Replace 1st gen 3rd brake light with 'newer' gen light??...

[Private_Joker]

Has anyone tried to replace their first gen 3rd brake light (that almost square "brick") with a brake light from a newer model? (nice & slim)?...

If you have, was it difficult? any gotchas?

Thanks,
PJ :roll: to :exp: (hopefully)

 

[Ryan1]

Has anyone tried to replace their first gen 3rd brake light (that almost square "brick") with a brake light from a newer model? (nice & slim)?...

If you have, was it difficult? any gotchas?

Thanks,
PJ :roll: to :exp: (hopefully)

yes someone did do that one this forum..but I cant remember who it was about a year and a half ago...try the search button

Ryan

 

[Private_Joker]

I did searcheth, but alas, I could not findeth :roll:

Common guys!, or I'm gonna cut first and take measurements later! lol

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

you could always save yourself time and money by just getting the entire hatch form a 95-97 explorer. other years will not fit (98-01, 02 +). you will have some wiring issues with the 95-97 third brake light because its a neon type bulb, not incodesant. nothing to bad though. if you take this route, let us (and me) know how it turns out

 

[Private_Joker]

No way! a 95-97 hatch will fit a 93!!
If I can find one for a decent price I'm there! I'll be check'n the bone yards!

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

yep, sure will

 

[EliteConcept]

yep 91-97 hatches were all the same bascially, with the exception of some cosmetic differences like brake light type and badging

 

[Private_Joker]

A 97 hatch would be great! (clear up several problems for me at once), but I would imagine a hatch would be ~300 - 500 bucks would it not?

Anyone else done this hatch switch on a 1st gen?...

So, would that mean that 97 tail lights would fit on a 93 also?

 

[Private_Joker]

Thanks for the info!

BTW, have you repainted your front-end? I really like to see the diamond headlight, billet grill, cool valance combination!!

yep, sure will

 

[Private_Joker]

I called a bone yard and they said that 91-94 hatches are the same but 95's are different?...

Could it be a different connection to the truck frame?.. or is the bone yard wrong?

I have tools, but no welder, so I can't really mod stuff ie:cut&weld...

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

PV, heres the skinny.

Bone yard is wrong. 91-97 hatches are identical except for the third brake light. it will fit, i promise.
taillights, however, will not. if you look at the 91-94 taillights, you see that they are pretty much straight. the 95-97 talis are curved on the outside. they wont interchange.
the hatch will bolt right up, no cutting or welding required, although have a friend ready to help align the new hatch, because its a PITA to get it right.

my whole truck is in need of paint. if your offereing to paint it for me for free, by all means, come out here!
good luck on it!

 

[Private_Joker]

Thanks for the info!

I only mentioned the paint job cuz it looks like your new valance is still 'stock'... (unpainted)
I really like the valance & lights & just wanted to see it with the rest of your Ex!
I'd really like to do the same to my 1st gen.
It would make my black sport look even more "strip joint" as my friends say
The only paint jobs I do are with rattle cans! lol

I'll check the prices of the hatches and see what I can do..

PV, heres the skinny.

Bone yard is wrong. 91-97 hatches are identical except for the third brake light. it will fit, i promise.
taillights, however, will not. if you look at the 91-94 taillights, you see that they are pretty much straight. the 95-97 talis are curved on the outside. they wont interchange.
the hatch will bolt right up, no cutting or welding required, although have a friend ready to help align the new hatch, because its a PITA to get it right.

my whole truck is in need of paint. if your offereing to paint it for me for free, by all means, come out here!
good luck on it!

 

[Rhett]

I did searcheth, but alas, I could not findeth :roll:

Common guys!, or I'm gonna cut first and take measurements later! lol

Kris Guilbeaux did that to his Navajo a while back. I think there are pics in the gallery section, and a thread about it, IIRC (if I remember correctly).

 

[Private_Joker]

Hmm, From 2 pics in Kris's gallery it looks like he may have done this.
I could find a thread on it. I sent him a PM to see if he has any adive.

Thanks for remembering Kris and telling me about it!

Update: Khris stated that it was better to just try to replace the hatch.

Kris Guilbeaux did that to his Navajo a while back. I think there are pics in the gallery section, and a thread about it, IIRC (if I remember correctly).

 

[Rhett]

It was in the fog of my brain, I had a clear moment
glad to be of assistance ma man.