LED Taillight Replacement Instructions

[BigRed76]

I found this and thought I'd pass it on:
http://articles.dashzracing.com/led-tail-lights-installation-guide/

LED Tail lights Installation GuidePosted by Ingar Charlie Bordi On March - 30 - 2009


Installing LED tail lights is not as difficult as installing the headlights, because most headlights require wiring connection for the halo rings and LED, yet most LED tail lights usually comes with plug for direct plug in application. In this installation guide, we will use 2008 GMC Yukon LED tail lights as an example; however, the installation steps for all LED tail lights are very similar, so you should be able to apply this installation guide with your LED tail lights as well.


2008 GMC Yukon Stock Tail lights

2008 GMC Yukon LED Tail lights from Anzo USA

Step 1


Use a screw driver to remove the screws and pulled out the stock tail lights.

Step 2


The next step is to pull out the stock light bulbs and harness. Some of the LED tail lights come with the new light bulbs and harness with the package. If your LED tail lights do not have light bulbs or harness, you need to apply the stock one later on.

Step 3


A ballast is included with the LED tail lights, you can double tape it to the back of the tail lights.

Step 4


Connect the stock harness to the ballast and plug in the light bulbs to the hole. If the LED tail lights come with light bulbs and harness, apply the new one instead of the stock one. And now you can screw the tail lights back to your car, and it is done!

 

[KMeloney]

Yaron -- Thanks for the instructions, though you forgot a MAJOR STEP: You MUST PROTECT THE BUMPER UNDER AND JUST BEHIND THE LIGHTS BEFORE REMOVAL OF THE LIGHTS.

If you don't tape something (like cardboard, or a sheet of hard plastic, or something that can hold up to a sharp edge) down underneath the housings and cover the rearmost parts of the bumper, then you run the LIKELY risk of gouging your bumper/paint with one of the edges of the light that you're removing. The lights can be tough to pry away from the pressure fittings, and when they do finally "give," it can be a disaster.

It's worth modifying your post so that someone doesn't miss this important step.

/< / /2 /<

 

[Conor]

I have pulled my tail lights multiple times and have never had any issues with paint gouging or getting the light to come out. Not sure how that would even happen. But it cant hurt.

 

[KMeloney]

I have pulled my tail lights multiple times and have never had any issues with paint gouging or getting the light to come out. Not sure how that would even happen. But it cant hurt.

Then you've been lucky!

See my pic of the area behind the tail light. If you wrench on the light housing to pry it free of the truck, and then it suddenly releases, you will scratch that area, no doubt. The undersides of the lights have plenty of sharp edges/corners that can gouge your paint.

Folks here have done it.

 

[BC Lightning]

I have pulled my tail lights multiple times and have never had any issues with paint gouging or getting the light to come out. Not sure how that would even happen. But it cant hurt.

+1, mine came right out with little to no force the first time I un-installed them

 

[williajj]

Then you've been lucky!

See my pic of the area behind the tail light. If you wrench on the light housing to pry it free of the truck, and then it suddenly releases, you will scratch that area, no doubt. The undersides of the lights have plenty of sharp edges/corners that can gouge your paint.

Folks here have done it.

Same thing happened to me. It's not really that noticeable, but it still bothers me every time I look at it.

 

[Conor]

Sounds like it is a good idea to tape off, especially the first time you do it. It never hurts to take an extra step when unsure.