Questions About Replacing the Taillights

WLDRIDE

WLDRIDE

WLDRIDE
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Joined
Oct 12, 2019
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Location
SouthCentral Colorado
I just discovered that the metal plates inside my taillights, through which the bolts go to hold the taillights onto the body of the Jeep, are all rusted out. I like the classic look, so I'm thinking of getting these on Amazon:

Taillight Set.jpg


Two questions about replacing my existing taillights with these:

1) Is this connector going to match what it will need to plug into on my 2003 TJ?

Taillight Connector.jpg


2) Will I be able to pull the wire bundle out through the hole in the body and connect the connectors from outside, or do I have to get back behind the body panel somehow to make the connection? Thanks!
 
Access from behind is easy, the rubber/plastic flap at the bottom of the fender flips up and all is visible. Should be straight forward altho if the nuts are rusty...
 
billiebob said:
Access from behind is easy, the rubber/plastic flap at the bottom of the fender flips up and all is visible. Should be straight forward altho if the nuts are rusty...
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Okay, that makes sense. I went out and looked and I can see what you're talking about. That answers question number 2!
 
If anyone has a pair of original taillights in good shape that are lying around because you replaced them with something else, let me know. I'll buy them from you. A new pair seems a little too pricey. Thanks.
 
WLDRYDE said:
If anyone has a pair of original taillights in good shape that are lying around because you replaced them with something else, let me know. I'll buy them from you. A new pair seems a little too pricey. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I have a set. Will message you later this evening to see if you’re still looking for a set.

I won’t have access to my parts Jeep till mid next week. Not sure how quick you need them.
 
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Dan T. said:
I have a set. Will message you later this evening to see if you’re still looking for a set.

I won’t have access to my parts Jeep till mid next week. Not sure how quick you need them.
Click to expand...
Sounds good. The ones I have can probably last another week or so. I'll watch for your PM.
 
Rust usually indicates water leaks inside the tail-light. I just picked up an Omix.ada LH tail-light from Amazon and the quality seems decent. The connector wasn't as pictured and did fit the TJ properly.

https://www.omix-ada.com/left-hand-tail-light-with-black-housing-for-98-06-wrangler-tj.html

I thread chased the #12-24 screw holes in the body and cleaned the 3 mounting bolts with my Dremel (fitted with a little wire wheel). Then a little circle of RTV around the 3 holes on the back side of the housing followed by some Loctite PST on the screw threads. Finally some Dow Corning Compound #4 (silicone grease) on the lens gasket. Just trying to keep the water ingress out for the long haul.
 
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I also have a set of OEM tails if you’d like them. The factory connector will fit through the small hole behind the taillight but getting access behind the panel is very simple.
 
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