Be honest… are you building for looks or for pure function?

[ORACLElights]

I feel like every enthusiast hits this crossroads at some point.

My JDM stuff? Never sees dirt. That’s where I geek out over retrofits, RGB accents, clean details, pretty much all style. My trucks and SUVs? Total opposite. They get the serious gear: functional lighting, roof bars and pods, chase lights, built to work and not just sit pretty.

Where do you fall on the spectrum? Do you choose utility first, aesthetics second… or flip it? And if you’ve found the sweet spot between both, let’s see it!
- Hayleigh

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[In3briatedPanda]

both. i want to go anywhere i want and a passing stranger to say 'badass' or 'hell yeah'.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Function is my top priority. It needs to serve a purpose. Looks - the product needs to look decent for my tastes but it's not priority, except for headlights where I find many aftermarket LED headlights to look terrible.

I don't have any lighting on my truck that is for aesthetics alone. Sometimes it pains me to see some offroad lighting obviously costing more money to include (what I feel to be) useless features such as backlighting. If someone is into lighting for looks, nothing wrong with that. I love tasteful lighting features for show. It just doesn't fit my wallet.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Function always before form. However, even if it has a function, if it looks like ass it's not going on my truck. Products and installs need to be clean and look like they belong.

Back in my track days it was the same. Function before form.

But my taste usually always ends up good form anyways. I don't like flashy, I don't like rice. I'd never survive in any Florida vehicle communities.

Take the Boost Auto Tow Mirrors for example, I've been wanting tow mirrors that have built in wide angle lenses. These are the only ones I can find but the design is horrid and don't fit with the vehicle. I don't need rainbow lights all over everything, I just want a damn tow mirror.

https://boostautoparts.com/products...ukQMV8JXuAR0Cah8LEAQYASABEgJ0X_D_BwE&options=

 

[ORACLElights]

Function always before form. However, even if it has a function, if it looks like ass it's not going on my truck. Products and installs need to be clean and look like they belong.

Back in my track days it was the same. Function before form.

But my taste usually always ends up good form anyways. I don't like flashy, I don't like rice. I'd never survive in any Florida vehicle communities.

Take the Boost Auto Tow Mirrors for example, I've been wanting tow mirrors that have built in wide angle lenses. These are the only ones I can find but the design is horrid and don't fit with the vehicle. I don't need rainbow lights all over everything, I just want a damn tow mirror.

https://boostautoparts.com/products...ukQMV8JXuAR0Cah8LEAQYASABEgJ0X_D_BwE&options=

I'm curious if our LED Off-Road Side Mirrors may help in the search? They're made to fit with OEM Units, though, so may not help here at all. But we totally feel you on this, and maybe this is something we can look into designing as well!

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I'm curious if our LED Off-Road Side Mirrors may help in the search? They're made to fit with OEM Units, though, so may not help here at all. But we totally feel you on this, and maybe this is something we can look into designing as well!

Those don't provide wide angle mirrors though, thats what I'm looking for. I want the regular mirror glass, with a wide angle glass below it.

In regards to your mirror, if the housing tapered down and looked more natural vs bulging out I wouldn't mind them. The way the lights bulge out makes it very clear it's not meant to be there. Add a smoked lens so it was more stealth looking (although it would sacrifice output) and even better. Pair them with a replacement mirror glass option that has an adjustable wide angle lens and they'd be

 

[TwelveSoldier]

We all do both, otherwise, we would just get a hacksaw and chop off the top of a pickup we like and add rollbars, then make parts out of 2x4's (steps, bumpers, cargo holders, etc). The most purchased items for function and/or looks are wheels and rims. SO, we all do both. The biggest part that divides is the suspension... to go with something that just gets it in the air or something that functions properly. It's all individual choices for desired looks and performance.

The real question is do you use it to its full potential? I'd bet less than 5% ever had their windshield folded down for more than a day in the course of a year and probably a 50/50 slit on those who take off the doors. The top being removed would probably be around 80% but there are those that run without the top and/or doors all year long.

 

[Sweetums]

I feel like every enthusiast hits this crossroads at some point.

My JDM stuff? Never sees dirt. That’s where I geek out over retrofits, RGB accents, clean details, pretty much all style. My trucks and SUVs? Total opposite. They get the serious gear: functional lighting, roof bars and pods, chase lights, built to work and not just sit pretty.

Where do you fall on the spectrum? Do you choose utility first, aesthetics second… or flip it? And if you’ve found the sweet spot between both, let’s see it!
- Hayleigh

I think the functional looks good, but I also think the A-37 and A-10 are beautiful aircraft in their simplicity and utility.

 

[Flyboy2109]

I do both. Functional lighting and a few things just to look little different and make people think, 'Hmmmmmm". I don't say ya have to like it.

No ducks on the dash, I'll vote A-10, go Hogs.

 

[MattT69]

A functional truck that reflects your personal style is a perfect looking rig...

 

[ORACLElights]

I do both. Functional lighting and a few things just to look little different and make people think, 'Hmmmmmm". I don't say ya have to like it.

No ducks on the dash, I'll vote A-10, go Hogs.

Looks awesome

 

[Janster]

Since I’m older than dirt….. my offroading & rock crawling days have been over for 25 years. No ‘function’ in terms of offroad/rockcrawling.

A little Function and a little appearance….. and Fun of course. I always need a truck for hauling and towing. The JT is the ‘grunt’ of the family (our other vehicle is an M4). Not afraid to hit all those Pennsylvania pot holes, not afraid to get dirty (and stay dirty)…… It’s convertible…. takes us to our various other hobbies (that we carry too much junk). The JT is the ‘snow’ vehicle. I work from home, so anytime it snows outside (and the roads are slopped up with crap)……. The hubby takes the Gladdy. Takin’ one for the team!!!

Personalizing it so it doesn’t get mixed in with all the other BORING vehicles on the roads. You’ll know its ME when you see it. Function? Little things….hood struts, some lighting, lockable underseat storage and rock rails to prevent door dings at the mall.

 

[pharmfrank]

Choices, always choices, form over function, budget, we all choose one or the other or some
middle ground. I wanted a early Dodge Power Wagon since I was first exposed to one on my
summer job over 60 years ago, by the time I could 'afford' one prices had shot up to where
I really couldn't. So I guess my Gladiator is my attempt to build a modern version. Due to the
Covid pandemic I couldn't order from the factory and get a manual so I took the automatic.
After that came steel bumpers and winch, Alloy tonneau cover, Sunrider top etc. Certainly
more comfort and eye appeal as I rarely go 'off-roading', I haven't received many 'Ducks'
but I'm fine with that, especially the ones that were presented and not just left on the hood.
I have been a firm believer that if you have 4WD that a winch is an essential because sure
as heck at some point you'll find yourself really stuck beyond what 4WD alone can solve.
Other than that I'd prefer an extended cab with a longer bed, don't need 4 doors and trucks
are made for work IMHO. I went through 3 Dodge Dakotas and waited 15 years for Jeep to
produce the current Gladiator, I do think it is the best in its class.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I bought the color for looks.
Pretty much all else is for function - such as the bumper back up lights (from, gee, who did I buy those from, oh, yeah, Oracle),
winch and stuff - pretty much function to help others.
My wife puts purple stuff on her Jeep for looks - it's a purple Jeep, but some is functional too.

It all has to work, first of all. Looking nice is secondary most of the time.

 

[Orange01z28]

Form follows function. Usually, if you're building something for function, the form will end up being cool

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