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rocketlegacy
06-25-2010, 04:57 PM
DIY JDM Tail Lights install

I received some JDM tails + the center garnish recently for my 97 GT. I couldn’t find I nice DIY for installing them so I gave it shot. The install of the JDM lights is easy. The un-install of the factory set is challenging if you are doing it solo.

Things you’ll need:
• Heat Gun
• Philips screwdriver
• 8mm 1/4” deep socket
• 10mm socket
• Socket wrench
• Pliers
• Bike tire iron
• Knife
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0360-1.jpg
I started with the center garnish piece. Remove the interior body panels on your trunk/boot lid. It is easy to take out, remove all the pins and yank it out.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0300-1.jpg
There are 12 nuts you need to unscrew to take the garnish piece off. Most of them are fairly easy to find. Refer to your JDM piece for reference. Unscrew the visible nuts with your 8mm socket.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0301-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0302-1.jpg
There are two that are hidden behind your wiper motor if you have BK/BG. A tall one and a short one
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0311-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0316-1.jpg
These ones require you to remove three bolts using your 10mm socket. After that there are 6 screws on the plate covering the motor gears, removing this makes it kinda easy to unscrew the nuts.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0325-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0317-1.jpg
Make sure you remove the plug for the lights. After all the nuts are off it should be simple to pry the garnish piece off. If you are anything like me you know what to do if you see this under there.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN03201-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN03211-1.jpg
The garnish is a direct bolt on, so just slap it in. I used the bike tire iron to get the weather stripping on top on the garnish.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0357-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0358-1.jpg
When it is fully in, attach the plug for the lights and test them out. Secure all the nuts, hand tighten all of them first, and then fully tighten them with your 8mm.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN03281-1.jpg
I did the driver side light next. The sidelights were little more difficult. There are four nuts, two of which are hidden, to remove. There is a nut under a vinyl sheet in the “car jack” compartment. I just cut a slit in it to expose the nut. The other one was under the rear tower trim.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0329-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0331-1.jpg
After all four nuts are removed remove the light plug. Then take your heat gun (works best) or hair dryer and heat around the seams of the light. Good spots to heat is the gap closest to the bumper and the light, the gap where the black plastic opens up off the body work, and from the inside from a distance.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0356-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0355-1.jpg
The light should pull out easy when the glue is hot. Again the JDM light is a direct bolt on. It will help the installation if you heat the glue on the JDM light. Put the JDM light in after the black glue becomes shiny from heating.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0332-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0345-1.jpg
Plug in the lights and test them out. Hand tighten the nuts when every things checks out and then fully tighten with the 8mm.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0333-1.jpg
The passenger side was a little more difficult. The same two nuts are hidden but the one closest to the front of your car is very hidden.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0339-1.jpg
You have to remove the interior trim and the plastic storage compartment. Two screws hold the plastic compartment in place. My sub box prevented me from fully removing the trim so I had to pull it back and cut the slit in the vinyl to expose the nut.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0340-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0342-1.jpg
After that it is the process is the same to get the factory light out and the JDM light in.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0343-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN0347-1.jpg
Hopefully there were no major hitches and they turned out good.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/DSCN03541-1.jpg

Sambo
06-25-2010, 05:02 PM
Nice writeup ! i was needing to do this soon thanks !!

06-25-2010, 05:34 PM
yeah, that center garnish was a bitch to get off..

i did mine in mid-winter outside too

nice write-up

Reason
06-26-2010, 12:49 AM
Good job, what a difference these JDM tails do. I will never own a Legacy with stock tails. JDM tails would be my first mod.

MRLancaster
07-26-2010, 08:26 PM
Thats odd, my 3rd gen legacy lights just popped out no glue. or having to change anything when i put the JDM's in.

richysteele
07-26-2010, 08:39 PM
great detailed write up! reason I want to get another 98 lgt but I want your whole jdm trunk! thing was sweet.

Reason
07-26-2010, 08:51 PM
Sweet and exspensive

Dead91silvia
08-17-2010, 01:56 AM
great detailed write up! reason I want to get another 98 lgt but I want your whole jdm trunk! thing was sweet.

Yeah, same here! I'm just too damn broke! I want my freaking headlights too! I hate the ones I have, but I just cant get far enough ahead money wise... :smt022

anothernord
02-09-2011, 06:41 PM
Great write-up! This will save me a lot of guessing. Now I just need the center section.

rocketlegacy
02-10-2011, 05:20 PM
thanks. the hardest part was getting at the nut under the storage compartment on the drivers side.

Subieee
04-13-2011, 03:40 PM
Oh i can't wait to do this on the weekend O_o

cusco-awd
07-13-2011, 07:59 PM
Thanks, Im gonna be giving it a shot soon.

Matty2Hotty
09-19-2011, 09:53 PM
Now what's up with this JDM center section being too short/gap where the reverse light area is? I don't want to buy the wrong one for my wagon. Anyone have the thread or posts on this?

Huffer
09-19-2011, 09:58 PM
Thats a sedan problem.

Matty2Hotty
09-20-2011, 12:51 AM
No wonder why I couldn't find anything on it, thanks huffed for clarifying!

N3M3S1S
03-08-2012, 11:41 AM
will be doing this probably next week, just wating for the parts in the mail!
I noticed there is no glue on my stock now though. I took them off to deal with a wiring issue inside one of the sockets the other day, and they just come off after the nuts are off, there was no glue present. Anyone know if the glue will be necessary when I put the JDM ones on?

Wiscon_Mark
03-08-2012, 06:12 PM
Necessary? No, not to hold the lights in, but it does create a seal that keeps the elements out. I'd recommend getting something the seal that up with.

N3M3S1S
03-08-2012, 11:06 PM
fair enough. I do notice rain getting in, in certain places, so I will take your advice, thanks!

camroncamera
03-26-2012, 12:31 AM
Thanks, Rocket, for the great write up! Just switched to JDM tails on our wagon. Word of caution for everyone - when the rear wiper gearbox cover is off, there is a risk of the large circular gear and reciprocating arm falling out (it happened to me, lol). Took me a few extra minutes to ensure I had replaced everything properly. Fortunately I took pictures as I went and was able to refer to them.

KristjanJohann
08-17-2012, 09:58 AM
I might be able to get you euro tails on 2gen wagons. SUBARU in the center light.

levihamernik
08-26-2012, 11:33 PM
way off topic... but what % is your tint? haha

lord flashheart
08-26-2012, 11:35 PM
love it bro. im jealous.