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2005 tail lights in my 1997 xk8

  #1  
Old 06-13-2011, 04:35 AM
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Default 2005 tail lights in my 1997 xk8

After lots of cutting, voila!

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Last edited by andrezbim; 06-15-2011 at 05:56 AM.
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Old 06-13-2011, 12:01 PM
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good modification, so exactly how much 'cutting' required? I do like the jewel tail lights better.
 
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Old 06-13-2011, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by h20boy
good modification, so exactly how much 'cutting' required? I do like the jewel tail lights better.
Literally a hole the size of the tail light.
The jewel tail lights mount quite differently to the body.
Yours screw to the body, while the newer version protrude through the hole that the old would have screwed to, and have a bracket of sorts from the back side.. like a drywall screw approach.

Really freshens up the look i think... although subtle.

I made brackets out of aluminum, but i think they can be sourced directly from Jag.
 
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Old 06-13-2011, 12:08 PM
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Looks excellent, much more modern. If I might suggest some Philips Silvervision indicator bulbs now to remove that 'egg yolk' look? Cleans it up even more
 
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Old 06-13-2011, 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Frog
Looks excellent, much more modern. If I might suggest some Philips Silvervision indicator bulbs now to remove that 'egg yolk' look? Cleans it up even more

1 thing convenient about the swap is that the new tail lights use the same plug, so it's plug and play I think. Actually I haven't tested the new version with the battery attached just yet... but the plug does in fact plug in.
 
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Old 06-13-2011, 01:31 PM
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Sorry to say but every wire but the fog is in a different place, I can give you all the changes if you like.

I also do composite rear back plates, for a 3rd of the price of Jaguar if you are interested

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Old 06-13-2011, 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by XKRacer
Sorry to say but every wire but the fog is in a different place, I can give you all the changes if you like.

I also do composite rear back plates, for a 3rd of the price of Jaguar if you are interested
Damn, I was worried about that.
That'd be awesome to let me know the wire swap!
I haven't looked close enough, is it a cut and mend ordeal, or easy enough to remove pins?
 
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Old 06-13-2011, 01:48 PM
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I will post the wiring changes up tomorrow when I am back at work
 

Last edited by XKRacer; 06-13-2011 at 01:52 PM.
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Old 06-13-2011, 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by XKRacer
Attached are the wiring changes, look on the plug and the positions are numbered, it is possible to get the pins out with a very small thin bladed screw driver, in the old days before I bought the correct tool I use to cut, solder and shrink wrap the connections which maybe your easiest option.

Good luck

P.S. Bare in mind this is for UK XKs so the drivers side is your passenger!
You're a gentleman.. thank you sir.
Kudos!
 
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Old 06-13-2011, 01:53 PM
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I just checked the PDF, ignore it and see my edited post, I will post the correct changes up later
 
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Old 06-14-2011, 04:37 AM
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Isn't there a chrome ring that can be purchased for the older models? Would be a lot easier than replacing the whole assembly. Think I saw the parts at some spare part / accessory retailer.

(am I the only one who doesn't want the extra chrome bits? )
 
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Old 06-14-2011, 04:49 AM
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Originally Posted by BeO
Isn't there a chrome ring that can be purchased for the older models? Would be a lot easier than replacing the whole assembly. Think I saw the parts at some spare part / accessory retailer.

(am I the only one who doesn't want the extra chrome bits? )
Yes and yes.
But it wouldn't look as good as with the clear lenses in my opinion.
Granted the difference is subtle.
 
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Old 06-14-2011, 04:59 AM
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I wouldn't say it was subtle, I would say it is a big difference, the older lights look very dated, I never hesitate to change them!


Attached is your wiring changes!
 
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Old 06-14-2011, 05:24 AM
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Nice mod , very modern and updated
 
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Old 06-14-2011, 06:13 AM
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Originally Posted by XKRacer
I wouldn't say it was subtle, I would say it is a big difference, the older lights look very dated, I never hesitate to change them!
+1. They make your car look 10 years younger. Huge difference, IMHO, and well worth doing.
 
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Old 06-14-2011, 07:59 PM
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Originally Posted by XKRacer
I wouldn't say it was subtle, I would say it is a big difference, the older lights look very dated, I never hesitate to change them!


Attached is your wiring changes!
Thanks again.. but can you just verify how I am to read this?

i.e. where is the plug 1 position?
 
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Old 06-14-2011, 08:13 PM
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Someone will cuss you in 20 years when they want to restore it to stock but it does look very good. Big improvement.
 
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Old 06-15-2011, 02:29 AM
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Originally Posted by andrezbim
Thanks again.. but can you just verify how I am to read this?

i.e. where is the plug 1 position?

Look on the plug, on the side wires go into each hole is numbered, to remove the pins you will need to remove the red plastic insert, look to the side of the plug and you will see a couple of red tabs sticking through, with a small srewdriver push them in and up at the same time.

Take all the wires out except the orange/black and then put them back in the relevant hole positions as described, one connection does not get used.
 
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Old 06-15-2011, 02:37 AM
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Originally Posted by porkenstein
Someone will cuss you in 20 years when they want to restore it to stock but it does look very good. Big improvement.

Fitting the original light back in would be quite simple, I dread to think when they see what I have done


Not so simple when you cut a hole like this.....

 
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Old 06-15-2011, 05:18 AM
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XKRacer, yours is so unique , I would love to have XF lights if I had an XK
 

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