MetalCloak — Lo-Profile LED taillight kit, moulded housings, Jeep Wrangler JK

The more affordable version of the MetalCloak LED kit: instead of a machined aluminium housing you get a moulded black ASA housing (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate), a UV-stable plastic used for exterior automotive parts precisely because it does not yellow or go brittle in the sun.

The profile is noticeably lower than stock, and the LEDs are far brighter than the dim factory lamps.

What is in the kit

• Driver and passenger housings — moulded black ASA
• Driver and passenger LED panels — with white reverse lights and side-visible running lights
• Resistors with finned aluminium heat sinks
• Resistor brackets
• All required hardware

Why the resistors

LEDs draw less current than bulbs, so the indicators start flashing at double speed and the vehicle can report a bulb-out. The supplied resistors fix both.

A customer review notes that “instructions gloss over the resistor mounting and its hardware isn't well thought out" — plan where they go before you start. They get hot, so mount them to metal, away from looms.

? Straight about the install: two holes must be drilled in the tub

The manufacturer's install table says “some drilling and wiring", but the marketing copy suggests a factory-location fit. A customer review is precise and blunt about it: “They require drilling two 3/8in holes in the tub in a location that would keep you from ever going back to another style of light."

Treat this as an irreversible modification — it is the single most important thing to know before buying.

? Straight about fitment: this kit is built around MetalCloak corners

The manufacturer states it outright: “Designed around the MetalCloak Corner guards, may not fit ALL aftermarket corner guards."

The same customer, who does not run ExoCorners, reports a roughly 1/8in gap between housing and tub in several places on a test fit, and worries about water behind the lamp. He also notes the side marker openings were too small and had to be filed out.

Our recommendation: this kit makes most sense together with MetalCloak corners. If your tub has no corners, or corners from another brand, expect fitting work — or consider the aluminium MC3432, or the MC3431 set (ExoCorners with these lights), both of which we stock.

Manufacturer rating: 73% of 100 from 3 reviews — two positive (“look and work great", “a little installation hassle, but worth it") and one very critical, quoted above. The manufacturer replied publicly and offered a return.

⚠ Road legality

The manufacturer states SAE/DOT compliance — the US standard. No European “E" mark is published. On a Polish-registered vehicle the lamps may be challenged at the periodic inspection. If you drive on public roads, contact us before ordering.

Specifications

• Fits: Jeep Wrangler JK 2007–2018 (2- and 4-door)
• Manufacturer part number: 3435
• Housing: ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate), black, moulded
• Lights: rear LED + white reverse + side-visible running lights
• Electrics: resistors and brackets included
• Compliance: SAE/DOT — ⚠ no published E mark
• Install difficulty: easy; modification: ⚠ two 3/8in holes drilled in the tub plus wiring; time: 1–2 hours
• Recommended with: MetalCloak corner guards
• Shipping weight: about 2.5 kg (our estimate — the manufacturer does not publish one)

FAQ

Can I buy just the billet housings if I already have the plastic ones?

The manufacturer answered a customer: “Yes, we can do that. Give us a call." In practice that is a special order — contact us and we will check availability.

How does it differ from MC3432?

MC3432 uses a machined 6061 T6 aluminium housing with hard anodizing. This version uses a moulded ASA housing — lighter and much cheaper.

Does it work without corner guards?

Technically yes, but the manufacturer designed the housings around its own corners and customers report gaps when fitting without them.

Is drilling required?

Yes — two 3/8in holes in the tub. That is irreversible.