I cannot thank you enough! I also own a 1994 and yes it is disheartening that noone reproduces these taillights. I need a set desperately bad, BUT, fact is all of them do the same thing, so why spend $650 on them when your lucky to get a good year out of them. I most certainly will be doing this! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this video and help all of us out so very much!
Just bought a 94 trans am and noticed I have a little water in the taillight. This video was perfect since I know very little about fixing cars in general.
Hi, thanks for doing this video. I have delam issue (between the checker board and the lens) on a 96. Your video skips the part where you'd separate the checker board grill from the clear lens...How does that come apart? And more importantly, how did you get it back on? I'm even wondering if just running them in the oven re-sealed the board to the lens...need you valuable input here please. thanks!
Hey, I feel your pain! Unfortunately, I don't know of a way to separate the checkerboard grill from the clear plastic lens, and that' s not what I did here. I got a donor light and removed it from that one and replaced it onto my jacked up, cracked, and delaminated clear/grill combo. Good luck!
400 dollars for one it just blows my mind that nobody makes aftermarket for these cars they would make a killing if they just started sellling OEM spec taillights and some dashes everybody needs them the demand is there and these cars are very popular right now
@@hootiemack350 yea i know it sucks. There was a transam v8 here at the local junkyard and it had the tailights for $15 a piece, i just never had time to pick them up and when i had time someone had already got them. 🤦🏽♂️
I need a bunch of wiring for mine. Mainly under the hood! Its been parked for over 10 years when I got it. Do you know where I can find some used wiring? New is so expensive
I think the basic procedure should cross over to just about any tail light assembly. The engineers definitely didn't think things through when it came to F Body tail light assembly weatherproofing that's for sure. I have a 96 Firebird with one assembly that's foggy as hell. I went at it with a heat gun trying to get the lens off and walked away after an hour of trying because it wasn't having it. Figured I'd stop and regroup and research for a better plan before I broke something. These damn things are harder to find than Jimmy Hoffa's body and more expensive than a pillow princess when they can be found. I grill and smoke meats pretty damn good, but I don't bake...until now. Firebird tail lights cooked low and slow is on the menu. 😁 Nice tutorial bro. 2 years late getting to the party but thank you for documenting your project!
I have a 1997 Trans Am and the left tail light has a crack... I'm considering purchasing from sellers on Ebay, but I'm confused because the part numbers don't match my car. O my car I see a part number on the outside of the red reflector at the bottom... 13513165. But their part numbers are 16516883 and 13315371. How do I know I have a part that fits?
Ernest Adams I never looked at any of the part numbers. Instead, I only went off which ones looked like mine--horizontal/vertical lines which are very hard to come by. If yours has the honeycomb, I don't know any specifics that may be different between the part numbers, but if it looks the same on the outside, I'd go for it and ask the seller their return policy. Its possible that there could be a difference in the bulb sockets that attach on the back... Good luck and let us know what you find out!
I had to buy an expensive replacement on eBay without “much” delam. However it was so dirty and faded inside that I swapped it with my much cleaner & vivid red/reflectors.
The problem with mine that drives me up a wall is that they are starting to crack/ craze at the top in shade they look mint in sun, eh want to keep T/A taillights because they are specific to a 97 T/A do not like later honeycomb design, if anyone should happen to have a nos pair they want to get rid of, I'm your man will pay whatever you're asking (with in reason ) I have been able to accumulate everything brand new exterior wise except these friggin' taillights!
@@FearlessMods Fiero GT owners had similar challenges. Keith Goodyear borrowed against his life savings to remake polycarbonate GT lenses and was successful. He had a short window this year to sell them because once GM caught wind, they scrutinized him and also charged quarterly royalties. You can see his demo here. In one of his videos they took a hammer to the lense and couldnt crack them. ruclips.net/video/a-HUsJWEtko/видео.html I also own a 90 bonneville SSE with the same line delamination but due to the rarity and lack of interest in that car, will likely never see a new pair ever.
I cannot thank you enough! I also own a 1994 and yes it is disheartening that noone reproduces these taillights. I need a set desperately bad, BUT, fact is all of them do the same thing, so why spend $650 on them when your lucky to get a good year out of them. I most certainly will be doing this! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this video and help all of us out so very much!
Hope it works for you Greg! Not 100% but definitely an improvement!
Just bought a 94 trans am and noticed I have a little water in the taillight. This video was perfect since I know very little about fixing cars in general.
You can also repaint the chrome if the water faded it
Very cool thanks for showing clearly how to open up the taillight, want to get rid of the delamination in mine
Do you know where I can purchase just the lens portion ?
I know this is a long shot but what kind of gasket maker did you use when you reassembled your taillights? I'm currently doing the same thing
Hi, thanks for doing this video. I have delam issue (between the checker board and the lens) on a 96. Your video skips the part where you'd separate the checker board grill from the clear lens...How does that come apart? And more importantly, how did you get it back on? I'm even wondering if just running them in the oven re-sealed the board to the lens...need you valuable input here please. thanks!
