79 to modern tail light conversion. Anyone ever done one?

DirkDiggler · 01-13-2013, 02:26 PM

So i am looking to update the look of my bronco. I am in the middle of doing a bunch of body work as it is, and thought it might be nice to freshen up this thing a little. I am looking to model the front grill after a modern f250, fill the molding channel in the middle of the body to make it more uniform, grind off the drain trim around the door, and put in modern tailights.

Only issue is i cant seem to find anyone who has converted the old one sided tailight to a wrap around one. Main issue is the body shape at that point. There has to be some truck that has a tailight that would match the body lines. Anyone ever seen it done?

**Fox005** · 01-13-2013, 04:58 PM

It would be easier to weld in a filler and do a roll pan with Custom taillights . I posted some pics in another thread it's a later model . I'd say frenching ( installed behind the sheetmetal)in a set of something close might be do able ? Maybe clear lenses with red LEDs for a more modern look would be a better choice ? I've never seen the mod on a 78/9 that you are after but have done lots of body mods . My flat black 87 I shaved everything , drip rails , emblems ,handles ,locks and tail lights . Cool idea and lots of tail lights out there .

**JBfab** · 01-13-2013, 05:44 PM

Best way to add tail lights from any other truck is to cut the bucket out of said truck. Make a cardboard template of the shape of your rear corner and wonder threw the junk yard/used car lot till you find the right shape/design you like.

deathmobile2 · 01-14-2013, 10:15 AM

Don't do it man - it will look like ass.

**psychlopath** · 01-14-2013, 11:22 AM

I'd love to see pictures of every step with this project. Have you done anything so far??

Robs79BBbronco · 01-14-2013, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathmobile2

Don't do it man - it will look like ass.

agreed....how about leaving the lens and doing an LED conversion?...that would be modern, but not take away from the unique features of these old trucks.

**379sinvb** · 01-14-2013, 03:28 PM

Personally I like the placement of the lights in these. I'm with Rob and think the LED would look good. I have purchased the LED trailer lights and have an idea of how I'm going to do it.

**Stonewater** · 01-15-2013, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 379sinvb

Personally I like the placement of the lights in these. I'm with Rob and think the LED would look good. I have purchased the LED trailer lights and have an idea of how I'm going to do it.

I'm looking forward to seeing that! I've been looking for an LED set for the bronco with no luck.

**Fox005** · 01-15-2013, 10:53 AM

I found the complete set of clear lenses and individual LEDs for exterior and interior .You don't have to change the lenses but why not while doing the upgrade?

www.hipoparts.com has LED Gauge Upgrades
www.memoimports.com has All Clear Lenses for Exterior
www.carid.com has LED bulbs and Color Lenses

Ebay has LED Bulbs and Kits
Headlights with LEDs come in other color versions

joseph69 · 01-15-2013, 11:35 AM

I dont have pictures up, but I cut out the back of the taillight and put in one of these.

I just cut enough room for it to fit and duct taped it in.
Passing red light through a red lenses does not reduce the brightness.

**379sinvb** · 01-15-2013, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox005

I found the complete set of clear lenses and individual LEDs for exterior and interior .You don't have to change the lenses but why not while doing the upgrade?

Started a thread with more info

Delet the thread and put it here. It will cut down the search results saving us time. I looked at it by the way good info. Thanks

**Fox005** · 01-15-2013, 01:58 PM

You got it

Dovepower · 02-27-2013, 07:32 PM

"fill the molding channel in the middle of the body" on a '79??

EastLA78Bronco · 02-27-2013, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joseph69

I dont have pictures up, but I cut out the back of the taillight and put in one of these.

I just cut enough room for it to fit and duct taped it in.
Passing red light through a red lenses does not reduce the brightness.

just what i did..

