Buy Chevrolet (Chevy) C1500 Suburban Tail Light Assembly

Chevrolet C1500 Suburban tail lights (also called tail lamps, rear lights, or back-light assemblies) for the 1992-1999 generation share a simple but critical job: they let drivers behind you know where you are, when you're slowing, and when you're turning - all while sealing out rain and dust. Each lamp uses a dual-filament 3057 bulb, bolts on with four screws, and must follow U.S. safety rule FMVSS 108 for color, brightness, and placement. Common issues are burned-out bulbs, cracked plastic, water leaks, or a bad ground wire. Many owners upgrade to LED inserts for brighter light and longer life.

Compatibility

• Fits Chevrolet C1500 Suburban model years 1992-1999; the mounting points, wiring plug, and lens shape are identical across those years .
• Also shares the same lamp housing with GMC Yukon and some C/K pickups of the same era, so interchange is common in junk-yard or aftermarket swaps .
• Factory wiring is a three-wire setup: ground (black), stop/turn (yellow on left, dark green on right), and tail/running (brown) .

Design Basics

• A tail light is a "rear combination lamp" because it bundles tail, stop, and turn functions in one red lens .
• The lens is molded from impact-resistant polycarbonate to survive gravel hits; older acrylic versions can craze and yellow faster .
• A foam or rubber gasket sits between lamp and body to keep out water; if the gasket flattens, leaks can wet the carpet or corrode wiring (gmt400.com).

Bulb Details

• Stock bulb size is 3057 for both sides, 12.8 V, double-filament, about 26.9 W on brake/turn and 6.7 W on tail setting .
• LED replacements light up about 200 ms faster, draw less power, and last roughly ten times longer than incandescent lamps .
• Always match the wedge base (W2.5 × 16q) so the new bulb locks firmly and seals the socket.

Safety Laws

• Federal rule FMVSS 108 says the lamp must glow red, be visible at least 1,000 ft at night, and sit at least 4 in away from the amber turn signal if separate .
• Smoked or tinted lenses that cut output below legal minimums can earn a ticket in most states .
• A tail-lamp recall has occurred on other GM trucks when internal wiring opened under vibration, showing the importance of solid contacts .

Installation Steps

1. Open the rear cargo doors and remove the two upper and two lower Torx-15 screws holding the lamp .
2. Gently pull the housing straight back; the foam gasket may stick.
3. Twist out the bulb sockets; do not pull on the wires.
4. Swap bulbs or the entire assembly, checking the gasket for tears.
5. Re-install screws (M4.2 × 20 mm, round-washer head) snugly; overtightening can crack the plastic .
6. Test tail, brake, and turn before closing the doors.

Maintenance Tips

• Wipe the lens with car-wash soap and water; harsh cleaners dull the clear coat.
• Apply a UV-blocking plastic polish twice a year to slow fading.
• If condensation appears, replace the gasket or add a tiny desiccant pack inside the housing to absorb moisture .
• Inspect the fuse (tail/park fuse in engine-bay block) and clean the ground eyelet on the frame rail every oil change .

Common Problems

← scroll table horizontally →

Upgrade Options

• Plug-in LED boards boost brightness and cut current draw, helping alternator life; many are DOT-approved when marked "SAE R DOT" .
• Clear-lens/colored-bulb styles give a modern look but must still shine red to be legal .
• Avoid dark "smoked" covers unless you add brighter LEDs and confirm they pass a light-meter test at 25 ft .

Materials & Durability

• Polycarbonate lens resists rocks 250 × better than glass of equal thickness and flexes on impact .
• The ABS housing tolerates -40 °F to 176 °F without cracking, important for hot-sun tailgate use .
• Rubber gaskets are usually EVA foam; they compress over time and should be replaced whenever the lamp comes off (amazon.com).

Troubleshooting Guide

1. Nothing lights - check fuse first, then ground.
2. One side out - swap bulbs; if the problem moves, bulb is bad.
3. Bulb good but no tail light - tail filament open; replace bulb.
4. Intermittent - wiggle connector; if lamp flickers, replace socket .
5. Condensation - dry lamp with hair dryer, reseal gasket, add vent hole if needed (gmt400.com).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb do I need for a 1995 C1500 Suburban tail light?
A: Use a 3057 dual-filament bulb or an equivalent LED upgrade .

Q: How tight should the screws be?
A: Snug, about 10-15 in-lb; too tight cracks the housing .

Q: Are LED tail lights legal?
A: Yes, if they meet FMVSS 108 and shine red at required brightness; look for the "DOT" mark on the lens .

Q: Why does my brake light work but tail light doesn't?
A: The bulb has two filaments; the tail filament likely burned out .

Q: Can I tint the lens?
A: Only if light output still meets the federal rule; many dark tints fail inspection .

Q: What tools do I need to change the lamp?
A: A Torx-15 driver and a small flat screwdriver to lift the socket tab .

Q: Where is the tail-lamp fuse?
A: In the engine-bay block, driver-side, labeled "TAIL/PARK" in the owner's manual .

Q: How do I stop water inside the lamp?
A: Replace the gasket or add weather-seal tape along the edge .

Q: What color wires go to the right-side lamp?
A: Dark green for stop/turn, brown for tail, black for ground .

Q: Is the tail light part of a recall?
A: No recall for 92-99 Suburban tail lamps, but earlier complaints involved loose wiring; always seat the connector fully .

This guide covers fitment, laws, upkeep, and troubleshooting so owners and writers alike can craft knowledgeable content or finish a quick Saturday repair.