Question regarding Various Side Moldings

[hotmk3]

Well after a bit of research on the replacement of side molding on the MK3 I have discovered the following..

1. Side molding was changed from 86.5 to 87-88 and yet again in 89+ Year Models.

2. Dealerships have a tendency to receive non matching molding that does not correspond to the molding on your MK3.

and Finally

3. It's costly.

So I was wondering since I have to replace a great deal of the side molding on my 86.5 MK3 if it's possible to just replace *All the molding with '89+ Year molding?

Thanks.

 

[SupraMan1987]

It is, but you'd have to replace the center section in the rear, as the molding is made on to it,and that would also cause you to have to upgrade to 89+ tails. I'm actually preparing to do this very thing, but with good shape used moldings.

 

[Canuckrz]

I'm replacing all my moldings on my 88 with 89+ ones, the pre 89 metal backed ones are garbage imo. The length of the rear center molding under the license plate is the same size pre or post 89, so you can keep your pre 89 tails if you wanted but its not going to match up the best; personally I just went ahead and went with the 89+ tail lights as well because they look better anyway imo.

Also I wouldn't buy them from the dealership unless you feel like burning money, find someone who's parting out a car with the moldings in good condition, heck maybe get a package deal with the moldings and the tail lights.

 

[hotmk3]

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for some '89+ tail lights also.