Im wanting to swap out the stock rear lights of a 79 with some coke bottle taillights from a 71 Camaro. Has anyone done something like this? Are the dimensions right? I think it involves the lenses, housing, and tail lamp panel. But is the 79 bigger than what the 71 was in that area? Thanks for any help.

 

that would look weird but to each his own. You need to cut the tail panel off and weld a 70-73 tail panel on, thats the hardest part. Then find all the parts, you might even have to change the bumper? Are you gonna make the whole thing look like a 70-73 or just the rear?

 

I'd only do the rear. See I've always loved the round tails of the 70-73. I've also liked the molded bumber of the 79. So I would combine the two. Though I can get the parts for the build easy enough, its working around how the 79 lights wrap around.

 

It has been done,to do it the right way it involves changing the tail panel,as well as the back section of the quarter panels because the 78-81 quarter has a recess that wraps around at the side where the tail light curves.Then like stated above the bumper would have to be changed because the 79 bumper would not match up with the 70-73 tail panel.Personally if i was doing this and wanted to do what you are looking for,i would get some sheet metal,cut it to the shape of the 79 tail light,weld it in place,then cut the holes for the round lights.Obviuosly this would still take some fabrication,but it would be alot less work and less money than trying to change it all.

 

If you were changing the whole rear to include tail panel, splash pan, and bumper, then it would be a huge task. But to just do the tail panel and retain the later bumper you're talking major metal fab skills. Not just bodywork skills, but advanced skills that even many body men don't have.
After doing all that, and spending much money, you'd have a Camaro that almost nobody would appreciate, so be prepared to keep it forever, or lose your butt on it.

 

if you change the tail panel then you will have to get the 70-73 bumper. easier way would be to bend up a filler metal plate, weld it in and cut out for your tail lights. there will be enough space behind it so you can run all the wiring and would look good. it would be different for sure.

 

Thanks for the input all. I figured redoing the back end or metal fab might be my 2 options. Another way to bring a custom look to the lights is to "smoke" the lights. I've seen different methods, but what would be the safest?

 

I have seen a few different ways,the first is to get a set of black outs,or vht sells a paint,i think it's called night shades,that is made for tail lights.

 

Be sure your local police don't have any restrictions on blacked out tailights. There was another poster here who got a $500 ticket for blacked out tailights last year in his town.

 

imo, smoked lights are very overdone. if it were me, id go to a vinyl wrapping place, have them cover my tail lights in wrap that matches your body and cut out a design.
its a very very crude design but something like this. heartbeat of america with a chevy bowtie in it. still plenty of light comes though to keep you safe and legal and you wont find another one out there like it. and its cheap and you can just pull the sticker off when you get tired of it and do something else.