No upgrading reverse bulbs: taillight housing now single unit

[cvalue13]

May have missed this covered elsewhere, but:

I came across an old unopened box of high output GTR Lighting 3156 reverse lights, and figured what the hell I’ll see about putting them in the F150L

The first few steps all went as expected and just like my 2018 F150 (couple of hex bolts interior to the tail gate, then a few plastic trim snaps)

From there, though, it all went pear-shaped

Tail lights are a single unit enclosed housing, with no option for replacing single bulbs

And since that bottom housing is past of the bliss system, I didn’t intend to f with it any further

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[Maquis]

I think they’re LED bulbs. Not designed for replacement.

 

[RickLightning]

I think they’re LED bulbs. Not designed for replacement.

Yup. Could have saved a bunch of work.

 

[beatle]

Some LED bulbs are just the same form factor as their incandescent equivalent. Even if they don't, there may be other brighter aftermarket options. The interior lights in a Model S/X are kind of crummy from the factory. Even though they are vehicle specific, there are brighter 3rd party options that easily snap into the original locations. I'll say this was good research. I'm not sure what's behind that bottom compartment with the 3 torx fasteners though.

 

[Maquis]

Some LED bulbs are just the same form factor as their incandescent equivalent. Even if they don't, there may be other brighter aftermarket options. The interior lights in a Model S/X are kind of crummy from the factory. Even though they are vehicle specific, there are brighter 3rd party options that easily snap into the original locations. I'll say this was good research. I'm not sure what's behind that bottom compartment with the 3 torx fasteners though.

If designing a new taillight assembly from the ground up, it’s not going to use a conventional socket or connector used for conventional bulbs. Making the LED integral with the assembly results in lowest initial cost, but makes them an expensive PIA if replacement is required.

 

[SmoothJ]

LEDs do eventually go out. Nothing is perfect, but the bad thing about this is the price.

Unless you are willing to open up the housing and fix whatever is broken, you are looking at several hundred to get a new tail light assembly.

 

[Captain337]

I thought the reverse lights were in the lightbar, with redundant lighting in the taillights (usually covered when tailgate is up).

 

[Maquis]

LEDs do eventually go out. Nothing is perfect, but the bad thing about this is the price.

Unless you are willing to open up the housing and fix whatever is broken, you are looking at several hundred to get a new tail light assembly.

LEDs themselves almost never fail. It’s usually the associated driver circuitry. You still have to replace the whole work, though.

I just had to have the taillight assembly replaced on my Mach-E. The body shop said the price was about $900.

 

[cvalue13]

I think they’re LED bulbs. Not designed for replacement.

Being LED has nothing to do with whether they’re replaceable, but no doubt these taillight assemblies are not intended to be serviceable.

Yup. Could have saved a bunch of work.

Was two 8mm hex bolts and 20 seconds to remove, 20 more to replace.

Not counting the additional 20 to say “sonnuvabitch, they f*cked us”

I'm not sure what's behind that bottom compartment with the 3 torx fasteners though.

It’s the bliss-related blind spot sensors.

BTW, I crawled under the back of the truck for the first time to have a look around, and it’s pretty wild the number of harness, splices, and wire works back under there.

If designing a new taillight assembly from the ground up, for the express purpose of making it an expensive PIA if replacement is required, it’s not going to use a conventional socket or connector used for conventional bulbs.

FIFY

 

[Maquis]

Being LED has nothing to do with whether they’re replaceable, but no doubt these taillight assemblies are not intended to be serviceable.

The use of LED makes it practical to have a non-replaceable design.

 

[cvalue13]

The use of LED makes it practical to have a non-replaceable design.

then I’ll be interested to see Ford treating these taillights under warranty, and no longer treated as a “consumable” like tires, etc.

Afterall, if they’re made un-serviceable because they won’t need service…

 

[Maquis]

then I’ll be interested to see Ford treating these taillights under warranty, and no longer treated as a “consumable” like tires, etc.

Afterall, if they’re made un-serviceable because they won’t need service…

Good point.
I‘d bet they’ve calculated that the cost saved in the design, plus parts revenue post-warranty is greater than what they’ll incur in warranty costs.

 

[Icebear1987]

I need to replace my rear passenger tail light.

I thought I could just replace the plastic piece but it's the whole unit. Is it me or the rear lights protrude out so anything that comes into contact it will break it.

https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/e...op-and-flasher-lamp-assembly-14618647-1?pdp=y

$1,000 for the whole unit.

 

[HJP]

then I’ll be interested to see Ford treating these taillights under warranty, and no longer treated as a “consumable” like tires, etc.

Afterall, if they’re made un-serviceable because they won’t need service…

Another reason that supports my call (that I did not need) to buy the Ford extended warranty with the LED light addition (assume that it is offered as an add on like it was for the Mach-E). Won't cover it getting smashed but at least any other failure will.

 

[cvalue13]

I need to replace my rear passenger tail light.

I thought I could just replace the plastic piece but it's the whole unit. Is it me or the rear lights protrude out so anything that comes into contact it will break it.

https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/e...op-and-flasher-lamp-assembly-14618647-1?pdp=y

$1,000 for the whole unit.

Wish there were a *dislike* for this

Sorry to hear it, mate

Not to kick you while you’re down, but if you do get the new assembly would you mind using the old/broken one for some reverse-engineering?

That lower big yellowish square is I believe the BLISS sensor, which from the back side of the tail light assembly appeared to be accessible via those two screws visible in your pic at 3 and 9 o’clock.

I’m not as interested in the BLISS parts (I just assume they run on magic), but it would be interesting to see further up into the LEDs

sorry again for the breakage. A $1,000 tail light assembly is a kick in the d*ck

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