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

Addressing that vulnerability became one of the first visual and functional updates we wanted to tackle on our Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 (W463 generation) for overlanding and off-road protection.

After installing a Front Runner roof rack and rear mounted ladder, we continuted with our mission of outfitting the AMG G63 to match the overland adventure rig nature of our build.

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.

Installing Factory Mercedes-Benz Turn Signal Guards on the W463

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 G-Class fashion, the process involved more steps than expected.

We got our set from Mercedes-Benz G-Class specialists and OVR G63 project partner, Jack Wagon Overlanding. While aftermarket options exist, we chose factory Mercedes-Benz guards from a trusted shop for guaranteed fitment and OEM quality.

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.

Installation time: Approximately 30 minutes per side for the turn signal guards.

G-Wagon Headlight Guard Installation: Drilling Required

For G-Class owners considering this modification, 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 and long-term off-road durability.

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.

Installation time: Plan for 1-2 hours for both headlight guards, including careful measurement and drilling.

Finding and Fitting Discontinued G-Class 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 AMG G63 is a 2017 W463 model, 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.

Learning from our first-hand experience, with the proper brackets, it does appear these older-style tail light guards will fit W463 G-Wagons from approximately 2013 through 2018, covering the final years of the first-generation body before the W464 redesign.

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.

Custom Bracket Fabrication for Older G-Wagon Tail Light Guards

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.

ORC Fender Protection Plates: Installation and Benefits

We also added fender protection in the form of ORC Step Protection Plates sourced from Jack Wagon Overlanding. These overlanding-focused protection plates are particularly valuable for G-Class owners who use their vehicles as intended.

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 stainless steel rivets for long-term security in harsh off-road conditions. That meant drilling into the fenders, but the result is a clean, solid install that won’t shift over time.

Installation time: About 15 minutes per fender plate with the rivet method.

How Light Guards Transform the G63’s Adventure-Ready Appearance

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, overlanding-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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