Light guards on a Defender

[dmdigital]

So what is everyone's preference for light guards?

On my Tdi I have the perspex Land Rover one's. They're damned annoying to clean behind and fiddly to take off (lot of dust and muddy water gets behind them). They also keep the lights very hot.

Did think of getting the perspex ones and trying to cut slots in them, but knowing my luck I'd get 90% of one done and the perspex would snap. Anyway they'd still be hard to clean behind.

So what are the alternatives???

Genuine metal Lamp guards
After market equivalent - Bearmach, Equipe4x4, Devon4x4....
Something else????

[Tombie]

Yup...

Fit NONE!!

Ugly as sin.... If anything get some "light skins"

[dmdigital]

Light Skins :confused:

Off to Google I go...

[dmdigital]

OK sounds like you are referring to a 3M product, but I can't find a good reference to it except for a few postings on bike forums.

Do you have any more information? This does sound more like what I'm after.

[Sleepy]

I used to have the perspex ones. Fitted some spacers so that they sit a few mm off - therefore allowing me to squirt water behind to clean. -haven't bothered with the new deefer. I figure if I lose a headlight - bad luck.

I would fit the wire/cage type protectors - if anything.

[JDNSW]

Lack of them is a 100% guarantee of broken headlights if you drive round here, or most other places even slightly off the beaten track. Surprisingly, gravel roads are not the main problem (possibly because of lower traffic), most problems seem to come from narrow bitumen and roadworks.

I have the perspex Landrover ones, but I am not exactly happy with them for the reasons quoted. I have contemplated perspex or metal mesh ones on the bullbar, but have not actually done anything about it.

John

[Bundalene]

Hi Derek, trouble is that where you are you need either some headlight protection or a good supply of headlghts :D.

I just used a bit of mesh on the bar - doesn't look that good buy is very effective, doesn't get clogged up and you can still clean the lights.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/76.jpg
Photo courtesy of Dullbird (thanks Lou)

Cheers, Erich

[Sleepy]

I like that option Erich:BigThumb:

Looks like a cheap and effective option - a few cable ties and some wire mesh - easy to clean and hardly noticable.

Bit of a thread drift but would it be worth going across the radiator as well to cach some of the crud/bugs before the radiator? (Maybe a smaller gauge)

[dmdigital]

Of course getting the wire mesh is potentially a problem up here. Think I'll take some measurements and consider my options when I fly out in a couple of weeks for a few days leave.

I'm still intrigued about the "Light Skins" though:confused:

[ciapek]

I had some light skins on a family car a few years back.
It's basically a sheet of decal. Clear, about 3mm thick, slightly soft to the feel. Made by 3M.
Alcohol clean the light's glass surface, apply decal, trim around with a knife to follow the shape of your light surface.

Pros, makes the light surface resilliant to moderate impact. Does not impede lights performance nor function. Very easy to fit.

Cons, relatively expensive as you have to buy a sheet, although the Deefer will get a few cutouts from said sheet so I guess it's not that bad.
Will age from the lights heat and gradually start to yellow become brittle and peel. Also may require some alcohol wipe downs from time to time, as the decal shrinks and moves from the heat the exposed glue will collect dirt.
Because the decal is thick, it will be a little difficult to mould a concave shape shape on the surface of the Defenders light reflector. Tip, prewarm and soften your rough cutout circle with a Hairdryer.

I landed mine from Autobarn, no idea if they still stock it.

Good Luck....:)

[Tombie]

Google it as Lite Skinz

Cheers

[Tombie]

http://www.altrex.com.au/files/grabdoc.php'type=img&id=1164
Available in Australia from here: Altrex - Altrex innovative automotive products and accessories (http://www.altrex.com.au/shop.php?cat=154)

[sniegy]

Yup...

Fit NONE!!

Ugly as sin.... If anything get some "light skins"
Hi Derek,
If anything would agree with Mike, The metal ones in reality do nothing to protect the light. They are just a couple of bars that may/maynot stop a rock! The lite skinz are exceptional. Have used these on my previous bikes & have seen a few on many different vehicles.
As "Ciapek" has stated, little exy to originally purchase, but u will have a few extra's for later. Used to have to buy in a metre sheet & cut to shape. not sure if things have changed. The google is/should be your friend.
Cheers

[dmdigital]

Thanks I'll check that out too when I fly out. Looks like its a readily available product given their retailer list of where to buy.

[Bundalene]

While you are at it - fit HID's to reduce your glass temperature. They are excellent.

Erich

[dmdigital]

Hi Derek,
If anything would agree with Mike, The metal ones in reality do nothing to protect the light. They are just a couple of bars that may/maynot stop a rock! The lite skinz are exceptional. Have used these on my previous bikes & have seen a few on many different vehicles.
As "Ciapek" has stated, little exy to originally purchase, but u will have a few extra's for later. Used to have to buy in a metre sheet & cut to shape. not sure if things have changed. The google is/should be your friend.
Cheers

Thanks Pete, don't happen to know where the best place in greater Melbourne would be to pick some up?

[isuzubob]

I've been very happy with this set up on my trucks as well as County for years.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Fairly cheap, easy to fit, available at any good truck dealership/ independant truck parts outlet. Haven't got around to fitting it on this County yet. Originally it came with the genuine LR military mesh type - total PITA. Could not clean mud or bugs off at all. If you go for the skins I would be interested to see how they go long term. My worry would be if a rock hit it you only have a few mm to stop the impact. Either way, any solution is better than nothing.

