So I finally got around to getting new taillight lens for my 84 convertible. Results were spotty but good enough. The big problems are that the lens covers have a slight warp to them which wont allow them to fully seat in the housing. The corner closest to the licence plate is lifted up more then the rest of the assembly. I'm debating putting a dab of clear silicone to keep moisture out.
so here's pics of what I did.
The main reason for doing this was the reflective paint was dull and people kept telling me my brake lights were out on sunny days. So i painted the black parts flat black and the reflective surface chrome.
I got my new tail lens weather stripping from CJ Pony parts because they sell it 9 bucks cheaper then LMR and it's still a Daniel carpenter part. The fitment wasn't great on these. The round and oval shaped ones fit okay, but the oblong shaped one does not seat very well. I used two layers of butyl tape to get it to sit but after installing on the body the oblong ones slipped into the hole they are supposed be seated firmly around. No way to remedy. Have to live with it.
Here is a close up of the corner that wont seat all the way down. Look at the reviews of the 83-84 two piece kits on LMR and one guy complained of the same thing. It's another case of Daniel Carpenter using cheap plastic with original Ford tooling. It does this on both lens's despite my removing the lens and placing a second layer of butyl tape into the channel. I even lifted the corners just enough to stuff a third layer of butyl tape into the corners but the warp is too profound and lifts right up as soon as I released hand pressure. I feel maybe an extra clip might pull it down but there's only 5 pads that take clips on my 84. You can't just place clips anywhere you want to on the housing.
I must say they do look nice once installed. Besides having had a cracked lens on the passenger side I also had two mismatched lens's. Looked like I had an 83-84 on one side and an 85 on the other. Slight difference in the red and more then slight difference on the amber lens. So uniformity looks good.
So besides the lens warp, and the oblong tail light weatherstripping not sitting right my last observation is that the butyl tape kit from LMR (and other aftermarket sources) is a waste of money. They charge 20 bucks and give you about 5 or 6 feet of butyl tape and a set of clips. My original clips were better than the ones they supplied and I didn't need theirs. Since I needed extra layers of butyl tape what they give wouldn't have been enough. I got 40 feet of 1/4 inch butyl tape at Home depot for $4.95 so 20 bucks for 6 feet is a ripoff. Sorry LMR. Dont be so cheap. Some people might need new clips but you need to double even triple the butyl tape you give.
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