Flush tailights DIY
 

[IMG]81200907[/IMG] Hi All,hope I'm not :beatdeadhorse: I have seen this posted before but here it is again with just a little spin:parts can be purchased at Home Depot or Orchard Supply Hardware (for those in Cali.)
1)8ea. 1/2" X 1/2" round poly spacers w/ .194 hole.
2)6ea. 1/4" X 1/2" round poly spacers w/ .194 hole.
3)8ea. #8 X 2" panhead sms screws.
4)1 pckge 5/16" X 3/8" auto/marine closed cell foam gasket w/ sticky on one side.
5) Black sharpie pen.

step 1) remove screws from tail lights and carefully let them hang out of the opening by the wire harnesses.
step 2)using the sharpie color the heads of the #8 screws black with the sharpie pen,push the tip into the philips slots to cover the screw with color completely.
step 3)install the foam gasketing onto the tailight housings where the lense meets the black housing sticking the gasket to the black housing portion.
step 4)on the two inboard taillights install the screws through the holes on the housings and slide 1ea 1/2" spacer and 1ea 1/4" spacer over the screws and slide the tailights back into the openings and tighten the screws.
step 5)on the two outboard tailights repeat step 4 except on the outer most tailight screw only install a 1/2" spacer and then tighten screws.

the differance in this installation from others I have seen posted is that the others used 1" spacers,which I tried,but the top of the taillights stuckout a little on the top and I didn't think they looked OEM as I feel they look using the process I described,any quetions don't hesitate to email me nastytheng69@yahoo.com.

tried to post pics but with my kodak digital cam and program they would not condense small enough to post,if someone can help with that I will send them the pics so the finished product can be seen.

this is an easy mod and changes the look of the backend quite a bit.


John R. Couture


here are some pics with the blackout tailights installed and flushed

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...blackoutsr.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ackoutsls2.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...lackoutsls.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...lackoutsrs.jpg

I've managed to locate all of the parts EXCEPT those damned spacers. I've gone to 2 different Home D's and 2 different Lowe's and all 4 are completely out of the .194 dia spacers. :( I'm totally dead in the water without them. (and I refuse to pay the outrageous price for the "kits" from the various vendors)

Thanks for the write-up :thumbs:

Yea, those small parts inventories at HD are always a mess. I had to fish around in there for about 20 minutes to finally find a combination of spacer sizes I could use to build up to the right lengths. But it worked out fine. A great and easy mod!

:cheers:

This is where I get messed up. I tried to stick the gasket as you said but it either wasn't sticky enough or there is not enough flat area to stick it too as it kept coming off when I tried to fit it into the opening. Then it got all distorted and looked like c**p. I would really like to see a pic of exactly where the gasket is supposed to fit.

I agree that the 1 inch spacers may be a bit too long. Unless you tilt the top of the lights back more than they are in the stock fitting. But I bet that would mess up the light pattern for folks following you. Hmmm. Maybe I can cut off the bushings I have and give it another try...

Thats because everyone here gobbled them all up.

I figured it was either the guys here or the guys on Ebay selling the "kits" for ridiculous markups. :ack:

Wait'll Home Depot finds out about the Corvette tax, then they'll have plenty.

I had a problem locating the parts also, so I just bought it here and saved myself some time and aggravation:

no ebay links to stuff sold by vendors

It works for me.

Go ahead and email the pics you'd like posted, I can host them for you.

Yep, thats exactly what I'm trying to avoid. $28 for a "kit" that can be bought at HD/Lowes for $7.00 (plus I've already got the screws and the weather stripping) Yes, it's "only" $21...but thats a 300% markup. F' that. :smash:

Thanks for the helpful write up. This is a nice option. Most all C5 owners hate the dirt that collects on the tail light shelfs. :):)

Hi Big Joe,install the gasket on the black part of the housing that is somewhat flat just up against the lip where the red lense meets the black housing,on the top (about 4") and the bottom (about 6") then I actually applied a second layer of gasket on the bottom,slid it into place and pushed it flat against the back mount and tightened the screws,I will post pics tomorrow.Sorry for not being clearer.

I can't find the poly spacers @ HD. What dept are the spacers in, hardware, plumbing, electrical??? SMS scews? maybe a stupid questions, is this Sheet Metal Screws? Thanks for the reply.

In my HD they were in a big rack of drawers that also had screws, bolts etc. They are not hanging out in plan view.

cool. i'm on my way to HD. :yesnod:

Did mine today,used 1'' and 1\2'' nylon spacers and #8x2'' long black sheet metal screws.
I used 1/2 '' wide weather strip and cut them to fit on the bottom of where the tail light sits in the housing,not on the top,also used 1'' screws on the outboard tail lights (2) screws only.
Will post some pics tomorow :cheers:

Just posted them in My Photos :toetap: waiting for the Ok from forum :thumbs:

I will say flush mounted lights look cool...but are NOT worth the price that they're selling for.

Good information.. Thanks.

pics are on the way