**Happster** · 02-27-2013, 08:53 PM

just go buy a newer truck if you want yours to look like one... i'm sure there are plenty of folks looking for a '79 that doesn't look like the new crap they make :P

sounds like a lot of filler otherwise

79BOSSHOGG · 02-27-2013, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happster

just go buy a newer truck if you want yours to look like one... i'm sure there are plenty of folks looking for a '79 that doesn't look like the new crap they make :P

sounds like a lot of filler otherwise

I agree! The point of having a 78/79 is the old look. Why have one if you want to modernize it that much? Some modern things are good like led bulbs or 3G alt or rear disks, but that's not major changes to the old look

**CBboots** · 02-28-2013, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathmobile2

Don't do it man - it will look like ass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robs79BBbronco

agreed....how about leaving the lens and doing an LED conversion?...that would be modern, but not take away from the unique features of these old trucks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dovepower

"fill the molding channel in the middle of the body" on a '79??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happster

just go buy a newer truck if you want yours to look like one... i'm sure there are plenty of folks looking for a '79 that doesn't look like the new crap they make :P

sounds like a lot of filler otherwise

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79BOSSHOGG

I agree! The point of having a 78/79 is the old look. Why have one if you want to modernize it that much?

Dude, it's your Bronco...do what you want to it.

In a world where we have some 'tard paying through the nose to have a customs shop put an F150 interior into a fullsize (among other things)......frenched tailights is nothing, lol.

Not the way I would go, but as long as it's safe, it works and you like it...go for it. Custom mods are always cool

johnnyreb · 03-02-2013, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox005

I found the complete set of clear lenses and individual LEDs for exterior and interior .You don't have to change the lenses but why not while doing the upgrade?

www.hipoparts.com has LED Gauge Upgrades
www.memoimports.com has All Clear Lenses for Exterior
www.carid.com has LED bulbs and Color Lenses

Ebay has LED Bulbs and Kits
Headlights with LEDs come in other color versions

Thanks Fox005. I just looked at them and was wondering if someone had brighter dash lights . All 3 companys has 78-79 bronco updates and the prices are cheaper then some I had looked at. I liked the clear front park light lens for $39 -A PAIR. I saw them one place at $55 EACH and passed . Thanks again.

scott79 · 03-04-2013, 11:44 AM

Check out the thread for "LED interior upgrade"...Look at what ranger429 did, I plan to do the same to a couple of mine in the near future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyreb

Thanks Fox005. I just looked at them and was wondering if someone had brighter dash lights . All 3 companys has 78-79 bronco updates and the prices are cheaper then some I had looked at. I liked the clear front park light lens for $39 -A PAIR. I saw them one place at $55 EACH and passed . Thanks again.

**Fox005** · 03-10-2013, 12:29 AM

Haven't got the clear exterior lenses but I have all the bulbs now .The interior colored Look like Lego blocks

01-13-2013, 02:26 PM	#1
DirkDiggler Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: lake st louis MO Posts: 108 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 79 Bronco. bone stock ... for now	79 to modern tail light conversion. Anyone ever done one? So i am looking to update the look of my bronco. I am in the middle of doing a bunch of body work as it is, and thought it might be nice to freshen up this thing a little. I am looking to model the front grill after a modern f250, fill the molding channel in the middle of the body to make it more uniform, grind off the drain trim around the door, and put in modern tailights. Only issue is i cant seem to find anyone who has converted the old one sided tailight to a wrap around one. Main issue is the body shape at that point. There has to be some truck that has a tailight that would match the body lines. Anyone ever seen it done?

01-13-2013, 05:44 PM	#3
JBfab Fullsize Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Emerald, PA Posts: 1,979 iTrader: (8) Bronco Info: 94 C150, 351/zf,5"lift,35" xterains,flow40, mac headers,sag swap, elec fan, 4WDB	Best way to add tail lights from any other truck is to cut the bucket out of said truck. Make a cardboard template of the shape of your rear corner and wonder threw the junk yard/used car lot till you find the right shape/design you like. __________________ It's not custom if you bought it from a catalog! Visit my build thread- http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...d.php?t=211825

01-14-2013, 11:22 AM	#5
psychlopath Student of life, man. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 1,267 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 1979 Freewheel'n, PowrLok, ARB, OBA, and anything else I can cram in	I'd love to see pictures of every step with this project. Have you done anything so far?? __________________ I <3 FAR 43.

