How to install rear tail light trim?

[Hawssie]

I pulled out some of my new old stock parts from my stash to install on one of my trucks. A previous owner filled in all the trim holes already. Anyways I have installed most of the trim but the pieces that go around the tail lights are hanging me up. On the inside side there are 2 screw holes but the outside and top there are some sort of retainer tabs. The only way I can figure out these go on is that the body must have slits cut into it? Is that right?

[Ol Blue K20]

Not slits but holes, the clip snaps into them
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[SS Tim]

This help?

[camrycurt]

When I added trim to my non-trim truck, I found the taillight trim pieces to be the most difficult to secure to the truck. I started trying to use all of the stock clips indicated in the diagram posted up by SS Tim but couldn't for the life of me get them all to seat correctly in the holes.

I ended up just using the two screws and one or two clips on the side opposite the screws and everything snapped into place. My trim is plenty tight even missing most of the clips and I'm not worried about it going anywhere.

I think two screws and four clips on these little pieces may have been a bit of over-engineering.

[RexDodge]

Valuable info here. Getting ready to mount mine too. The clips must suck them up to the body line. They don't seem to conform out of the package. Going to be some major pucker time hoping they don't kink!

[Hawssie]

Thanks Guys. Most of the stuff I end up buying is aftermarket and most of the time it comes in kit form so I don't need to figure out the little stuff, but since these were NOS single parts I didnt know all what I needed to work with them. Glad I dont have to cut slits like I thought I did.

[Square_78]

I just used two stainless steel screws and a dab of silicone on the opposite side. I didn't want to drill 20 holes around each taillight to install a piece of trim that weights as much as a feather. It's never going to fall off and it's very secure.

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[oklalawnboy]

I hated putting those trim pieces on.

[SS Tim]

Dug up a drawing to locate the holes.

[Coursey]

Was looking at pulling mine off last night. How do they actually remove? Appears they bolt on on the outside edge? Near impossible to get a socket on.

Or do they snap on? If so, which way is the correct way to pull?

[Ironangel]

Originally Posted by Coursey

Was looking at pulling mine off last night. How do they actually remove? Appears they bolt on on the outside edge? Near impossible to get a socket on.

Or do they snap on? If so, which way is the correct way to pull?

There's one screw on the inside edge, remove it and peel the trim back far enough to insert a pick behind the wire spring. Once that spring is freed up from behind the lip of the trim, move to the next one. Once you understand how those spring clips work you'll get it. For me the trick is getting them back on! I think they installed the clips to the trim first, and then snapped them into the holes, and locked them on with the one screw.

[PbFut]

I installed a set about 6 months ago so memory of detail is wiped. I do recall that I fooled around with the clips for sometime till I realized the spring is loaded in a way that appears too far. Once you accept that is the correct position, everything goes on pretty easy. I spent a couple hours on what I thought was a 5 minute task figuring out those damn clips.

[Accelo]

I ended up purchasing clips from two different sources. They were quite different and only one set worked well.
I drilled the holes and painted the raw steel. I got frustrated and pushed too hard attempting to get the clips in and dented the thin aluminum. Noted in the picture. I had to replace the trim piece. Afterwards I greased the clips before I installed them, this helped immensely. Otherwise the clips were almost impossible to install.
The factory dimensions are very difficult to follow. The major line, everything is located from, is not defined in the drawing. I located the trim and installed the two screws. Then used the screw location, and the drawing dimensions, to locate the other holes. I also used tape to outline the trim as a method to confirm the trim and hole location. And more tape where the holes belonged as it was much easier to mark than the paint. You have considerable leeway to move the holes in the vertical direction. I also had to trim some of the aluminum bezel so it would lay flatter on the body. Personal preference on that mod.

If you are using the top horizontal trim confirm it will line up. Some use the two screws and double stick tape or silicon as mentioned in the prior post. If you have an aftermarket box be sure to install the tail and backup lamps before installing the bezel. I had to use spacers behind some of the lamps to get them to set correctly.

I do wish I would have completed this install before painting. Such is life.