Boxes From Germany: A GS Modification Thread

[Jack GS]

Although I plan to keep my Buick badging intact, I still cannot leave good enough alone. I have begun ordering Opel parts in order to bring my GS up to my standards. This thread will serve solely as my place to document these changes.

Over time, my taste and direction may change, but here's what is on the to-do list as of now:

• Opel Spoiler - 13488957
• Opel 20" Wheels - 39123826
• Opel Switch Panel - 39111155
• Opel Rear Headrests - 39089003
• Opel Taillights - 39125835 (LH) & 39125836 (RH) ***Regals with LED headlights only***

Box #1



I cannot speak highly enough about Adrian @blitzparts. He is great to work with and the parts were all packaged well. I was initially concerned about receiving damaged parts, but after opening the first shipment of parts all worries subsided.

More to come...

 

[swegyptian]

What’s the difference in the taillights? Looking forward to these updates!

 

[Jack GS]

What’s the difference in the taillights? Looking forward to these updates!

The difference is the brake and turn signal function. Instead of the brake and turn function being the same bulb on our Regals, other markets have separate brake and turn signal functions.

North America: incandescent brake/red turn
Everywhere else: LED brake and incandescent yellow turn

The Holden Commodore with brakes applied, for example:

It's not plug and play, but @Anaduff has figured it out. More on that in this thread: LED Backup and Turn Signal Bulbs

 

[D2R]

Jack,
Sounds like some wire splicing is needed. I suspect our BCM is wired the same as the EU ones.
Please keep us posted. (I absolutely hated the single bulb handling both brake and turn signal)

 

[erikwi]

what do the headrests do differently?

 

[Jack GS]

what do the headrests do differently?

Functionally, nothing. I prefer the look and low profile design over the North American design. I rarely have rear seat passengers, so the change is ultimately for me and rear visibility.

NA Regal:


All other markets (note, the center h/r):

 

[96americanluxury]

Functionally, nothing. I prefer the look and low profile design over the North American design. I rarely have rear seat passengers, so the change is ultimately for me and rear visibility.

Really looking forward to this thread @Jack GS ! What a great idea.

Perhaps I should start one for my grill swap, mirror, etc....🤔

If you need any wiring schematics or R&R directions, let me know and I can do my best to get them for you.

Also, I have confirmed that Chevy Malibu rear headrests fit our cars, and for whatever reason they are similar, if not the same as the Opel low profile ones.

 

[D2R]

Really looking forward to this thread @Jack GS ! What a great idea.

Perhaps I should start one for my grill swap, mirror, etc....🤔

If you need any wiring schematics or R&R directions, let me know and I can do my best to get them for you.

Also, I have confirmed that Chevy Malibu rear headrests fit our cars, and for whatever reason they are similar, if not the same as the Opel low profile ones.

Good call!
It sure looks like the one used by Opel in EU.

It looks like the Malibu got the GS cluster now too.

 

[Jack GS]

Also, I have confirmed that Chevy Malibu rear headrests fit our cars, and for whatever reason they are similar, if not the same as the Opel low profile ones.

Yup! Most GM vehicles share the same headrest mount. I was mostly concerned about the black leather and white (silver?) stitching of the headrest matching the rest of the interior.

If there are any Malibus, or GM vehicles in general, with the same color scheme, those would be much easier to obtain!

 

[Chockomon]

Where and how much were the tail lights? I've been wanting to do this for a while.

 

[kunfuzion]

For the rear head rests, which year Malibu's are we talking about? Thanks

 

[Jack GS]

Where and how much were the tail lights? I've been wanting to do this for a while.

Through Blitzparts, I purchased the outer LH and RH tail for $217.53 and $223.54, respectively. I did a quick search and it looks like Amazon is selling them for about $40 less.

I cannot say what shipping would cost for just those two. I also can't explain why they are different in price.

Note: There are different tail light part numbers for vehicles equipped with halogen vs. LED headlights. See the link at the end of post #3 and read down to post #31 in that thread for the specifics.

 

[Jack GS]

Boxes #2&3




Boxes #2&3 are actually the same (2 wheels and 1 headrest for shipping purposes). I'm excited about the wheels. So far, everything has arrived completely unharmed. I won't be putting rubber on them until next year, sorry to tease... I promise it's killing me more. When performance tires are running ~$300/per, I'm not in any hurry to buy them. My current wheels and tires with only 10k miles are doing just fine for now.

As soon as the third (and final) box from Germany arrives, I'll install the headrests and show a good before/after comparison of the rear visibility.

 

[Wlepse]

I like how the sticker warns you that is it heavy but the box says light alloy wheels. What size are these?

 

[Jack GS]

I like how the sticker warns you that is it heavy but the box says light alloy wheels. What size are these?

Right? Lol they were not very light...

As for the wheels: Link


The offset and width is the same as the standard GS wheel. The only real difference is diameter and weight.

 

[D2R]

Hey, Jack.

I might have missed it. You also got the wheel cap for them, right?
Are they the same size as ours from the factory?

 

[Uniqez]

Hey, Jack.

I might have missed it. You also got the wheel cap for them, right?
Are they the same size as ours from the factory?

Opel caps are the same as our Buicks caps.

 

[Jack GS]

^beat me to it

But to answer your question @D2R, I did not buy the center caps from them. I won't be rebadging my Regal so I plan to use the silver Buick center caps.

I will most likely pick up some black lug nuts however. I think the Buick caps will work well with the machined face wheel, but I need to balance the black and silver. Silver lug nuts would pull the eye away from the wheel too much I think.

 

[D2R]

^beat me to it

But to answer your question @D2R, I did not buy the center caps from them. I won't be rebadging my Regal so I plan to use the silver Buick center caps.

I will most likely pick up some black lug nuts however. I think the Buick caps will work well with the machined face wheel, but I need to balance the black and silver. Silver lug nuts would pull the eye away from the wheel too much I think.

That rim design works with both the Opel's black cap and our Buick's silver (or tri-color shield) cap.
But our factory wagon rim needs the black wheel cap to match...😭

 

[Uniqez]

That rim design works with both the Opel's black cap and our Buick's silver (or tri-color shield) cap.
But our factory wagon rim needs the black wheel cap to match...😭

And they do match pretty good😉