3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

bought JDM lights, did I get swindled off ebay?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 5, 2011 | 07:24 PM
  #1  
potatochobit's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
bought JDM lights, did I get swindled off ebay?

I bought some lights
the first thing I asked the man before purchasing was if they were authentic and he said yes
I told him I did not want lights that were modified and he assured me they were not

I got them in the mail and installed them
something is definitely wrong, the lights on the driver side are far larger than the lights on the passenger

is there a difference between years for JDM models? I don't know much about them


Reply
Old Dec 5, 2011 | 07:48 PM
  #2  
theorie's Avatar
AponOUT!?
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (31)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,521
Likes: 13
From: Sarasota, FL
You can tell if they are JDM or not because the authentic JDM lights have raised red & amber circles. (the black area is flat, then the circles extend out about 1mm)

Not the best photo but this shows what I mean.

Authentic lights:
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2011 | 07:49 PM
  #3  
moosejaw's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 8
From: Miami
take a close up photo indooors and lights off and post it here
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2011 | 11:31 PM
  #4  
Happy Meal's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member: 15 Years
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 238
Likes: 16
From: AL
Kind of a shot in the dark but I'm actually coming into Dallas tomorrow sometime and can verify if these are the DIY modded taillights (I've done this to mine) or if they are in fact the 99spec's. Staying there with some family friends on our way to San Antonio for their sons graduation. Wouldn't mind checking it out. PM me if you'd like, would be cool to see your car too.
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2011 | 11:37 PM
  #5  
BlueTuner's Avatar
Unconfirmed
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
When i did mine, my car was in an accident when before i bought it, and thorie is right, authentic ones will have the circles raised.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 04:38 AM
  #6  
Gomez's Avatar
2001 RX-7 RZ
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Australia.
Yeah, that's not right.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 05:08 AM
  #7  
RXeckless's Avatar
Rotorless
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 4
From: Delhi, Ontario
Originally Posted by Gomez
Yeah, that's not right.
Did you replace all three pieces or just one. I have a JDM car and both lenses are the same size. Yours in your pic seem to be different sizes, maybe different year?.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 06:46 AM
  #8  
MazdaSpeedDan's Avatar
Cav Scout
Tenured Member 10 Years
Veteran: Army
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 3
From: East Coast
I just looked at mine and mine you can see are raised. Just check it.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 08:49 AM
  #9  
theorie's Avatar
AponOUT!?
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (31)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,521
Likes: 13
From: Sarasota, FL
The photo I posted broke, so here it is again:

Attached Thumbnails bought JDM lights, did I get swindled off ebay?-tails017.jpg  
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 10:41 AM
  #10  
zeroG's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
Yeah those are oem, you can see the lights bulge out a bit from the black area. Be sure the other side looks the same
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 11:24 AM
  #11  
theorie's Avatar
AponOUT!?
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (31)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,521
Likes: 13
From: Sarasota, FL
Originally Posted by zeroG
Yeah those are oem, you can see the lights bulge out a bit from the black area. Be sure the other side looks the same
Um...those aren't the OP's lights. He hasn't posted a photo yet. The above photo one I found and posted to show what authentic lights look like.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 02:42 PM
  #12  
potatochobit's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
thanx for the offer happymeal but I dont really want to waste your time with this
it is also freezing outside

doesnt look like it is a circle piece, I cant really tell

is it posisble to modify the US spec to be the exact same large size as the JDM?
I dont care too much about them being authentic but different sizes is not acceptable




Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 02:49 PM
  #13  
Happy Meal's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member: 15 Years
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 238
Likes: 16
From: AL
Rotary addicts has a very nice how-to write up if I recall correctly. Correct diameters and spaces and very easy to follow too. Hope this helps
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 02:53 PM
  #14  
Sephek's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member: 15 Years
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Cali.
Yes, the write up can be found here.
Thanks to theorie.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 03:35 PM
  #15  
potatochobit's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
well, the problem is the moron 'already painted' the lights the wrong size
I dont know if thinner will be able to get the black paint off without damaging the red?

