3rd Gen Tail lights

Ok, so I've been looking at an '86 trans am, and I'm perfectly fine w/ about nearly everything on it, as far as the style goes. There's just a few thigns that really bug me, and the tail lights are one of the big things. No matter the condition, the tail lights just sicken me having to look at them, because they are just.. boring and TOO antique for me.
http://images.auctionwagon.com/piecebyepiece/G2SM5fe6cb13-2ae0-454c-8a0f-b4466a4b6233-4405.jpg

I just can't stand the plain style of them. I was wondering if there was any way I cna make them look much nicer, or anywhere I can get better looking ones that will fit an '86? I was thinking maybe painting a pattern like the honeycomb ones here:
http://www385.pair.com/jackj/129.JPG

Any ideas? I'm also looking for an alternate dash/cluster setup, door dash, and a better console if at all possible. I'm COMPLETELY remodeling this thing. :p Thanks

I think they made them like that, because firebirds have always had that grid going across them. heritage. They look better tinted IMO.

My 82's tinted tail lights started fading so i upgraded them to 87's. It Looks a lot more modern and they are much nicer at night. You have to change out the rear light wiring complete to upgrade to later model lights. The sockets are different. So if you go out and buy different tail lights from a different year model, be sure to get the rear wiring.

Heres the difference between my old vs new tail lights.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/82recarolights.jpg


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/82v.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/87formulalights.jpg

It would be difficult to paint that design on the ones with the grids. The 87 lights are smooth surfaced and would be much easier to paint designs on.

ya, I see what you're talkign about. Maybe I'll try to see what I can do w/ the '87 model, it'll probably be much easier and nicer. Do you know if there's a way to take teh red blastic off of teh grill part, so you cna paint o he plastic, or even just move those rills a bit if you do enough surgery to them?

Those lights with the grills are hard to find lights these days. You could probably buy the ones you want on EBAY, and then sell your old ones on EBAY and make your money back. Google up some pictures online and see what the 88-92 tail lights look like. They are different from the 87's, and might be even closer to what you want. The 82-84's have better sockets, the later model tail lights use smaller bulbs, and they blow out more frequently.

The lights with the grills on them come apart in three pieces. The later model smooth design does not come apart, as its glued together. You can remove the clear lens with the grill, by removing the tail light, and looking them over for the plastic pins that hold the light together. They should have two or three along the top, and a couple on the sides, and bottom. Carefully remove the pins, and it should come apart with little effort. If the seal messes up use some black silicone and use a thin even bead along the seam before you put it back together. If you dont seal them they will collect moisture. Wipe away any extra exposed silicone on the upper outside of the tail lights, cause if you dont every time you open the back hatch you will see it.