With regards to tail lights, in particular, they are illegal, no doubt about it. In ANY state, as there is a FEDERAL LAW against them...

"State law Sec. 547.3215 incorporates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, Subpart B, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, Section 571.108, Standard No. 108; Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment. This standard contains the following:
S5.1.3 No additional lamp, reflective device or other motor vehicle equipment shall be installed that impairs the effectiveness of lighting equipment required by this standard."

A 3rd gen was used as a illegal example. on the TX DPS website...

VI-The Edge-Bulbs

Scroll down, and see the pic of the blue 90 RS, with GTS black out covers.

 

wow, that is seriously funny (the thirdgen example, not braking the law) .... I guess tail light customization is a touchy issue like catalytic converters...just don't get caught...

 

here's my idea: replace the stock taillights with aluminum and trailer lights. i'm attaching a simple paintbrush drawing; not my best work, but it gets the point across. i have been thinking of this for a month or so, but i am still not sure if i like it or not. input?

 

You want funny? What if I told you that pic was taken, in the TX DPS parking lot, and the OWNER of said car, was the SUPERVISOR over the Vehicle Inspection Division!

That's right...The HEAD HONCHO regarding such vehicle inspection standards, had an illegal car herself!

How do I know all that? How about...because the Supervisor of VIR, the owner of that car, was my wife!

As for the clear tail lights...

"For clear taillight lenses to be legal, they must consist of the following components.
Stop Lamp
All motor vehicles are required to have at least two (2) stop lamps, unless vehicle was manufactued prior to 1960, in which case it is required to be equipped with one (1).
A stop lamp must emit a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber.
A stop lamp must be visible from a distance of not less than 300 feet to the rear in normal sunlight.
The stop lamp shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake and may be incorporated with one or more other rear lamps.
Stop lamp lens must be of a type meeting Department of Public Safety standards.

Those home-made clear lenses, have not meet D.O.T. standards, therefore a cop can pull you over. First time might just be a ticket. Second time? He CAN refuse to allow you to even drive the car home from that point, so you can fix it.

Not to mention...

Rear Reflector
Every motor vehicle shall carry on the rear, either as part of the tail lamps or separately, two or more red reflectors.
Rear reflectors on a vehicle shall reflect a red color.
Red reflectors required on the rear of a vehicle may be incorporated with the tail lamp assembly.
Every reflector upon any vehicle shall be of such size and characteristics and so mounted as to be visible at night from all distances within 600 feet to 100 feet from such vehicle when directly in front of the the lawful lower beams of head lamps.

Those home-made clear lenses, no longer have red reflectors...




* Texas Transportation Code
§ 547.321. Headlamps Required
§ 547.3215. Use of Federal Standard
§ 547.322. Taillamps Required
§ 547.323. Stoplamps Required
§ 547.324. Turn Signal Lamps Required
§ 547.325. Reflectors Required
* 49 CFR Section 571.108
* NHTSA - Safety Standards

 

but what about the mustangs from the 80's that had clear lenses with clear reflectors? those were stock and D.O.T. approved or they would not had been made.

 

Never seen a Mustang with those.

Only the newer Lexus and such, for like 2003 up.

 

I don't remember any Mustangs coming from the factory with "clear" lenses, IIRC, the "clear" tail lights were aftermarket and labeled "For off road use only"

 

is this the honda/acura forum. i feel lost, just curious why people like clear lenses. are you trying to **** the person off behind you by beaming him with your tail lights.
and you will get pulled over one cause it looks like a *****, and cops dont like ricers. second cause it is technically illegal colored bulbs are illegal

 

Hahaha, good stuff Stephen....

ps...to the original poster...I forgot to mention that I like the 3rd brake light too..and I'm thinking of doing the same to my Trans Am...but I'm not sure if I want to put "Trans Am" "Pontiac" or "Firebird"...