tailight upgrade

[creepinmanche]

I'm gathering the parts needed for a full 97+ conversion. are there any factory lights that will fit with little to no mods? I'm probably going to end up building steel housings but would like everything to look factory if possible.

[DesertRat1991]

There are a handful of options that LOOK close, but all require some fabrication to make them work. 

 

Rusty's Offroad makes a steel housing that isn't cheap:

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/rustys-metal-tail-light-housings-pair-mj-commanche.html

 

[creepinmanche]

1 minute ago, DesertRat1991 said:

There are a handful of options that LOOK close, but all require some fabrication to make them work. 

 

Rusty's Offroad makes a steel housing that isn't cheap:

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/rustys-metal-tail-light-housings-pair-mj-commanche.html

 

yeah I'm fine with building some but trying to keep the body side of things as "factory" as possible. I would love to put the 97+ taillights in but I think they are too rounded for the square body. do you know which ones look decent off hand?

[DesertRat1991]

Early 90's Dodge Dakota lights look very similar to ours but don't quite fit.

 

Apparently, you can also get Cherokee tails to fit with enough blood, sweat, and fiberglass work:

 

[sinkrun]

If wanting to keep it factory looking why not just keep the factory lights restore them if you want them to look new its not hard.

[shelbyluvv]

Use your stock lights. All you have to do is rewire them.

[crumbscomanche]

3 hours ago, DesertRat1991 said:

There are a handful of options that LOOK close, but all require some fabrication to make them work. 

 

Rusty's Offroad makes a steel housing that isn't cheap:

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/rustys-metal-tail-light-housings-pair-mj-commanche.html

 

These are sweet, I didn't know Rustys made them. Doesn't look like there's a reverse light though :/ 

[Dzimm]

Agree with Shelbyluv.  Keep your factory tails and either cut and solder the old plugs to the new wiring or do some dremel work on the 97+ XJ bulb plugs to fit the MJ housings.  Not only is it waaayy cheaper, it looks much better on the truck IMO. 

 

On mine I just dremeled the newer XJ plugs and they fit great. 

[HOrnbrod]

2 hours ago, crumbscomanche said:

These are sweet, I didn't know Rustys made them. Doesn't look like there's a reverse light though :/ 

 

Rusty's overseas C.R.A.P. supplier made them. They look like what they are - a poorly designed housing encasing a universal light LED fixture that costs $200.  

[creepinmanche]

15 hours ago, sinkrun said:

If wanting to keep it factory looking why not just keep the factory lights restore them if you want them to look new its not hard.

I like the look of the 97+ tails and I feel it would finish the 97+ conversion through the rear as well as most of the conversion is in the front\center. didn't know if you guys have figured anything out for this issue or not. 

[creepinmanche]

15 hours ago, DesertRat1991 said:

Early 90's Dodge Dakota lights look very similar to ours but don't quite fit.

 

Apparently, you can also get Cherokee tails to fit with enough blood, sweat, and fiberglass work:

 

nice manche by the way. I just picked up my first and its a 87 sportruck 2wd 4 cyl 4 speed as of right now

[sinkrun]

13 hours ago, HOrnbrod said:

 

Rusty's overseas C.R.A.P. supplier made them. They look like what they are - a poorly designed housing encasing a universal light LED fixture that costs $200.  

$200.00 each if I read it correctly.

[krustyballer16]

$200.00 each if I read it correctly.

Nah, for a pair. But for $200 they should fit better than they do.

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[sinkrun]

My bad I miss understood I see it now.

[jpdriver1]

saw a delivery truck this morning that had the oval led style lights, with back up lights in the middle