VZ SS Tail lights onto a VY - I just did it :D

[nEb.]

I drive a Silver VY II Acclaim, and thought that the tail lights were a bit boring, I had the day off today from work and went down to the local Holden Dealership and purchased my self a pair of VZ SS Tail lights and a pair of VZ SS Wiring Looms (As the original VY looms do not clip into the VZ SS Tail lights)

Took me about 1/2 an hour to install both sides and WOW what a difference it made, i will upload the pictures as soon as i install my new camera's software.

But it is possible - no need to modify the VZ lights AT ALL, the wiring loom swap over is as simple as "disconect VY plug, remove VY plug and wiring from vehicle, bring in new VZ plug and wiring, re connect VZ plug and lights, done."

I believe it made a MASSIVE differnce to my rear end - Pictures will be up ASAP

[Zep]

Sounds easy as pie. Can't wait to see the finished product!

[DUK13Y]

Be sure to have some before and afters

[Stricky]

Wow yeah cant wait to see this "simple" mod wouldnt mind changing mine

[nEb.]

OK FINALLY - I HAVE HAD TIME TO SIT DOWN AND UPDATE!!!

Like I said, this mod is EXTREMELY easy!! I will post the pictures up in chronological order (the order from 1st to last as the job progressed) and will post little comments on what the pictures represent.

I would love to hear some feedback - Cheers guys, Neb.



The original VY tail light vs the VZ SS tail light:


Open boot, Pull back lining, I loosened the "boot base" - (black plastic bit that the boot lid rests on) to make folding back and putting back of lining easier - only 4 screws and a couple of clips. Note: The white "Clip" looking thing in the photo is the connection between the tail light loom and the wiring that leads to the car ECU - Yes the wiring loom is 30 cm's long if that! - You dont have to trace back the cables all the way to the ecu, all you have to do is unclip the loom, remove it, "pull through" the new looms (as seen in next picture) and reconnect one end into tail lights the other into the white clip.
ALSO NOTE: Once lining has been pulled back take a quick look to see, there are 2 nuts to unscrew and 2 big black plastic screws which can be unscrewed by hand and the tail lights simply "pop out"



Once tail light has been removed, and original wiring loom has been removed also. "Pull through" the new loom through space provided (As seen in picture below). Reconect one end into the ECU Cables, and the other into the back of the VZ SS Tail lights.



To show the simplicity of the mod, here is the clip that connects the tail lights to the ecu - VERRRRRY SIMPLE.



Once the VZ SS tail lights are in and connected just put back all screws and nuts and hey presto 30 minutes later the job should be done. Heres one VZ SS tail light vs one VY II Acclaim tail light!



And then when the job is complete.

[HoldenMan7]

Looks good mate can i ask how much did it all cost you ??

[nEb.]

Entire package set me back $308 - As i have a friend that works for GM :P but i got quoted $418.00 RRP

[DUK13Y]

nice pick up mate. If my berlina would house those lights, i would get strait away but unfortunately they don't. I want to get the VZ Calais tails. Should be good. I think the SS and calais lights are heaps better than the standard exec or berlina ones.

[batemada]

do those VZ lights have any reflectors in them? if they dont they are illiagal to have on your car without having some other reflectors on the back of your car.

[Clutchy]

do those VZ lights have any reflectors in them? if they dont they are illiagal to have on your car without having some other reflectors on the back of your car.

There a factory holden item so i cant see how they would be illigal mate. BHut yeah it looks like they have to me.

[Lumps of cheese]

There a factory holden item so i cant see how they would be illigal mate. BHut yeah it looks like they have to me.

No he is correct.Some vz models, in particular the calais, run reflectors across the bottom of the rear bumper for this reason.It just depends if the vz ss is the same.

[PhantomSS]

They do have reflectors in them. In the middle of the big red round bit

[nEb.]

haha yeah the reflectors are inbuilt as vs-v6 stated "In the middle of the big red round bit" theyre perfectly legal, these werent purchased off ebay or something theyre 100% Aus regulation compliance watever other bullcrap there is legal


and Juzo -

run reflectors across the bottom of the rear bumper for this reason

If you take a look int he second last pic, the one of the completed job when car is parked on road, u can see the reflection of the chrome rings, i think theyre inbuilt to the headlight mate, i highly doubt that there is any reflective strip sitting ontop of the rear bar

[Calaber]

This raises an interesting question. Are the VZ Calais and SS taillights the same? The VZ Calais definitely has its reflectors at either end of the plastic in-fill panel at the bottom of the rear bumper. It isn't likely that Holden put reflectors in the centre of the large lamp, then added further reflectors in the bumper insert just for the Calais, or did they? Yet the SS rear bumper is a different moulding to the Calais and doesn't have the insert with the reflectors, so they must be in the taillight. Can any VZ SS and Calais owners enlighten us all?

Regards

PJ

[Lumps of cheese]

This raises an interesting question. Are the VZ Calais and SS taillights the same? The VZ Calais definitely has its reflectors at either end of the plastic in-fill panel at the bottom of the rear bumper. It isn't likely that Holden put reflectors in the centre of the large lamp, then added further reflectors in the bumper insert just for the Calais, or did they? Yet the SS rear bumper is a different moulding to the Calais and doesn't have the insert with the reflectors, so they must be in the taillight. Can any VZ SS and Calais owners enlighten us all?

Regards

PJ

The vz calais tailights have black inserts in them, that is the reason for the reflector across the rear bumper.
Neb, i wasn't sure about the vz ss as stated in my post but having looked at your pictures more carefully(d'oh!) i see what you are talking about.

[nEb.]

no harm done mate :P

[1991_Vn2nV]

This raises an interesting question. Are the VZ Calais and SS taillights the same? The VZ Calais definitely has its reflectors at either end of the plastic in-fill panel at the bottom of the rear bumper. It isn't likely that Holden put reflectors in the centre of the large lamp, then added further reflectors in the bumper insert just for the Calais, or did they? Yet the SS rear bumper is a different moulding to the Calais and doesn't have the insert with the reflectors, so they must be in the taillight. Can any VZ SS and Calais owners enlighten us all?

Regards

PJ

VZ Berlina's also have reflectors in the rear bar.

[azkwazere]

so your car is now potentially unroadworthy?

aZk.

[minux]

so your car is now potentially unroadworthy?

aZk.

No as the VZ SS lights have built in reflectors. If they did not Holden could not release the car as the VZ SS had no reflectors in the rear bar, unlike the Calais and Berlina whose rear lights are also different.

Neb, car looks good mate,i have been contemplating putting the VZ Senator lights into mine...can't really justify the amount of money for a cosmetic change so small.

[nEb.]

Thanks for the praise bud the car is coming near to completion however ur right about the price for such a small difference, but i supose every little thing you add to her makes your heart grow fonder of her :P

[mar-d-mac]

yeah, i'm with you minux on that one...was thinking of doing a change of rears on my clubby, but for the price, better put towards exhaust

[cpbait]

looks good, i like it, yeh that might be something later down the track, would put that money towards and exhaust or lower suspension on mine first, but yeh looks very nice, good job, keep it up

[nEb.]

cheers mate - well im a p plater in vic, so no "Performance" parts allowed for me, (cul8r extractors,xhaust, CAI etc. etc.), so i migt aswell make her look good. Shes already been lowered, interior was done, ive got the ss kit (getting painted tomorow ) i thought the rear lights were a very subtle yet very effective modification

[CHEETR]

big difference mate, looks hot!

[vycalais]

some of the pics arent working