04 Tails on a 99.5

compu_85 · Jul 27, 2006

Thanks to Jettafock, I was able to get a new set of 04 tail lights for a great price. I just put them on my car, and really like the look!

The instal wasn't hard at all. Access to the nuts holding the lights on is a bit of a pain, but not impossible.

Taking doggie's advice, I did a dual reverse lamp on the passenger side:

I still have to get amber bulbs for the turn signals, and I'll have to see if they have a red bulb for the driver's side rear fog. If not I'll just wire it up to be another reverse light.

This does get rid of the 5 light mod which is kind of a bummer, but that's ok.

-Jason

TDIRyan · Jul 27, 2006

I like it with one of each better...

JaredT · Jul 27, 2006

Me too

I think you could swap every other oil change or so, that way you keep everyone guessing.

bhtooefr · Jul 27, 2006

I like.

DPM · Jul 27, 2006

Be aware, Jason, that a red bulb in a reversing light DOES NOT make a foglamp. Reversing lamps are set up for a diffuse, wide-angle beam, a foglamp produces an intense parallel beam (that loses intensity quickly off-axis)
FWIW

compu_85 · Jul 28, 2006

DPM, this is exactly right. The outer portion of the clear strip is for the rear foglight. That why in the one appears so dim in that picture, the camera is off the axis. I'm actually using the rear fog portion as a reverseing lamp on the passenger side.

I had checked at several stores, and only one place carried red standard bulbs, and it was $8 for a pair of them. I'm gunna keep looking.

-Jason

burpod · Jul 28, 2006

looks good! i really like those 04 tails on black and dark blue jettas!

jblythe · Jul 28, 2006

Diggin the new lights J!

cevans · Jul 28, 2006

TDIRyan said:
I like it with one of each better...

I second that!

Growler · Jul 28, 2006

looking good man, lookin real good!

IndigoBlueWagon · Jul 28, 2006

I like those a lot--kind of like the euro tails on my wagon. Now you need a '04 or '05 trunk lid. That little lip reminds me of the A3.

jettafock · Jul 28, 2006

So Jason, how are you liking the 10hp increase with those new tails?

compu_85 · Jul 28, 2006

Peter, but if I go to the 04 trunk lid, then I loose the abality to install the euro trunk handle

Dan, the power increace is great

I don't know if it was from the tails or unjamming the VNT, though.

-Jason

fitzski · Jul 28, 2006

LOL - that's great! I've been thinking that I'd like to have the OLD style on my '04!!! Against the spice red, I think it would look "cleaner" with the more uniform red lenses.

compu_85 · Jul 28, 2006

Heh, wanna buy my old ones

And I'll agree, the solid red would look good against a red car.

Oh, BTW, unlike the previous cars, the rear fog lights don't have tabs you can just bust off. Time for the dremel!

-J

bhtooefr · Jul 28, 2006

Comp, you'd have to ditch the 04 tails, but you could go for a Chinese trunklid...

With the MkV Golf-style trunk release...

compu_85 · Jul 28, 2006

Ya and I'd have to get a new bumper too. Sounds expensive.

Should't you be getting your Golf right now

-J

bhtooefr · Jul 28, 2006

We're gonna leave soon...

Of course, I just noticed the reverse sensors on that bumper... did the Bora ever have reverse sensors in Europe?

(BTW, that bumper is made for a Chinese plate. Not as long as a Euro plate, not as tall as a US plate.)

whitedog · Jul 28, 2006

compu_85 said:
Oh, BTW, unlike the previous cars, the rear fog lights don't have tabs you can just bust off. Time for the dremel!

-J

Yeah... I know, I have the $9 Harbor freight dremel and it took for-evah to do.

Sweeps · Jul 29, 2006

fitzski said:
LOL - that's great! I've been thinking that I'd like to have the OLD style on my '04!!! Against the spice red, I think it would look "cleaner" with the more uniform red lenses.

Hey Fitzski If you are ever serious about that, I'll trade ya!

jblythe · Jul 31, 2006

bhtooefr said:
Comp, you'd have to ditch the 04 tails, but you could go for a Chinese trunklid...

With the MkV Golf-style trunk release...

where do I get a chinese trunk lid, and how much did this mod cost?

bhtooefr · Jul 31, 2006

You would get one from China, of course.

Note the bumper holds the license plate, and is made for a Chinese plate, which is taller but not as wide as a Europlate, and wider but not as tall as a US plate.

I don't know how much this mod would cost... it probably costs more now, as this generation of the Mk4 Bora JUST came out in China.

20IndigoBlue02 · Jul 31, 2006

whitedog said:
Yeah... I know, I have the $9 Harbor freight dremel and it took for-evah to do.

Melting the plastic is a good idea since it helps control the shavings that fall into the nooks & crannies.

I wonder if there are any hole-saws small enough

whitedog · Jul 31, 2006

20IndigoBlue02 said:
Melting the plastic is a good idea since it helps control the shavings that fall into the nooks & crannies.

I wonder if there are any hole-saws small enough

I removed the lens assembly. Do that stuff on the bench. I can't imagine trying to do that neatly while in the car.

compu_85 · Jul 31, 2006

Ya, and I followed it up with some compressed air. But if you look closely in the pictures you'll see one little bit of red plastic I missed...

-J

04 Tails on a 99.5

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