Replacing 88-91 tail light lenses

[Mr Bean]

Are 88-91 GMQ tail light lenses replaceable? If so, what's the process? Heatgun and a lot of patience? Actually I need to replace the chrome piece with a reflector below the lense.

[VicCrownVic]

I don't actually know, but below is a thread on the topic for the older box tail lights (perhaps you've already found that thread). I would assume dis-assembly for the newer ones would be similar but I certainly could be wrong.
http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthre...hts-Try-this-!

[Mr Bean]

Yea, I've take apart the older ones before. Those are easy. Heat gun and a flathead and they come right apart. The newer ones look trickier.

[WagonMan]

It is glued in and has 6 metal clips to secure it on, 3 on top and 3 on the bottom. None on the sides. I have an NOS replacement lens and I have a mint chrome bezel to put it on to. I have an extra reflector with the chrome edge. All for the passenger side. WagonMan

[DerekTheGreat]

On that topic, what would you guys use to fuse the lense back to frame?

[Mr Bean]

It is glued in and has 6 metal clips to secure it on, 3 on top and 3 on the bottom. None on the sides. I have an NOS replacement lens and I have a mint chrome bezel to put it on to. I have an extra reflector with the chrome edge. All for the passenger side. WagonMan

Would you happen to have a picture of those? I just want to see what it looks like disassembled.

[WagonMan]

Nothing is "fused on" The 6 clips and the sealant holds the lens on. There are 3 drain holes on the bottom lip of the lens in case water gets in. Four 3/8" nuts hold the reflector on to the lens.WagonMan

[BigT]

On that topic, what would you guys use to fuse the lense back to frame?

After gluing on the disco ball mirrors, I re-assembled the housing together with RTV. It went back together fairly tight and didn't need a strong adhesive. This way it would be easier to take it apart if I had to repairs the mirrors.

[DerekTheGreat]

Neat and thanks. Someone at Santing's OK Tire Store in Windsor destroyed the mounting tabs on our GMC when they took the taillights off only they didn't say anything. Me being OCD can't fathom the possibility of mis matched lenses but wasn't sure what to reassemble the taillights with once I separate them from the housing.

[Mr Bean]

The problem with using RTV is that it won't come apart easily. You would have to cut the RTV, likely breaking the tail light. I use butyl tape which is what the factory uses to seal the lights. Heat it up with a gun until it's super soft then stick the lens on there. When it cools off it creates a water tight seal. Heat it back up to take the light apart.

[GM_Guy]

Butyl tape. It is what was used to seal in windshields to cars prior to the urethane they use these days (well, since sometime in the 80's anyway). Its also what ford recommends.

[DerekTheGreat]

Cool, thank you fellas! I'll pick some of that up.