Hey guys.

Been a while but I am back. Haven't been able to do much lately but I did get to do some stuff to my truck recently. I decided to upgrade my taillights.

The original design I had was ok but it was somewhat dated. I also wanted space to do some advertising/sponsorship stuff. So I got to work.

This is what I have had on the truck since 94:



it was ok but the incandecent light in the gate were getting a little dim and it was hard to see during the day. So I went with LED's. I started by stripping out all the old stuff.



Then pulled out a tailgate panel I picked up years ago as a back up. I laid out my lights and then cut the panel to accept my new light setup.



Next up I placed my back up lights and installed them. I picked up a set of LED Driving lights. While they may not be the best for driving lights, they work great as back up lights.



I then got my tails wired in and did a final check on them before I did a final fit on the tailgate panel.



Next comes the panel.



Then final test fit of the lights.



After I was happy with the lay out and fitment. I tore it back down and sanded the panel. Next was prime and paint. Here is the panel with the tails installed just before I put it back on the truck.



Once I got the rear clips back on I put the panel in for the last time.



Here's a couple of night shots. it's a big improvement over the old set up. I do miss my old panel but i have still if I ever change my mind.




So what do you think?

 

MMmmm Very Nice

 

I like it!

Though I might have done something like:
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f8...cals/tails.jpg

 

Wow that truck is sweet man, never seen tail lights in the tail gate before, I love it.

 

Very clean! I just love your truck's style.

 

Looks great

 

BCobe - Thanks

FX-2.3 - Thanks for the comments. I had that idea originally but the closer you get to the edge of that panel the less room you have and I didn't have the heart to cut up my tail gate to fit the lights. I do admit I like the vertical look better as well.

Kyle - I have seen some do it but I was one of the first in my area to do it. They didn't have the fill in panels or anything back then we had to hand fab everything for the back of the truck. the best part is I filled those lights in back in 1994 and they have held up great ever since. the only thing the paint has had done is a scuff and buff back in October of 08.

MudRanger - Thanks.

Seed60 - Thanks. I wanted something different and something people haven't seen. It's definately fun. I get about a 50/50 love/hate response to it. I get to see how it does on a little bigger scale tonight. My son and I are going to our first cruise in with it tonight. Should be fun.

 

I like it, your truck has such a unique look, I love it.

 

Very original look. The truck looks great with that light setup.

 

That looks great. I'm just not crazy about the black edges around the lights. If you coul dhave gotten the brake lights flush like the reverse lights, it would look 10x cleaner, but overall, I like the look and the set up.

 

Yeah the edges aren't my favorite either but that's the way they mount. the black is a rubber gasket that holds the light in place. They had one set of lights that are flush mount that I could do like the reverse lights but they weren't flat enough. they wouldn't have mounted flush. This was the lesser of 2 evils.

 

Sweet little truck makes me want to go racin.You should tub it lets go racin boys boogedy boogedy boogedy!
Someone needs to photo shop some tubs on that!

 

Not sure about the tubs but a 302 could be in it's future.

 

Nice looking race truck

 

Thanks.