Installing Firebird Markers

[70GMCer]

Thought I'd give this a try. Worked out good. Think it looks good also. The Firebird markers are from 1970 to 1981. I got mine at a pick u part yard for $8 and invested another $10 for new gaskets that are repo.

The only special tools you will need are sheet metal snips or unless you want to use a cut off wheel. I didn't want to go that way due to the heat that would be near the paint. The rest are just regular hand tools.

Just follow the pictures I have provided. The only really hard part is attaching the rear markers. I'll get into that later.

1st thing is remove the marker lights. You will also have to remove the tail light assemblies in order to reach the one speed nut when installing the new markers later.

Next, take your snips and cut away the metal tabs as shown in the picture. The take and paint those cut edges with either primer or something to keep from rusting. Keep in mine, that this is a one time install. Once you cut away the tabs, you will not be able to reinstall your old marker lights.

Now take the Firebird markers and remove the flange that is around the outer edge. Shown in picture. This is just plastic, and will break off easy with pliers. I then took an X-Acto knife, any sharp knife will do, and smoothed out the edges so that the housing lays flat up against the inside of the fender/bed panel.

Installing the fronts are simple. Just hold the housing to the inside of the fender, while putting on the new gaskets and then the trim pieces. Tighten the speed nuts until the lens is flush with the trim piece install the bulb light and socket and that's it.

Now the rears are a little more annoying. You will have to either have skinny arms, or find someone who does. As before, cut the tabs and prep the housings. Connect the bulb housing to the marker housing before installing this. If you miss this step, good luck on reaching the housing socket from behind the panel. This is the only thing I do not like about this setup. I'm thinking later on, cutting a special section out of the bed side for easy access if you ever have to change the bulb. Anyway, start the speed nut that is close to the tail light opening. I took a small 3/3" box wrench and carefully threaded it onto the stud. Then, from under the bed side, Take the box wrench and place the second speed nut up inside to the stud. You will have to play around to feel for it. Believe me, this is a pain. But worth it. That's why I think making an opening from the inside will work.

The final pictures makes it worth the effort. Not bad for just an $18 investment. Oh, I paint the trim the color of my truck before installing.

[70GMCer]

More pictures and the finished product........

[70GMCer]

I would also use LEDs before installing these. Simply because of the rear access to the bulbs. At least with the LEDs, they will last for years without changing.

[70GMCer]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

OK I don't see what is holding it in place. What? Tell me I may want to try this also.

The Firebird marker housing itself is larger than the opening of the original truck markers. That's why you have to trim the flange off the Firebird marker. It then goes up against the back side of the fender or bed opening, and then is held in place by the Firebird marker trim studs that go threw the housing and then speed nuts are attached to those studs. Hope this helps.

[70GMCer]

Originally Posted by special-K

Are there later Firebird markers that aren`t square on the corners/slightly slanted sides?I have a set and that`s what I noticed.Is this what you trim or do I have the wrong markers?

You have the right ones. I believe I sold them to you last year. They all have a slight tilt to them, but can hardly tell when they are installed. As in the pictures, you trim the flange on the housing that holds the bulb/socket, not the front trim piece.

[70GMCer]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

If I understand you the metal trim peice has studs attached to the inside of it and all you do is use the truck metal between the two peices to sandwich it in and tighten them up to hold it in place...correct.

Yes.......

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Oldironracing

What about the markers out of a newer chevy van? Not sure about the year model.

They bolt-on directly with no modifications.

[70GMCer]

Originally Posted by shifty

I still don't understand what holds them in place.

You trimmed the tabs off, so if the light is installed from the inside of the fender, how does the bolt pass through to hold it onto the fender?

I am having trouble picturing it as well.

Look at pictures 3, 5 and 7. In picture 5, see the 2 holes on the left & right of the lens that is attached in that housing. The front trim piece, (which is blue in this case) has studs molded into the back side and go threw those holes in the housing. Now look at picture 7. That shows how the assembly is put together. Notice the back housing is bigger than the front blue trim piece. Imagine the fender opening goes between that inner lens housing and the outer trim piece and the speed nuts that attached to the trim piece in the back, tightens everything up. Look at picture 3 and you can see to the left of the tail light opening, that lens housing attached with one of the speed nuts.

Once you have the marker lights in your hand, and held up to the fender or bedside, you will see how easy this is.

[brak]

Originally Posted by shifty

I still don't understand what holds them in place.

You trimmed the tabs off, so if the light is installed from the inside of the fender, how does the folt pass through to hold it onto the fender?

I am having trouble picturing it as well.

Shifty, the outer trim piece has two studs which pass through the bulb housing, and the nuts attach on the backside.

if you look closely at the pic, you can see the stud, which i mis-labled as a tab

[70GMCer]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

Great mod! It looks like from the pictures that the 70-81 Camaro's may work too. I'll have to check the one's off my '78!

Seems to me that the Camaros are too narrow and will not fill in the opening. Let us know for sure though......

[brak]

Originally Posted by 76bonanza

That looks really nice now we just need a good supply of the markers.

Classic industries, sells them. Not sure if they are NOS or Re-Pop, but they're new...


Marker - $24.95
LH rear - 917401
RH Rear - 917402
LH Front - 917399
RH Front - 917400


Bezel - $10.95
LH rear - 479631
RH Rear - 479630
LH Front - 479084
RH Front - 479083

[jrdv]

These came off an early 90's full size chevy van. Just another option.

[greenhorn male]

jrdv, can you post a picture that would show half the truck with those lenses? Were they direct bolt on. I know the earlier vans were a direct bolt on but I like the smooth look of the ones you have. Thanks!

[jrdv]

Greenhorn,
These are the only pics I have--I can get some more tomorrow if you need them. The lenses are a direct bolt on.

john