I'm in the process of changing a few items on my new 2013 Altima SL (2.5). I swapped out the halogen headlights with HIDs (4300k), and the rear reading lights with LEDs. I want to swap out the reverse lights with LEDs becasue the OEM reverse lights are really dim. I went to do this the other night, pulled back all of the trunk inner lining, removed a couple of small nuts that were on long narrow bolts attached to the housing, but I couldn't get the tail light housing to budge. I noticed that there are two plastic looking things sticking out farther toward the side of the tailight, but I couldn't get those to move and I didn't want to mess with them too much as I'm not sure what they were for and didn't want to break them.
Can one of you learned people tell me how to remove the tail light housing on a 2013 Altima?
removed the tail lights and it is not easy at first because they fit so tight.You have to be so carfull or you will crack the outside edge of your lens.Take the 2 nuts off and the rest is just give it a good pry with some interior plastic cover tools.I put one on the bottom and one on the top where it curves around and just pop or pull stright back and it just pops out .I can't say enough that be as carfull as posible because I cracked the edge of one of mine,thankfully I was putting a new set in that come on the SL ,there 250.00 a piece if you brake one.
I don't have an answer for you (sorry) but I would also like to know the answer to your question. What kind of LEDs did you put in the rear readers?
I bought a pair of these, and another pair that aren't quite as bright. These not only light up the back seat, but can also be used as a beacon for landing planes. I haven't tried the ones that aren't as bright, as I'm sort of starting to like the brightness of the ones I have installed right now...and the light is VERY white.
These are the ones I haven't tried yet... 194 2-5050 SMD
By the way, I live in the St. Louis area and lucked into this place being down the street from my office. They ship just about anywhere and they have good stuff. I'm not affiliated with them in any way...just trying to help support the local St. Louis economy.
removed the tail lights and it is not easy at first because they fit so tight.You have to be so carfull or you will crack the outside edge of your lens.Take the 2 nuts off and the rest is just give it a good pry with some interior plastic cover tools.I put one on the bottom and one on the top where it curves around and just pop or pull stright back and it just pops out .I can't say enough that be as carfull as posible because I cracked the edge of one of mine,thankfully I was putting a new set in that come on the SL ,there 250.00 a piece if you brake one.
Thanks for the input. I may wait until the weather warms up just a bit this weekend before I try this so the plastic isn't quite as brittle. Anytime I hear the word "pry", I get a little nervous!
Here is the key... Put some tape at the outer tip of the tail lights so you dont chip the paint like i did. (the very pointy end of the tail light on the side of the car. Then you have to get a small stick about 1/2'' in diameter and how ever long, to push the tail light out from the inside of the trunk. It is very difficult to pull the tail light off by hand. You need to push the tail light out from the inside of the trunk. Good luck and make sure you use the tape or you will chip your paint like i did.
Last edited by dirt ninja; 11-28-2012 at 02:23 AM.
removed the tail lights and it is not easy at first because they fit so tight.You have to be so carfull or you will crack the outside edge of your lens.Take the 2 nuts off and the rest is just give it a good pry with some interior plastic cover tools.I put one on the bottom and one on the top where it curves around and just pop or pull stright back and it just pops out .I can't say enough that be as carfull as posible because I cracked the edge of one of mine,thankfully I was putting a new set in that come on the SL ,there 250.00 a piece if you brake one.
Can we get a picture of your new tail lights? purdy please? I wanna see the difference between the originals.
I bought a pair of these, and another pair that aren't quite as bright. These not only light up the back seat, but can also be used as a beacon for landing planes. I haven't tried the ones that aren't as bright, as I'm sort of starting to like the brightness of the ones I have installed right now...and the light is VERY white.
These are the ones I haven't tried yet... 194 2-5050 SMD
By the way, I live in the St. Louis area and lucked into this place being down the street from my office. They ship just about anywhere and they have good stuff. I'm not affiliated with them in any way...just trying to help support the local St. Louis economy.
Awesome. Thanks for the recommendations. Similar to Josh's question... Are both these lights short enough for the lens to be put back on? I know some lights are just structurally too long and i can see that being an issue with the lens. Maybe a picture of the back seat if you have some spare time?
With regard to the rear reading lights...the new LED light is indeed bigger than the bulb that it replaces, but I had no problems popping the lens cover back on.
The reverse LEDs I purchased are: LED 921_6Ww from Diode Dynamics here in St. Louis. I would post a link, but I can't seem to locate the link on their page. I will look again later to see if something changes.
With regard to the rear reading lights...the new LED light is indeed bigger than the bulb that it replaces, but I had no problems popping the lens cover back on.
The reverse LEDs I purchased are: LED 921_6Ww from Diode Dynamics here in St. Louis. I would post a link, but I can't seem to locate the link on their page. I will look again later to see if something changes.
Do you have any pictures that you could post up of the back lights and reverse lights just for reference?
Josh...I can certainly take pictures of the reading lights I replaced, if I can remember I will do that this evening. I will have to wait on taking pictures of the reverse lights though, since I haven't done anything yet. I will try to remember to take a picture after one has been completed so a comparison can be readily seen.
Can someone please take a picture of all the retaining hooks/screws in their trunk? I got a little excited when I was replacing my reverse lights and now I don’t now what goes where.
Can someone please take a picture of all the retaining hooks/screws in their trunk? I got a little excited when I was replacing my reverse lights and now I don’t now what goes where.
Been there done that. lol At work now, if you don't get any replies by this evening I'll see what I can do for you.
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