So I changed out my 2k2 tail lights today, I think it's an improvement: (old ones on the left, new on right)


So now that I have some 2k2 tails lying around, I was thinking of doing something different with them. I've seen people tint the whole thing, and that looked pretty good, but I was also thinking maybe mask off the circular red/orange portion and then also the reverse light and just tint the chrome part really dark - so it would look like a 2001 SE tail light with a red/orange circle rather than the red/white circle. I think it would look kind of cool. Any thoughts?

Also, I have the black 2001 SE badges lying around - what do you guys think - leave the 2k2 badging on the car or put the black ones on there? Thanks guys.

 

The dark tails look good. I did the same.

As far as the emblems....I removed them.......

 

i dont like em , i liek the chrome ones, i know ppl on here hate chrome but it kinda sets u apart .

 

i prefer chrome ones, but i have sunlit sand 2k with red lights, so chrome would be an improvement to me. will you sell yours?

 

I would say romove the emblems. I did. But if you prefer the badges, put on the black ones...

 

I put the black chrome (2k-2k1 SE) badges on my 2002 and have had them for a couple years but now everytime I see another 2002 I wish I had the stock chrome ones. I'll be going back to chrome soon.

 

Welcome to the anti-5.5 gen tails club! hehe... definately the way to go for a dark max.

I kept the chrome lettering. I might remove it completely soon tho. It'll prob look a lot cleaner.

 

What was the process for exchanging the tails?? do you need an adapter or something?

 

I prefer the look of the chrome tails, but on a dark colored car, those aren't too bad.

 

I might be interested if you're looking to get rid of those black SE tails....

 

Yeah I like the dark tails on your car.... as for the 2k2 badging... I like em better off the car....

 

Direct replacement, but you need the wiring harness for 2k or 2k1 if you're switching to the black tails, (2k2+ needs the correct year as well). Got them from Dave B.

 

do this!~!!!! make the orange part red, to match with the stop, and mask off that circle like you said, and make that super black. then the inside will be all black and red, but have the clear coat outside, kinda like those who have blacked their 02 HID headlights...black inside with a clear plastic coat outside. i havent seen that yet.

 

That is a cool idea, but I think I'd need a dremel to take apart the headlights - something I don't have handy. Probably why a lot of people haven't done it yet.

 

its been said the taillights are a bi atch to take a apart.

 

Yeah, near impossible to take apart the tails. Lots of cutting required, they don't just come apart. I don't know if anyone has done it successfully. Maybe 1 guy. There was someone who went through 3 sets of tails trying to do it.

 

In other words, don't do it.

 

im part of the anti-chrome club too! woo!

i just changed my tails too...i didnt get OEM, they cost a fortune, i got aftermarket, one Depo, one TYC unfortunately. the colors match, but the TYC fitment is just a little off on the side, but thats ok.

i got the 2K wiring harness, but of course forgot to get the bulb...so i went to wal mart, and they said the bulb is an 1156, which mine wasnt...the tail lights said the size was 7057...which is wrong as well, its 7507. so then on my 5th autoparts store, i finally found 7507...re*******diculous, but it does look MUCH better...combined with tinted windows and blacked out chrome trim, its awesome...now just to take care of those god awful chrome door handles

 

Post some pics, KC!!! Btw, if the right tail light is a bit off, this is nothing new and you're not the first one to whom it happens regardless of what tails you have (there's a bit of a gap between the tail and the trunk if that's what you mean by "off").

 

I noticed that too - my left side tail light is flush with the trunk, the right side is just a *tad* more inset for some reason and I can't figure out why. Not really noticeable, but I know it's there.

Also, I debadged my trunk, but you can still see remnants of the letters on the trunk. Tried Goo-gone without much luck, any suggestions?

 

How about you mod your car, and make it faster, and not worry about your lights.....

 

Hey man, chill, the car's plenty fast for me. I came from an 01 with a CAI and then a 4-cyl Honda.

I'm doing the looks stuff for nostalgia reasons. I wrapped my old '01 against a tree, and I just want to feel like I'm looking at that old car again, for sentimental reasons, you know? That thing saved my life. And the fact that the .org even has a smiley labeled "gay" is a little disturbing.

