Installing JDM Tail Lights (DIY)
#5
You can either use a long screwdriver to get at the screws at the bottom of the taillight or pull the bumper. To pull the bumper, there is one screw on each side at the end inside the fender, one allen bolt with a large head right next to the tail lights and some plastic clips you need a small flathead screwdriver to remove. Take your time with this as the clips are somewhat fragile (at least fragile looking) Then the bumper pulls off pertty easy. The whole removing the bumper procedure takes about 5 minutes if you know what you're doing.
If you pull up the grey plastic and follow the wire loom across, you can cut the electrical tape and undo the plastic clips. You also have to pull out the inside plastic wall in the rear. You can then get an extra 4-6 inches of wire that makes the install much easier. We reattached it afterwards with electrical tape so it wouldn't wiggle around. We also had to trim the taillight tabs where the reverse light attaches. Just some minor trimming with a knife. Once that was done we used some silicone adhesive to make sure the bulb stayed in(we might have removed a touch too much)
I used the N1 lights. They had some extra material at the lenses that was removed with a file to make them fit close to the factory lights. This is my favorite appearance mod. I love the way the smoke lenses match the factory grey paint, and that the lights match the body line (tiny crease that flows around from the fender to the hatch) I also really love the LED's. I still want to get some silvered 922 bulbs that light yellow to remove the yellow highlights from the turn signals, but then the back of my car will be done, except for exhaust.
If you pull up the grey plastic and follow the wire loom across, you can cut the electrical tape and undo the plastic clips. You also have to pull out the inside plastic wall in the rear. You can then get an extra 4-6 inches of wire that makes the install much easier. We reattached it afterwards with electrical tape so it wouldn't wiggle around. We also had to trim the taillight tabs where the reverse light attaches. Just some minor trimming with a knife. Once that was done we used some silicone adhesive to make sure the bulb stayed in(we might have removed a touch too much)
I used the N1 lights. They had some extra material at the lenses that was removed with a file to make them fit close to the factory lights. This is my favorite appearance mod. I love the way the smoke lenses match the factory grey paint, and that the lights match the body line (tiny crease that flows around from the fender to the hatch) I also really love the LED's. I still want to get some silvered 922 bulbs that light yellow to remove the yellow highlights from the turn signals, but then the back of my car will be done, except for exhaust.
#7
I stuck a 2 inch extension on for some of them, and used the extension like a screwdriver handle. others I was able to have the wrench on the back with the extension and others I used the socket directly on the wrench.
#9
I Just soldered mine, but if you dont feel up to using the soldering iron you could always use a butt connector. just slide one wire in, crimp it, slide the other wire on the other side and crimp it and your done. The blue ones should work fine. I run 18 guae through them all the time with room to spare. They hold up great.
#11
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 2,069
Thanks for all of those who helped. Sorry no DIY pics. Got some helping with the soldering and it took a long time... basically a pain in the butt and i never wanna have to do it again. hahaha
Special thanks to wrx112, exwrx, and MKGD3. You guys helped alot. Really appreciate it... it was wort it.
Thanks again! Here's a pic:
Special thanks to wrx112, exwrx, and MKGD3. You guys helped alot. Really appreciate it... it was wort it.
Thanks again! Here's a pic:
#14
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 2,069
haha go buy a welding kit, and weld on a rod with the same diameter, smooth it out, and find some way to tighten it so there's no gap. hahaha wow that's one crazy idea... lol
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jojabis
Fit DIY: Repair & Maintenance
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03-26-2007 11:18 PM