[Danny5]

This How-to could also be used to disassemble your trunk! BONUS!!!

I was lucky enough to get in on the initial order of Technostalgia tail lights. Love them or hate them, this is the unboxing and install so you can see what you are getting in too...

Big box arrived via UPS

Opening the box reveals a warranty (6 months) and a nice set of color instructions. Read the instructions!!! They do help.

Lights are packed very securely. These boxes were made just for shipping Cruze lights.

A look at the back of the deck-lid lights.

A standard LED fills in for reverse light needs. If you have really bright LEDs in your reverse lights, they are compatible with this location. I switched the Technostalgia supplied lights with my 7.5watt LEDs.

A look at the back of the main lights. No exposed computer circuitry to control all the additional functions. A standard resistor graces the back to prevent hyper flashing.

The side running lights are now 3 LEDs

A look at the back of the tail light. These lights are very quality!

So let's install these bad boys!!!

We need to really tear apart the trunk, so the first step is putting your back seats down

Remove the trunk floor

If you have an inflator, remove it. The hook for the cargo net unscrews by hand

A convenience hook on the driver side is removed with a #2 phillips

The rear trim piece contains 2 plastic trim rivets. I highly recommend a trim removal tool, but it can be done with a screwdriver. Just be VERY careful as its easy to break these with a metal tool!

On the driver side, we remove the inflator assembly, the cargo hook, convenience hook, and two trim rivets. One is against the back wall.

On the passenger side, 3 trim rivets and the cargo hook

Pull the two interior sides to the middle and cover with a towel. A type of waterproof glue is used on the weather stripping of the trunk and its easy to brush up against it. You don't want this on you!

The wiring harness on the driver side

And on the passenger side

Using a flat-head screw driver, pull the grey lock clip back, then press the clip and unplug (both sides)

Push the gromet through the sheet metal (both sides)

 

[Danny5]

[continued]

Using your flat head again, open the doors on the lights and remove the #2 phillips screw

Using a rag or soft towel, slide it into the back of the tail light

Work your towel back as far as it will go, and grab a bunch

A good tug will free the tail light

Now to remove the decklid lights. Start with your pull-down handle. There are 2 7mm bolts to remove.

The striker cover simply pops off.

Now you have to remove a bajillion trim rivets. Take your time and don't tug on the trim piece until it droops like this.

Once you expose the decklid lights, remove the connector with your trust flat head

4 8mm nuts hold the decklid light in place.

Technostalgia supplies new gaskets to put on it's lights

Feed the 2 connectors through the decklid and bolt in the 4 8mm nuts

Moving to the outside lights, first feed the wires through the body and firmly fit the grommet into the hole

Press the light into place and put back in the 2 phillips screws. Close the doors with a snap

Inside, attach the to the stock harness. An extra supplied wire hooks to the new connection (bottom arrow)

Plug the new 3 wire harness into the decklid lights. Now is a great time to test the lights to make sure they are working as intended.

The new wires will follow the decklid hinges. Technostalgia includes 4 zip-ties in the kit, but I used 6 on each side. 4 is not enough, so make sure you have some extra!

Finished product!


Tail lights work as advertised and I am very happy so far. I shot a video of these in action, but it didn't come out very good. So I'll take another one soon.

 

[obermd]

Stickied. There was a lot of interest after last year's Lordstown tour, and I suspect will be again now that these lights are finally available. Thanks for the write up and pictures.

 

[spacedout]

Man do I ever want to get these.... guess I should start saving. Looks great and thank you for taking the time to post the how-to for others.

I have given you rep+like, would give your another + if I could.

 

[boraz]

nice

 

[Blue Angel]

Waiting for the video! Nice job!

 

[obermd]

Until Danny5 gets a good video, here's the one from last year

 

[KOBALT]

Appreciate the how-to. But I think I'll pass on these lights. Too much going on, for me.

 

[marden64]

Great write up Danny. Not as scary as I thought that it would be. Just need to come up with the money for it now. One thing I'm curious about is, it's not in the vid above, is what happens when you have your foot on the brakes and have the turn signal on??

 

[Danny5]

Great write up Danny. Not as scary as I thought that it would be. Just need to come up with the money for it now. One thing I'm curious about is, it's not in the vid above, is what happens when you have your foot on the brakes and have the turn signal on??

I show this in the video I shot. It appears the light that isn't turning behaves like normal, whatever that operation is.

 

[obermd]

My problem with those lights is that I'd have to then go get projector HIDs and LED fog lamps.

 

[Greycruzer]

Just bought Spyder lights for my Cruze, helped a lot on install thanks


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[marden64]

Will be installing these lights today. Thanks for the write up Danny

 

[marden64]

Easiest install ever. If I can do it, anyone can. They look fantastic

 

[Starks8]

Easiest install ever. If I can do it, anyone can. They look fantastic

Pics?

 

[marden64]

Will post a vid later ?


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[SIXcustoms]

I love the lights! I have the red hot Cruze so I have a good idea of what they would look like. Personally I think that I would tint them a little. I also find the towel trick to be very cool. In all the years I've been doing customizing I'd of never thought of that and it makes it seem easy. What I used to use was a pair of angle cutters for trim tab removal, I didn't buy fancy tools until later lol

 

[marden64]

Sorry about the quality of the video, my camera sucks for taking movies.

 

[WhatsUpElvis]

Where can I buy these?!?

 

[handofgod]

Love the look ! But $400 plus shipping is a bit out of my price range sadly