Tail trunk light cracked.. Aggghhh

[HughJazzol]

I just discovered this on my trunk liftgate, and I ask if it's an easy fix. I'm sure it is.
I've looked for the part number to no avail.
Help please
It's s a year old lease.
Thanks

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[ack154]

Pretty sure that's: RJ8Z-13405-A (assuming this is the left side, like it looks)

I think it should be an easy fix (I haven't looked it up yet). You should just be able to pull the trunk plastics inside the lift gate and I'm assuming for the moment that it should just unplug and unbolt from there.

 

[HughJazzol]

Pretty sure that's: RJ8Z-13405-A (assuming this is the left side, like it looks)

I think it should be an easy fix (I haven't looked it up yet). You should just be able to pull the trunk plastics inside the lift gate and I'm assuming for the moment that it should just unplug and unbolt from there.

Thank you.
Yes it should be easy. I also see it costs $700. Yikes.
I may have to use tape or drill a small hole at the bottom so that the water will drain.

Aghhh. We're trying to determine how it could have happened. For now, the culprit is a landscaper that shot a rock with the weed eater.

 

[AliRafiee]

Try eBay too.

used
https://ebay.us/m/amgkKQ

New
https://ebay.us/m/DCmSNC

 

[HughJazzol]

Try eBay too.

used
https://ebay.us/m/amgkKQ

New
https://ebay.us/m/DCmSNC

Thanks a lot Alli.
That's cheaper than Ford's prices, for sure. But still.... (it's plastic!!)

They mention 21-23,but mine's a 24. Hmmmm

 

[markboris]

Norman, below are the steps to replace the rear lamp in the liftgate.

 

[AtomicInternet]

Highly advise eBay. I found one for $200; dealer wants $1,000 new.

I was able to take off only half the plastic cladding, but it doesn't seem to sit right after re-install, so be sure to follow those instructions.

 

[HughJazzol]

Norman, below are the steps to replace the rear lamp in the liftgate.

thanks a lot Mark.
So to get to that outer light assembly, will I have to remove inside trim pieces? It looks that way.

Highly advise eBay. I found one for $200; dealer wants $1,000 new.
I was able to take off only half the plastic cladding, but it doesn't seem to sit right after re-install, so be sure to follow those instructions.

Oh, I will absolutely avoid a dealership. Damn.
Did you just remove the outside plastic assembly without removing interior trim? Is that what you're saying?

 

[markboris]

thanks a lot Mark.
So to get to that outer light assembly, will I have to remove inside trim pieces? It looks that way.

Which tail light are you trying to remove? The one in the liftgate or the one in the rear quarter panel?

 

[HughJazzol]

Which tail light are you trying to remove? The one in the liftgate or the one in the rear quarter panel?

the cracked light is on the liftgate

 

[markboris]

the cracked light is on the liftgate

Ok then you need to remove the interior trim panels on the inside of the liftgate as shown in the PDF I included above in post #6. You need to remove them in that order. They just pull off. No special tools required. Have had mine off many times for one mod or another.

 

[HughJazzol]

Ok then you need to remove the interior trim panels on the inside of the liftgate as shown in the PDF I included above in post #6. You need to remove them in that order. They just pull off. No special tools required. Have had mine off many times for one mod or another.

as always Mark, thank you

 

[markboris]

I should mention that when you pull off the panels, some of the metal retainer clips that are supposed to stay on the plastic trim panel, end up staying inside the hole in the liftgate. If that happens, take a pair of needle nose pliers and carefully remove the metal retainer clip and place it back on the trim panel. You cannot push the trim panel back on if the clip is still in the liftgate.

These are the retainer clips

And the holes they like to stay in. Make sure to check that all the trim panels have their clips and that they are not in their holes.

Also, on the main panel, you will not have some clips that are in the center portion. Ford decided after 2022 that they didn't need all the retainer clips to hold on the main trim panel. I purchased them anyway and put them back on.

In case you needed some.

 

[HughJazzol]

I should mention that when you pull off the panels, some of the metal retainer clips that are supposed to stay on the plastic trim panel, end up staying inside the hole in the liftgate. If that happens, take a pair of needle nose pliers and carefully remove the metal retainer clip and place it back on the trim panel. You cannot push the trim panel back on if the clip is still in the liftgate. I have a photo of this around here somewhere I will post in a bit.

gotcha
I've got a few things going on, so I don't know if I will get to replace this right away.
Do you see any harm in carefully drilling a small hole on the bottom part of that section of the light so that the water drains out? You can't see it well in the picture I posted, but there's about an inch of water in there, and there's room for more obviously. I don't want the water to ruin anything electronic.

 

[markboris]

gotcha
I've got a few things going on, so I don't know if I will get to replace this right away.
Do you see any harm in carefully drilling a small hole on the bottom part of that section of the light so that the water drains out? You can't see it well in the picture I posted, but there's about an inch of water in there, and there's room for more obviously. I don't want the water to ruin anything electronic.

You are going to replace the lamp assembly with a new one so I don't see any issue in drilling a hole in the bottom of your existing one that you will be replacing. And I added photos to my post above.

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