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LED Tail Lights in an Avanti

(Sailingadventure, Greensboro, NC), SDC Forum - May 2014


How to install LED lights in Avanti tail lights

I`ve been restoring my Avanti for the last year and a half, and when I was installing the tail lights I realized how dim they were. I had seen the LED replacements for sale so I thought I would give them a try. Here is how the lights looked with the old #1157 bulbs. And yes, I fixed the gasket.

And this is how they looked with the LEDs

Here`s what you get.

After removing the tail lights, Remove the lens.

Then turn the housing over. There are two bosses that the screws were in, using a 1/8" drill bit drill thru the one opposite the one with the white reflector. The directions recommend using a 7/64" drill bit, but a 1/8" works better.

This is where the hole comes out in the housing.

Then ,using a Dremmel tool with a cutting disc, cut a slot in the housing about 1/2" up from the bottom of the housing and about 1/4" wide in the side with the reflector.

Next put a dab of silicone sealer in the slot you cut and insert the circuit board in the slot. Put the supplied screw thru the board on the other end and install the plastic spacer between the board and housing and screw it in.

Now just reinstall the lights in the car and you`re done.