4 hours+1 oven+4 tail lights+black paint=DTM tails!
03-07-2004, 07:27 PM
#1
I'm nutty for Nissans
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Maine
Posts: 10,340
4 hours+1 oven+4 tail lights+black paint=DTM tails!
I have been contemplating over red clears or DTM tails since I got my 98. Well the weather was good Sat. so I got out some tools and went to work. I got the taillights apart and said DTM here I come. Though I like the over all look of the red clears, I chose to paint them black because no one around here has them. It seems the DIY red clears are everywhere. Maybe some day I’ll buy the real red clears, but for now I’m happy with my choice. Anyway enough of me babbling....take a look at my handy work.
Oh, yes I need a wash.
Oh, yes I need a wash.
. the dtm looks great on black cars imo.
03-07-2004, 07:54 PM
#6
Originally Posted by Wisky97SE
Are DTM tails done keeping the stock amber piece? Also, does it block the reverse/turn signal light much?
03-07-2004, 07:59 PM
#7
Nice, would removing the amber peice be the same as with a 95-96? If so, can you e-mail me what you did. I had ordered some tezza's cause I coulnt find any red/clears for the 95/96's. Hope I do not have to deal with the tezza's for long but I just cant stand that orange back there.
03-07-2004, 08:04 PM
#8
Originally Posted by d_warner
No. It removes the amber and clear lenses inside the tail lights. Then you paint the housing. Nothing is done to the lenses, so there is absolutely no interference with your bulbbrightness.
in fact, i'd maybe even go as far as saying it could improve lighting somewhat because it gets rid of the plastic. not saying the plastic is all that restricting, but i bet the lights might even show up better...
just a theory though...but either way, as dave said, it won't interfere with the lighting.
03-07-2004, 09:01 PM
#11
Originally Posted by Turbo1er
Nice, would removing the amber peice be the same as with a 95-96? If so, can you e-mail me what you did. I had ordered some tezza's cause I coulnt find any red/clears for the 95/96's. Hope I do not have to deal with the tezza's for long but I just cant stand that orange back there.
but i like my ambers
03-07-2004, 09:01 PM
#12
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 796
Originally Posted by ABK
no you can't do nothing with 95/96 except paint them red. They stopped making red/clears a while back for 95/96 and if you wonna get a pair and find them somewhere you better have $300 in your pocket if not more.
03-07-2004, 11:00 PM
#14
Originally Posted by Mmmaxx
I believe you are incorrect. The original post about the DTM mod had pictures of a 95/96 with them. Done in the same fashion.
welllll you're kinda right. the 95/96 done (i think it was bluebob) is just painted black inside the housing, but nothing was removed as compared to 97-99's.
i don't think it looks as good on 95/96's, but it's definately unique. you lucky 97-99 owners...better tail light options, better grills, better body kits. hopefully i'll be able to upgrade in a year or so when i'm done with school.
btw, i never mentioned...maxima10to1, good job, looks great!
03-08-2004, 02:40 AM
#15
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,431
The 95/96's never did have a real red/clear option. The closest you could get were David L's which were painted (although done really well). There is a limited number of them out there, so you just sorta have to watch the for sale forums. They do get pricey like was mentioned because of the demand. Like someone else mentioned, you cant just remove the amber lense like you can on the 97+.
The dark tails you have here on the 98 look pretty good. It's been done a few times before before with tint spray rather than black paint, but the effect is similar. It was popular with some members here for a while.
The dark tails you have here on the 98 look pretty good. It's been done a few times before before with tint spray rather than black paint, but the effect is similar. It was popular with some members here for a while.
03-08-2004, 04:12 AM
#16
I'm nutty for Nissans
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Thanks guys. I'm not totaly sure but I think my reverse lights are not projected out as far. I mean for backing up they are pretty crappy, but they may have always been. Imagine a flashlight with no chrome reflector. I think the turnsignal looks the same as a DC clear bumper light, since the bulbe is pretty much unblocked. Here is a 3/4 view: 
Damn I need to either put my Intrax in or get some Eibachs! Anway, now that I did it in black I kinda wanna try it in another color, but the inside of the housing is pretty ugly....and black hides it.
Damn I need to either put my Intrax in or get some Eibachs! Anway, now that I did it in black I kinda wanna try it in another color, but the inside of the housing is pretty ugly....and black hides it.