I guess I could use my OEM lights as parts to repaint the insides...?
the exterior has a crack that is why I was replacing them
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 03:37 PM
  #16  
limepro's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
Originally Posted by potatochobit
well, the problem is the moron 'already painted' the lights the wrong size
I dont know if thinner will be able to get the black paint off without damaging the red?

I guess I could use my OEM lights as parts to repaint the insides...?
the exterior has a crack that is why I was replacing them
Heat them up and take them apart, the red and yellow parts of your old ones will come right out and you can paint those correctly and put in the new housings. Or you can file a complaint through ebay and get your money back and get real ones.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 04:05 PM
  #17  
theorie's Avatar
AponOUT!?
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (31)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,521
Likes: 13
From: Sarasota, FL
It would be a lot of work, but you could take them apart, remove the paint and then wet-sand the red/amber lenses to get them looking USDM stock again, and then go and re-do the conversion the right way.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 04:36 PM
  #18  
moosejaw's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 8
From: Miami
Id send it back and report him to ebay for a misleading ad.
You did say you did ask the seller if they were authentic lights?
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 05:08 PM
  #19  
MazdaSpeedDan's Avatar
Cav Scout
Tenured Member 10 Years
Veteran: Army
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 3
From: East Coast
Are you sure its paint? Maybe its a sticker overlay.....
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 05:17 PM
  #20  
potatochobit's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,464
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
it might be a sticker...

I just bought a heat gun - 30$
we'll find out soon

I really wish your diagram was to proper spec theorie
then I could just print it out on sticker paper
you could probably sell sticker print outs on ebay and make some nice cash
but now I got to go get a pen and a ruler... lol
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 06:22 PM
  #21  
purerx7's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (61)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,334
Likes: 8
From: Los Angeles, CA
You can see our write-up on how to identify authentic lights here https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/%5Brx7-boutique-guide%5D-authentic-99-tail-lights-vs-seven-lust-us-conversion-vs-jdm-conv-845587/
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2011 | 11:20 PM
  #22  
Matt535's Avatar
Batman
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Tasmania, Australia
Good luck trying to get your money back on those.

I bought a set of 4 BMW M5 door sill trims for $100 each (they had the M/// logo in them, and mine were screwed up). The guy sent me a small envelope instead, with a scrap of paper inside it, that read "Thinking of you."
I filed through paypal, and gave them all the evidence, but they ruled in favor of the #$%^&*ing sleazebag seller. I lost 400 bucks on that. I hold no hope for paypal anymore.

You might be able to get the paint off the lenses, but normal paint thinners will frost the plastic and make a gooey mess (ask how I know). Gasoline/petrol may be a better bet. Its not as harsh on the lense plastic and may save your bacon. But test on an inconspicous area of the lense first, like the side flange or something.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2011 | 12:14 AM
  #23  
Sephek's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member: 15 Years
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Cali.
You could always leave negative feedback, although you might not get your money back you can at least warn other people about their practice.

If you're really dead set on working with these lights then you might try using klean strip for the paint to come off, it will save you some sanding and polishing. Go with a heavy dose and let it sit for a minute but not for too long. Wipe it off and clean it with some microfiber towels.

I'm not sure how thick these plastics are so if they are really thin I would advice against using klean strip.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2011 | 10:31 AM
  #24  
theorie's Avatar
AponOUT!?
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (31)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,521
Likes: 13
From: Sarasota, FL
potatochobit got your PM but my box is full and I don't know if my reply got sent.

Anyway, I'll fix the lights for you for free if you just pay for shipping. Let me know...
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2011 | 05:12 PM
  #25  
MazdaSpeedDan's Avatar
Cav Scout
Tenured Member 10 Years
Veteran: Army
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 3
From: East Coast
what ended up bieng wrong?
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:34 AM.