2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Problem switching to sportlites...

[Gary - K7GLD]

OK, so I have these fancy new sportlites, and the Daniel Stern relay/wiring kit, and tried to do the swap this morning - no joy!



Finally got the old lights all loose and ready to remove (that dern small screw that slip-engages the locknut back up inside the fender was a first class PAIN!) - but then found that there was NO way to work the old lights around to get them free of the housing and clear the bumper, even after moving the upper bumper rubber fascia out of the way.



SOOooo, rather than bugger things up, I resecured the old lights, cleaned up the driver side battery and general area, and called it a day. Unless there is an easier way than *I* am aware of, other than actually removing the bumper to get clearance, looks like I'll be driving with stock headlights for the forseeable future!



Anyone have any suggestions who has actually done this swap - and if not, I have this REAL nice set of sportlites and a nifty wiring kit that might be for sale...

 

[Scrappy]

I'm pretty sure there is no way to get the lights out w/o removing the bumper. I used to install blizzard snowplows and we did the headlight wiring while the bumper was off.

 

[Casey Ray]

Gary,



I changed mine over to the sportlights about a little over a month ago. I did have to drop the bumper down, but did not have to remove it. I went with the SUVLIGHTS.com harness, all four lights are lit now, so much better than stock. I don't remember it being too much of a problem to remove the oem lights, other than dropping the bumper. I'll be up in Grants Pass visiting my folks at the end of the month, if you could make it over, I'd be happy to help with the install.



I still need to realign my bumper on the driver's side, didn't get it fully up before tightening up the bolts, even with my 12 yo daughter's help.



Casey

 

[JGK]

Gary,



Don't give up. The sport light conversion is vastly superior to the single bulb non-sport lights.



On mine, I did not have to remove or drop the bumper to get the old ones out or the new ones in. Perhaps my bumper sits a bit lower than yours. In any case, do what you have to to get them installed. You'll be glad you did.



I presume you are aware you may have to do some sheet metal cutting in the "pocket" for the light to accommodate the second bulb/socket, unless the newer 2nd gens came with the "sport" fender. It's a pain, but not too difficult. Smooth the edges up good so you don't get sliced when changing bulbs in the future. I coated the edge with a few coats of Plasti-dip (liquid rubber for dipping hand tools like pliers) applied with a small brush.



-Jay

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Thanks for the info, and encouragement guys - I was afraid the bumper would have to be dropped... I'll have to scope out the way the bumper attaches to see if it's worth the effort - I sure hate to hafta wrestle that derned hidden push-on fastener again - it took me nearly as long to figure a way to get it to release as it did to get all the rest of the battery and stuff removed...



I'll give my wounds time to heal, then consider my next step - oh yeah, the later 2nd generation trucks like mine already have the headlite buckets all set up to accept the sportlites...