how do you tell if the fd rear taillights are real deal or the fake converted ones
ive seen some clean conversion jobs that look identical to the real ones
is there a different manufacture molded on the jdm ones or are they physically identical?

 

nobody knows?

 

I've never seen a converted set that I couldn't tell were fake. Usually, the circles are unevenly spaced and/or sized. Also, I'm not sure if I can describe it, but just the way the inside looks. If I remember correctly, there's a vertical line in between the 2 brake lights and the turn signal. I'm fairly sure that a converted set doesn't have this. If you want real 99 Spec tails and don't want to pay full price, PM '98 Type RS (Adam). He was able to find a nice used set for me, and I saved like $200 bucks (IIRC).

 

The three round "cutouts" on the real lights somewhat "bulge out" if I am not mistaken.

 

^ My original 94 taillights have circles traced out that are bulged out too, so it's not only 99 ones.

 

Yep. I put up a pic of my JDM taillights on this thread:

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/round-tail-lights-real-not-355973/

On the homemade mask and spray paint jobs, light will bleed a bit on the edges.

 

pmed him
hopefully he can bring me some good news

 

you can def tell when they're lit up..

unless the converted ones were REALLY done well, you can def notice the difference...

i have the real ones and it looks totally different than most converted ones i seen..

 

jic: Since you're in the Bay Area, check out this listing:

http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/pts/71744314.html

Seller is in Frisco.

 

yeah thats the one im trying to pick up, but i want to make sure theyre real deal
they look real, but you never know
just wanted to make sure with you guys
and do you think 340 for a set of 99 spec tails a good buy?

 

These taillights sell for $510 new @ the RX-7 Store. You can always make an offer and see if the seller goes for it. Still, $340 isn't a bad deal at all assuming they're not cracked or have deep scratches in them.

 

imho, if it is that difficult to tell the difference, I would just pick up a set of fabricated taillights. I converted my own for what, $4? I did my friend's lights for free. This is unless you want genuine tailights..

 

then they werent original. but if you went to mazda today and asked for lights for your car thats what they would give you. instead of making the smooth lenses ones they used to, they sell the 99 spec ones without the black paint around the bulged circles.

 

Its not difficult. I can tell from half a block away. (Sorry Wes) (When illuminated)

Side by side you can tell when just looking at them.

 

Very intresting, you learn something new everyday!

 

Those have the "line" I was talking about and look exactly like what I have. I think we have some real ones.

 

cool, i picked them up and they look MINT
im just hoping stock bulb harnesses will fit into them w/o modification

 

Nice. Did you get a good deal on 'em?

And BTW, the lights are "plug n play". Open your hatch, remove the 3 screws on each corner, pop the triangular pieces off, then slide the right taillight to the right (parallel to the ground) to remove it. (Slight effort required) Do likewise w/ the left. The bulbs just twist off to remove. It's a piece of cake - you'll see.

 

got em for 300 picked up
now all i need for the exterior is the oem side skirts..which was sold locally too
i missed out

 

overkill, would you be willing to fix my taillights that were (poorly) converted by rzograbian? His ended up fogging really badly. I refuse to deal with him anymore since he has a tendency to ignore PMs and grossly underestimate the turnaround time. Please PM me if interested and we can work out a deal.

 

Yeah, I remember this guy flaking out on people a while back. There was a thread or two on him in the Good Guy/Bad Guy section.

When he first posted on doing these conversions, I was interested and asked for his phone number to see if he was legit. I talked to him, and he sounded like some dopey high school kid, so I passed. I ended up paying a lot more ($400) for a new authentic set of +96 lights but it's well worth it to me than waste my time and go through all the hassle of redoing a half-*** job.

 

im happy with my real deal set
theyre sittin right next to me right now...waiting to be installed