can big taillight be done?

[dub1]

hi all...

just wondering if it is possible to make the euro style big taillight fit instead of the Australian, and where ever else it was done, small taillight?

from what i have seen i think there would be a little bit of cutting involved to make the taillight slot larger but besides that i can't see anything else to stop you?

has anyone done it? tips...

tom.

[Drake]

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.

[Golf Loon]

Actually, the lines on the early car are not right and will make the light stick out too far at the edges and the bottom. You will end up grinding bits off the light cluster too and it will never sit 100% correct.

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

[dub1]

how early will this be the case for? 1978?

thanks.

[gtimk5]

I have seen a few done and I didnt like the fit. Plenty of sealer had been used .
On my comp. Golf I replaced the rear panel with the later version. Was all good that way!

[Golf Loon]

how early will this be the case for? 1978?

thanks.

Yup, all panels up until the correct one. 1980/81

[dub1]

ahk. by replacing the rear panel does this not involve breaking the weld or the original panel and re-welding the new panel? seems a lot more tedious that making the big tail lights fit nice...? maybe not, i haven't actually looked at how the rear panel comes out...

[Golf Loon]

ahk. by replacing the rear panel does this not involve breaking the weld or the original panel and re-welding the new panel? seems a lot more tedious that making the big tail lights fit nice...? maybe not, i haven't actually looked at how the rear panel comes out...

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

[dub1]

yeah not too bad actually. you would notice it as much if you didn't know it wasn't standard...does it leak water?

[DVR68U]

its only thin steel , i reckon with a bit of panel beating knowledge you could recreate the right shape to mount with only a bit of sealant. measure twice cut once.
cheers brenton

[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...