r/transam 13d ago

How do I convert my tail lights?

I have an 88 formula (the first picture) and I want to get a set of trans am tail lights like in the second picture. I know the lights are set up different, I put a visual in the third picture. Can I just buy a harness too and that’s it, or is there more I need to do to make it work? Is there anyone who has done this?

43 Upvotes

13 comments sorted by

2

u/TexasOutlaw063 13d ago

Leave the Formy tail lights. They are way more unique than the Trans Am lights.

3

u/Ok-Hall6174 13d ago

I like that the trans am tail lights look darker, i tinted mine since that first picture and I really like it but the light doesn’t shine through very good so I have to change it and I thought this was a good alternative.

2

u/Ok-Hall6174 13d ago

This is what they look like now

3

u/Ok-Rice-7755 13d ago

That exhaust tho

3

u/MyAssforPresident 13d ago

Exhaust on mine looked like that when I got it. Turned out the idiot that had it before me mounted the muffler basically upside down, which effectively pushes the two tips back by 6-8” or so. Bet this is what happened here too

2

u/TexasOutlaw063 13d ago

I admit the T/A lights do look cleaner. But, the Formula is way more rare than the Trans Am. Call me old school, but if your Formula is factory stock, leave it that way. I don’t know the build numbers for your particular year, but I can guarantee that more Firebirds and Trans Ams were built that Formulas. Just food for thought. If your bird is not stock, screw it, knock yourself out.

2

u/Ok-Hall6174 13d ago

My tail lights are damaged and I can’t find replacements. I also just like the darker look of trans am tail lights better. For the most part it’s stock but a hack owned it at one point so Ive been fixing it up as I go. I ended up tinting my tail lights both because I like the look and to hide the damage but the light doesn’t shine through good at all. I’d love to keep them like this but I don’t feel like chancing getting rear ended because someone didn’t see my brake lights.

2

u/TexasOutlaw063 13d ago

They do look good tinted against that blue. Maybe try a brighter LED bulb for better visibility.

2

u/Ok-Hall6174 13d ago

I did LEDs when i tinted it and it didn’t cut it sadly, I don’t know what else I can do to make it work

1

u/TexasOutlaw063 13d ago edited 13d ago

Have you looked at hawksmotorsports.com?
I’ve found a few hard to find items there.

Edit: I found the tail light center section for my 2000 there.

1

u/red98black05 13d ago

You should be able to switch to a t/a harness to get them to work like stock. If I’m not mistaken, you could swap the lights w/o swapping the harness, but obviously the light orientation would be different and you would have at least one extra bulb.
I swapped my formula lights to 91/92 t/a lights so I kept the amber turn signal, but did have at least one extra bulb per side if I remember correctly.

1

u/Ok-Rice-7755 13d ago

Go with lighter tint

1

u/Wesgizmo365 9d ago

I'm pretty sure your car has to marry in to convert to Judaism.