Converting from a Talon to an Eclipse [Merged 3-8]

[Grimis]

this might help, I did the 95 talon to 97 rear as well, I had to watch a video to find out what is what. but any ways


From looking at the rear of the car:


Marker- Signal - Brake --------------- Brake- Signa - Marker


hope that helps

 

[Game Over]

I believe the four middle lights double as brakes and turn signals, but without re-wiring the taillamps since talons are different, I would just put them in there anyway that works.

 

[CanadianTSi]

When I'm in the middle of doing the rear end swap and I got to the point where I need to extend the wires for the reverse lights. I finished that up but then I realized that they were actually the lights that sit over top of the license plate and light it up at night but then they share the same socket as the reverse lights on the eclipse...

I checked the reverse lights from my talon which are built in and they have a totally different socket than the eclipse.

I also tried to swap the 2 pieces that hold the lights over the plate onto the eclipse bumper and they don't fit all all.

I'm so confused Maybe it's because i've been out in the sun all day but I need some help.

 

[CanadianTSi]

To get a better Idea of what i'm talking about, here is the Talon rever light beside the eclipse reverse light.

(talon on the left)

 

[CanadianTSi]

Now I'm really really confused.

I just gave the bumper a test fit and the bracket that holds it up in the middle is to low, but I knew that would happen. The thing that gets me is the brackets on either side are also about 1-1.5 inches to low WTF So how am I supposed to move them up????????

 

[blcktalipse]

well the lights i don't remember what i did when i did the swap on my esi but the bumper brackets you can either cut them off then re weld them in the right spot or you can get a lot longer bolts and place washers in between the bracket and the bumper (thats what i did)

 

[CanadianTSi]

well the lights i don't remember what i did when i did the swap on my esi but the bumper brackets you can either cut them off then re weld them in the right spot or you can get a lot longer bolts and place washers in between the bracket and the bumper (thats what i did)

Thanks for the help, I made the lights fit by cutting off all the little nubs but 1.

As for the brackets I think I'm gonna try drilling out the spot welds and moving the brackets up. If I can't get that to work then i'll do it your way. What did you do about the middle bracket? just leave it?

 

[n0c7]

From what I've heard, use the holes that are already there and just drill through them. To get a fairly accurate idea of where to put the brackets I would put the eclipse bumper on then take a skinny permanent marker or pencil and draw lines and mount the brackets just below your lines.

 

[CanadianTSi]

Ya I realise what I have to do now, I was thinking it was more of a bolt-on affair but now I know its far from it...

 

[drk mrk iv]

When I did mine I just cut one of the notches off.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

You're switching your rear end?! I like your car the the way it is. I'd love to have a talon rear end on my eclipse!!

I just wanted to comment, good luck with the swap

 

[CanadianTSi]

You're switching your rear end?! I like your car the the way it is. I'd love to have a talon rear end on my eclipse!!

I just wanted to comment, good luck with the swap

Heh up here in Canada Eclipse's are so rare that it's the opposite, also my rear bumper had been keyed and I painted the Tailights 2 years ago are they are a faded dull color now...I had my reason's

After Many long hours I finally have it almost complete, just have to put the Interior back togther...

I'll snap some pics.

 

[CanadianTSi]

Here's a couple quick shots.

 

[Attack Eagle]

IF more people ran the good wing with the eclipse rear instead of the Supra copy basketball hoop one I wouldn't be so down on them for doing a swap.

Looks good and congrats. Eclipses should have come with that wing too.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Looks great!
Yeah I'm from Canada too, I know what you mean. I'm glad you got it all worked out though.

 

[n0c7]

Looks good, but I'm still against the whole converting a car into something its not.

 

[Grimis]

Looks good what did you end up doing to get the bumper mounted?? I got mine on by moving the center braket up and putting bolts threw to hold it up.

 

[Jay123]

Looks good but i dont think that wing looks right on the eclipse at all maybe the small talon wing would look better just my opinion good job tho

 

[GOT 2RBO]

that rear looks really nice with that wing.

 

[SlwTSi23]

Hey I was just wondering if someone can give me a link to where i can find how to do the conversion? I searched but I couldn't find anything on the full front bumper side skits and back bumper conversion. And the right way...no cheap way (ex. zip ties, etc..) Thanks.

PS I'm new to the site and i just bought a 97 talon tsi AWD...my first DSM!

 

[blackGSX2g]

For the front bumper, everything bolts up the same as the Talon bumper with the exception of the headlights. 97-99 Eclipse headlights are a bit narrower than the Talon ones, but if you want to keep your headlights you can swap to a 95-96 Eclipse front bumper.

Sideskirts are a bit tougher for you, as 97-98 Talons don't have any sideskirts. You will need to drill into your car to get holes to snap the Eclipse/95-96 Talon skirts on.

The rear Eclipse bumper bolts right up to any Talon, but you obviously need Eclipse tails and extend the wire to the reverse lights as they are mounted in the bumper on Eclipses. There are 2 brackets underneath the center tail-light on Talons that should be either removed and moved a few inches higher, or you can just install your own brackets a few inches higher. This is not necessary, but if you skip this step, the middle of the Eclipse bumper may start sagging right underneath the center tail-light.

 

[SlwTSi23]

Hey blackGSX2g thanks alot! Do you know where I can get the exact steps..step1..step2...etc? If you do that would help alot and again thanks! Ive always wanted an eclipse but I came across this awd talon for a good deal so i took it, with the intention of doing the conversion...

 

[CanadianTSi]

The front is simple, straight swap.

I had a body shop install the skirts for me.

The back I thought was simple but it's a little more involved. All 3 brackets on the back have to be moved up, I drilled out all the spot welds and then moved them up and drilled some holes and bolted them in place, also you have to drill new holes for the center tail light piece and for the reverse lights to come through.

 

[blackGSX2g]

The back I thought was simple but it's a little more involved. All 3 brackets on the back have to be moved up, I drilled out all the spot welds and then moved them up and drilled some holes and bolted them in place, also you have to drill new holes for the center tail light piece and for the reverse lights to come through.

Hmm, thats weird...my 95 Talon wasn't like that. Maybe the 2gb Talon's were different.

 

[DGajre777]

Here's a link for the rear conversion.
http://www.angelfire.com/fl5/import/taloncon.html

I would also help to get a Haynes Manual and look at the pictures under Body, pages 11-12 and 11-13 (I was looking at the pics when I saw this thread), to see where all the bolts are.