Don't mod taillights!

[OracleLights]

Then why not stamp the lights with the standard like the OEMs do?

Because possibly there are very specific tests that have to be passed in order to legally apply the markings? Or a specific testing facility has to do the certification?

Something that "compliant" lights don't have?

And "compliant" is indeed vague language.

Not sure why you are so hung up on the terminology, this is standard language for the FMVSS validation process, we have been manufacturing lights for over 25 years, I can tell you this is standard industry terminology. This design does not have an exterior acrylic lens the process to emboss into a textured PC surface without deforming is a challenge and it is not required.

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[Steve_In_29]

Not sure why you are so hung up on the terminology, this is standard language for the FMVSS validation process, we have been manufacturing lights for over 25 years, I can tell you this is standard industry terminology. This design does not have an exterior acrylic lens the process to emboss into a textured PC surface without deforming is a challenge and it is not required.

Because words have meanings.

Which is why the industry uses "compliant" instead of saying lights are DOT approved.

Compliant is a VERY ambiguous term. Which could mean as little as that the light contains the required running, brake and back up lights the law requires. While glossing over the fact that they are no where near as bright or visible as the OEM lights are required to be.

And in your over 25 years of making lights you haven't learned how to make ones that reliably last more then 2 YEARS? Seems that 25 years only taught you haw to maximize your profit margins at the customers expenses.

Over in the gun world SIG backs their optics with a lifetime (free replacement) warranty, even if the optic was bought used. You would do well to emulate them.

Or at least pay the chinese a bit more money to build you a better product.

 

[OracleLights]

Which is why the industry uses "compliant" instead of saying lights are DOT approved.

DOT does not "Approve" anything.... DOT has no approval process, they don't even write the rules, NHTSA does. Stating "DOT Approved" as you recommend would be false.

Don't take my word for it, do your own research.

 

[Mirage]

30 might work well for the dirt road but then I would have to air up for the 60 miles on pavement to get to the stores

Negative! I've been running on 30psi for the past 2+ years. I air down to 8-10psi when offroading.

You can actually run less than 30psi on the pavement. Years ago, in my TJ Rubicon years, it was so late/dark when we got back to the pavement one time, we were so exhausted from riding all day, that we forgot to air back up and reconnect our front sway bars, this was 12 years ago! The PSI was 12-15 and just kind of felt like a slowly leaking tire, but the no front sway bar is where we had to "learn" how to drive 70+ miles home. This is one of the pics from this ride!

 

[Steve_In_29]

DOT does not "Approve" anything.... DOT has no approval process, they don't even write the rules, NHTSA does. Stating "DOT Approved" as you recommend would be false.

Don't take my word for it, do your own research.

Yet those lights with the DOT numbers on them somehow mange to last a LOT longer then 2 YEARS.

Seems you guys are the ones who should do more research.

 

[Steve_In_29]

Honestly not really, it'll be fine. Haven't aired mine up past 28 in months.

What kind of mpg are you getting? At 39psi I could manage 25mpg.

How's tread wear?

 

[GI_Jo_Nathan]

What kind of mpg are you getting? At 39psi I could manage 25mpg.

How's tread wear?

Couldn't tell you on the MPGs, I don't have a reason to look. I don't care, it is what it is. I'm running 37's and drive it like a stunt man. I'm having a blast!

Tread seems to be wearing perfect. They ride smoother than when they were new.

 

[DarthLincoln]

Yet those lights with the DOT numbers on them somehow mange to last a LOT longer then 2 YEARS.

Seems you guys are the ones who should do more research.

Durability requirements are defined by the vehicle OEM, not NHTSA. The advantage of OEM is they run pretty brutal and long vehicle-level testing for durability and corrosion, in addition to requiring component & system level testing first.

Aftermarket can’t afford to run similar full vehicle durability testing just for validating their one part. This has to be a big reason why aftermarket lights have failure rates that OEM lights do not.

 

[EightSparks]

Horizontal LED strips went out on mine after not even making it 3 years. Same story: wouldn't stand behind their product so now I'm stuck with very expensive paperweights. I put the stock ones back on today with IAG tint film and it looks awesome. "Installed" the Oracle ones where they belong too, I think they look great there.

 

[Steve_In_29]

Durability requirements are defined by the vehicle OEM, not NHTSA. The advantage of OEM is they run pretty brutal and long vehicle-level testing for durability and corrosion, in addition to requiring component & system level testing first.

Aftermarket can’t afford to run similar full vehicle durability testing just for validating their one part. This has to be a big reason why aftermarket lights have failure rates that OEM lights do not.

BUT the aftermarket CAN spec their chinesium sourced lights to be built with higher quality parts rather than the absolute cheapest crap. Better parts/build quality would likely only cost Oracle $10 or $20 more a set. On something they sell for $600 to us.

 

[DarthLincoln]

BUT the aftermarket CAN spec their chinesium sourced lights to be built with higher quality parts rather than the absolute cheapest crap. Better parts/build quality would likely only cost Oracle $10 or $20 more a set. On something they sell for $600 to us.

Yeah, I agree. And aftermarket companies have no excuse for not delivering high quality parts when it comes to basic pod lights and light bars. But headlight and taillight assemblies are much more complex given their custom-shaped lighting elements and electronics that get mounted inside large shapes of molded plastic that has to be sealed, then match OEM mounts. I was never a lighting engineer, but I imagine the vibration dynamics and durability of assemblies like that must be a huge challenge, especially without OEM vehicle durability testing and data to learn from.

 

[Steve_In_29]

Yeah, I agree. And aftermarket companies have no excuse for not delivering high quality parts when it comes to basic pod lights and light bars. But headlight and taillight assemblies are much more complex given their custom-shaped lighting elements and electronics that get mounted inside large shapes of molded plastic that has to be sealed, then match OEM mounts. I was never a lighting engineer, but I imagine the vibration dynamics and durability of assemblies like that must be a huge challenge, especially without OEM vehicle durability testing and data to learn from.

It's not that hard to reverse engineer from an OEM. Especially when a lot of the OEM stuff is likely made in the same chinese factory.

 

[DarthLincoln]

It's not that hard to reverse engineer from an OEM. Especially when a lot of the OEM stuff is likely made in the same chinese factory.

the evidence suggests otherwise.

 

[Steve_In_29]

the evidence suggests otherwise.

No, the evidence suggests the companies are spec'ing the absolute cheapest crap in order to maximize their profit margins.

The chinese can build rockets that reach outer space. They are fully capable of constructing a Bronco tail light that lasts more then 2 years.

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