The truth about 95-97 tails VS 98-01

[section525]

Well, I had the opportunity to see exactly what happens when you put 98-01 tail lights in a 95-97 Explorer (and visa versa). I know a lot of people have been asking if '98 tails will fit in their '95-97 Explorers. So here are your answers:

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Hatch open - '96 Explorer with '98 tail lights

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Hatch open - '98 Explorer with '96 tail lights

Everything looks good, huh? The problem occurs when you close the hatch!




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Hatch closed - '96 Explorer with '98 tail lights

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Hatch closed - '98 Explorer with '96 tail lights


As you can see, it just doesn't look good.

 

[ktom49]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

 

[Hartman]

Finally someone puts it to rest. Thank you section525.

 

[IAmTodd]

Recessed and bulging tail lights....when was that an option j/k Always wondered about that

 

[Robb]

section525

Thank you for taking the time and effort to show this!

Robb

 

[Black Magic]

Great info! That clears that up, now dosen't it.

 

[hydroxy]

You think the extra buldge might be worth it to get some altezzas in the 95-97 ex's out there?

 

[kkreit01]

Nice job. The next task would be to see what happens if you also swap hatches? Would this solve the problem? J/K....

 

[section525]

Yes that would solve the problem. And I was thinking about doing that this weekend. Cause I want a newer hatch on my '96. So I'll do it if the hatches aren't too hard to realign.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Thanks for the comparason!! Do the hatch!! I wanna see the results, plus, I like the newer hatches too.

 

[davesexplorer]

yup lets see the hatches!!!!

 

[section525]

Tomorrow or Sunday! (If my GF lets me!)

 

[Stic-o]

Ok what about?

01+ sports will these fit a 98+? same hatch right?

 

[section525]

Yeah. Last weekend I began to tear apart my hatch in order to remove it. However, after ruining on of the retaining clips on the gate shock/lift/cylinder dealio, I decided I didn't want to mess up my GFs too. So I just took a few pictures documenting (I'm all scienticifc and stuff) the hatch hinges and what not. The hinges are exactly the same and exactly in the same place. And obviously the tail lights are interchangable and the angle of the rear windows are they same.

The ONLY problem I could see doing this swap is the wiring harness between the body and hatch were a tad bit different. So you would need to either swap the hatch harness, or disect and splice between the two. I'll find my pics and upload them when I get back to my desktop.

 

[IAmTodd]

Don't the 98+ hatches have an electronic release for the glass? If so, that will be for the extra wires

 

[DannyDynamite]

Hey Section thanks for doing that...Damn that sucks I had seen a cheep set of altezza tails for a 98-01 for $30 i Just wanted to see if they would fit cuz they look alright...too bad theres no way to mod the taillight itself..thanks again

 

[Spdrcer34]

TTT.....

Do the 98+ hatches have an electronic release switch for the glass?

I wanna swap a 98+ 1/2 skin onto my `92. I just like the clean lines of the license plate area, and lack of a 'T-handle' to operate the door/glass

Ryan

 

[section525]

The XLT that I have does not. I'm not sure about the newer Limiteds.. but I have never heard of one.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

No electronic releases. All liftgates are manual release.

 

[Greddy X-Plorer]

It's just that the 98-01 have a sexier butt than the 95-97 models, 95-97s they're flat butts, and us guys know we love sexy big butts on our X's! She's a beauty!