Popeye
Well-known member
Got done installing the new LED tail light assemblies and 3 bar.
I suppose it could have gone easier. When I got them I looked on the back of an original one and saw I could line up the slots where the bolts go so I figured they would bolt right up. All 3 slots are spaced the same in relation to each other, but not in relation to the edge of the assembly. That meant I had to drill new holes for the bolts. Got out my plastic tarp for a ground cover and went to it. Broke my drill bit in the 1st hole as it went through (prolly twisted it wrong at the wrong time) Got the second hole drilled, light and license plate mounted. Moved to the other side. When I started drilling I realized that a plastic tarp likes to slide around a lot on the snow. Finally drilled 2 holes and when I went to tighten one of the nuts, the bolt started turning in the slot. PITA to get the nut off with the bolt turning. Seems I pushed the bolt in too far and the square shoulder pushed in past the slot. Was more carefuller on the next attempt. Took the old 3 bar off and had to notch the top of the metal on the new one to fit around the transom saver base. The new 3 bar is a little longer and the holes are on the ends. The old one had the holes between the lights. Drilled 2 new holes and went to drive the screws in and realized I lost a screw in the gravel (I'll prolly find it with my tire later on). I found another screw and got that mounted.
Here it is with just running lights on.
Here it is with the brakes applied.
It was getting cold (high was 39 today) and I wasn't in the mood to wait around another hour for the sun to set with my truck blocking half of the alley to get some pictures in the dark (maybe tomorrow). I like how the look and can see the difference from the old ones.
I suppose it could have gone easier. When I got them I looked on the back of an original one and saw I could line up the slots where the bolts go so I figured they would bolt right up. All 3 slots are spaced the same in relation to each other, but not in relation to the edge of the assembly. That meant I had to drill new holes for the bolts. Got out my plastic tarp for a ground cover and went to it. Broke my drill bit in the 1st hole as it went through (prolly twisted it wrong at the wrong time) Got the second hole drilled, light and license plate mounted. Moved to the other side. When I started drilling I realized that a plastic tarp likes to slide around a lot on the snow. Finally drilled 2 holes and when I went to tighten one of the nuts, the bolt started turning in the slot. PITA to get the nut off with the bolt turning. Seems I pushed the bolt in too far and the square shoulder pushed in past the slot. Was more carefuller on the next attempt. Took the old 3 bar off and had to notch the top of the metal on the new one to fit around the transom saver base. The new 3 bar is a little longer and the holes are on the ends. The old one had the holes between the lights. Drilled 2 new holes and went to drive the screws in and realized I lost a screw in the gravel (I'll prolly find it with my tire later on). I found another screw and got that mounted.
Here it is with just running lights on.
Here it is with the brakes applied.
It was getting cold (high was 39 today) and I wasn't in the mood to wait around another hour for the sun to set with my truck blocking half of the alley to get some pictures in the dark (maybe tomorrow). I like how the look and can see the difference from the old ones.
