5 Minute, $5 Mod
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Nice, simple mod there. Thanks for the tip.
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From: Right Corner Pocket of Illinois
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: 4th on the list of top 100 in USA Ga.
This is a five minute, five buck mod. I’ve always disliked the accumulation of dirt and debris in the counter-sunk area on the tail light lenses. I installed some hinged screw covers that fit the counter-sunk areas perfectly. Here’s how I did it:
I went to Lowes. In the hardware aisle is the small-parts bin drawers. Search there for “Hillman #4 & #6 Black Screw Covers Hinged Qty:2 H# 881025”. Buy four envelopes for a total count of eight screw covers (two screw covers X four tail lights). It cost me less than five dollars including tax.
Gather a couple of tools: A #15 Torx driver; a ¼” drive 3/8” or 10 mm deep socket – one that has a concave receiving end for the 14” drive.
I installed the screw covers by using the Torx driver to remove one tail light lense screw at a time. Insert the removed screw through the screw cover base and screw it back into the lense. As you are turning the screw, a point is reached where the screw cover will begin to turn with the screw if it doesn’t do so immediately. At this point decide where you want the hinge located. I held the hinge at the twelve o’clock position on all the screw covers on my car. This is done for future reference: When you need to remove a tail light for any purpose, you will know where to pry the cap off to expose the screw. Do this procedure for the remaining screws.
Next, using the reverse concave end of the deep socket as a push tool, firmly but steadily wobble the socket over a cap until it seats over the screw. Do this to the remaining caps. End of installation.
Use your browser's zoom feature to get a closer look.
Good luck!
I went to Lowes. In the hardware aisle is the small-parts bin drawers. Search there for “Hillman #4 & #6 Black Screw Covers Hinged Qty:2 H# 881025”. Buy four envelopes for a total count of eight screw covers (two screw covers X four tail lights). It cost me less than five dollars including tax.
Gather a couple of tools: A #15 Torx driver; a ¼” drive 3/8” or 10 mm deep socket – one that has a concave receiving end for the 14” drive.
I installed the screw covers by using the Torx driver to remove one tail light lense screw at a time. Insert the removed screw through the screw cover base and screw it back into the lense. As you are turning the screw, a point is reached where the screw cover will begin to turn with the screw if it doesn’t do so immediately. At this point decide where you want the hinge located. I held the hinge at the twelve o’clock position on all the screw covers on my car. This is done for future reference: When you need to remove a tail light for any purpose, you will know where to pry the cap off to expose the screw. Do this procedure for the remaining screws.
Next, using the reverse concave end of the deep socket as a push tool, firmly but steadily wobble the socket over a cap until it seats over the screw. Do this to the remaining caps. End of installation.
Use your browser's zoom feature to get a closer look.
Good luck!
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Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2004
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From: King George VA
Actually I made my own - another one of those "Lowes" projects. I did it so long ago, I can't remember what I used except that the seal is some kind of plasticized rubber, kind of like silicone but I know it isn't silicone. If you are really interested, I could dig into it and get back to you.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2004
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From: King George VA
As you can see above, I liked this idea and after reading Purefun's thread about how someone tried to steal his tail lights and knowing how my luck goes I decided I liked this idea even more! 
If someone really wants my tail lights I know they're going to get them, but hopefully this cheap clever mod might help deter the ones who aren't so determined. 
I wasn't quite sure what I was looking for at Lowes, but armed with the info Lectron Blu posted above I went and gave it a shot. After looking for about 10 minutes I forgot about the guy's rule to never ask for help and went looking for one of the Lowes workers. It turned out that the pt# 880125 didn't ring any bells with him, but he did know where the hinged screw covers were and once there I quickly located what I was looking for. I think if you look under the other number on the bag
(13792) it should come up on their computer. I think they were .67 cents a bag at my Lowes, with 2 in each bag. Also be careful because they had brown ones mixed in with the black ones and in the light at the store it was a bit hard to tell them apart, the pt#'s are only one off as well. Anyway I got what I wanted and just like Lectron Blu said it only took 5 minutes to install them. Anyway here's a few pics of mine. Thanks again Lectron Blu for the clever thinking!
If someone really wants my tail lights I know they're going to get them, but hopefully this cheap clever mod might help deter the ones who aren't so determined. I wasn't quite sure what I was looking for at Lowes, but armed with the info Lectron Blu posted above I went and gave it a shot. After looking for about 10 minutes I forgot about the guy's rule to never ask for help and went looking for one of the Lowes workers. It turned out that the pt# 880125 didn't ring any bells with him, but he did know where the hinged screw covers were and once there I quickly located what I was looking for. I think if you look under the other number on the bag
(13792) it should come up on their computer. I think they were .67 cents a bag at my Lowes, with 2 in each bag. Also be careful because they had brown ones mixed in with the black ones and in the light at the store it was a bit hard to tell them apart, the pt#'s are only one off as well. Anyway I got what I wanted and just like Lectron Blu said it only took 5 minutes to install them. Anyway here's a few pics of mine. Thanks again Lectron Blu for the clever thinking!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 335
Likes: 34
From: Lincoln Nebraska
I'm going after mine tomorrow. Thanks.
By the way, might want to use the numbers on the bag in the pic posted by RPM 462. In his post RPM said he couldn't find 880125, but the original post by Lectron Blu showed the part as 881025. Also, the alternate number posted by RPM462 (13762) is different than the number on the bag (137932)
By the way, might want to use the numbers on the bag in the pic posted by RPM 462. In his post RPM said he couldn't find 880125, but the original post by Lectron Blu showed the part as 881025. Also, the alternate number posted by RPM462 (13762) is different than the number on the bag (137932)
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From: King George VA
It was what was available and is what seemed to be the right size. The #4 and #6 numbers don't bear any relation to size information needed for this project. I'm sure other screw covers will work but these covers worked for me so I was as descriptive as possible to provide the most information possible.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: ~The DARKSIDE Group~
I just replaced my screws with stainless steel ones from Home Depot. Did not like the discoloration to grey of the stock ones, even though I painted them a couple of times they always seemed to discolor.
info. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
It was what was available and is what seemed to be the right size. The #4 and #6 numbers don't bear any relation to size information needed for this project. I'm sure other screw covers will work but these covers worked for me so I was as descriptive as possible to provide the most information possible.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Actually I made my own - another one of those "Lowes" projects. I did it so long ago, I can't remember what I used except that the seal is some kind of plasticized rubber, kind of like silicone but I know it isn't silicone. If you are really interested, I could dig into it and get back to you.
Great idea! I'm going to be using in my Hatch area and under the Hood too! After I paint em Pewter...
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Salinas Ca
