Why won't 98 tails fit a 95? What's different?

[Mikes95XLT]

Ok I work at a car wash part time, and I see Ex's all the time. I see the tails on all of them, and they look exactly the same! I want to swap tails, but I want to know first, what is the difference????

 

[section525]

The difference is the hatch! Thats all. Its just shaped different. I want to convert to a 98+ rear door one of these days!

 

[DarkFox1]

yup.. the hatch door in 98+ curves outward more at the base of the hatch window and stays that thickness all the way down over the 95-97 hatch. you can do a conversion if you can find an X with the hatch.. but some wiring changes are in order.. unless you want to shave the 98 hatch's tag door and keep it on the bumper.

you can fit the 98 lenses on a 95-97 truck, the curve of the side fenders is the same (or close to it) and it will look like they belong on the truck..... until you close the hatch.. then you will get about a half inch of the 98+ taillight sticking out past the hatch door.. and in my case, a small scratch on the hatch door where the taillight is.. thats what I get for trying it I suppose.. but if I hadn't tried this I could be telling this all to you hehe.. live and learn.

it would be nice if the 98+ lenses fit.. considering TYC and APC think the 98+ is the only explorer that matters.. making like 3 or 4 different kinds of altezzas.. of which I have only seen 1 pair in person btw.. apparently they're not selling huge.

 

[Mikes95XLT]

Bummer

Thanks guys. I guess I won't be doing that.... lol

 

[VOATMJ1]

I alos believe that eh 98+ tails are wider than previous ones.

Question: What is wrong with yours, and why do you want a 98+ design? Both have amber at the top, and red brakes light, and white reverse.

Just curious.

 

[DarkFox1]

probablly for those TYC or APC euros

I think they are a tiny bit wider as well.. and my hatch door would swear by the small flake out of my paint that they are lol but my hatch is not aligned properly.. one 1 side I have about 1/4"... on the other the thickness of a quater

 

[Mikes95XLT]

Originally posted by DarkFox1
probablly for those TYC or APC euros

Very good Dark Fox Yea that's basically why I wanted to know, cause I've seen some pretty cool carbon fiber altezzas, and was wondering just what the difference was.... lol

 

[93 x_SPORT]

I want to do this swap because I hate it when you wash your damn car, then all that dirt trapped under that molding, under the window, comes rolling out. It doesn't matter how much you spray that crap, it still gets the hatch dirty.

So are you all saying that, as long as you replace the hatch AND the taillights, the taillights wont stick out?