Adding Light Guards and Fender Plates to the OVR G63 for Protection and an Adventure-Ready Look

From the factory, the OVR G63 didn’t come with any light protection or fender guards. That left a lot of exposed glass and paint on a vehicle we fully intended to use off pavement.

Addressing that vulnerability became one of the first visual and functional updates we wanted to tackle on the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.

The official reason for adding light guards is simple: headlights, turn signals, and tail lights are expensive, and trail damage happens quickly when rocks, brush, or tree limbs get involved. The unofficial reason is just as honest. We like the safari look.

Light guards have long been part of the G-Wagon’s utilitarian DNA, and adding them immediately pushed the G63 away from showroom luxury and closer to expedition-ready.

Front Turn Signal Guards

We started up front with factory Mercedes-Benz turn signal guards. These are bolt-on parts and fit exactly as intended, though in typical Mercedes-Benz fashion, the process involved more steps than expected.

We got our set from G-Wagon specialists and OVR G63 project partner, Jack Wagon Overlanding.

The headlight covers had to come off to access the mounting hardware underneath. It wasn’t difficult, just time-consuming, and patience went a long way.

Headlight Guards

The headlight guards were slightly more involved. Installing them required drilling into the headlight covers themselves. Taking a drill to a G-Wagon is not something most owners take lightly, but it was necessary for a secure install.

We couldn’t find official instructions, so we referenced how similar guards were mounted on other Gs we’d seen in person and online.

The work itself wasn’t complicated; the real challenge was careful measuring to make sure both sides were level and evenly spaced.

If you’re considering doing this yourself, we recommend measuring three times and taking your time.

Tail Light Guards

Out back, the tail light guards turned into a project of their own. There are newer-style guards that only cover the lens, but we prefer the older full cage design that wraps around the entire corner and tail light assembly.

Mercedes-Benz stopped offering these sometime around the mid-2010s, and since our G63 is a 2017, fitment was unclear. Even longtime G-Wagon specialists couldn’t confirm whether they would bolt on.

We found a used OEM set on eBay and took a chance. When they arrived, it was immediately obvious they wouldn’t fit as-is. After digging deeper, we discovered the problem: the guards were missing the factory mounting brackets.

Those brackets mount underneath the rear of the truck and are often left behind when guards are removed from donor vehicles. Most sellers either don’t realize the brackets are required or don’t bother removing them.

Finding replacement brackets proved nearly impossible. While we did locate another set of guards that included brackets, they were priced at nearly three times what we paid for the guards by themselves, and we were already committed.

Rather than fabricating something ourselves, we brought the problem to Mobile Weld Specialist in El Monte, California. MWS fabricated custom brackets in about half a day, allowing the guards to mount cleanly and securely.

The guards came in chrome, and for now we left them that way to match the bull bar, though black powder coat is on the table down the road.

With the proper brackets, it does appear these older-style tail light guards will fit G-Wagons through the final year of the first-generation body.

Fender Plates

We also added fender protection in the form of ORC Step Protection Plates sourced from Jack Wagon Overlanding.

The G-Wagon’s flat, sturdy fenders are surprisingly useful as work surfaces. Whether holding tools during a trail repair or supporting a coffee mug at camp, they get used.

These plates protect the paint from scratches and scuffs and are strong enough to support body weight when stepping up to reach the roof or windshield.

Installation of the fender plates was straightforward. They can be mounted with 3M double-sided tape alone, but for off-road use we wanted something more permanent.

We used the tape for positioning and added rivets for long-term security. That meant drilling into the fenders, but the result is a clean, solid install that won’t shift over time.

Final Thoughts

Once everything was in place, the transformation was subtle but effective. The light guards and fender plates add real protection, but they also give the OVR G63 a more purposeful, adventure-ready look.

It’s the kind of upgrade that doesn’t scream for attention, but makes sense once you start using the truck the way it was always meant to be used.

There’s more coming as we continue building out the OVR G63. Stay with us as the project moves forward.

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