Waited to do this mod for a long time. Finally, nice set of taillights (prewired for rear fog :bow: Gurft) came along. Thought I'd share it for all of the variant owners out there.
Install took 3 hrs including running for supplies and tracing wire for rear fog.
Note 1: DO NOT connect B5.5 lights to B5 harness without modification (see below) if you alredy did
- go change corresponding 5 Amp fuse for rear parking light.
Note 2: Light bulb change from now on will be impossible without taking whole tail light assembly out. I'm actually considering dremmeling out some metal allowing enough clearance to take turn bulb holder out.
Therefore if you planning to do fog light or additional brake light mod - do it before this install.
Note 3 (Disclaimer): If you harm youself, lights, car or neighbor's house, please, do not blame anyone but yourself for it.
Tools needed: 8mm wrench socket, some small ratchet with flexible extension (I've used allen wrench hex inserted in my 3/8 socket - space is at a premium there) and philips screwdriver
There's nothing much to this install. Take covers off the two storage spaces on both sides. On the driver's side you'll need to remove CD changer shelf. I was able to slide it forward in it's space just so I could insert my improvised wrench there, otherwise interior panel must go off.
Old lights used 3 mounting points. Use the wrench and take it out.
Now on to rewiring. You'll need to rewire connector according to the new lights. On the back of the connector there's a cap that holds wires together. Carefully pry it open. To get the crimp connector (similar to the one used to wire rear fog) out insert needle or similar item under the crimp connector and push up, pulling on the wire simultaneosly.
Rewiring Passenger Side
old wiring: empty/fog - red - green - brown - gray - blue
old legend: rf/NES - BR - BL - 31 - 58(SL)- nes/RF
new legend: 31 - NSL - BL - SL - BR - RF
new wiring: brown -empty/fog- green - gray - red - blue
Rewiring Driver Side
old wiring: blue - red - black - brown - gray - empty/fog
old legend: RF/nes- BR - BL - 31 - 58(SL) - NES/rf
new legend: RF - BR - SL - BL - NSL - 31
new wiring: blue - red - green - black - empty/fog- brown
New lights use 4 mounting points. Two of them fit perfectly. For other two I've used improvised "brackets" from hardware store - something called 2" zinc plated mending plate - basically 4 small plates with 2 holes and wood screws for less then a dollar. I've also picked up 2 more washers and 2 lugnuts needed for 4th mount.
Edit: Just to clarify... Only one hole on the brackets used (to attach it to the light assembly). Other end gets wrapped with some tape and acts as a lever, resting on the body panel. Like that: 0-|--
After... :wink:
Install took 3 hrs including running for supplies and tracing wire for rear fog.
Note 1: DO NOT connect B5.5 lights to B5 harness without modification (see below) if you alredy did
Note 2: Light bulb change from now on will be impossible without taking whole tail light assembly out. I'm actually considering dremmeling out some metal allowing enough clearance to take turn bulb holder out.
Therefore if you planning to do fog light or additional brake light mod - do it before this install.
Note 3 (Disclaimer): If you harm youself, lights, car or neighbor's house, please, do not blame anyone but yourself for it.
Tools needed: 8mm wrench socket, some small ratchet with flexible extension (I've used allen wrench hex inserted in my 3/8 socket - space is at a premium there) and philips screwdriver
There's nothing much to this install. Take covers off the two storage spaces on both sides. On the driver's side you'll need to remove CD changer shelf. I was able to slide it forward in it's space just so I could insert my improvised wrench there, otherwise interior panel must go off.
Old lights used 3 mounting points. Use the wrench and take it out.
Now on to rewiring. You'll need to rewire connector according to the new lights. On the back of the connector there's a cap that holds wires together. Carefully pry it open. To get the crimp connector (similar to the one used to wire rear fog) out insert needle or similar item under the crimp connector and push up, pulling on the wire simultaneosly.
Rewiring Passenger Side
old wiring: empty/fog - red - green - brown - gray - blue
old legend: rf/NES - BR - BL - 31 - 58(SL)- nes/RF
new legend: 31 - NSL - BL - SL - BR - RF
new wiring: brown -empty/fog- green - gray - red - blue
Rewiring Driver Side
old wiring: blue - red - black - brown - gray - empty/fog
old legend: RF/nes- BR - BL - 31 - 58(SL) - NES/rf
new legend: RF - BR - SL - BL - NSL - 31
new wiring: blue - red - green - black - empty/fog- brown
New lights use 4 mounting points. Two of them fit perfectly. For other two I've used improvised "brackets" from hardware store - something called 2" zinc plated mending plate - basically 4 small plates with 2 holes and wood screws for less then a dollar. I've also picked up 2 more washers and 2 lugnuts needed for 4th mount.
Edit: Just to clarify... Only one hole on the brackets used (to attach it to the light assembly). Other end gets wrapped with some tape and acts as a lever, resting on the body panel. Like that: 0-|--
After... :wink:
