Caddy Lights Questions

[bbbblaah]

So I am planning on doing a caddy tail light install soon and I was wondering if anyone has a how-to on this or some process pics?

Also, can the tail lights off a junker deville work, or do you have to buy them from a site like grant kustoms? Thanks

[DAZE752]

well they might work and youll have to buy the buckets but i havent done it so i may not be right and for how to its all how you want to do it its nothing really complicated cut a hole the shape of the bucket and weld it

[97xenissan]

yes.u can use junk yard lights and just buy the buckets, becareful though because some of the chrome trim on the lights can pit and peel.but they are a lot cheaper and make sure they give u the harness for them.

[UNCIVLIZED1]

I did them on my old Hardbody and they were fairly easy to do if you have the tools. I bought taillight fillers, caddy buckets and bought a set of lights and bezels from a local salvage yard.

I first got the tailight fillers tacked into place. Then with the taillight and bezel set into the bucket I did a mock up against the fillers and traced the pattern to cut out of the filler and lower corner of the bedside in order to weld in the bucket. I made my cuts using a plasma cutter but it could be done with a cut off wheel and mini saw just the same. I cut a little less than my pattern and trimmed a couple of times to insure a tight fit to give me more area to weld. Once they fit in I taped up the light and bezel to make it slightly wider than its actual size so that there would be a slight gap for the lights and bezels to slide in and out later without scratching paint and to protect it from slag when welding. The reason for doing this with the lights installed is to insure the shape does not get distorted from the heat while welding since you are workign with fairly thin metal that will warp if you arent careful. I then tacked the buckets into place slowly. When done I grinded all my welds and touched up a few areas before starting the body work to smoothe it all in. I used a tailgate skin with the bodyline in it in order to carry it across the tailgate the same as the bedsides for a cleaner look and also for the shaved handle. Also when I was done i scuffed up my lenses with a grey scuff pad, shot a tiny bit of red candy to bring them out then cleared them with a good automotive clear to clean them up and bring them back to life!

Here is a pic of the end result........

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/uncivlized1/Nissan/IMGP1760-1.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/uncivlized1/Nissan/IMGP1761-1.jpg

[beaver720]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/uncivlized1/Nissan/IMGP1760-1.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/uncivlized1/Nissan/IMGP1761-1.jpg
if ur truck was a cheeseburger it would be a mc pimpin' :thumb:

[KPITLOW]

I had a 1996 Cadi that caught fire. Before they hauled it away I took the tail lights and trim off. I want to do the same install but was wondering what to do if I wanted to have a reverse light? Could you have used a full tailgate/rollpan combo and welded the entire rear shut?

[Bagged_frontier]

I would look for some kits out there. They are selling ones with led's in them with an option of reverse and signal or just one of the two added to the lens. The also make the kit where you can swap the lens to a clear lens on the lights. You can use the combo kit on your truck. They did it to mine and since they welded it shut the guys put it up against the side where the bolts mount the latch to hold the tailgate up. The kit is not that expensive for led caddy lights. Check out this one site and see the ones with also the singal color options on the lens. Look for my update thread I did and you can see my fronty with a combo kit and caddy lights. The back will look just about the same for your truck.
http://www.customclassic.com/products/lights/caddy/89deville.htm

[KPITLOW]

Right on.. I was also thinking about just getting the plate holder and reverse light thing from a cadillac. But that might look too big..

I got the truck for free from my friend. Has a 98% perfect body, great interior and 292xxx miles on the original motor. Still runs great. I had a 1996 Dakota that was bagged and now that I have the Nissan I am dying to start to work on it.