BUILD THREAD 81 Buick/Olds Turbo Wagon 02/15/2024 More Parts!

[Blake442]

That's ok. I thought I remembered you saying yours came off a '78... which had a one year only emblem.
'79 and up all say "Cutlass _____" (supreme, calais, cruiser, etc), but '78 has a rocket logo...
Worth a try...
Now get workin!

 

[liquidh8]

Yes, I heaved it after I pulled it out.

I hope to get the tow hitch hacked up and fitting, along with the rear bumper started this week. I am a week past the paint deadline. My buddy who has the booth is going to be a first time dad at the end of December, I was really trying to get this to his place before then. The clock is ticking and I am behind.

On a side note, Ed (87GN) just posted about the digitalis LED taillights finally being available. I was just looking at their website 3 days ago for these. I will be ordering a set tonight or tomorrow. I just gotta check the year of the taillights I have. I am pretty sure they are 79-87 lenses. I am not sure why digitalis shows a set for 78-81, and 82 to 87?

 

[liquidh8]

I just called and talked to Matt, the difference is in the wiring of the car. The earlier models of the El Camino and some wagons (?) don't have a dedicated brake light signal wire, so the lights are programmed different. Learn something new everyday. So, tonight I will get home and take a look at the car and see what sort of wiring I have, and order the lights tomorrow. I am not waiting on these.

 

[Longroof79]

Jim,
It might be the other way around. The earlier lights may require a dedicated brake light circuit, at least my Euro taillights which are configured in the '78 style did. I had to run a separate lead off the brake light switch. It could also be due to them having the amber turn signals.

I remember speaking to Ed awhile back... the LED taillights were still in the planning/ research stage.

 

[liquidh8]

I'll be checking it out when I get back home Jack. I am really anxious to get these. I have to look at my lenses again, I can't recall what kind of shape they were in. I may have to buy some repops, since I'll be going through all that work anyway.

 

[Longroof79]

Jim,
If I'm not mistaken, you're going to have to split the lense(s) from the housing in order to fit the LED circuit boards in place. I wouldn't feel as bad splitting apart a used set of lenses rather than a new set. I suppose if it's done with care, it shouldn't matter.

 

[liquidh8]

I went home and started hacking my back bumper up. I need to hit the steel supply tomorrow for some tubing for my hitch. The old hitch I have would be too much work to clean and modify, it is easier and cheaper (my time) to buy some new steel.

I forgot to check the taillight harness, I will do that here soon.

 

[L.A.X-RATED]

is this going to be a hidden hitch?

 

[liquidh8]

is this going to be a hidden hitch?

Yes, many moons ago I had talked about in a thread I started asking for rear bumper opinions, then Ben (SRDART) went ahead a did I before me, lol, so I am stealing his idea. His turned out great, mine will be mounted a bit different though.

The hitch will spam the frame rails Beijing the bumper, and be hidden. I'll take a bunch of pics today/tonight when I am making it.

 

[87 GN]

Well thanks for posting the info about the wiring never thought about that, I am running regal wiring on my car modded at the back for the Malibu lights so I have a dedicated brake light wire now that my 80 wagon would not have had from the factory. I have to call them and get the 82+ kit