ok i heard some rumor that if u own a 96-98 hatch and u want to converted to 99-00 hatch back ek taillight.. u have to change the hatch also right or yes or no..or u just buy the taillight and switch it over..

 

just the taillight

 

anyone

 

all 96-00 hatch taillights are the same.
The only difference is the clear turn signal lens

 

'96-'98 and '99-'00 taillights are interchangeable. Plug and play.

The hatches are the same exterior-wise besides the later models had a handle above the license plate. This does not affect the taillight area though.