What you'll need:
-9 LED Flexable Strip Click Here to see what I bought
-A Dremel
-A Drill
-Small drill bit for starter hole
-Step drill bit
-Phillips head screw driver
-60 second epoxy
-Wire Strippers/Crimps
-Butt Connectors

Directions:

1) Remove the pop clips that hold the carpet up.



2) Disconnect the plug for the 3rd brake light.

3) Remove all insulation that is in the way.



4) Locate approximately where you think the other screw is and drill a pilot hole through both layers of sheet metal.

5) Now take your step drill bit and redrill the holes. I kept going with the step bit until I hit the screw hit. This insured I had enough rim to get the screw out and in easily.




6) Remove both of the screws and set a side. If you leave them in your trunk, don't go driving around like I did. You'll be searching for a little while.

7) Now slide the third brake out of the brake. Don't be afraid to pry at it a bit to remove it.

8) Now seperate the third brake light assembly. The back that holds the LEDs and circuit board on just pops off with 4 clips. Be careful when doing this not to crack the lenses.



9) Remove the 2 screws that hold the metal LED circuit board in place.

10) Use your Dremel to remove the three plastic rivets that hold the metal piece on. You can now pry the metal circuit board off of the plastic backing plate.

11) Use the Dremel to remove the plastic rivets holding the circuit board in place and remove the circuit board.




12) Next drill a hole in the remaining plastic piece to hole the wires to pass through from the new LED strip.



13) Now mix up some of your 60 second epoxy and secure the LED strip to the plastic backing plate. Work fast and with small batches.



14) Cut the old connector off and attach to the new wires using butt connectors. If you're comfortable with soldering, you can solder and tape the connections instead.



15) Clip the plastic backing piece into the lens cover.



16) Now slide the light assembly back in to it's home and attach it with the 2 screws that you removed earlier.

17) Hook up the harness and reinsert the insulation that you removed earlier.



18) Rehang the carpet and reinsert the pop clips.

19) Enjoy your $10 third brake light!!!!!!

 

I wanted to bump this thread saved me 180 bucks! thanks for the DIY!

 

looks good

 

thanks for the DIY, i will be doing this when my semester is over.. stupid Nissan LEDs

 

Thought about going cold cathode inside of there and just scrapping the LEDs all together, but in the end i decided to get some 12v LEDs already mounted in a 3.5 inch base. 5 LEDS total. I will install in May likely.

 

looks good

 

bro you have a hole in your sock

 

hes gonna buy himself some new socks with all that money he just saved

 

Those LED strips do not come in the right color and burn out quickly though . The right color is red/orange not red and the strips arent as bright as factory but good diy taking it apart .

 

........well fvck