can big taillight be done?

[Spyda]

Heres a factory one for comparison if it helps.
(Click to enlarge)

[dub1]

yeah comparing it with spyda's picture the standard one does sit in further and a bit more snugly but as brenton said - its only thin malleable metal and could probably be made to fit or close enough...

[roccodingo]

Very easy to do. It is just a case of cutting the body to the correct shape. Make sure you apply anti rust on the edges where you cut and make sure you get the bulb holders with the tailights.

Backyard butchery... the GTI I have here is an 80 with the small tail lamps originally, has been hacked for the larger later model lamps. Looks like it leaked a load and as Loon has already mentioned, doesnt sit correctly either.

If you dont wish to weld in the whole panel, you could possibly graft the section the lamp sit in to the existing body, however the rear panels are available, may as well do the job correctly for the most satisfaction..

Speak to Richard ..

http://www.golfmk1.co.uk/Items.php?c...group=VWPANELS

Good luck.

[pepperwhite]

shortcuts lead to long delays and taillights are pretty fragile..but anything can* be done.

[dub1]

ok. i think i might have to avoid it then. it's a fair bit of effort and money that will go into it when really it is just for the look...

[dub be good to me]

Damn, I've already bought big tail lights thinking it would be a simple swap.

As I have no experience with bodywork, how much would it be to get a body shop to do a weld job like this (swap current 76' back panel for big tail light panel - not including paint)?

[dub1]

hahahaha

i can't imagine it would cost that much...100-200?? max? if that?

[roccodingo]

Panel cost me about 160 quid when i bought it, (~ $360 ++) then there was shipping it down to my container guy in surrey, then the cost of getting it thru customs here. so for a new panel, around the $450 - 500 dollar mark before getting it anywhere near the car you want to weld it in to.

best option is to salvage the one loon has and fit it to your shell if your on a low budget.

[EndlessMKI]

nice rims mat.

Yup, involves welding. Not that much but definately welding.
You havent tried fitting the lights to the wrong panel either. I have and they dont fit well.

Here was my attempt and I was never more than 80% happy with how they sat and I wasted days on em

[dub be good to me]

Panel cost me about 160 quid when i bought it, (~ $360 ++) then there was shipping it down to my container guy in surrey, then the cost of getting it thru customs here. so for a new panel, around the $450 - 500 dollar mark before getting it anywhere near the car you want to weld it in to.

best option is to salvage the one loon has and fit it to your shell if your on a low budget.

Have a friend in the UK so might be able to source panel on the cheap. Was actually asking abt how much it would cost to pay a body shop to weld it up for me.. (price of work not panel)
Any one paid for similar work before?

I have a rear panel and taillights if you want to do it properly.

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