taillights

Topic: taillights (Read 3698 times) previous topic - next topic

taillights

April 10, 2005, 06:17:51 PM

anybody ever modded up taillights for 87-88 Birds?
(looked at Erics site, all I saw was Cougar stuff...mebbe I should look again...?)
I've got a set that I've hacked the holes out of (red lens parts, the 3 big 'uns) that I'm then going to paint the inside of the clear covers black, except for about a 2.5" or 3" circle, and put in red bulbs, if I can find 'em. (else I'll have to cut and splice new bulb sockets from sumpin' else)...
Anywho, if ya have some taillight mods on an 87 or 88, I'd like to see some pics, If ya don't mind.
mebbe next week, I'll get mine cleaned and painted, and get em photo'd and post for your viewing enjoyment!

ps, I didn't forget about the sequential flasher stuff, I'll be adding that too. Right now, I'm just doing stuff that doesn't cost a whole lot, cause I need to get some other stuff done to the car.

Re: taillights

Reply #1 – April 10, 2005, 10:28:19 PM

I've been working on some custom LED tail lights for the rear of my T-Bird. It's been a slow going project, but when it's done it will be simply incredible. I'm on dialup at the cottage so I won't bother to upload my concept drawings, but just imagine 600 hyper bright red LED's (three hundred per side, arranged in circles like the stock lights, with 100 LED's per circle), six hyper blue LED's (one in the center of each circle, on a separate switch so I can turn my "blue dots" on and off) and 200 hyper white LED's (100 per side, reversing lights). And naturally, they will sequence :D

Re: taillights

Reply #2 – April 10, 2005, 10:32:13 PM

I never particulary cared for the round taillights on my '88. I got bored one day so I pulled the clear covers off. I sed the black paint off the red plastic between the transparent round areas so the light would show through, then took a paint stick & blacked out the tops & bottoms of the circles. Looks more like '86 lights now, although a state trooper stopped me last year because he thought it was a Buick.:D

Re: taillights

Reply #3 – April 11, 2005, 04:26:38 AM

Quote from: jimfulco

although a state trooper stopped me last year because he thought it was a Buick.

Thats the 84 lumber car??? You need to post some pixs...

Re: taillights

Reply #4 – April 11, 2005, 07:22:43 PM

ohmuhgawd! A Buick?? lol
nah, I'd like to see a pic myself...

Re: taillights

Reply #5 – April 11, 2005, 08:04:17 PM

Hey now,i H8GM but the 87 grand national is one fast and shagy ride.

Re: taillights

Reply #6 – April 11, 2005, 08:09:57 PM

yeah, they're kinda mean...
FWIW, on GT4, it was one of the first cars I worked over, can't remember what I got out of it though...

Re: taillights

Reply #7 – April 11, 2005, 08:51:39 PM

Quote from: dominator

Hey now,i H8GM but the 87 grand national is one fast and shagy ride.

If I ever own a sawed off roof car with a 3.8, It will be a Grand National or T-Type..

Can you say BRUICK??? :D

Re: taillights

Reply #8 – April 11, 2005, 10:20:57 PM

Yea i used mine in gt4 for quite some time,think i had like 576hp or something like that.
Coolest thing was when i bought the adjustable suspension.
Dropped the car as low as it would go,then raced it,handled and looked amazing.
Loved watching those replays.
Yea, only gm i would even consider owning even though it's a T-top.

Re: taillights

Reply #9 – April 21, 2005, 06:44:45 PM

Sorta off topic, but whatever. *THREAD HIJACKING*

I've got an '85 T-Bird, playing with the tail lights today and noticed that it's only got 2 brake bulbs, plus the corner, plate, and reverse. So I got to wondering, did all of the 85-86 people get screwed out of a light per side and the ability to easily make sequentials? `CoolCats didn't go into it. Were some of the 85-86 style the 3 bulb? Will I have to figure out what's involved in "swapping" the reflectors so I can have the 3 bulbs.

Also, the '85 lights look pretty wicked without the clear reflector, and if the 87-88s look as good, the pics on Erics do no justice to them!

Re: taillights

Reply #10 – April 21, 2005, 08:57:21 PM

Yes, all 85-88 Birds and Cougs only have two stop/turn bulbs per side. In order to install sequentials you've gotta modify 'em a bit (this is mentioned in Eric's tech article, and my sequential kits come with the required parts). Why Ford only installed two where there's room for three is anyone's guess, but it's not uncommon - Firebirds, Caprices, Mustangs, and almost all other cars with three bulbs only use two of 'em for stop/turn.

Re: taillights

Reply #11 – April 21, 2005, 10:45:38 PM

Ok, now I'm getting more confused. Erics site makes it look like those are different taillight bucket, though I know my 85 should have the same setup the 88's have.

*shrug* here's 2000 words on it

Thoughts on which style?

Re: taillights

Reply #12 – April 21, 2005, 10:49:15 PM

My '88's lights:

Re: taillights

Reply #13 – April 21, 2005, 11:01:30 PM

Whale oil beef hooked. I have always thought the 85-86 T-Birds had three bulbs per side like the Cougars :wtf:. Just goes to show that when you think you know everything about these cars there's still something else to learn...

Re: taillights

Reply #14 – April 22, 2005, 07:56:52 AM

Quote from: Thunder Chicken

Whale oil beef hooked.

Sun on the beach! Cod jam cheese and rice! how'd you come up with dat?