how to remove the rear taillight lens on 3rd gen

[DZink24]

i've got a driver side brake light out, i took out the 2 torx screws on the bed, but for the life of me, i cant remember if it will slide right out. i attempted to tug on it a bit, but there was considerable resistance, and i didnt want to damage the connector, break the lens or scratch the paint. how's this thing come off??

 

[Crunch]

i've got a driver side brake light out, i took out the 2 torx screws on the bed, but for the life of me, i cant remember if it will slide right out. i attempted to tug on it a bit, but there was considerable resistance, and i didnt want to damage the connector, break the lens or scratch the paint. how's this thing come off??

If I remember correctly, once you get the screws out the plastic piece opens like a door, with the front part being the hings. I don't think you pull it out at all. I think that when you pivot it out the lip on the front comes loose.

 

[Buddy's Ram]

When you remove the two torx screws the whole assembly should wiggle. There is a straight prong that slides into a friction washer in the body. If you pull straight back on the unit it should slide out. Once you get the unit out you will have to remove 4 more screws to get to the light bulbs. I hope this helps.

 

[DZink24]

OK, thanks, yeah it does wiggle, i'll give it a little more force in the morning.

 

[timelessconstructionllc]

If you have the two torch head screws out then just pull straight backwards. While doing so try to keep the orientation of the light assy the same. Ie don't just pull from ybe loose side. Pull straight back.

 

[Kry226]

Be careful. Those prongs are liable to break. Don't ask me how I know this. The assemblies break when you drop them too. Don't ask how I know that either!

 

[timelessconstructionllc]

kry, i won't ask you if you won't ask me. If you take a button head screw with a head about the same size as the original prong then you can screw it in where the prong broke and it actually works well. Mine has had this fix for about a year now with no problems.

 

[DZink24]

popped it out today, that was the easy part #@$%! . had to break the electrical connection tabs and still had extreme difficulty pulling the wire harness off. then, as par for the course, i had to cut off 2 of the 4 bolts with a dremel to get the lights out, 2 of the heads were rusty and stripped. it is amazing how difficult it is to get todays electrical connectors off.

 

[RDeFayette]

Look for hot spots where the bulb electric contacts mke the connction in the bulb holder assembly. Did the old bulbs look like the plastic started to melt near the contacts?

If you said yes to any of the above get a new bulb holder/socket assembly.

The contact pints are so small that it may cause arcing and overheating.

When replacing the bulbs use some dilectric silicone on the contacts.

 

[DZink24]

no, all looked good as far as the bulb is concerned, i used some of the clear grease or whatever on the metal contacts of the new bulb.

 

[Kry226]

kry, i won't ask you if you won't ask me. If you take a button head screw with a head about the same size as the original prong then you can screw it in where the prong broke and it actually works well. Mine has had this fix for about a year now with no problems.

Deal.



Live and learn. But now I have new tail light assemblies.