This was a modification I wanted to do for 3 reasons. First, I like my car to look different than everyone elses, and second my commute is on a very busy dangerous road where additional brake lights certainly can't hurt. Third reason.... they look like bicycle reflectors!
This modification is only for those with some decent mechanical skills and those that aren't affraid to do a little cutting into their rear bumper.
first, get yourself a set of these LEDtruck marker lights. It took a lot of hunting to find something I liked, but finally found these.
http://www.fleetoilandtrucksupply.co...XPC2R95HHF9KGA
1. The first step is to get some green and some black 18 gauge wire.
2. Cut 2 pieces 3 ft long of both the green and the black wire.
3. Solder into the light terminals as shown.
4. Coat with Locktite clear silicone adhesive as shown and allow to dry overnight.
TEST WITH 12 VOLTS BEFORE PROCEEDING TO BE SURE THE LIGHTS WORK PROPERLY
5. Remove the 3 christmas tree clips that hold the truck side panels with a small flat blade screwdriver by wiggling out to access the tail lights.
6. Loosen the tail light bolts but don't remove. This will allow access to run the wiring up to the brake lights.
7. Remove the reflectors on the bumper by using a 10mm wrench.
8. Now for the scarry part.... Get yourself a 2 3/8" hole saw mounted to a drill.
9. Center the drill bit into the reflector mounting hole and drill a hole into each location. COVER THE AREA AROUND THE HOLE WITH MASKING TAPE TO AVOID DAMAGING THE BUMPER IF THE DRILL SLIPS.
10. The lights are tapered and press fit into the holes in the bumper. push into the hole and keep pushing back and forth to tightly press into the hole. Wait 10 minutes and push again once the bumper material has stretched a bit push again for a tight fit. BE SURE WHEN INSTALLING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MARK ON THE LIGHTS THAT INDICATES "TOP" IS INDEED AT THE TOP.
11. Run the wires up behind the bumper and pull out next to the tail lights.
12. Fish the wires through the opening to the tail lights into the trunk. This will be a bit aggravating but can be done. Pull the wires up to remove an=y slack in the bumper area but leave a little room. IMPORTANT. WHERE THE WIRES COME THROUGH NY THE TAIL LIGHT GASKETING, WRAP WITH ADDITIONAL ELECTRICAL TAPE TO AVOID ANY SHORTING TO THE BODY WORK.
Retighten the tail light housings.
13. Using INLINE 18 GA Splices, connect the black wire from the LED light to the black/white wire going to the brake light socket. Connect the green wire from the LED light to the green/white wire of the brake light socket.
14. Check for proper operation then re-install the christmas tree retaining clips to the insides of the truck panels.
15. Go back under the car and fully seal the LED lights to the bumper on the inside with the Locktite silicone adhesive. This will gice the mounting additional strength.
ALL DONE.
NOTE: I used silicone to mount the lights as they stay in very securely just by the press fit but this gives them additional stregth. Also, with the silicone, if you have to remove them, you can do so by pushing VERY hard and they will come out. I recommend getting a spare LED light if you are happy with the installation, just in case something happens to one of them.
Also, with the way the lights are mounted, if you ever want to return the car to the original look, just get a 3" hole saw and cut out an 1/8" piece of plastic. This can be used to clamp the original reflectors back in if desired.
PICS OF THE FINISHED JOB.
Thorough write-up!
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