01-14-2013, 03:28 PM	#7
379sinvb Resurection Ranch Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,104 iTrader: (1) Bronco Info: War Horse,Blue Eyes,Black Stallion & Youngblood the newest member.	Personally I like the placement of the lights in these. I'm with Rob and think the LED would look good. I have purchased the LED trailer lights and have an idea of how I'm going to do it. __________________ Rick My Project- "Left for Dead"

02-27-2013, 07:32 PM	#13
Dovepower Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Amelia Island/Gainesville FL Posts: 233 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: '79 Bronco 460 C6 coilsprung D60front/D70rear 1410Driveshafts 40"swampers 6"susp/3"body	"fill the molding channel in the middle of the body" on a '79?? __________________ "Everything feels tight when you're full-sized!"

01-13-2013, 04:58 PM	#2
Fox005 The Original FullSize Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Grass Valley Nor-Cal USA Posts: 567 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 78XLT Ranger,6"and35x12, Built351,Race Rad,Roll Bar,100MPH Speedo,Tach,LED Lights ,	It would be easier to weld in a filler and do a roll pan with Custom taillights . I posted some pics in another thread it's a later model . I'd say frenching ( installed behind the sheetmetal)in a set of something close might be do able ? Maybe clear lenses with red LEDs for a more modern look would be a better choice ? I've never seen the mod on a 78/9 that you are after but have done lots of body mods . My flat black 87 I shaved everything , drip rails , emblems ,handles ,locks and tail lights . Cool idea and lots of tail lights out there .

01-14-2013, 10:15 AM	#4
deathmobile2 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 146 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 1978 XLT Ranger; 400, AT, 4" Superflex Lift, No Rust & No Knicknacks!	Don't do it man - it will look like ass.

01-15-2013, 10:53 AM	#9
Fox005 The Original FullSize Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Grass Valley Nor-Cal USA Posts: 567 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 78XLT Ranger,6"and35x12, Built351,Race Rad,Roll Bar,100MPH Speedo,Tach,LED Lights ,	I found the complete set of clear lenses and individual LEDs for exterior and interior .You don't have to change the lenses but why not while doing the upgrade? www.hipoparts.com has LED Gauge Upgrades www.memoimports.com has All Clear Lenses for Exterior www.carid.com has LED bulbs and Color Lenses Ebay has LED Bulbs and Kits Headlights with LEDs come in other color versions

01-15-2013, 11:35 AM	#10
joseph69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 267 iTrader: (0)	I dont have pictures up, but I cut out the back of the taillight and put in one of these. I just cut enough room for it to fit and duct taped it in. Passing red light through a red lenses does not reduce the brightness.

01-15-2013, 01:58 PM	#12
Fox005 The Original FullSize Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Grass Valley Nor-Cal USA Posts: 567 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 78XLT Ranger,6"and35x12, Built351,Race Rad,Roll Bar,100MPH Speedo,Tach,LED Lights ,	You got it

02-27-2013, 08:53 PM	#15
Happster 99 Problems Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: I move all the fucking time Posts: 2,259 iTrader: (5) Bronco Info: '79 Bronco XLT Ranger, 351M, 205, C6, LS 9"	just go buy a newer truck if you want yours to look like one... i'm sure there are plenty of folks looking for a '79 that doesn't look like the new crap they make :P sounds like a lot of filler otherwise __________________ I know you believe you understood what you think I said but i am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what i meant

03-10-2013, 12:29 AM	#20
Fox005 The Original FullSize Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Grass Valley Nor-Cal USA Posts: 567 iTrader: (0) Bronco Info: 78XLT Ranger,6"and35x12, Built351,Race Rad,Roll Bar,100MPH Speedo,Tach,LED Lights ,	Haven't got the clear exterior lenses but I have all the bulbs now .The interior colored Look like Lego blocks __________________ I Dont always go Wheeling, but when I Do I prefer "Green Goblin" 78 Bronco XLT Ranger Last edited by Fox005; 03-10-2013 at 12:31 AM.

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