Blue Mesa

As well all know the OEM 5.5 tail lights are kinda .



What Id like to do is clear the amber section like the 5 gen ones below.


The result might look like: (Photoshopped)

I think it looks good .

Is it possible to make a hybrid out of the two tail lights? I havent disassembled one but it seams to me you could use the reflector off the 5.0 and then used the shroud and lens off a 5.5.

Any thoughts?

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

A quick search would tell you that our tailights are a sealed unit. You cannot disassemble as you would with a headlight.

You actually need to physically cut them apart and then find a way to reassemblethem.

As well, those cheap **** aftermarket tailights you pictured fade quickly, and have that horrid reflector strip in them, that looks 100% chinsy as hell. No matter what you do that will still look aweful.

Search around, there are a lot of different combinations that have been done, some with vinyl, some swapping tothe best looking option (SE 2000/2001), and so on. There are a few variants of the tailights through the years and models.

DOODOOCHIP

i thought about opening them before and no luck they're sealed pretty tight. so i just bought a pair of 00-01 SE tails and happy with the purchase. you just need couple minutes to fit them in cuz 5th gen tails are a bit different from 5.5, but it works and looks great

03VQMAX

iTrader: (46)

Some company used to make that tail lamp, but I can't find it anymore.

Blue Mesa

Sounds like that wouldn't end well lol. On the 5.5 tail lights, which part of it gives the turn signal the amber color? The lens or the reflector?

Id probably be using OEM parts. I only used pics of aftermarket ones because it made it easier to photoshop the third photo.

The vinyl red, looks nice but I think the clear amber has a cleaner look to it. Is there any feasible way to accomplish the clear shroud/clear amber look?

Ive seen the 2k1 SE swap, looks decent on white/black cars but I think the silver (on the factory 5.5) matches a silver car the best.

dfj240

iTrader: (1)

I have a Silver Mist 5.5 Gen, and I installed my 2001 GXE Red Taillights yesterday, and they look AMAZING. Especially compared to the factory silver backed one's. It looks very clean, very factory, and it has the clear turn signal reflector. I was debating for 2 weeks between the Red GXE's and the Black SE's (both 2000-2001). I like the Black, but I thought the Red ones looked like a cleaner stock look.

-Nathan

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

The 00/01 run an amber tinted bulb. I don't know if the 5.5 does, but I think it does also. Either way, if you run a clear lens you NEED an amber bulb. With an amber lens (5.5) you don't.

Good picture post, glad to hear you'll stay away from those ugly knock offs.

Not pointing to do what I did with the vinyl. But what you're asking for is a clear signal lens. That is only available on the 2000/2001 model. Either in Red or the SE style.


I don't disagree with this. On silver the OEM lenses aren't TOO aweful.

The closest/easiest way to acheive what you want is to get those ugly Ebay CLEARED tailights (these are 100% clear). Then use vinyl or spray tint on the upper portion of the tailight lens. Leave the rest clear, and you're GTG.

Blue Mesa

Didnt even think of that. The clear ones on ebay have kinda ricy looking chrome instead of light grey shroud that might be a little to on the loud side for my tastes but who knows, might end up looking alright. Are there any of the ones on eBay "high quality"?

My other thought would be to make some sort of body color matching cover to place on the exterior of the lights with cutouts for the reflectors. Itd be hard to get the fitment right though but again its another alternative to doing a 2k1 SE swap.

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

IMO, every ebay tailight or headlight i've seen for this car look like total garbage.

Vinyl is probably your best bet for your idea. You can paint a sheet of vinyl body colour and then fit it over the tailights, and cut out the center section and reverse light.

Alternatively, and perhaps more advisably, contact BLUBATMOBILE, he's been doing this a long time and has pre-cut pieces available for the maxima.

Get these pre-cut pieces, skuff lightly with 3m pad, paint with body matched spray balm from Carquest/Sherwin williams Auto, or whomever you choose, then install.

Blue Mesa

Any thoughts on how a body covered vinyl overlay (on the 2k1 SE tails) might look? I know its "to each his own" but I think it might accomplish the look Im trying to get. Clear amber plus silver that matches the body better then the SE's black.

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

Someone did it, they posted it actually in another thread I was participating in. Forget the thread but it wasn't that old. I'll check later to see if I can find it.

He did it with the chinsy aftermarket tailights that you posted though.

Maximized2000

iTrader: (11)

Why not just get the all clear ones an just red out the top portion with red vinyl or those tail light paint

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

Ew don't even bother.

TunerMaxima3000

iTrader: (4)

greeaaaaaat idea.

lols

Blue Mesa

Have any suggestions? (Other than the 2k1 SE swap)

, reading the thread before posting doesn't hurt