 

kloogy, your really one to talk.

Your maxima was the one with all the carbon fiber pieces on it right ? ?

Yea i forgot, every lb you shave... you know big gains .
hypo-crite.
; )

I like the 01 tails on my car (2k2). I'm putting some performance mods on in a few weeks, when my LSD get's here in the mail.

Subtle mods are nice, not one for all the bling crap.

That thing saved my life. And the fact that the .org even has a smiley labeled "gay" is a little disturbing.[/QUOTE]

Didn't you know, about 2 years ago.. This place evolved into a flaming cesspool?

 

i prefer chrome

 

tedo,

i never got into the chrome ones on a black car.

 

ill take pics one of these days, by the time i get home from work its dark out, but theres a lot goin on now, they really arent high on my priorities list. as for go-fast parts vs. cosmetic parts (i havent put the eyelids on yet that i bought from kloogy ), the car is plenty torquey for me at the moment, but with the Cattman y-pipe and berk intake ordered, and id say i have a few of the "real" mods going onto the car too.

but when i smoke someone, i want them to see NICE tails, not think ive got some horrible altezza thing on MY cat too.

 

You DONT have to take apart the lenses to get the inside red... Look Here:



You just use red lense paint from Vans. Spray it inside in small coats. About the 6th one you get a light that looks like that. If you want to paint the outside, then by all means, go for it.

 

maximapolak wanted to do something similar, but with the SE tails...so he would have a black bezel, red brake and signal, and white reverse...at least, i THINK thats what he was tryin

 

I think they were talking about blacking out the inside though.

Is that with your original tail lights? The gap is there on a lot of Maxes with factory tails that have never been removed, go figure. I have a tiny bit of a difference between the two tails but I don't remember if it was there before I did the swap.

 

[QUOTE=dblrr900]You DONT have to take apart the lenses to get the inside red... Look Here:

QUOTE]


we were talking about painting the chrome part black so that the glass could stay clear.

 

Yup, I know about painting them. I was referring to taking them apart in order to replace the lens, or paint the silver surround black.

 

Is there a How to for this?

 

You know, I don't think I took a real good look at it before I did the swap. But the lights are as flush as can be on both sides, and I notice it now. I'll be it was probably like that before, though that was not the case on my 01 Max. Probably still within Nissan's quality control parameters, which I guess doesn't say much.

 

I've got the sunlit sand 2001 so I'm trying to keep everything lightly colored..black would be too much contrast...I've got the chrome on my max and it looks good with the clear sidemarkers and light colored paint...I've also got polished alluminum wheels so it all kind of goes together...just depends on the color of the car really

 

1. Remove taillight.

2. Spray into hole for turn signal light with red translucent paint.
Take your time and only spray a very lil bit at a time as the paint runs very easy and shows and looks horrible. Patience is the key.....or get someone to do it for you.

 

You actually dont even have to remove the light. I did it with them on the car. It is just as Jason said above though. Little amounts of paint at a time. After about the 5th coat you will start to notice the lense changing color. Just pull the light bulb out, stick the paint up to the hole, spray for about 3 seconds moving the paint direction around. Stop, let it sit for about 5-10 min, do it again. This honestly is the easiest mod I did. Also, the credit will always go to Emax02 for this mod. He went through 3 sets of lights trying to crack them open and then one day came up with the Vans paint idea. So he gets the 1st time credit on this.

 

Which color do you think looks best on Sterling Mist? Because I'm thinking about switching mine out to the 2k2 lights, keep in mind that I have an AE.

 

IMO, the light colored cars look better with the 2K2 lights...best with the 2K2 lights with oranged turned to red, and the dark cars look better with the SE tails...nothing looks good with the 2K GLE/GXE tails, haha

 

Step 1 is not necessary. I left my tailights on and it turned out fine using short bursts and letting it dry a few minutes between each coat.

mattattax - Look back a few pages and you'll find a post about how to turn the amber red including what paint to buy and where to buy it.