Altezza Tail lights installation / Snows

[cadcons]

I'm new here (great forum, btw) and I don't want to seem like a pain, but I have 2 questions...

I'm trying to install Altezza-style tail lights on my 03 Spec V. It looks fairly simple, but the stock light housings don't come out that easily (I gave it try). Can anyone give me some help so I don't mess up the car or the stock lights?

Also, any suggestions on 17-inch snow tires? The OEM tires are deadly in the snow.

Thanks for your help.

[sr20de4evr]

I don't know if there are any snow tires made for 17", but I don't exactly live in a cold climate (Texas) so I'm not sure. I recommend getting some 15" steelies and some Blizzaks to go on them.

For the tail lights I've never tried taking mine out, but it looked pretty simple when I had the trunk lining off when I was deadening the car. Take off the trunk lining (there are a couple of snaps and 4 "screws" on the middle trim part, hard to explain but you'll see as soon as you look at it). Then you can get to the back of the tail light assembly and I think there are several screws or bolts to remove.

[fry_ed]

i put in altezzas on my 03 spec. take off the nuts, twist out the two lights, disconnect the wire and the lights will come out. there is a LOT of adhesive so you may have to push very hard (you won't break em, they're tough). yeah, it's very straightforward. just don't tighten the nuts back on too tight and break em off like i did. =]

[cadcons]

Okay, thanks guys. I'll attempt the install when the weather gets above 40 degrees.

BTW, found 17" snows at Tire Rack...

[cadcons]

Well, your advice was great. Easier than I thought, but the lights didn't fit. They look like they should, but the inner gasket doesn't fit through the hole in the car body into the trunk. It's the correct shape, it's just too big and cramming it in will most definitely break it.

So I'll just return them and get the right ones. Uh-huh. I contacted the seller and it appears that it's going to be easier said than done. I'm not sure they'll take them back...arrgh.

[fry_ed]

do you have these? [IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\specrear.jpg[/IMG]

they should fit perfectly when finished. at first, it may seem like they don't fit, but when you ratchet the nuts down, some of the housing material (lack of a better word) will bend to conform to the nuts, and the lights will fit better and better with each twist of the wrench.

if you decide to stick with the tezzas, good luck. don't be overly cautious on the install.

[fry_ed]

my bad.

http://www.geocities.com/my_baseball/aaron.html

[cadcons]

fry_ed, thanks for following-up and yes those are the same lights (in black though, but the same deal). They look great (I almost got me a silver one, ended up with white). I understand that most Spec V owners don't like the "euro" lights, but I think they make the rear end look more "high performance." Just my opinion.

I will take your advice and try again. More to come...

BTW, what are Spin-Caps?

[fry_ed]

spin-caps are just anti-theft valve caps. Also anti-auto mechanic (took my car in for routine stuff, and the guy couldn't check my tire pressure because he couldn't get the valve caps off... doh!) you can find spin-caps HERE. i have the small silver ones with black stripes. to be honest, they're extremely pointless. but i think they're bodacious

[cadcons]

Well, fry_ed, it worked! The lights are installed. Thanks for your help. You really do have to crank those babies down. I thought for sure they would pop or crack or something, but nothing broke and they're on there. My car feels so much faster now and there's no grinding on the 1-2 shift (oh wait, that's another story)...