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Impala Quad Tail Light Modification |
Introduction
The 00-05 Impala has what
appears to be quad taillights in the rear, when in fact, the inner two lights
server as only reverse lights and tail reflectors. In order to improve
styling and visibility, this article will describe how to modify the center
taillight section to make the inner lights active and later on, how to make
them sequential.
Parts List
| Taillight Panel Parts List | ||||
| Quantity | Description | Supplier | Cost | Notes |
| 2 |
Cambro 8" Pebble Salad Bowl (Model PSB8) |
Restaurant Supply | $3.50 Ea | Used for light housing |
| 1 | Foil Pan Lid | Restaurant Supply | $.60 | Used to cover clear lens ovals |
| 2 | 3057 Bulb Socket | NAPA ( LS6522) | $10.00 Ea | Used for new stop/signal lights |
| 2 | 3057 Bulbs | Walmart/Kmart | $3.00 | Used for new stop/signal lights |
| 2 | Plastic Welder Epoxy | Devcon 220-????? | $4.00 Ea | Used to mount light housing |
| 4 | M5 x 30 Stainless Machine Screws | Hardware Store | $.45 Ea | Used to replace panel studs |
| 4 | M5 Stainless Nuts | Hardware Store | $.25 Ea | Used to replace panel studs |
| 4 | 5/16" Fender Washers | Hardware Store | $.25 Ea | Used to replace panel studs |
| 1 Ea |
Spray Paint (DupliColor Chrome, Duplicolor Red, Primer) |
Walmart/Kmart | $4.00 Ea | Used to paint ovals & housing reflector |
| 10 Ft Ea |
18 AWG Wire (Black, Green, Yellow, Brown) |
Auto Supply | $10.00 | Used to make new wiring harness |
| 1 Pack | Heat Shrink Tubing | Radio Shack | ??? | Used to make new wiring harness |
| 1 Ea | Male/Female 6 Pin Connector |
Radio Shack (xxx-xxxx & xxx-xxxx) |
??? | Used to make new wiring harness |
|
Approx Total: |
$75 (Unless you already have some of the items) | |||
Taillight Panel Procedure
Prep the center taillight
- Start with the center taillight lense and remove the bulb carriers and harness
- Using a rotoZip or Dremel, cut the reflector off the back of the lense. Make the cut about an 1/8" larger than the reflector ring. Be careful not to go too deep and cut the front lense.
- Clean up the freshly cut edge using a utility knife to remove any rough spots or excess material.
Create the reflector housings
- Measure the diameter of the hole that was just cut for the reflector. This will be the diameter of the housing lip
- Measure the same diameter in the inside of the acrylic bowl and mark a line around the entire bowl
- Using the rotoZip, cut the acrylic bowl along the line you just drew
- Test fit the acrylic bowl onto the lense and make any adjustments needed using the rotoZip and a bench grinder. The bottom side of the lense sits closer to the trunk lid, so more material should be remove from that side of the lense.
- Once the acrylic bowls fit to the lense, make a pattern using the bulb socket and a piece of cardboard. This will allow the hole for the bulb carrier to be transferred to the back of the housing.
- Trace the bulb carrier hole (with the ears) to the back of the housing. Be sure you align it so that you will be able to remove the carrier once the harness is in place.
- Using a 1" hole saw, cut out the center of the bulb carrier hole. Then use the rotoZip to cut out the ears. Test fit the bulb carrier and make adjustments using the rotoZip
- Using the primer, evenly and complete coat the inside of the acrylic bowl housing. Once dry, coat the inside with the chrome spray paint.
Putting it together
Click Image to Enlarge
Here is a picture of most of the parts to make the taillight lenses active. Notice that the original lense reflectors have been cut out already.
Click Image to Enlarge
Here is a picture of new housing assembled onto the lense with the bulb carriers and wiring attached.
Click Image to Enlarge
Click Image to Enlarge
Click Image for Video