TheSamba.com :: View topic - Mercedes G-Wagon rear side marker and brush guard on Vanagon

Sun May 11, 2025 5:55 pm

The other day I was on the trail with my Syncro, and being in the spring season with all this new growth on dirt tracks that haven't seen motorized vehicles in some months, some brush recklessly removed my rear side marker. Myself, being someone always looking for improvement, went down a rabbit hole of finding a suitable replacement that is not stock/original form. Voila, I stumbled upon the Mercedes G-Wagon (W463, W461, W460 <1979-2021>), and aftermarket brush guard.

Before photo of busted rear marker:

After replacement with Mercedes FRONT 1/4 side marker (I will explain later)**:

**I used the G-Wagon front 1/4 side marker because I liked the functionality of the brush guard, that the G-Wagon does not provide for the rear, as far as I've looked... (I am a G-Wagon fan, but not a fanatic). I bring this "front 1/4" side marker up, because if you're not following, front side markers are amber/orange and rear side markers are red. To correct this, I bought clear G-Wagon side markers with amber bulbs, switched the amber bulbs with clear and painted the marker with VHT SP888 red tail light restore paint. The result of the VHT SP888 was very good. I did 4 coats until it looked just as red as the rear brake/ running light of the syncro to the naked eye in daylight. These side markers, although look good in daylight, could have used 5-6 coats now that I've seen them illuminated. Don't get me wrong... they look good, but another 2+ coats would make them look even better IMHO.

After 4 coats of VHT SP888 red tail light restore paint

I bought 2 sets (4 total) in the case I messed one up. Here they are before and after paint. Note the slight "orange peel" in the red paint. It is not seen by the naked eye, unless you are looking for it in a very particular light angle. no concern to me:

Rear of lights once installed inside the brush guard. (keep in mind the guard is aftermarket, not stock on a G-Wagon, although the guards a made to fit stock G-Wagon side markers shown above).

Pretty much "plug-N-play" as far as electrical. The stock Vanagon female terminals are the same as the male terminals on the G-Wagon side marker. The rear side marker bulbs on a stock Vanagon are 4W. I was unable to find 4W WY5W bulbs, so I opted for the 5W in this setup. I'm sure 4W WY5W are out there, but my FLAP did not have them, and the 5W has not popped a fuse as of yet... I may reduce to 4W bulbs later.

Other important notes of interest:
-Manufacturer Part #, SKU for lamp assambly: 463 822 00 20 (64 or 65). You might have to decipher Mercedes codes, sorry... but this will get you in the correct direction.

-The brush guard is not a Mercedes item as far as I know. It is listed on many aftermarket retailers of G-Wagon components. If you do a google search of "G-Wagon side marker guard" you will find a few sellers, probably all from the same aftermarket manufacturer, not OEM, but quality is decent IMHO.

-I had to make my own body-to-side marker gasket. A piece of thin rubber and a utility knife will do the job. It's not rocket science... use the metal side marker as a template, cut the appropriate holes, so-on-and-so-forth.

-The side marker will have to be attached to the metal plate somehow. This is your choice of adhesive, weather it be epoxy or some kind of "extreme" adhesive glue. The choice is yours. I used JB Weld "SuperWeld EXTREME gel". use your preferred adhesion method. Discard the foam that comes with the side marker... If you can find a way to use it, good on you. I did not use it. There are some small "tabs" that you will have to cut !!AFTER!! you mount the marker to the base plate of the brush guard, they will protrude through the base... you'll know what I mean when you assemble the two. A sharp utility knife or a dermal will suffice.

-I reused the (x2) stock hardware on both sides for the side markers. the hardware screws supplied with the brush guard will not work, put them in your spare fastener can, and hope they will be useful some day for another project.

-Since you will be using the original stock (VW) screws, you will need to enlarge the holes of the brush guard ever so slightly... I used a 9/64 bit to take out the threads on the brush guard, then enlarged with a 5/32 bit. You may be able to go straight to 5/32, but I was stepping up, as I did not know the end size required. Use your own discretion.

-I used the forward stock mounting hole in the body for the guard and lens to attach to the van. The rear mounting hole you will have to drill (into the body) and use either the original stock screw (which is what I did) or some Stainless or similar option screw. This is the only hole you will need to drill. I was sure to use some sort of corrosion inhibitor, Cor-Ban 27L, to fill the hole and screw prior to assemble. A good dap of Cor-Ban from the inside was given as well after assembly.

-I will update as neccessary, but I think this covers it all.... 8)

Sun May 11, 2025 8:04 pm

Ooh shiny! Very neat.

Sun May 11, 2025 9:20 pm

That's very cool.

If you paint the inside, it will still be red but it won't be subjected to as much environmental damage and it won't have orange peel.

Sun May 11, 2025 9:45 pm

4Gears4Tires wrote: If you paint the inside, it will still be red but it won't be subjected to as much environmental damage and it won't have orange peel.
You and I are on the same wave length... That was my plan before I received the product. The lens comes as one piece, the only hole into the inside of the lens is the tiny insert for the bulb. I suppose you could deconstruct the lens and do so, but it is manufactured as to not come apart. I'm all about deconstructing things, but taking this apart may be destructive, and unable to be put back together... but if anyone wants to prove me wrong... you're up...

Sun May 11, 2025 11:19 pm

Another option: Install red LED bulbs; no need for paint unless it's for aesthetics.

Mon May 12, 2025 3:48 am

Very nice!
Just one small detail, isn't the factory lights also a reflector?
So parked it could be visible from the side to oncoming headlights?
The replacement is just a light, only visible when lit.

Mon May 12, 2025 7:00 am

Cool and I like the look. Are the tabs that hold the cage/guard “Breakaway” should something hook it ?

Mon May 12, 2025 11:29 am

Wellington wrote: Very nice!
Just one small detail, isn't the factory lights also a reflector?
So parked it could be visible from the side to oncoming headlights?
The replacement is just a light, only visible when lit.

Very good point. A better choice would have been; Hella LED side marker lamp 345 600

BK

Engineers and Scientists of California E.S.C 20
Retired Engineering Manager AT&T

Mon May 12, 2025 3:58 pm

Xevin wrote: ...Are the tabs that hold the cage/guard “Breakaway” should something hook it ?
unfortunately, the tabs are not designed to "breakaway". The forward one is plastic, and could break, but the rear mount is solidly affixed with a screw. Hopefully I don't have any issues like that.

Wellington wrote: Very nice!
Just one small detail, isn't the factory lights also a reflector?
So parked it could be visible from the side to oncoming headlights?
The replacement is just a light, only visible when lit.
You're right about that. I may mount some type of red reflector on the side of the GW bumper here in the future.