DIY: Change truck light in AP1 LEDS!

[XenoGears]

The title is supposed to say 'Change trunk light' But I can't f**king edit the title. I did not notice this until after I posted.

So I bought 2 LED lights for license plate, but since I have an AP1, there's only one light! So what to do with the other LED? I KNOW! I change that ugly yellow light in my truck! OH YEAH! So here's a DIY.

NOTE: I took these photos at different times during the installation (and after), so bear with me. I'm also not responsible if you damage yourself or your car. Do this at your own discretion/risk!

Difficulty: A cave man can do it.

Items needed:
1 LED light
Both hands
Remote to open trunk

Optional:
1 flat head screwdriver
1 glove
Captain & Tennille Greatest Hits cd OR The Carpenters Gold: Greatest Hits cd (VERY IMPORTANT!)

Step 1:
Grab remote.


Step 2:
Press the truck release button.


Step 3:
Watch the trunk pop open.


The trunk is now open.

Step 4:
Stick you head inside the trunk and look up. Find the light.

*Note The LED light is already installed in this picture.

Closer inspection:

NOTE: You will see a light cover that flips up and down (protecting the light). DO NOT PLAY WITH IT IN THIS STEP! THIS IS WHY I HAVE NO COVER! More on that later.

Step 5.
Decide what hand you'll need to take the light out. I'm right handed so I'll be using my right hand.

Place your right thumb and the LEFT side of the light. EXACTLY where my thumb is at in the picture.


Step 6.
Push with your thumb towards the light (Push it to the right). It'll move a little. And I mean a little. What your trying to do here is be able to wiggle it a little bit so you can stick your right index fingernail between the metal of the truck and the plastic of light housing. You can also attempt to stick the flat head screwdriver here also.


Step 7:
Now with your right index fingernail in place. Press right with your thumb and down with your nail. It should come out.


Step 8:
Turn the housing around. You will see a wire attached to it.

The wire is on top of pic. Notice the dirt in between the fingernails. VERY MANLY.

Step 9:
Now this wire can easily come out.

You can either: Grab the wire and pull it out OR pull the housing down or out of the car. The wire isn't very long and the second you move your hand down 5 inches the wire should be disconnected.


Step 10:
Your light housing looks like this.

Yours will look different and have a cover on. I will explain why mine doesn't have a cover.......Now depending how long you poped the truck open to this step, your light bulb will most likely be warm or really hot. You can either wait or use gloves! If no gloves, wait for it to cool down. Place your fingers on the light like the picture.

It's glass. Be VERY careful here.

Step 11: Pull up.


Step 12: Put your LED/other light in. Close light cover.

Step 13: Connect wire into housing. NOTE: If your light doesn't turn on in this step, you've installed the light wrong. Pull the light out, turn it, install the light, and connect the wire.

Step 14: Push the light housing up into the trunk.


Congrats. You've now installed a light into your car! Celebrate!



When I first started this DIY I was playing with the cover to see if I could take out the housing. Stupid me ripped off the cover.


Stupid me!
I was reminded of the Alamo after this picture was taken.


But I fixed it!

[JDMzimbo]

Nice

[kgf3076]

Very interesting and as soon as I buy a truck, I'll have to try this...

[JDMHonda]

Very interesting and as soon as I buy a truck, I'll have to try this...

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[phins2rt]

I need to buy a truck and a Toyota without nav and then I'll be set!