03-08-2004, 06:02 AM
#19
Originally Posted by Jepht20
welllll you're kinda right. the 95/96 done (i think it was bluebob) is just painted black inside the housing, but nothing was removed as compared to 97-99's.
i don't think it looks as good on 95/96's, but it's definately unique. you lucky 97-99 owners...better tail light options, better grills, better body kits. hopefully i'll be able to upgrade in a year or so when i'm done with school.
btw, i never mentioned...maxima10to1, good job, looks great!
i don't think it looks as good on 95/96's, but it's definately unique. you lucky 97-99 owners...better tail light options, better grills, better body kits. hopefully i'll be able to upgrade in a year or so when i'm done with school.
btw, i never mentioned...maxima10to1, good job, looks great!
oh, and Maxima10to1, lookin hot! Hopefully my write up was clear and easy to follow.
03-08-2004, 06:38 AM
#20
Originally Posted by BlueBOB
Sorry to hear you don't think the DTM 95/96 looks good, but I for one am IN LOVE with them!
oh no man, i like them, just saying that i think it's a better mod for 97-99's. i'm glad you did something different with your awesome and rare 95/96 red/clears because i the regular look bland and normal after a while.
the one thing i don't like is the squarish part on the inner tail that's not the bulb housing, the lighter part. i personally would want that darker and tint that one part, but that's me. i'm sure your lights look even better in person too!
clean and less common mod = hot. i don't think i know of any other 95/96er with red/clears who have done the dtm so you're unique in my book.
03-08-2004, 06:56 AM
#22
The color of your ride and personal preference matters as well, the dark tinting in the lights looks nice for your cars but with mine I want more of a white/clear on the outside with the only other colors being the dark tint and black tires and of course the red for the brake lights.
03-08-2004, 06:59 AM
#23
Originally Posted by Turbo1er
The color of your ride and personal preference matters as well, the dark tinting in the lights looks nice for your cars but with mine I want more of a white/clear on the outside with the only other colors being the dark tint and black tires and of course the red for the brake lights.
His handle is Joseph77.
not the best pic, but a pic none the less...
03-08-2004, 07:00 AM
#24
Originally Posted by BlueBOB
Actually man... there's a guy on here that was the original DTM'ers had a pearl white max and it looked HOT!!!
His handle is Joseph77.
not the best pic, but a pic none the less...
His handle is Joseph77.
not the best pic, but a pic none the less...
03-08-2004, 08:05 AM
#25
looks nice on the red too. I do like it better on the 97-99 than the 95-96 just because of the light setup. However, Bluebob, yours looks great and unique as stated before.
I don't think the DTM mod looks too good with the beige. I just don't think that dark color (like carbon fiber) goes with the color of the gold. IMO.
I don't think the DTM mod looks too good with the beige. I just don't think that dark color (like carbon fiber) goes with the color of the gold. IMO.
03-08-2004, 01:02 PM
#34
Originally Posted by MaxedOutOfCash
so when you turn on your blinker...do you see the bulb??? does it look crappy or does it spread throughout the light???
Sam
Sam
At night though the whole section lights up.
03-08-2004, 01:02 PM
#35
Originally Posted by LithiuMax
Can anything of this sort be done to 2002-2003 tails?
understandably so though considering the cost to replace IF you mess one up.
03-08-2004, 02:19 PM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,246
Originally Posted by Brudaddy
looks nice on the red too. I do like it better on the 97-99 than the 95-96 just because of the light setup. However, Bluebob, yours looks great and unique as stated before.
I don't think the DTM mod looks too good with the beige. I just don't think that dark color (like carbon fiber) goes with the color of the gold. IMO.
I don't think the DTM mod looks too good with the beige. I just don't think that dark color (like carbon fiber) goes with the color of the gold. IMO.
03-08-2004, 03:06 PM
#39
I'm nutty for Nissans
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Join Date: Feb 2003
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Yes BlueBOB, the directions were the perfect guide, nice write up. I couldn't have done it without you. Though the sledge hammer and huge screw driver were not nessesary, LOL. Also I pryed the lenses apart by hand. I think this is a safer way to open them up.... as bad as my tails are (yeah hairline cracks and scratches) I didn't want to really crack them! A word fo those of you who want to attempt opening up tails without a heat gun: use an oven at 200* F. Place the lights in for 7 minutes, then attempt to open them. If not hot enough leave them in for another 1-2 minutes. Pry them apart some, then put them back in for 1-2 minutes. I had no problems with excesive heat...I mean burning myself. Oh and don't worry about the black adhesive because Oop! cleans it right up.
Do you guys want pics of the blinkers and/or reverse lights? I could snap a few. The 4 bulbs are exposed but don't look weird or anything. The blinker is pretty bright, kinda like the clearance light (when on 27 watt) next to the head light, pretty cool IMO.
Do you guys want pics of the blinkers and/or reverse lights? I could snap a few. The 4 bulbs are exposed but don't look weird or anything. The blinker is pretty bright, kinda like the clearance light (when on 27 watt) next to the head light, pretty cool IMO.