DIY Rear Tail light Bezel & Tail Light Removal

[Kronix]

I just replaced my stock chrome bezels with matte black ones & the stock tail lights with smoked tail lights.

I got the bezels from forum member Overhaulengines Bezels

Smoked Tail Lights from http://www.smokedouttaillights.com/


Tools needed: Nylon Pry tool, Flat head screwdriver, 10mm socket/wrench, and lastly a molding/fastener pry tool.

Replacement Parts:


First thing is to remove the 3 plugs on each side of the plastic lid


Flat head screwdriver & the pry tool work great


This is what it'll look like when off


You're going to want to disconnect the harness that's between the 2 lights.


Once the lid is removed & the harness disconnected, you can go ahead and remove the bezels. I found that if you have the nylon pry tool that you don't need to push the tabs from the inside. Just wedge your pry tool between the bezel lip & the taillight and work it around all 4 sides and it just pops out nicely.



Now you can start to remove the 3 10mm nuts that hold each tail light in. Of course, the outside tail lights can be a bitch to get to the 2 far nuts, but with the right tool and a little patience you'll get them. Just be careful not too drop them as you're loosening them.


Once they're free of the nuts, you can go ahead and twist out the bulb.


And the light just slides out.



Then just install your aftermarket lights, attach the bulb & the 3 nuts, reconnect the harness, then pop your bezels in. Re-attach the plastic lid & the 3 plastic fasteners and enjoy your work!

[TJ91]

awesome write up, im just taking the tail lights as we speak so I can install the afterburners tomorrow but im stuck on the bezel removal.
I already broke one tab just by pushing on it. Guess it might be too cold for the plastic its about -2 celcius right now

Should I wait? And I should add, I have no pry tool, was just going off AACs video

[TJ91]

Can I find that pry tool at any hardware store or is that a specific trim removal tool?
Really want to get these tails out.

[Brih099]

Hey john the smoked taillight link doesnt work. They look great ! Thanks for the gfx kit got it painted and installed.

[Kronix]

Hey Brian glad everything worked out & you dig the kit! Did you post up a pic or send me one! Thanks for the heads up about the link, I fixed it.

@TJ, the cold definitely makes the plastic harder. Do you have a Home Depot or Lowes near you? They should have the nylon tools. I got mine on ebay, but I'm sure you don't have time for that now. The bezels literally popped off using the pry tool and no damage whatsoever to them, the tabs or lights. Good luck!

[Kronix]

@TJ, the nylon pry tools are specific for trim removal, car stereo stuff, etc...Your local Auto Zone shop or Pep Boys should also have them.

[TJ91]

Hey Kronix thanks for your replies! I ended up doing it the way AAC did it. Ended up fudging up one of the bezels but it gives me an excuse to paint them satin black lol
I ended up using a hair dryer and a heater to warm them up
The inner bezels were the hardest to remove because of the bottom tabs. The outer bezels just popped out no problem
Can't wait to install my Afterburners tomorrow

[Kronix]

Glad to hear you made out ok TJ!
If you plan on doing more mods to you car, especially interior trim & stuff, grab a set of those nylon pry tools on ebay. They're not expensive and great to have in the tool box! Post a pic of those Afterburners when you finish up!

[TJ91]

Originally Posted by Kronix

Glad to hear you made out ok TJ!
If you plan on doing more mods to you car, especially interior trim & stuff, grab a set of those nylon pry tools on ebay. They're not expensive and great to have in the tool box! Post a pic of those Afterburners when you finish up!

Definitly going to grab a set of those tool, really need them with the amount of mods I do on the car.
Next purchase is a dremmel.

Will post pics and videos of the burners once I get them installed!

[Kronix]

Looks great SGDM!
Glad I could help

[nj85z28]

Thanks for the writeup! I changed out my standard tail lights (my car is a 1SS) for a set of RS tails I got from a member here. Your thread certainly helped me out..I was frustrated for a few minutes before going back inside and finding this..

[Kronix]

Glad I could help with the write up, that's the great thing about this forum is we can all help each other. Back when I had my 84 Z28 & then my 87 IROC it was every man for himself, and all trial and error. Now if you want to do a mod, most likely there's a DIY thread...Awesome!

[TJ91]

I just put back in two bezels, need to repaint the outer ones. Will post pics with the burners on once I have it all completed, looks great!!

Thanks again for this thread Kronix, its definitly a huge help.

[AngelSpeedFreak]

nice writeup. will be pulling mine this weekend.