Firebird Side Markers

[bkwagonss]

I was just reading in here somewhere that you could use 70-81 Firebird side marker lights on our truck.
I looked at a few on Ebay. It looks like the metal trim piece goes on the front and the rest in the back, sandwiching the fender in between.
That's not exactly how the truck lights are.
I was just wondering if anyone knows how well the Firebird lights actually fit and if anyone has done this mod.
I would think more people would have done this if it was an easy mod.

[Putter]

As far as I know, they are a direct replacment. They just look a little different than the truck ones.
You can also use later model van ones. They are tapered on all the edges and look REALLY slick. They just don't work well if you are running the side marker filler for a blazer tank (nothing to get a hold on to open it.)

[matthufham]

the firebird's screws fit right into the trucks holes, aligns perfect. then you pop the trim on the light.

the reason it's not very popular, is these aren't very plentiful. cheap originals are usually hard to come across not faded, new ones are expensive, etc...

[chevyguy_72]

Here is a set. Someone should jump on these if that is what they are wanting to do. No markers anymore here.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/70-81...spagenameZWDVW

[bkwagonss]

Thanks for the info.

Those are much nicer than the ones I was watching the other day.

[gregfull]

A fellow board member mocwon has done this. I plan to do it also, just having a hard time finding the lights. Here's a link http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=174392

[pebbleboy]

Those are

but too much money for me

[special-K]

Wow!I alwats thought they were close,but were modified-in.

[BigMike]

I just picked up a set on Ebay for $24. They are a little angled on the sides and may need to be trimmed down a bit???? I also snagged a decent 68 clip a few weeks ago and I don't want to put my deluxe markers on it cause I think it would look funny, and I don't like the standard markers for our trucks. I will play with them and see what I can find out.

Mike

Edit: Here is what I did just after posting the above message. I went out and played with them to get them to fit, here is what I came up with.

A: The light itself must be trimmed down (remove the lip) in order for it to fit closer in on the back side of the fender (the light cannot go in from the top without major modifications, and even then I doubt it without ruining it).

B: It does NOT fit into the factory mount holes, you must remove the tabs from the fender within the light hole where the factory lights mount. You must do this to allow the light to fit in the opening.

C: Not perfectly square, but as anal as I am about my truck, I was happy with the result.

D: Simple to do with basic tools. Took me all of 4-5 minutes just to do the trimming for the test fit.

Check out the pictures and see the lip on the top (red) light that I removed off of the lower (amber) light. If this is not trimmed, it will not be able to come in through the backside enough for it to tighten onto the metal outer paintable ring

With it test fitted


The tabs trimmed out (still needs to finished)


The last 3 are just comparisons to show what I had to trim off (basically just the lip) This shows actually more than needed shaved off to try to get it to fit in throught the front side of the fender, like I said above, it might be accomplished but I see no need to go in through the front.




I hope this was helpful for all of you who were looking to do this mod...I think it is worth it to do, I think it looks great.

Mike

[cstanley]

someone posted a truck for sale on ebay, but i forgot the post and the vehicle. snagged the photos, though. i think these are the firebird ones...

[Inthuwind]

That's what I had planned!!!!! WOW!

[jimmydean]

I got the clear side mmarkers from GMC Paul's and I like the look a lot. They fit my truck well becuase they have a satin finish trim ring to match the rod look I'm going for.

[RatRod68]

Bringing this back from the dead. Any more recent firebird side marker light trucks out there?

[rob32472]

I used them on a project a few years back..... I welded the bezels in thou for a smooth look

[RatRod68]

Rob, that looks amazing. Can you go into more detail on how hard they were to install? I may go that route rather than shaving the lights completely, and I really don't like the "stepped" look like the red and white truck up there.

[rob32472]

they fit right in the indention on the side of the fender, just had to remove the tabs that the factory side marker screws into and weld in. finished of with just a little bondo.

[RatRod68]

Oh, so the trim that goes around them is metal, not plastic?

[rob32472]

yes the bezels are metal

[gregfull]

In case anyone is interested, I make these bezels that fit our trucks to a T. Here's the link: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=339524

[RatRod68]

Originally Posted by gregfull

In case anyone is interested, I make these bezels that fit our trucks to a T. Here's the link: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=339524

Those look great Greg, but a little pricey for my budget. (No offense, as I am sure they are worth it, i just can't swing that, plus another 100 bucks for new lenses.)