No thanx necessary, but I'm glad you got it sorted out. Just a side note here, but if I'm remembering the 2-wire aftermarket tail lights correctly, either of those two wires would work with either of the two stock wires and all that's needed is the ground, which you've taken care of.
Whenever I'm wrenching and hit a point where it's just not going right, it's time for me to put down the wrenches, walk away, take a break and get back after it with a fresh start later on.......just a personal philosophy that I've found helps to keep my blood pressure from going off the chart, LOL!
It's hard times in the U.S.A these days and I sensed your frustration.........I hope that I can share this properly as it's sometimes difficult to express what we mean clearly thru only the written word on an internet forum. Am also not a mind reader, but was sensing that when Lee H. Mann said this:
"Cheaping out for an aftermarket light when I have so many oem's on the shelf is not acceptable"
.....he actually might have been willing to do you a solid in providing you with an OEM tail light. I'm guessing, of course, but it's at least possible that there was an unintended misunderstanding (that dicey internet written word only stuff
)
Please go easy on yourself and know that I only mean well here. When I got home in '73, my patience level was most definitely non-existent. Day by day, Brother, that's all we've got, but hey.....we can roll with it
Thank you for your service and Welcome Home!