early 80's to late 80's tailight conversion, and headlight cnversion

[Dacaprice]

Hi, just wondering what is all involved in converting the tailights from my 83 to the late 80's style, and converting the headlights to late 80's style. I have read some things here and there, but isnt there a way to convert the headlights without having to get a whole different front clip?

[463]

you need to get a whole different front clip from the 87 to 90 caprice (it's a easy change up) the tail lights are a straight across change up (easy)

[mike561]

I changed my tailights to the late 80s but my front end is still early 80s. the tailights were pretty easy as mentioned above, you dont even have to change the wiring

[Dacaprice]

thanks. You think you could tell me step by step how to do the taillights, so i know?

[mike561]

Theres little black bolts inside the trunk that hold on the whole back tail light assembly, ussualy you can just undo them by hand, i forgot how many there were. then theres about four little bolts holding on the edge peices on the early 80s rear. disconnect all the bulbs from the plastic, you might have to disconnect the fuel sensor if the wires are clipped onto the rear peice. the new late 80s rear is one whole peice and most of the holes line up to the existing ones. mine came out pretty good

[Dacaprice]

K, but ive seen the new style tailights on ebay and you can get the whole setup (lights, chrome around lights) but its not all together you get two assemblys, each consisting of a tailight, reverse light next to it, and the chrome around it, so that will work right? also, i dont have to replace the rear bumper filler do i? if possible post a pic of your new light assembly before you put it on your car.

[Dacaprice]

see heres what im talking about, these are on ebay right now. is this all you need?[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/DILLAN%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/DILLAN%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/DILLAN%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/DILLAN%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/DILLAN%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-4.jpg[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/DILLAN%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-5.jpg[/IMG]

[silicon212]

You have to replace the whole back panel. The newer tail light assemblies won't bolt up to the old back panel. The back panel is largely interchangeable, though you will have to drill a couple of holes in order to facilitate installation with two of the studs on the newer back panel in a different location.

The header panel with the grille, filler and headlight assemblies is directly interchangeable, though if I remember correctly, the radiator support will have to have a couple of 1" holes drilled into it (if you want to replace the composite headlight assemblies without pulling the header panel off).

PS - you cannot link to images that are on your computer - you need a hosting service at the minimum.

[Dacaprice]

what exactly do you mean by "back panel"

[silicon212]

The entire rear section under the deck lid (trunk). On your car, it's in 3 pieces - one on each corner and the main one where the taillight lenses are. On the later model, it's one piece fiberglass and the tail lamp assemblies fit inside it.

[EngineandJuice]

This whole piece is what you need. Simple enough to find at any junkyard.

[Dacaprice]

thanks dude, that picture is what i needed to see. any other help would be greatly appreciated. Oh I was also wondering if the dome light is swappable. I have the single round one, and would like to install the other one with the center lens, and two side lights.

[mike561]

Here is another closeup of the one whole piece the dome light should be interchangable, i have the one with the two side lights, all the wiring should be the same.

[Dacaprice]

so is that long piece underneith the tail lights a part of it too? the peice thats like a bumper filler? also would appreciate if anyone could help with dome light. thanks

[mike561]

Yeah when i got mine the long piece was attached so it is part of it