New Spec-D LED Tail Light Install

[ExpeditionAndy]

My LED tail lights arrived today. I'll post a few pictures tonight and I'll show the install. Planning to install them tomorrow if the rain ends. The lights were well packed and cushioned.

They look much better in person than they did in the pictures on the website. I'll post more details as I get into the install. This is just to kick off this thread.

The tail lights were securely packaged well enough to keep them from hitting in transit.



Straight on view of the Tail Lights


Side View

 

[J Ski]

Why not just change the bulbs out to LEDs on OEM?

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Why not just change the bulbs out to LEDs on OEM?

I just wanted something different. I was looking for something that was more stylish.

 

[J Ski]

I just wanted something different. I was looking for something that was more stylish.

Sweet! I was just curious. Can't wait to see pics after install

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Sweet! I was just curious. Can't wait to see pics after install

I was hoping that someone made a tail light assembly that was more modern looking with the LEDs and glow sections but they didn't. I also have the chrome trim to dress them up that I'll be installing at the same time. I want to make sure that everything is working before I put the trim on them.

 

[NASCAR Mike]

They look nice.

Where did you buy them and how much did they cost?

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

They look nice.

Where did you buy them and how much did they cost?

Thanks Mike.

I bought them from CARiD.com here's the link https://www.carid.com/2017-ford-expedition-taillights/spec-d-led-tail-lights-659535308.html

They were $218.10 for the pair. There were cheaper ones on eBay but I just wasn't sure of the quality. They may well be the same thing, but I choose to go with the higher cost ones because of the perceived value of dealing with a US company and not an eBay seller on these.

I installed them yesterday and they went in without a problem. My backup LEDs will be here today and and after I install them, I'll post pictures and a how to install here.

 

[J Ski]

Thanks Mike.

I bought them from CARiD.com here's the link https://www.carid.com/2017-ford-expedition-taillights/spec-d-led-tail-lights-659535308.html

They were $218.10 for the pair. There were cheaper ones on eBay but I just wasn't sure of the quality. They may well be the same thing, but I choose to go with the higher cost ones because of the perceived value of dealing with a US company and not an eBay seller on these.

I installed them yesterday and they went in without a problem. My backup LEDs will be here today and and after I install them, I'll post pictures and a how to install here.

So only the brake lights were LED?

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

So only the brake lights were LED?

Yes only the brake/parking/turn signal lights are LEDs. for the the back up you have to use either the regular bulb or an LED.

I went with these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NPIUFMM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Yesterday I installed my LED tail Lights. They are very bright I am hoping to shoot a video that shows them in action. I'll have to wait until my daughter gets home from work so I'll post it later.

The back of the LED tail lights look just like the standard tail light except for the LED array on the front side. In this picture you can also see the sealed resistors that come with the tail lights.



You start by removing the the two screws that hold the tail light assembly to the back of the truck and then pull back to release the pins on the back side that plug into the body. Once I removed the factory tail light assemblies I disconnected the light bulbs and I installed the resistor that came with with the LED tail lights.



I found a place to locate the resistor in an area away from plastics. The resistor came with some very sticky double sided tape. I found a flat area up inside the opening above the tail light and stuck it there. I mounted it high enough to keep it away from water.



I plugged in the connectors and and the backup light bulb.



The finished tail light looks pretty good.

 

[J Ski]

Very nice Andy. Easy way to set it apart from every other one out here

 

[Flexpedition]

Of all the changes I've made to mine, this is still my favorite mod. Not only does it look factory, it should have been.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

My Backup bulbs came today and they don't fit the socket. Bummer! Now I'm trying to figure out what bulb I have. I ordered the one in manual. I checked with my Dealer the 2017 and maybe the rest of them use a 921 bulb for the reverse lamp

These don't fit the socket - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NPIUFMM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are the correct lamps for the 17 Expedition - https://www.amazon.com/JDM-ASTAR-Ex...+led+reverse+light&refinements=p_89:JDM+ASTAR

This is the 921 that I went with. Essentially the same as the original one but with the smaller base.

 

[J Ski]

Yeah I just ordered iJDMTOY red LEDs to replace the 2825 bulbs in the high mount brake light and they are too wide to fit back into the holes cut into the plastic of the light itself. Debating on either returning or drilling the slots out wider to accommodate.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Yeah I just ordered iJDMTOY red LEDs to replace the 2825 bulbs in the high mount brake light and they are too wide to fit back into the holes cut into the plastic of the light itself. Debating on either returning or drilling the slots out wider to accommodate.

I ordered the LED replacement from Amazon for my 17. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019NOSKYQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just put in 921 LEDs for the third brake light on my 05. They have the small base that fits the socket.

 

[J Ski]

I ordered the LED replacement from Amazon for my 17. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019NOSKYQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just put in 921 LEDs for the third brake light on my 05. They have the small base that fits the socket.

Haven't seen that before! The bases fit perfectly its the width of the led lights that are too wide to slide back into the slot on the brake light cover side after you separate them to access the bulbs. Holes are probably 1/8" too small. I may just use a file and make the holes slightly larger since I have the led replacement lights already. I hate doing return processes.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Haven't seen that before! The bases fit perfectly its the width of the led lights that are too wide to slide back into the slot on the brake light cover side after you separate them to access the bulbs. Holes are probably 1/8" too small. I may just use a file and make the holes slightly larger since I have the led replacement lights already. I hate doing return processes.

I returned the backup LEDs that I got this afternoon - I dropped them in the mail at 4:18 PM and I already have the credit from Amazon.

These are the ones that I used on the 05 in the 3rd brake light. If I remember correctly.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H1QEY66/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Adieu]

View attachment 21905

You start by removing the the two screws that hold the tail light assembly to the back of the truck and then pull back to release the pins on the back side that plug into the body. Once I removed the factory tail light assemblies I disconnected the light bulbs and I installed the resistor that came with with the LED tail lights.

View attachment 21902

I found a place to locate the resistor in an area away from plastics. The resistor came with some very sticky double sided tape. I found a flat area up inside the opening above the tail light and stuck it there. I mounted it high enough to keep it away from water.

View attachment 21903

I plugged in the connectors and and the backup light bulb.

View attachment 21904

The finished tail light looks pretty good.

View attachment 21906

Dayum....that is the biggest fattest Prius I ever seen!!!

 

[MikeMT]

This is the 921 that I went with. Essentially the same as the original one but with the smaller base.

View attachment 21910

I just replaced my backup lamps last week. Went with these.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...ge-retrofit-car/1563/3624/#tab/Specifications
https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...ge-retrofit-car/1563/3624/#tab/Specifications
They are close to not fitting but do so just barely. Considerably shorter and a little more narrow than the ones you had trouble with.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I installed the LED back up lamps and installed the tail light trim today.

These are the Lamps:





Here is how they look in the tail light