Tail Light Assembly Access

[rp2813]

I was able to get my hands on the replacement combination tail light assemblies for the right side of my Baja, but the shop manual only contains instructions for accessing them on a sedan or wagon. It looks like the assembly on the quarter panel is somehow accessed with the tailgate down, but I couldn't see any indication of how to access the assembly that mounts onto the tailgate itself.

I searched here and found a thread that doesn't contain anything in the discussion about what is required in order to access the two nuts mentioned that fasten to the threaded posts on both assemblies. Can anyone point me to an on-line source for this information? TIA for any help.

Ralph

[greymud]

Remove the tailgate liner. Theres a panel under that to remove. It's not easy to reach most things in there, but it can be done.

[rp2813]

I took another look at the replacement assemblies and then the mounting points for the quarter panel section in the light of day, which had two gold anodized hex/phillps screws. I removed those and tried to pull/slide the assembly out, but it wouldn't budge. I'm wondering if there are more fasteners, or if the two studs that snap the assembly into place are not giving it up easily. It's difficult to get a good grip on the assembly in order to pop it off the studs or whatever else is keeping it from cooperating.

If anyone can advise on how to resolve this issue or point me to a resource, I would really appreciate it.

[greymud]

The tail lights on the quarterpanel, you gotta manhandle to get out. You'll think you're braking it, but it's straight out.

[rp2813]

Yeah, I have large hands and fingers and can't even get a firm grip on the quarter panel assembly to yank it out. I'm pretty sure it's the tips of the locking posts that are rusted or otherwise stuck in place. The ones on the replacement assembly have corrosion present, so that's my reasoning. I'm going under the assumption that the two screws I removed to facilitate extraction of the assembly are the only fasteners involved in the process.

[rp2813]

I was able to get the quarter panel assembly moving with the aid of a 4" square chunk of a 2x4 and a light touch with a hammer. It popped out to reveal the two snap-in posts in perfect condition, so I switched them out with the corroded ones on the replacement assembly. I had trouble getting the replacement's screw holes to line up, but once I did, it made for a nice tight fit.

It looks like the tailgate liner will be easy to remove. I just need to locate my torx fittings. I'm feeling empowered and will get after the inner assembly tomorrow afternoon.