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.

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Good luck!

 

 

or post bigger pictures.

 

 

so, what am i looking at???

 

I think.

 

^^^^Does look good

 

Good idea! Thanks for sharing.

 

Thats Genius man!! I had to get mine from ALTEC with my tail light louvers. Your's look great

 

Looks good

Chuck

 

You win the prize!

 

Great idea, who's tail light seals are you using?

 

Looks good. I did this same mod last month.

 

mine are flush mounted
mo better

 

cool

 

yet another reason I like this forum!

thanks for sharing!

 

Dude you are too smart!!! Thanks!!!

 

I like it!

 

How long before they are on sale by the vendors @ $50 a set.

 

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
(137932) 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!