Tail light bezel retaining clips

[asolde]

I am looking for a good picture of a tail light bezel with the stock retailing clips installed. I got some NOS bezels and clips and still haven't figured out how to install the clips on the bezels yet. Thanks Alex

[Grumpy old man]

Install the clips with the spring on the left side looking from the back ,Once the head of the bolt is in the moulding use your left thumb to push the spring up into the slot ,this allows the clip to bind inside the mouding while you tighten the nuts .

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by asolde

I am looking for a good picture of a tail light bezel with the stock retailing clips installed. I got some NOS bezels and clips and still haven't figured out how to install the clips on the bezels yet. Thanks Alex

I'll can take a look and see about getting you a picture of an old used bezel. Mel

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Install the clips with the spring on the left side looking from the back ,Once the head of the bolt is in the moulding use your left thumb to push the spring up into the slot ,this allows the clip to bind inside the mouding while you tighten the nuts .

There are no nuts to tighten on the T/L bezels, only push in clips were used on them along with two screws (69-72).

[snipescastle2]

If you are using anything but OEM/NOS bezels, I went through three sets of "Counter Parts" trim bezels before I realized just how flimsy they are, dented/mangled everyone of them....guess I should have bought the "MAR-K" trim pieces....
Ben

[asolde]

That would be great Mel if you could post up a picture. I have done some searching and cannot find the proper installation of these clips. I have seen several post but not one of them looked correct to me. I know this has to be simple but I don't want to chance damaging my new bezels. Someone has to have a good picture. Thanks Alex

[Already Gone]

Subscribed

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by asolde

That would be great Mel if you could post up a picture. I have done some searching and cannot find the proper installation of these clips. I have seen several post but not one of them looked correct to me. I know this has to be simple but I don't want to chance damaging my new bezels. Someone has to have a good picture. Thanks Alex

Well I went through all of the old used pull off tail light bezels and only found this one single with an OE mounting clip still installed, makes sense as they usually stay clipped into the bedsides after bezel removal. I then went out to have a look at a few of our trucks and also took some pics, found the OE push in clips to all be mounted the same direction (five trucks in all) which also matches the one clip still intalled on the above pictured tail bezel. Note the outer most rearward facing tab on each OE clip (towards bezel), it's pointed the same direction on all of these trucks, coincidence I doubt as to rotate the clip you would have to remove lens. Mel

[NC_John]

Originally Posted by snipescastle2

If you are using anything but OEM/NOS bezels, I went through three sets of "Counter Parts" trim bezels before I realized just how flimsy they are, dented/mangled everyone of them....guess I should have bought the "MAR-K" trim pieces....
Ben

I agree. I bought a pair too and they are complete garbage.

[davepl]

There's a huge difference between NOS and repro on these. In particular the slot that receives the clip seems to be a different thickness, or depth, so the clips don't retain the reproductions well.

At least that's what I found - once I switches to the NOS pair I had the clips worked reasonably well. I imagine you might be able to "adjust" the tabs on the repros. Once you've tried to install, if they won't clip in, they're likely not deep enough, and if they're loose, too deep.

[asolde]

Here's what I'm thinking. I have to be getting close. You guys let me know what you think.

[asolde]

more

[asolde]

Or maybe this way....but you have to bend the long tang quite a bit.

[asolde]

Second way with bending the long tang, fitting the S under the lips and they point outwards at a angle is how they fit the best. Hope this helps some other poor guy when the time comes.

[asolde]

one other tip for you guys. The RT (passenger) side bezel at the top has a extra tab for the long tag to fit under because you have to put that retaining clip in backwards compared to the rest of them. The left bezel dose not have that because all the retaining clips go in the same direction.

[Ed F]

Classic Bow ties
Do you still have clips and screws available to install a set of til light bezels?
If so I will take them, shipped to 49424

[plowro8]

I found this post as I tried like hell to figure out how those clips worked, and now I am finally realizing that whoever did the body work on the truck before I bought it just eliminated the bezels and filled the old holes for the clips with filler!

[89AKurt]

This has been the most helpful thread I've found this morning! Appreciate the clear pictures with the cardboard mock-up.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Bookmarked. Thank you