A&Q about 350Z
Q:
Yeah...never ending. I think these Z cars, dating back to the original S30s, have a mysterious curse that plagues true enthusiasts...its a love hate thing.
Driven, you done anything to your tailights?
Previously owned: 2005 Z Enthusiast, Super Black, 6 spd.
Currently lease: 2006 Pathfinder S, Silver, Auto
"She is (and always will be) my little deuce coupe, you don't know what I got!"
A:
CantZmee,
Here's a tech article from www.350z-tech.com about the taillights. It's a tutorial on blacking out the taillight lenses, but the first section describes removing the taillights. Unfortunately, that site doesn't explain how to install the new LED taillights, but this will help you get the old one's out :)
http://www.350z-tech.com/zwiki/Tutorial:Smoking_Taillights
'04 Daytona Blue 350Z Enthusiast - B-Stock #34
Tanabe Sustec 36mm chromoly front sway bar
K&N drop in air filter
Hawk HPS brake pads
Pioneer Premier CD/MP3 head unit
18% tint rear and sides
A:
Thanks Eric! That is a great article. I knew it was a pretty easy task...and now you got me thinking I am going to smoke my taillights! I have a black Z, and that last pic of the black Z looks AWESOME! With the LED Lights smoked out I think it would be a cheap, easy, and unique cosmetic mod.
Previously owned: 2005 Z Enthusiast, Super Black, 6 spd.
Currently lease: 2006 Pathfinder S, Silver, Auto
"She is (and always will be) my little deuce coupe, you don't know what I got!"
A:
nahh nothing done to the tailights, im short on funds, still interviewing for jobs and stuff. but if i did i would definitly get the updated LEDS. However, i have taken the tailights out(dont ask) and its a breeze. Definitly, without a doubt, do it yourself. when you pop the hatch theres two or three black round cutout things where the tailights would be...you pop those open with a screwdriver, there's screw underneath them, unscrew those and the tailight should come out pretty easily. I believe the 06's are pretty much a plug and play...remove the harness from the old tailights, and plug in the new ones. I think the 06's may only have one harness whereas the old ones had two or somehting of that sort. But definitly a pretty easy install. Oh and also I think has the tails for $350 if when you order you mention you're a member at my350Z in the comments box. but you may want to call or email them after your order to make sure you get the discounted price. And if you arent a my350z member, it doesnt matter, its not like they would know or not.
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03 CS Touring
VIN #189
Post Edited (Aug 29, 1:21pm)
A:
Thanks DrivenZ...I will do that. I will probably order next month. When I do, I will update you guys on project status..
Previously owned: 2005 Z Enthusiast, Super Black, 6 spd.
Currently lease: 2006 Pathfinder S, Silver, Auto
"She is (and always will be) my little deuce coupe, you don't know what I got!"
A:
CantZmee....Yeah, I installed it by myself. Very, very easy to do.
Just like anything else please take your time especially the tabs on the top.
The back of the older Z taillight is black plastic. The back of the newer LED lights are made of red plastic. Be careful not to scratch that bottom surface when loading tails in and out. The newer taillight is red plastic that is only painted black. So, if you were to accidentally scratch that surface...the RED pastic underneath may make that inadvertent scratch much more visible.
1. open trunk.
2. 3 tabs on top of taillight pop off w/thin screwdriver head. Be very careful not to brake these.
3. Use 10mm socket on the 3 bolts on each tail lamp.
4. MOST IMPORTANT...when pulling out old tails, STAND TO THE SIDE OF THE REAR WHEEL and pull towards you firmly not towards the rear. By doing this you will not break any of the 2 retainer clips. It does take some upward force....hold on tightly because when it comes out...it pops up very hard & you do not want it to fall out of your hands.
5. Un-clip 2 harnesses
6. follow steps in reverse to put back in...only the longer harness plugs in.
There are 2 harness plugs on the 2003-2005 taillamps. One is a light that is always running and the other changes brightness. The smaller harness (only for the always running light) is not used with the LED lights...you only hook up one of the 2 harneses & just cover the shorter one with elect. tape & tape it onto something inside. Good Luck!!
My SB ZR still feels like HEAVEN....what a wild ride!
A:
other than the guy bashing into the side of my car while i was driving down the road i haven't had any dings, scratches, etc.
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'05 350Z Chrome Silver Touring
'73 240Z
A:
u think your cursed, you should see the side of my Z at the moment.... have to wait till Sept 25th to get her fixed.
I feel like putting a big 'post it note' on it, that says 'courtesy of boyfriend'!
2005 350z Silver Coupe Touring
“while your busy contemplating your dream, i'm living mine......”
A:
i think the little things r more frustrating when it's vandalism.
congrats on popping the Q :)
2005 350z Silver Coupe Touring
“while your busy contemplating your dream, i'm living mine......”
A:
who says he's popped the question yet? hes got the ring, but that doesnt mean anything....hahaa
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03 CS Touring
VIN #189
A:
She's right. I am engaged! Thanks for hte congrats.
Previously owned: 2005 Z Enthusiast, Super Black, 6 spd.
Currently lease: 2006 Pathfinder S, Silver, Auto
"She is (and always will be) my little deuce coupe, you don't know what I got!"
A:
hahaa, I got shot down then, i guess she said yes...congrats to you sir
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03 CS Touring
VIN #189
A:
I was told by a tech at the dealer that not only do the taillights get replaced, but also the "head unit computer" that controls many of the functions for electronics of the car. It sounded like he knew what he was talking about, but who knows. He mentioned that the cost would be well over a thousand bucks - so I left it alone.
Hey Sluggo, is this advice from my dealer crap, or what?!
'05 350ZR
Charleston SC
A:
zbythec...guys have been re-placing the new headlights, tails & inside door panels but I've never heard about the "head unit computer" being replaced! lol
My SB ZR still feels like HEAVEN....what a wild ride!
A:
Slug -
Please tell me this is the case,
So you have already changed the back tailights to the new LED 06 version, and the ONLY expense you incured was the cost of the taillight assembly alone? They work fine?
I need to know so I can correct the service goon that gave be the wrong info.
I hate the "service" depts at these dealers.
Thx-
'05 350ZR
Charleston SC
A:
zbythec...that's right NO EXTRA EXPENSE!. Just plugs in!
In my case I didn't even have to pay for shipping.
I found a member from another site who happen to be a dealer & co-owner with his brother in Savannah, Georgia who started a thread about his huge garage that he had just completed so I offered him a trade & cash.... for my 350Z aluminum sign which was over 5 feet long, valued at $50.00 for the new '06 LED tails. His price on the tails was $370.00 minus my $50...cost me in cash via paypal $320.00 & he paid the shipping for the tails and for the sign.
My SB ZR still feels like HEAVEN....what a wild ride!