jlcustomz

Heres my next thought for tail light shape;;;;something with wrap around sides like the 95 to 99' Mitsubishi eclipse.

whytryz28

iTrader: (28)

Idk about wrap around tail light.

96z28_lt1

iTrader: (3)

i dont think wrap around is right either. the challenger headlight setup isn't bad or the chrager setup. Something straight is what i would go for to flow with all the straight lines on the car.

jlcustomz

I'm just considering some version of this before I get time to work on it again, mainly because challenger or other light styles will have opposing angles with my curvy bedcover shape that may be hard to get to look right.

I'll most likely custom shape acrylic for the lenses. the picture in my head is also less wrap around than the Mitsy example, maybe more similar to a 74 to 77 Camaro tail light. Maybe rounded off on the sides like the 96 Camaro.
It's all thought right now, someone on pro-touring will be making something of a photoshop pic soon. Hard to describe whats in my head sometimes.

jlcustomz

Here's a photoshop pic someone did for me with the eclipse lights added , vette lights removed & bumper flat black. The eclipse lights are much taller in real life & have way too much curve. Started disassembling & heating to reshape, but will likely custom make the lenses. The side length will be less than half the length of the photoshop pic.

The other thing I have to decide now is I have to make lense diffusers. I could either use standard pattern fluorescent light material OR experiment with making something with large(approx. 1/2") holes in it to resemble modern led lights.

CO99Z28Vert

iTrader: (30)

Talk about taking things to the next level! I have been following the build and the car is turning out awesome, I think those lights would fit the whole design perfectly.

Majestic9C1

iTrader: (19)

looks too 1st gen Ford Probe to me...

you could always do the mid 90's CK style taillights since the rear end has a similar curve to it.

DOC-Z

iTrader: (2)

What if you make a thin bead along the edge of the spoiler and install some thin red LED's along there. It will then look like you don't have brake lights until you turn them on or hit the brakes.

Also, then you could integrate some sort of progressive turn signal too...

jlcustomz

Furd Probe lights. Thanks for the idea.... Just kidding. 94 probe outer lights are similar though.
Thought about ck lights years ago, not considering any other body lights. Lower bumper slots are actually lights also by the way, just not completed yet.

Doc, my friend in south fla whose all out custom 59 chevy first inspired me to build a 59 fin shaped bedcover has an acrylic red strip on his. Thought about it, but that would be too much like copying someone else's off 1 design, know what I mean.

Photoshop pic is a rough reference only as the 2 different vehicles have different actual contours. The real part I make will have a better fit, I hope. Small details will make a big difference in the final product look.
I'm doing a bit of research on the actual inside texture of my lights. I'm highly considering led lighting, possibly sequential, but it will likely be shining through another textured surface behind the red tinted covers.
I've even seen some clear lense designs I may consider on some Astin Martins , which have carbon fiber inserts in the middle. Don't worry, not the typical ricer clear styles though.

jlcustomz

Heres some red tape on the actual vehicle to help visualize things.



I'm thinking about making the tail light flat & point straight up or slightly forwards , as viewed from side. This will be easier to fabricate than a double compound curve & may look better than pointing downwards.
Also, as viewed from rear, thinking about having the side corners angle inward instead of outward as the bedcover is shaped. will have to reshape part of sides of bedcover to make this blend in.

jlcustomz

The shape of the Lincoln mark viii lights is a little closer to what I'm thinking of custom forming.

whytryz28

iTrader: (28)

I like the lincoln lights better.

jlcustomz

That's where I'm at in my thought process. If I wait long enough, another idea pops up. I think the forward tilt shape (as viewed from the side) looks better.

jlcustomz

recently damaged nose & drivers side, so planning an upgrade next year.
Planning on getting a fiberglass 2015 Camaro nose , fitting it, then modifying to resemble the 2016 Camaro. Will have to fabricate the running lights also.

Current nose swap done in 2009


Photoshop of 2016 nose. Mine will vary some from this.

chaman

iTrader: (5)

Again, props for something different but I would prefer to smash my ********* with a sledgehammer than having to drive that.

jlcustomz

Thanks man , having to deal with back pain, wrecking the pass side of my vehicle from a brake failure & now my mother in law passing away yesterday morning among other life issues lately, I really needed a good laugh.

I have a good selection of hammers, care to post a video?

smitty2919

As someone that likes to make things by hand I very much applaud you for your craftsmanship, but I can't stand the look of the car LOL.

Curious to see how functional/efficient your cross ram intake turns out.

jlcustomz

I 'm curious myself on my intake, just keep having to push the project back.
Started hand making some flush stainless door handles earlier this year.




Unless you're up close, won't know they exist.

jlcustomz

Also redesigning the rear view. vette lights in tail gate will definitely go. Will either blank out tailgate license bucket & have retracting plate under bumper OR make cts coupe style license bucket.
Considering custom lights in the bed corners. These will be flush with paint.

Eventually want to reshape the bedcover. Will raise the end corners to get rid of the droopy look it has at certain angles & lower the center to look more like 59 el camino. If I can get around to this , I'm reconsidering c-7vette lights, which could be red, grey, or tinted black.

Current look, bumper needs bodywork & paint.


Drawing of possible changes.


CTS license bucket shape.

jlcustomz

Figured I'd post some progress. I got over ambitious last year swapping on a 2016 Camaro front & a 2016 z-o6 vette rear at the same time before hurting my arm at work. Later got it partially together with a little primer till I can get back to it. Also started on numerous other projects, such as shaving drip rails, flush mount door handles, deleting quarter window & window trims, custom fender vents, etc. Will be removing swordblades & reshaping bedcover later.