Smashed a tail light - Time to Modify!!!

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Old Oct 30, 2008 | 07:46 PM
  #1  
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Smashed a tail light - Time to Modify!!!

A couple of weeks ago I noticed a piece of the underbody (skid plate or something) hanging loose under the rear end of my TL. Decided to take a look and fix it so I backed into my Garage which is higher than my driveway so that I could get under it easily. Didn't see the handle from my snowblower and backed right into it! Cracked one of my tail lights. I was pissed off at myself - for about a minute - and then decided it was a great excuse to upgrade to 07/08 tails! Wife would have no say in the matter.

Personally, I think the WDP looks way better with the 07/08 base tails. They go with the color perfectly. So I ordered a set off of eBay for around $130 plus shipping. Spent around 3 hours last weekend installing. Thanks to all the previous threads on this topic that I found on this forum, the install was easy and relatively painless - even with A-spec lip.

Here are some before, during and after photos. It's hard to see the crack in the 1st 2 shots, but then I broke it a little more (just for the records). Please excuse the bird crap on the bumper and quality of the photos.











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Old Oct 30, 2008 | 07:48 PM
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ABP_04TL's Avatar
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i luv those tails on a WDP wow pure sex!

Bet u had fun installin those right

Last edited by ABP_04TL; Oct 30, 2008 at 07:50 PM.
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Old Oct 30, 2008 | 07:51 PM
  #3  
ggesq's Avatar
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Looks great!!
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Old Oct 30, 2008 | 07:58 PM
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mmade22's Avatar
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very true on the tails. They look great. I take it you cleaned behind the lights before you took the pictures?
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Old Oct 30, 2008 | 08:01 PM
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jguerra23's Avatar
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Hot unitl they light up PINK.
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Old Oct 30, 2008 | 08:01 PM
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yup, when someone was selling them locally I had to jump on the 70-08 base tails. that look so clean on a WDP and NBP. other color would go with type S fine. IMO type S doesnt look good on WDP and NBP.
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Old Oct 30, 2008 | 08:03 PM
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ecliptics's Avatar
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damnn they look soo good. makes the all red look look outdated
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Old Oct 30, 2008 | 09:45 PM
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^ all red look is outdated. j/p man
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Old Oct 30, 2008 | 10:15 PM
  #9  
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sexy.... im in love with the 07/08 base tl tail lights.... haha
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 03:20 AM
  #10  
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The last 3 pictures look like the LEDs are white.
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 09:07 AM
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Talking

The last 3 pictures look like the LEDs are white.
Nope - they are red. Just crappy photos. My flash makes them look white. Also makes the reflectors look amber - which they aren't.

Hot unitl they light up PINK
- They are a bit more pink than the original solid red. But I wouldn't exactly consider them pink. They still look red. Especially at night.

I take it you cleaned behind the lights before you took the pictures
- gave them a quick wipe, but I was surprised how clean they were when I removed them.

makes the all red look look outdated
- my sentiments EXACTLY.

Thanks for all the positive comments!https://acurazine.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 09:29 AM
  #12  
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Looks good . I'm swapping mine tomorrow...that three hour time scares me...I really hope it doesn't take that long.
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 09:33 AM
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lol I'd say about an hour or so for both sides
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by chill_dog
Looks good . I'm swapping mine tomorrow...that three hour time scares me...I really hope it doesn't take that long.
Shouldn't take that long if you know what you're doing. I had some problems getting the bumper clips off and broke a few. Also reaching the bolts in the tire well was a little difficult - easier once I jacked up the car. I wasted a good 1/2 hour trying to find a screwdriver that would fit the narrow gap. Ended up using a small ratchet with a screwdriver bit. Removing and installing the lights is very easy and quick but changing over the LED's is a little finicky because you have to thread the wires through a small hole and you have to try and keep the gasket in position. Good luck - it's worth the effort
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 10:28 AM
  #15  
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^Good to know...thanks. I was figuring two hours for taillights and sidemarkers...of course, I ALWAYS underestimate .
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by djwoody
Removing and installing the lights is very easy and quick but changing over the LED's is a little finicky because you have to thread the wires through a small hole and you have to try and keep the gasket in position.
What do you mean changing over the LEDs?