Rob W

[juddy]

Heres mine, will they stop the lights getting smashed, only if they are hit by a flying bird, but they look good and offer something different than the norm.

[dmdigital]

Just an update. I got a 1.2m roll of the Light Skinz that I can cut several covers out of. It was the only one I found in an Autobarn store when I was out on leave. Anyway I don't think it will be hard to make a template of a Defender's light and fit the stuff.

[justinc]

Hi Derek, trouble is that where you are you need either some headlight protection or a good supply of headlghts :D.

I just used a bit of mesh on the bar - doesn't look that good buy is very effective, doesn't get clogged up and you can still clean the lights.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/02/76.jpg
Photo courtesy of Dullbird (thanks Lou)

Cheers, Erich

A bit OT, But that is a great looking rig Erich!!

JC

[rick130]

Altrex Light Skinz, hmmm

I'm a great believer in the concept, and I really want them to work, but they don't on my headlights.
Why ?
Cibie 7" round headlights have a pretty severe convex lens, it's just too much for the adhesive on the Light Skinz and it just curls up at the edges.
I've only had success with one Cibie headlight ever, I've gone through two packets of the stuff and all the others just curl away...:mad:
The original ones would stay for a day or two then curl at the last place they were stuck. After putting up with one like that for too long I pulled it off, and had a rock through the headlight within three weeks. :rolleyes:

If your headlights have a flat front lens (many 7" H4 headlights do) it'll work, if you run something with a lens like the Cibies, frustration will ensue.
I've used the Light Skinz on our GU Patrol with success, but the curve is much gentler.

If you can get it to stick they are great. You will get more light transmission as there aren't any extra air to glass or acrylic surfaces to reflect light everywhere but forward and they do protect against breakage.
The only headlight we've broken in the last eight years is the one I got the dirts with and peeled the ddogy light skinz off.

I've just been through the excercise of trying to stick some new light skinz to another 7" round Cibie headlight in the last week and I nearly ended up killing something, this time they would peel as fast as I applied it :censored:
Altrex will be getting a letter when I get the chance.

[George130]

I like the metal bars that seam common in the UK.
So far have nothing.
Only broken lenses was from a water crossing after lights had been on for hours:angel:.

[Offender90]

I've been very happy with this set up on my trucks as well as County for years.

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/4859/headlightcovers003ut4.jpg

Fairly cheap, easy to fit, available at any good truck dealership/ independant truck parts outlet. Haven't got around to fitting it on this County yet. Originally it came with the genuine LR military mesh type - total PITA. Could not clean mud or bugs off at all. If you go for the skins I would be interested to see how they go long term. My worry would be if a rock hit it you only have a few mm to stop the impact. Either way, any solution is better than nothing.

Rob W


I've got a similar setup on my county, but is made of some sort of flexible plastic. I haven't managed to push it in all the way to the lens with my hands, but it still feels pretty flimsy.

I'll be looking into a pair of Lexan ones when I get around to replacing mine. Lexan is bulletproof "glass" material, so it's ultratough & will not shatter.

Cheers

[dmdigital]

Altrex Light Skinz, hmmm

I'm a great believer in the concept, and I really want them to work, but they don't on my headlights.
Why ?
Cibie 7" round headlights have a pretty severe convex lens, it's just too much for the adhesive on the Light Skinz and it just curls up at the edges.
I've only had success with one Cibie headlight ever, I've gone through two packets of the stuff and all the others just curl away...:mad:
The original ones would stay for a day or two then curl at the last place they were stuck. After putting up with one like that for too long I pulled it off, and had a rock through the headlight within three weeks. :rolleyes:

If your headlights have a flat front lens (many 7" H4 headlights do) it'll work, if you run something with a lens like the Cibies, frustration will ensue.
I've used the Light Skinz on our GU Patrol with success, but the curve is much gentler.

If you can get it to stick they are great. You will get more light transmission as there aren't any extra air to glass or acrylic surfaces to reflect light everywhere but forward and they do protect against breakage.
The only headlight we've broken in the last eight years is the one I got the dirts with and peeled the ddogy light skinz off.

I've just been through the excercise of trying to stick some new light skinz to another 7" round Cibie headlight in the last week and I nearly ended up killing something, this time they would peel as fast as I applied it :censored:
Altrex will be getting a letter when I get the chance.
Mine are the standard ones that came with the Puma. They have a curvature, but it doesn't look severe. The only isssue I now have is templating them. Would you believe every round plate I have in the house is either at least 2cm to big or 1cm to small in diameter to use as a template:mad: Just have to find something to use and I can cut them out and install. Will let you know how it all goes.

[rick130]

Mine are the standard ones that came with the Puma. They have a curvature, but it doesn't look severe. The only isssue I now have is templating them. Would you believe every round plate I have in the house is either at least 2cm to big or 1cm to small in diameter to use as a template:mad: Just have to find something to use and I can cut them out and install. Will let you know how it all goes.

Just use a piece of cardboard and draw a circle with a compass, that's all I ever use.

[Bearman]

Just an update. I got a 1.2m roll of the Light Skinz that I can cut several covers out of. It was the only one I found in an Autobarn store when I was out on leave. Anyway I don't think it will be hard to make a template of a Defender's light and fit the stuff.

What is the cost of the roll of Light Skinz. Would be interested in them, I think.

[dmdigital]

What is the cost of the roll of Light Skinz. Would be interested in them, I think.

I'd have to dig up the receipt but I from memory it was around $39 for the roll. Also I didn't shop around as time was limited so SuperCheap or KMart might be a lower price