Converting early NA6 rear number plate panel to later model

PaulF · Postby **PaulF** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 3:40 am

Hi guys,

The rear number plate panel on my '91 is in multiple pieces, some of which are missing, so I'm planning to replace it at some point. I prefer the look of the later "Euro" NA panels though, so I'm wondering what would be involved in converting.

To clarify, I'm talking about changing this:

To this:

It's my understanding that the later model panels light the number plate from above, as opposed to mine which lights from the side. I'm not sure whether that means I would need to buy new lights or whether I just need to mount mine differently. Has anyone got any information which might help me? I have tried teh Googles with little success.

lee · Postby **lee** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:13 am

Subbed, because I want to do exactly the same thing

myredmx5 · Postby **myredmx5** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 10:48 am

You will need new number plate lights as the original ones light from each side and the newer ones light from above.

PaulF · Postby **PaulF** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 2:47 pm

myredmx5 wrote:You will need new number plate lights as the original ones light from each side and the newer ones light from above.

PaulF wrote:It's my understanding that the later model panels light the number plate from above, as opposed to mine which lights from the side. I'm not sure whether that means I would need to buy new lights or whether I just need to mount mine differently.

Can you confirm that it definitely uses a different light, and not just the same light mounted differently?

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 3:17 pm

Just had a look at the rear number plate lights on the NA8, which of course also has the later model NA6-like panel. The light lens appear different, i.e. appear smaller, not completely rectangular, & not completely flat, which is my memory 8 years ago of the early NA6 number plate light lens. Should be able to post a pic of the NA8 ones shortly.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 3:39 pm

Pics are crap, but it gives you an idea:

Driver side CIMG0630.JPG

Passenger side CIMG0631.JPG

myredmx5 · Postby **myredmx5** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 4:49 pm

Rear Number Plate Lights.jpg

NA8 lights look like this.

Uncle Arthur · Postby **Uncle Arthur** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:01 pm

Simply put, the original rear garnish and later rear garnish require different panel specific number plate lights that mount in different locations and on a different bracket.

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 7:21 pm

You'll find that the part you're looking to replace is called a beaver panel.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 7:50 pm

I too had never heard of the expression beaver panel. I can imagine beaver is a US expression. In the lighting industry the subject lights are known as licence plate lamps.

Postby **NitroDann** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:39 pm

Different lights, I did the swap on my car thought you knew, you need the beaver panel cover and the lights.

Dann

PaulF · Postby **PaulF** » Thu Oct 04, 2012 3:25 am

Guran wrote:You'll find that the part you're looking to replace is called a beaver panel.

I'm not convinced that reading that thread was a good idea. :lol:

Okay, who can give me a part number for the lights? Gogogo! I'm pretty sure mine actually have the part number stamped on the lens.

I'd forgotten you did yours Dann. Didn't you have issues with attachment points or something?

Postby **NitroDann** » Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:29 am

the beaver panel is the metal structure that this plastic cover covers. my beaver panel is damaged. so is my beaver panel cover. hence the mounting pins are both snapped off and don't line up by a millimeter here and there. so mine is glued on.

Dann