How should I fix tail light pockets :(

['68 Newtricks]

I decided to buy an all aftermarket bed when I did my LWB/SWB swap. I should have kept looking for an original dammit. Most of the bed went together ok, but now I'm stuck at the tail light pockets.

They don't hold the lights straight or flush. On the driver side, it doesn't hold the light at all.

Flock!!

The passenger side blows. They are crooked and not recessed enough. As you can see, I wasn't even able to put in the driver side. I'll try to get some closer pictures. What have you guys done to get a cleaner tail light finish?

[kcsa75]

Can't see much from this photo. Do you have some close-ups?

['68 Newtricks]

This is the bad side. The passenger side holds the lights but all kinds of crooked

[Foot Stomper]

I would suggest measuring any solution against cutting/welding in some originals. Not saying this is the best option, but it might be worth pondering. I don't know how hard that would be but it would ensure the lights fit correctly at least.

['68 Newtricks]

Yeah, was thinking about that option as well. Only problem is all the structure in there plus the tailgate hinges etc. I'm thinking about cutting out the tabs that hold the light in. I wonder what it would take to just have the back of the lights bottom out against the mounting area. If the lens ends up too deep in the opening, shim it out until it's right.

[Foot Stomper]

Can you show us some pictures of the lights and how they don't fit?

['68 Newtricks]

I'll do just that first thing tomorrow. The passenger side sits crooked. When I tried to install the driver side the reverse light wouldnt stay on the ledge and wanted to fall deeper into the hole. The brake light was funky too, can't remember why anymore. :/

[dougf]

More pics would help. I would figure out what's not fitting and move some metal with a hammer/dolly. Make it fit :-) easier said than done, I know!

['68 Newtricks]

I've never done any body work before, hoping to solve this as painless as possible.

Crooked passenger side I can shim it or bend the tabs some to get them straight. Problem though, the lights seem to barely fit in. Like one small movement either direction and they want to fall off the tabs. Also, it sure seem like they should be recessed more. It's too easy to see the back of the light, the silver part.

['68 Newtricks]

Here's the driver side. I'm holding the light so the mounting holes line up. It's about 1/4" or so too low. So I'm thinking of drilling new holes and using some rivnuts instead of the J-nuts, or body nuts (whatever they are called)

The reverse light sits in there all kinds of wrong! That may need more work.

[MARTINSR]

Reproduction parts "Similar, can be used if nothing else is available."

The cool thing is, you can cut and move stuff. Welding right there is pretty harmless not like out in the middle of the panel or something.

Brian

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by '68 Newtricks

Here's the driver side. I'm holding the light so the mounting holes line up. It's about 1/4" or so too low. So I'm thinking of drilling new holes and using some rivnuts instead of the J-nuts, or body nuts (whatever they are called)

The reverse light sits in there all kinds of wrong! That may need more work.

It sounds like you are on the right track, now, I don't know that truck at all so I am just tossing this out. It is from my experience that the repro parts will often simply have components welded in wrong. Is the bracket that holes the tail light in there simply welded in wrong? If that is the case the spot welds could be drilled out, then position it where it needs to be and plug weld the part back in.

But from what it looks like doing what you are planning is much better, simply use J nuts and get-r-done.

Brian

[Foot Stomper]

My two cent sideline post would be that you can feel free to bend those tabs to assist the fit. I'd try to bend them just enough to still be effective at holding the back side otherwise they will just "fall in".

Use the J nuts wherever you can, they are very effective little guys.

['68 Newtricks]

Welded some metal the the back of the tail lights. Cut out and bent the original tabs. Little cut, grind here and there. They are now straight and "Frenched" in about 1/4".

['68 Newtricks]

[Foot Stomper]

Well done! They look great!

['68 Newtricks]

I might do a little more work on the reverse lights, maybe. They look great in person but for some reason look funny in the pic. I'll have to stare at it more, closer, in person some time. Lol I swear its straight and matches the driver side perfect hahaha