Can you use the same bulb harness that the 05 uses for the 07 tails?

Does this upgrade require any cutting/joining of wires from the car?

Are there any pics showing the LEDs being changed? I can't quite understand what's involved in this part.
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 11:06 AM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by Trew
What do you mean changing over the LEDs?

Can you use the same bulb harness that the 05 uses for the 07 tails?

Does this upgrade require any cutting/joining of wires from the car?

Are there any pics showing the LEDs being changed? I can't quite understand what's involved in this part.
The OEM LEDs are fully compatible with the newer style (07) tails. And there is no cutting or joining required. You just have to remove them from the old lights and attach them to the new ones. Only difficulty as I said is threading the wire through a small hole in the lens as it attaches to the front side of the led bank (a simple clip-on connector). I didn't take any photos but if you search the forum I believe you might find some. There are definitely diagrams if you can't find photos, but don't worry it is pretty obvious once you take it apart.
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 05:59 PM
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looks sexy!
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 07:09 PM
  #19  
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Wow! The base '07 - '08 tails are setting your car off! Quick question for you. Can you tell me if your bumper sits flush with your tail lights or do you have a slight gap between them? I'm just asking because I just realized I have a slight gap between them a couple of weeks ago after inspecting my car closer than I did when I had first installed my Type-S tail lights over a year ago. LOL
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Old Nov 1, 2008 | 05:57 AM
  #20  
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those 07 base tails.... on WDP
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Old Nov 1, 2008 | 08:12 AM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by mn2trance
Can you tell me if your bumper sits flush with your tail lights or do you have a slight gap between them?
Actually, I found that the fit was perfect on one side (right) and not as good on the other (left). The left light doesn't follow the bumper line 100%. If you look at the last photo the tail light on the left sticks out ever so slightly over the bumper line. It is probably only around 1/16" so not noticeable unless you are specifically looking for it. These were not OEM replacements but cheaper aftermarket lights from an eBay store. For the price, I am pretty satisfied!
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Old Nov 1, 2008 | 10:55 AM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by UAwalker808
yup, when someone was selling them locally I had to jump on the 70-08 base tails. that look so clean on a WDP and NBP. other color would go with type S fine. IMO type S doesnt look good on WDP and NBP.
07-08 base tails > WDP and NBP, TLS tails > others.
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Old Nov 1, 2008 | 11:05 AM
  #23  
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Shweet
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Old Nov 1, 2008 | 11:07 AM
  #24  
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Yea I'm def not a fan of the '07-'08 base tails, but they look pretty decent on a WDP...
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Old Nov 1, 2008 | 11:42 AM
  #25  
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man your car looks super nice. Love the white
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Old Nov 1, 2008 | 12:50 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by djwoody
Actually, I found that the fit was perfect on one side (right) and not as good on the other (left). The left light doesn't follow the bumper line 100%. If you look at the last photo the tail light on the left sticks out ever so slightly over the bumper line. It is probably only around 1/16" so not noticeable unless you are specifically looking for it. These were not OEM replacements but cheaper aftermarket lights from an eBay store. For the price, I am pretty satisfied!
I couldn't even tell that they weren't OEM.

I'll probably have to re-do it when it starts to really bother me. Other than that, I guess I can live with it.
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Old Nov 1, 2008 | 02:26 PM
  #27  
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To be honest who ever said that the Type S lights look bad on the WDP is insane!... ive seen many guys in this site where they have replace the lights and it looked amazing.. I myself am not a fan of the O7-08 base tail lights but rather get the Type S...just looks wayy too nice
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Old Nov 1, 2008 | 02:35 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by djwoody
- They are a bit more pink than the original solid red. But I wouldn't exactly consider them pink. They still look red. Especially at night.
to be honest, i love the way they look in the day time...
but really at night when they're on, they look pink.

i've followed a 07 WDP at night one time for more than 5 mins and i kept complaining why the LEDs look pink compare to the center brake light from inside the car.....

that's the exact reason i didn't go for them since then.
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Old Nov 1, 2008 | 05:22 PM
  #29  
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looks sick!! cant wait for mine to come in
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