Here is the final Result:
Bottom Light: same functionality
Middle light: LED white for reverse, amber for turn.
Top Light: Only comes on when brake pedal is pressed.
My taillights are tinted too. Keep this in mind when looking at the pics...
Rustoleum lens tint (2 coats) with rustoleum clear (2 coats).
Before and after pic:
Looks so much better IMO. On to the taillight mod...
Walk through:
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*
Disclamer - I am not responsible for any damage done to your vehicle.
*Take your time and check everything yourself before you cut any wires or *make any permanent modifications.
*
*These directions are in a 2007 spec.b I cannot be sure that your wires *will be the same colors although they should be. Use a light and verify for *yourself.
*
*I made permanent modifications to my taillight housing that cannot be *undone. Keep this in mind.
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Tools Used:
Left to right:
- Test light
- 8mm deep socket
- Wire strippers(auto and manual for tight space.)
- Interior trim panel remover, Awesome for the pop-its.
- Wire cuters / crimpers
- Electrical tape
- Dremel w/ sanding drum
Not pictured:
- Magnet (If you drop the taillight nuts when spinning them off like I did...)
- Pen / Paper for noting what the light wires do.
- Friend (used to hold the brake for pics..)
Parts Purchased:
Pico Part number 5401C
1157 LED Switchback bulb. *NOTE the bulb is almost as skinny as the socket. That is the key for this mod.
First I removed the trunk interior panels.
- There are 3 pop-its in the center plastic section then it pops off. Pull straight up.
Then take off each side panel.
- There are 3 remaining pop-its and a hook that twist 90 degrees and comes out. one of the pop-its is behind the back seat. I was able to pop it out without removing the seat trim with my tool. ( I didn't put them back in)
Once all that is out of the way you can see the taillight assembly (Drivers side):
There are 4 8MM nuts and one snap holding the light in. I used my trim tool to get the wire hold on things off. If you use the 8MM socket on the white snap on the far right in the pic, it will pop right out without breaking it.
Now Modify the new socket to make it fit better.
Out of the package it would kind of snap right into the 921 socket. I notched the new tabs(in the pic) so I could twist them and they lock nice and tight.
Next is the permanent housing modification.
Factory Hole - Enlarged to fit bulb / socket - new fixture installed.
This bulb is grounded through the socket. I tried to solder a wire to the housing for a ground but couldn't... I taped a wire to the housing inside the retaining clip things. I then ran a zip tie around it to hold it all into place.
Now just wire it up:
Here is what I found for the wires.
***Verify these yourself before hacking it up***
Both lights have the same colors for all but one wire. before the plug on the light. After the plug, on the light, all the wires are the same colors.
- White - Turn signal +
- Red - Bottom light dim
- Black w/ Red stripe - Reverse
- Black - Ground
- White w/ Black Stripe - Bottom Light Bright
Mods:
1) I used the factory ground from the reverse bulb for ground, and the Red / Black reverse wire goes to the white side of the switchback.
2) Cut the white wire going to the top bulb. I cut it inside the white sleeve so it looks cleaner.
3) Run the wire that you just cut (white) coming from the plug to the amber on the switchback.
4) You will have to get a resister or load equalizer to prevent Hyperflash. I picked up a load equalizer from my local autozone (After the whole thing was done...) This will be wired in parallel to the turn signal. One end of the resistor on the amber positive, the other end on the ground. These can get hot, just like a bulb so keep that in mind. Should only build up heat when the bulb is "on".
5) Splice into the White / Black wire running into the bottom light. Run your splice up to the top light white wire.
6) Make sure no bare wires are touching and test the light. You can use a power probe if you have one or just plug the light in, set em in the trunk and fold the seat down to see it.
7) If everything is correct, tape everything (Solder if you can) and tuck the wires back down.
Here is my finished wiring (No resistor)
Looks almost factory...
Repeat on the other side, reinstall is opposite of removal.
A couple more after pics:
Turn signal stock vs new:
New brake light pattern:
Same old reverse (Pure white now, Brakes are applied in pic.)
PM me if you have any questions. Here is a link to the whole library of pics:
http://s1312.photobucket.com/user/ls...aillight%20Mod
Happy Modding!
Linear Mode
