Just did a successful install of Diode Dynamics new LED clear marker lights for the 2010-2014 Mustang. I have been waiting for a vendor to make nice clear marker lights for the 2010+ for some time. I actually bought Oracle's clear marker lights through CJ Pony Parts a few years ago, but the kit came with incorrectly wired lights and I really didn't like the look of their product. I sent it back. I've pestered Nick from DD a few times to make a kit and he has said they were working on it the last couple communications. Well, they finally did it!
The Diode Dynamic (DD) lights look fantastic and work great! The lenses are similar to OEM lenses, but clear. The LED light shines amber for the fronts and red for the rears.
Now, on to the DIY:
The rear install was super easy. The instructions recommend using a plastic trim tool to move the lens towards the front of the car. My trim tool was not stiff enough to do this.
I put some black electrical tape on the rear bumper cover and used a flathead screwdriver to successfully move the lens forward to unhook it.
In this picture, you can see the plastic springy type piece on the left that needs to be compressed by moving the whole assembly forward. I pried the lens forward with the flathead screwdriver. I also twisted the light bulb assembly counter clockwise to remove it from the lens assembly
Press this tab (what screw driver is touching) to remove bulb plug from wiring harness:
Pull OEM bulb straight out of bulb assembly. Next, fish the LED wire connector out of the DD lens assembly. Insert the LED wire connector into the bulb assembly. Push bulb assembly into wire harness. Click "unlock" on your key FOB to activate lights to ensure they work!
After verifying the LED lights work (if they don't, reverse the plug), press wire harness release tab and pull out bulb assembly. Twist bulb assembly clockwise to lock it into new lens assembly.
Reinsert bulb assembly into wiring harness then install new lens by placing aft end in first and pushing front side until it clicks.
One more press of the key FOB "unlock" button to verify it works installed.
The rears were super easy - took about 5 minutes to complete both sides. The biggest challenge is getting the lenses to move forward enough to release. With a stiff screwdriver, it is no problem.
The fronts are a different story!
There are 2 metal nuts threaded onto plastic studs that hold the lenses in place on the front lights. You have to access the back sides of the front lenses to unscrew the nuts. The fronts took 15 minutes or so for each side. Here is the skivvy:
Turn your wheels away from the side you are working on.
Use a slotted screwdriver to remove the middle connector inside the wheel well.
Use a 7mm socket to remove the top and bottom screw.
If you have big hands like me, you'll be pressed for enough space to get your paws in the allotted space. I pulled my bumper cover out to get more working room.
Use 10mm socket to remove splitter corner bolt.
Now, to get at those pesky metal nuts on the back of the plastic studs to release the lenses... They are 10mm. I found using a ratcheting wrench worked best for the aft nut and a deep socket worked best for the forward nut.
This was the most challenging aspect of the mod. There is not a lot of space to work with. If I had my lift, I would have raised the car and pulled the splitter off, but it works going through the wheel well.
Once the nuts are both removed, push the light out from the backside.
The Diode Dynamic (DD) lights look fantastic and work great! The lenses are similar to OEM lenses, but clear. The LED light shines amber for the fronts and red for the rears.
Now, on to the DIY:
The rear install was super easy. The instructions recommend using a plastic trim tool to move the lens towards the front of the car. My trim tool was not stiff enough to do this.
I put some black electrical tape on the rear bumper cover and used a flathead screwdriver to successfully move the lens forward to unhook it.
In this picture, you can see the plastic springy type piece on the left that needs to be compressed by moving the whole assembly forward. I pried the lens forward with the flathead screwdriver. I also twisted the light bulb assembly counter clockwise to remove it from the lens assembly
Press this tab (what screw driver is touching) to remove bulb plug from wiring harness:
Pull OEM bulb straight out of bulb assembly. Next, fish the LED wire connector out of the DD lens assembly. Insert the LED wire connector into the bulb assembly. Push bulb assembly into wire harness. Click "unlock" on your key FOB to activate lights to ensure they work!
After verifying the LED lights work (if they don't, reverse the plug), press wire harness release tab and pull out bulb assembly. Twist bulb assembly clockwise to lock it into new lens assembly.
Reinsert bulb assembly into wiring harness then install new lens by placing aft end in first and pushing front side until it clicks.
One more press of the key FOB "unlock" button to verify it works installed.
The rears were super easy - took about 5 minutes to complete both sides. The biggest challenge is getting the lenses to move forward enough to release. With a stiff screwdriver, it is no problem.
The fronts are a different story!
There are 2 metal nuts threaded onto plastic studs that hold the lenses in place on the front lights. You have to access the back sides of the front lenses to unscrew the nuts. The fronts took 15 minutes or so for each side. Here is the skivvy:
Turn your wheels away from the side you are working on.
Use a slotted screwdriver to remove the middle connector inside the wheel well.
Use a 7mm socket to remove the top and bottom screw.
If you have big hands like me, you'll be pressed for enough space to get your paws in the allotted space. I pulled my bumper cover out to get more working room.
Use 10mm socket to remove splitter corner bolt.
Now, to get at those pesky metal nuts on the back of the plastic studs to release the lenses... They are 10mm. I found using a ratcheting wrench worked best for the aft nut and a deep socket worked best for the forward nut.
This was the most challenging aspect of the mod. There is not a lot of space to work with. If I had my lift, I would have raised the car and pulled the splitter off, but it works going through the wheel well.
Once the nuts are both removed, push the light out from the backside.