| Author |
Message |
Ptbug123
Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2024
Posts: 2
Location: OR
|
 Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2024 9:32 am Post subject: Fiberglass fender Taillight change |
 |
|
Hi all,
I recently purchased this 69 Beetle and I want to change the taillights. I am not a fan of the teardrop and no reverse light. I wonder if anyone has any advice on how best to measure placement of the mounting holes? Moving back to the standard taillight housing for a 69. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Busstom
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014
Posts: 4566
Location: San Jose, CA
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2024 9:51 am Post subject: Re: Fiberglass fender Taillight change |
|
|
I'm posting your pic for you (down further below).
I found this link and this pic, these may help get you started:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=242395
And from b15605's gallery:
_________________
My name's Steve and it's pronounced "Bust 'em" (cuz people think I'm Tom)
| cory464 wrote: |
| if you aren't perfectly centered in the hole you will have issues when you tap it. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ptbug123
Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2024
Posts: 2
Location: OR
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2024 5:33 pm Post subject: Re: Fiberglass fender Taillight change |
|
|
Thanks for the reply and posting the picture. I thought I had done that but first timer mistake. I will try those measurements from that thread and see how they look mocked up. Thanks Again. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rome
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 10156
Location: Pearl River, NY
|
| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2024 9:38 pm Post subject: Re: Fiberglass fender Taillight change |
|
|
PT, I also changed taillamps on the fiberglass fenders on my '77. The PO had installed '67 style, and nerf bars when I bought it in '92. I had a pair of original German '71 taillamps at home and measured the mounting holes on one side for using a pair of '68/'69 taillamp housings. Made a paper template of the holes using the sharp kink of the fender as the positioning reference. Marked the new holes on one of the FG fenders, then flipped the template over to mark the other fender. Doing it this way ensures that the mounting holes are exactly mirror-image, and that you don't end up with one taillamp up higher due to mis-measuring.
Careful with the outboard distance of the taillamps on your fenders. They appear to be wider rear fenders so that you'd need to add an inch or two laterally so that the taillamps are somewhat centered on the fenders instead of being "too far inward" if you use the original German fender hole locations. Also be aware that the taillamps for '68 - '70 are somewhat smaller/shorter than those for '71/'72 USA. The bottom mounting hole is slightly farther down on the later housings. That is, the entire housing is mounted higher than on the '68-'70.
I went overboard with the bumpers; these are the hefty '74+ from a junkyard Beetle (30 years ago you'd still find them in New York). I bought a set of used German '70 style bumpers years later which I'll eventually install. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
