44 replies to this topic

[Secondo]

I removed items from trunk. No need to remove the Shaker 1000 bass box. I used a small flathead screwdriver, 7/16 ratcheting wrench, pliars and a clean rag.  






I removed one plastic wingnut from upper area directly behind each taillight:








I used a small flathead screwdriver to carefully remove the 4 plastic pins from the trim panel and removed the panel:

[Secondo]

Next, I removed the taillight assembly washer nuts (3 from each side, see illustration below) behind the taillights with an 11mm or 7/16 wrench. A deep-socket didn't work but the bolts are very long and there's not alot of clearance between the rigid carpet and the outboard nuts- and also the Shaker 1000 bass box will be very close. I used a ratcheting wrench. I was careful with the rubber gaskets under the washer nuts for re-use during installation later.





A ratcheting wrench (the one on top) worked much faster:








I unplugged the harnesses:









I carefully removed the taillamp assembly while removing the taillight harness rubber grommet from the body:







I removed the original electrical harness by unscrewing each socket counter-clockwise.








Next, I swapped all the bulbs from the old harness to the new. Then I installed the new electrical harness by screwing in each socket clockwise. Mine were numbered. Starting with #1 in the inboard, #2 in the middle and #3 in the outboard position. I didn't forget the backup lamps! My backup sockets were very tight. I needed pliers with a rag wrapped around it to lock them in.








I carefully brought the taillamp assembly close to it's install point on the body. I inserted the harness through the hole in the body and pushed the rubber grommet around the body completely around so it is flush on both sides. I then pushed the taillamp assembly bolts through the mounting holes very carefully:








I threaded on one bolt per taillamp assembly to test my sequential system before putting everything back together. I then plugged back in each harness before testing.

Each side lit up starting from the inboard lamp continuing to the outboard one. When braking, after the sequence, all 6 lamps were fully on. Smile on my face!!

I then finished putting on all the nuts on the taillamp assemblies. After that was done, then the trim panel by pushing in the plastic pins. Done!

This is a mod I love to see on Mustangs!!

My sequential Taillights In Action

Edited by secondo, 02 January 2009 - 06:11 AM.

[chuckstang]

what brand did you go with and do your tail lights do their cool in-to-out sequence when you lock and unlock your car with the key fob?

thanks

[stargazer423]

Ya know, americanmuscle.com has instructions for installing these lights on their website, with pictures.

[msw.63]

chuckstang, on Jan 2 2009, 10:19 AM, said:

what brand did you go with and do your tail lights do their cool in-to-out sequence when you lock and unlock your car with the key fob?

thanks

I went with the one on American Muscle, and the taillight does sequence when locking, but I don't remember them doing it when unlocking.  As an aside, I have the Shaker 1000 and was also able to install without moving it, but it was a little tricky.

[dragpack70]

chuckstang, on Jan 1 2009, 10:49 PM, said:

what brand did you go with and do your tail lights do their cool in-to-out sequence when you lock and unlock your car with the key fob?

The sequential harness I recently received from MRT (instead of the Dynamite Sticks I was expecting), looks just like secondo's.  When I lock, they are only able to light the inner and middle segments, with the outer segments staying dark, due to the short duration of that flash.  The turnsignal and emergency flasher flashes are longer in duration and both allow full sequencing of all three tail light panels.

The unlock only turns the parking lamps on, so no sequential action there.

I also had to move the grommet out a couple of inches to get it to the hole in the tail panel without really stressing the wire to the tail light sockets.

[Hisssss]

Thanks for the write up and pics Secondo, I'm sure it looks sick. H.

[ilmor]

Secondo, nice write-up and pics!  It must've been a little chilly outside while you were doing this...

[brianspony]

Nice right-up Sean, but one thing I noticed. You have Craftsman screwdrivers, but your wrench is Taiwan???   How long did it take you?

