mine. The yellow areas are where the 3M tape goes. Not sure if they changed over the model years or not but mine is a 2003.

P.S. Sorry for the bad photo chop


Attachment 49612

Attachment 49613

[Easy Ed]

Looks as though yours are welded tube and mine are cast. Maybe yours are a "new style" guard ? The pics from the site above appear to be cast though ?

Would they fit if mounted and had 3M tape on the two ears instead of using screws through the two holes in the pic, just a thought ?

[Marauder]

I think I could get them to work. I pulled the screws out and held them up to see if everything lined up. It looked ok. But I didnt really test fit them because I hadnt put any tape on the paint and didnt want to scratch the paint.

I am not sure if there would be enough surface area for the 3m tape to stick well though.

[Easy Ed]

If they didn't come with tape I'd say they are the wrong parts, may just want to wait and call them Monday

I have had problem in the past with parts being packaged wrong (incorrect part label and the parts were coming from Mecico) and had to send the parts back for correct ones.

[Marauder]

I think youre right. Thanks man.

[Easy Ed]

Hope ya get it corrected, good luck, Ed

P.S. Let us know what ya find out , thanks.

[CONRAD II]

I've seen the factory taillight guards both ways. It seems like some people have the ones that come with the 3m tape and some people have the ones with the pre-drilled holes. If you do decide to drill into your rig BE CAREFUL!!!

[Humdingah]

They changed styles in '05 I believe and went from the kind that use the 3M tape to the type that you got with the small Allen head screw. You'll be required to drill holes in the body in order to mount the new style...

[SummitUp]

My ride is an '05, and the taillight guards mount with the tape. If you decide to drill, make sure you put a blob of silicone on/around the hole to prevent water intrusion.

[Humdingah]

Mine's an '05 too (bought mid-year) and it came with the new-style taillight guards. The holes you drill use a rubber plug that you put sealant on and they've got a threaded insert that causes the rubber plug to expand and not back out of the hole. Measure 17 times and drill once...

[H2Much]

You can always sand the surface of the side where the screws would go in on the guards, and just get the 3M tape, and tape them anyway. I think it would work, and you can get the industrial strength 3M adhesive tape at almost an automotive parts place (Autozone or Checkers) I would do that over drilling holes any day. If it doesn't work, you can always just drill the holes. Besides, the 3M stuff is designed to stick on either plastic or metal, it's the stuff they use to stick ornaments and siding to the car, so I don't see why it wouldn't work on your tail light guards.

[finall]

The chrome OEM ones on our 07 SE have the screws that drill into the body sheetmetal. That was from the factory.