89+ Tail light Conversion questions

[--Wolf--]

Alright, I have a 86.5, white, Jap, Supra. Am wanting to put some JDM (the darker ones) 89+ tail lights on. Have searched and found very little on this except for the fact that is it a very popular mod.

1) Is there a write up on this? Or is it really just, swap over, drill 2 holes, done?

2) What else will I need other than the tail lights? Locks? Seal? Bulb holders (will mine work?)

3) Do I need the center piece tail light (ie that goes around the number plate)? Or can I keep that tail lightless, has anyone done that?

4) Will it fit around my number plate (not being the typical USDM Supras everyone here has)

Pic of my car attached.

Cheers

 

[hvyman]

1) it really is just un bolt make 2 holes larger and reinstall.

2) you will need the bulb holders for 89+.

3) the only lights on the center piece are the lincense plate lights which should come with the center piece or you can use the ones of your set on your car.

4) number plate looks to be the same size and comes with the center piece.

 

[--Wolf--]

Ok thanks,

So with the center piece, I don't actually need it? So the area around my number plate would remain the same? I don't know if I'm making sense but I prefer how the middle of the back of my car is white vs red all the way across. All the pics I've seen have the middle piece (red all the way across)

 

[hvyman]

no the 89+ left and right are longer.

you could modify yours or paint the center section.

i lean towards them being all red. if you got the jdm dark cherry tails then the whole thing will be one color unlike us version where the center was lighter or you could tint them.

 

[reydio]

Yep, you will need all 3 pieces. You will also need to drill a couple or 3(don't remember) holes for the mounting on bottom trims and for the key lock screws. It will be a lot easier to get all 3 pieces rather than trying to modify your center piece. Also try to get the key for the hatch lock, yours will not work and it's way different. While your there, replace the light gaskets.

 

[OneJArpus]

i have a 88 and had a 89. I swapped lights and i had to modify nothing. It bolted right for me. Plugged it up and it works.

I took the lock off of the 89 and put the lock of the 88 on there and it works as well.

 

[7M-KDL]

if you dont want the middle section then why destroy a perfectly good set of JDM 3pc by painting them...someone else could use them that actually want the 3pc. if you simply want darker tail lights just get some tint spray and problem solved. or if you just like the setup/styling of the 89+ tails just get a usdm set of 3pc and paint the middle section whatever color you want and tint the sides to make them darker like JDM. but thats just my opinion. in the end its your decision good luck

 

[hvyman]

the lock just clips in no mods needed for it and pre89 locks fit on 89+.

 

[reydio]

i have a 88 and had a 89. I swapped lights and i had to modify nothing. It bolted right for me. Plugged it up and it works.

I took the lock off of the 89 and put the lock of the 88 on there and it works as well.

I think for the 86 and 87(mine), it's a little different. I had to drill 2 bottom holes for the middle trim screws. Also the lock is different. I could not use my existing one, they were different.

 

[--Wolf--]

if you dont want the middle section then why destroy a perfectly good set of JDM 3pc by painting them...someone else could use them that actually want the 3pc. if you simply want darker tail lights just get some tint spray and problem solved. or if you just like the setup/styling of the 89+ tails just get a usdm set of 3pc and paint the middle section whatever color you want and tint the sides to make them darker like JDM. but thats just my opinion. in the end its your decision good luck

I didn't mean paint the middle or anything, I mean't NO middle. I like the taillights (shape etc) of the 89, but I don't like how they join with the middle piece.

 

[lewis15498]

I didn't mean paint the middle or anything, I mean't NO middle. I like the taillights (shape etc) of the 89, but I don't like how they join with the middle piece.

you do realize that the middle piece you have now is not part of the car right? when you do the 89+ conversion, the center piece doesnt go over the one you have, you take the one you have off. The one you have will not fit 89+ tails however you could achieve the look you want by painting the 89+ center piece to match the car.

 

[RazoE]

Alright, I have a 86.5, white, Jap, Supra. Am wanting to put some JDM (the darker ones) 89+ tail lights on. Have searched and found very little on this except for the fact that is it a very popular mod.

1) Is there a write up on this? Or is it really just, swap over, drill 2 holes, done?

Yes, however you must also modify your key lock bracket to fit the 89+ tails by bending a few brackets, nothing a pair of good sized pliers will take care of, but it will bolt on.

2) What else will I need other than the tail lights? Locks? Seal? Bulb holders (will mine work?)

changing the rubber taillight gaskets is highly recommended, as they'll keep out water. They are the same for all years, however. The lock issue is explained above. You will also need the bulb holders that come with the taillights, yours will plug and function, but will not fit, and the bulbs (reverse bulbs) are in a different spot)

3) Do I need the center piece tail light (ie that goes around the number plate)? Or can I keep that tail lightless, has anyone done that?

yes, you will need all 3 pieces.. You can remove the trim on your pre 89 piece and glue it on top of the 89+ trim, or you can chose to swap over to 89+ trim, otherwise it'll be mismatched, as the trim on 89+ taillights is part of the taillight panel and cannot be removed.

4) Will it fit around my number plate (not being the typical USDM Supras everyone here has)

looks like it'll fit. Only plates it won't fit are the long euro plates, which is why they never got the updated 89+ tails..


Cheers

well, there you have it..!

 

[Evilempire1.3JZ-GTE]

Dont Even think about painting the OEM Kouki lights that would be ruin to a rare piece, kind of like painting over a baseball signed by babe ruth.

 

[7M-KDL]

yeh, if you just like the shape of the 89+ i say get USDM ones, paint the middle to match the car (if you want it to look like there is no middle section), and tint the sides so they are darker cherry red like the JDM...please dont modify JDM 3pc..that would be FTL

 

[mytmk3]

yeh, if you just like the shape of the 89+ i say get USDM ones, paint the middle to match the car (if you want it to look like there is no middle section), and tint the sides so they are darker cherry red like the JDM...please dont modify JDM 3pc..that would be FTL

he lives in NZ all the lights are JDM I doubt hes going to import usdm ones

http://www.tunerzine.com/articles/174/1.jpg

paint the bottom part to match like that mine looks mismatched because it is id need too change all my side strips to get it right then paint it.

Make sure you get the boot lock I dont have one im used to that now but it did annoy at the start drill 2 holes and done

cheers scott

(ps hows your rebuild coming along did you find a crank?)

 

[7M-KDL]

he lives in NZ all the lights are JDM I doubt hes going to import usdm ones

http://www.tunerzine.com/articles/174/1.jpg

paint the bottom part to match like that mine looks mismatched because it is id need too change all my side strips to get it right then paint it.

Make sure you get the boot lock I dont have one im used to that now but it did annoy at the start drill 2 holes and done

cheers scott

(ps hows your rebuild coming along did you find a crank?)

i did not even realize that he was in NZ, my b. and yeh my center trim section doesnt match either, i have to get the 89+ trim and im painting them all to match the car. but i am getting the whole car painted eventually so i plan to have them paint the trim at the same time and just leave it how it is for now

 

[Canuckrz]

Anyone have pics of those brackets that you have to fab for the lock cylinder?

 

[RazoE]

You don't need to fab anything, all you have to do is bend one or two brackets out of the way...

 

[Canuckrz]

ah alright, I must have misread it