[Secondo]

A couple things I found very interesting during this install:  I found a harness that was not being used on the passenger side of the trunk. Since I don't have the Shaker 1000, it may be for the bass box which I was pleased to see in case I ever wanted to install it:








The next thing I found interesting was that Ford still chose to install the dual-filament bulbs in the inboard position on the taillamp assembly even though the "full on" brake and turn signal function on that position wasn't being used in stock form, only the park light from that position. So, when swapping the bulbs from the old harness to the new one, you don't have to go out to buy the correct bulbs! Thanks, Ford!!

Sequential Taillight Function

Edited by secondo, 02 January 2009 - 06:08 AM.

[shelbymotorsports]

secondo, on Jan 1 2009, 08:36 PM, said:

Next, I removed the taillight assembly washer nuts (3 from each side, see illustration below) behind the taillights with an 11mm or 7/16 wrench. A deep-socket didn't work but the bolts are very long and there's not alot of clearance between the rigid carpet and the outboard nuts-

There is a bolt towards the top of the carpet panel holding the carpet panel down on each side of the car. Removing this bolt gives you lots of extra room to reach the tail light nuts.

Also its best to use some 3M Strip-Calk (part #08578) around the studs closest to the tail light assembly to keep moisture out of the trunk. It doesn't have to be the 3M stuff as places like NAPA sell it under their house brand name.

Steve

[Secondo]

ilmor, on Jan 2 2009, 07:16 AM, said:

Secondo, nice write-up and pics! It must've been a little chilly outside while you were doing this...

Oh yeah it was very chilly on Dec. 26th!! But, i've been looking forward to this for a long time.

[Secondo]

brianspony, on Jan 2 2009, 08:46 AM, said:

Nice right-up Sean, but one thing I noticed. You have Craftsman screwdrivers, but your wrench is Taiwan??? How long did it take you?

LOL the box wrench is also a Craftsman and I think I got the ratcheting wrench set from Walmart for $6! I wouldn't put much torque on them but they did the job for this install. It took about an hour in the freezing cold, being very careful and taking pics!

Edited by secondo, 02 January 2009 - 11:36 AM.

[SexyStang]

Cool now I get to drive the Shelby........        while you're too busy following and staring at your first Mod......   

Edited by sexystang, 02 January 2009 - 07:00 PM.

[Alexandros]

NIce mod..they do look nice....

[09KR0058]

Awesome secondo!  Thank you so much for taking the time to detail this install.  I'm ordering my kit right now!!!!

[chuckstang]

I had this mod done by my dealer but they must not have CAREFULLY as "secondo" mentioned removed the assembly because I have some good size scratches on the rear bumper under the tail lights.

It is sort of in an inconspicuous area but they are bad.

So do be careful, I wish I had just done it myself

I love locking my car though and seeing the tail lights sequence out!

[Secondo]

johnmsch, on Jun 9 2009, 11:38 AM, said:

Awesome secondo! Thank you so much for taking the time to detail this install. I'm ordering my kit right now!!!!

I'm happy that it helped you!

See my motive- the more people that I can help with the installation, the more chances that there will be a Mustang with this mod that I can enjoy because I can't see my own taillights when driving!

[Secondo]

chuckstang, on Jun 9 2009, 11:47 AM, said:

I had this mod done by my dealer but they must not have CAREFULLY as "secondo" mentioned removed the assembly because I have some good size scratches on the rear bumper under the tail lights.

It is sort of in an inconspicuous area but they are bad.

So do be careful, I wish I had just done it myself

I love locking my car though and seeing the tail lights sequence out!

You seem to have bad luck with the installs. I try to do everything on the car myself. If I can't install it, it's not going on the car! The sequential taillights were a must-do for me. I remember as a kid I couldn't wait to see a Cougar or T-Bird brake or turn- I thought it was so cool!!

[chuckstang]

Ya good ford dealers are tough to find

I was able to buff them out so even I can barely see them so no biggy, just well you know how it is, a scratch does more than ruin your day with black!