Hey, I feel your pain! Unfortunately, I don't know of a way to separate the checkerboard grill from the clear plastic lens, and that' s not what I did here. I got a donor light and removed it from that one and replaced it onto my jacked up, cracked, and delaminated clear/grill combo. Good luck!
where did you get the replacement lens from?
eBay and it was next to impossible to find 5 years ago! Someone really needs to start making new versions of that style!
They’re expensive and becoming rare to find. I’ve seen them online for $800 for the pair.
400 dollars for one it just blows my mind that nobody makes aftermarket for these cars they would make a killing if they just started sellling OEM spec taillights and some dashes everybody needs them the demand is there and these cars are very popular right now
They are $1800 now...
@@hootiemack350 yea i know it sucks. There was a transam v8 here at the local junkyard and it had the tailights for $15 a piece, i just never had time to pick them up and when i had time someone had already got them. 🤦🏽♂️
What did you use to reseal it?
@@xplosivetg1 13:11 - 14:05
I need a bunch of wiring for mine. Mainly under the hood! Its been parked for over 10 years when I got it. Do you know where I can find some used wiring? New is so expensive
great video .. BTW - thanks for sharing where you found the stickers for the rear Mine are red and have faded..thanks
Amazon
Ever thought about trying a camaro taillight? Would help me figure out how i can open one to make it custom
Nope, sorry. I have a TA and that was expensive enough!
@@FearlessMods *snaps fingers* well darn, was worth a shot lol
I think the basic procedure should cross over to just about any tail light assembly. The engineers definitely didn't think things through when it came to F Body tail light assembly weatherproofing that's for sure.
I have a 96 Firebird with one assembly that's foggy as hell. I went at it with a heat gun trying to get the lens off and walked away after an hour of trying because it wasn't having it. Figured I'd stop and regroup and research for a better plan before I broke something. These damn things are harder to find than Jimmy Hoffa's body and more expensive than a pillow princess when they can be found.
I grill and smoke meats pretty damn good, but I don't bake...until now. Firebird tail lights cooked low and slow is on the menu. 😁
Nice tutorial bro. 2 years late getting to the party but thank you for documenting your project!
@@gregoryking9348 Firebird tail lights on the menu…you’re hilarious! 🤣
I have a 1997 Trans Am and the left tail light has a crack... I'm considering purchasing from sellers on Ebay, but I'm confused because the part numbers don't match my car. O my car I see a part number on the outside of the red reflector at the bottom... 13513165. But their part numbers are 16516883 and 13315371. How do I know I have a part that fits?
Ernest Adams I never looked at any of the part numbers. Instead, I only went off which ones looked like mine--horizontal/vertical lines which are very hard to come by. If yours has the honeycomb, I don't know any specifics that may be different between the part numbers, but if it looks the same on the outside, I'd go for it and ask the seller their return policy. Its possible that there could be a difference in the bulb sockets that attach on the back... Good luck and let us know what you find out!
Better grab your wallet they are high dollar
What type of adhesive did you use to reglue?
I just heated up the existing sealant/glue and reassembled it.
How did you get the tail Lens cover?
I had to buy an expensive replacement on eBay without “much” delam. However it was so dirty and faded inside that I swapped it with my much cleaner & vivid red/reflectors.
@@FearlessMods very helpful- thanks so much for the video!
You didn't show what grit you used too sand, ineed to Know? Did you sand wet or dry or Both? Say that before you start!?
I thought about acrylic floor wax for the separation
How long did you hear the tail light to take out the glue
5 min first time. 10 min second. Recommend you take it slow and see what works for you.
@@FearlessMods thanks did it for like 20 mins on 750° around the edges and only slightly dif it come off....so pissed
That's wrong man you suppose to use a heat gun, cheap at Harbor Freight?
The problem with mine that drives me up a wall is that they are starting to crack/ craze at the top in shade they look mint in sun, eh want to keep T/A taillights because they are specific to a 97 T/A do not like later honeycomb design, if anyone should happen to have a nos pair they want to get rid of, I'm your man will pay whatever you're asking (with in reason ) I have been able to accumulate everything brand new exterior wise except these friggin' taillights!
Tim Sacco6g eBay has a few pairs for sale..
Wife's not home you know what that means taillight in the oven.
I'm Seeing these style lights are creeping up price for decent one's.
They've been going astronomical for quite a while now!
@@FearlessMods Fiero GT owners had similar challenges. Keith Goodyear borrowed against his life savings to remake polycarbonate GT lenses and was successful. He had a short window this year to sell them because once GM caught wind, they scrutinized him and also charged quarterly royalties. You can see his demo here. In one of his videos they took a hammer to the lense and couldnt crack them. ruclips.net/video/a-HUsJWEtko/видео.html I also own a 90 bonneville SSE with the same line delamination but due to the rarity and lack of interest in that car, will likely never see a new pair ever.
Why do you look like brett favre? I cant be the only one.
🤣
Agreed 🤣
Just use varying grades of pinstriping on the outside. Poontiacs didn’t give a shit, make it better, not the same.