Nexus
11-01-2008, 06:40 PM
The TE-> TJ boot lid convert is an easy process, but there are several things you need in order to get the conversion right. This is a write up of the process. Would be nice for those who know what needs to be done for KJ tail lights to add on to my thread here.
Here are the following items required from the TJ.
1. TJ boot lid (To be sprayed to the colour of your car) cost about $250 -> $300.00 for it to be colour coded to your car's colour.
2. A Set of TJ tail lights (as the structure and shape of the TJ boot lid is different you need a set of TJ tail lights) Note you can purchase Altezza TJ tail lights as well in Carbon or Clear Chrome or even tinted . In terms of legalities is up to the police to evaluate what they deem as legal.
For this example I am using Clear chrome ones:
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/3842/irwinjessicawedding0589bl9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
3. Wiring loom sockets for the tail lights, the TJ uses a different wiring loom and is not easy to find these loom as they come with the whole tail light assembly from Mitsubishi and cannot be separated. Each tail light cost $218.00 from the dealers. I suggest you can find the wiring loom from the wreckers. This may cost about $30.00 for each wiring loom. Note some wrecker would not want to sell separate which makes this conversion hard.
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5881/wireloomtf2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
4. You need the number plate light sockets which is the wire harness from the TJ boot lid. There 2 ways about this mod. You can use the current one in your TE/TF/TH but cut the sockets for the number plate lights and solder or join them to the existing one. Alternatively you may choose to use the TJ boot lid wire harness which require you to disassemble the wiring of your TE/TF/TH and put in the TJ one.
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/4147/numberplatesocketslu8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
5. You need the entire TJ boot lid lock mechanism. Remove the TJ key boot lock by removing the TJ garnish. Let a Lock smith to code the lock to your current Magna Car Key. This would cost you about $25.00 ->$40.00 depending on the lock smith.
6. Optional new badges or use existing or don’t put any badges. Your choice
Tools needed:
1. Pliers
2. Socket and ratchet
3. Wire connector (if you intend to use existing wire from TE.
4. A second helping hand would best help to get your boot lid in place nicely.
Procedure
Remove old TE lights and put in your new TJ/TL lights.
Once your boot lid is sprayed and ready to place it in, take off the current TE boot lid. Ensure your boot lid does not have any of the cables attached, mainly the boot release cable and the wire harness for the number plate lights with grounding wire.
Once you are sure nothing else is attaching to the current boot lid other than the 4 attaching bolts you are set.
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9554/bootlid4boltsep8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Remove the bolts one at a time and one from each side. I leave one loose on each side which I can just urn out by hand. If your friend is around to help then is easy. If not I would lower the boot lid slightly and remove them slowly. You should be able to remove the boot lid. Please don’t let it drop on to your rear windscreen.
Now place your TJ boot lid on and line it up the same place as your TE boot lid.
BEFORE you attempt to close the boot lid to see whether it locks, ensure your KEY is working with the new TJ boot lock and you could also place the boot lock release cable on.
You may need to adjust the boot hook to ensure the boot lid locks on to the catch. Adjust boot lid dampers to ensure they sit flush on your magna.
You should be somewhere done just having to place your wire harness for the number plate back in place . You can cut and join the TJ’s sockets for the number plates which may save you some time and trouble removing the whole harness.
Enjoy you TJ boot lid mod.
FAQ
1. I love the TJ clear lights can I just buy them and place them with my TE boot lid.
Answer: No, firstly the clear lights do not include the wire loom and you need to get a pair. Secondly I tried this and the TE boot lid will hit the tail light which may result in damaging your tail lights.
2. Can I use a TL boot lid instead?
Answer: Yes BUT you need to change the rear bumper to a TL’s version as well. The TJ is the best candidate for this mod.
3. What if I stupidly close the boot lid when I have not coded the boot lid lock to my magna’s?
Answer: You can call a lock smith which would cost you quite a bit OR squeeze in to the back access panel from the back seat and unhook the lock to open it. In any case, I have warned that you should first code the boot lock to your set of keys by removing the boot lock for the lock smith and letting your painter to spray the parts for you.
4. What if I want to use Verada KJ lights?
Answer: Some modification is needed to be done on the wire loom to make this work, is not too difficult, I would let members who done this to add their knowledge to this thread.
Here are the following items required from the TJ.
1. TJ boot lid (To be sprayed to the colour of your car) cost about $250 -> $300.00 for it to be colour coded to your car's colour.
2. A Set of TJ tail lights (as the structure and shape of the TJ boot lid is different you need a set of TJ tail lights) Note you can purchase Altezza TJ tail lights as well in Carbon or Clear Chrome or even tinted . In terms of legalities is up to the police to evaluate what they deem as legal.
For this example I am using Clear chrome ones:
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/3842/irwinjessicawedding0589bl9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
3. Wiring loom sockets for the tail lights, the TJ uses a different wiring loom and is not easy to find these loom as they come with the whole tail light assembly from Mitsubishi and cannot be separated. Each tail light cost $218.00 from the dealers. I suggest you can find the wiring loom from the wreckers. This may cost about $30.00 for each wiring loom. Note some wrecker would not want to sell separate which makes this conversion hard.
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5881/wireloomtf2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
4. You need the number plate light sockets which is the wire harness from the TJ boot lid. There 2 ways about this mod. You can use the current one in your TE/TF/TH but cut the sockets for the number plate lights and solder or join them to the existing one. Alternatively you may choose to use the TJ boot lid wire harness which require you to disassemble the wiring of your TE/TF/TH and put in the TJ one.
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/4147/numberplatesocketslu8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
5. You need the entire TJ boot lid lock mechanism. Remove the TJ key boot lock by removing the TJ garnish. Let a Lock smith to code the lock to your current Magna Car Key. This would cost you about $25.00 ->$40.00 depending on the lock smith.
6. Optional new badges or use existing or don’t put any badges. Your choice
Tools needed:
1. Pliers
2. Socket and ratchet
3. Wire connector (if you intend to use existing wire from TE.
4. A second helping hand would best help to get your boot lid in place nicely.
Procedure
Remove old TE lights and put in your new TJ/TL lights.
Once your boot lid is sprayed and ready to place it in, take off the current TE boot lid. Ensure your boot lid does not have any of the cables attached, mainly the boot release cable and the wire harness for the number plate lights with grounding wire.
Once you are sure nothing else is attaching to the current boot lid other than the 4 attaching bolts you are set.
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9554/bootlid4boltsep8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Remove the bolts one at a time and one from each side. I leave one loose on each side which I can just urn out by hand. If your friend is around to help then is easy. If not I would lower the boot lid slightly and remove them slowly. You should be able to remove the boot lid. Please don’t let it drop on to your rear windscreen.
Now place your TJ boot lid on and line it up the same place as your TE boot lid.
BEFORE you attempt to close the boot lid to see whether it locks, ensure your KEY is working with the new TJ boot lock and you could also place the boot lock release cable on.
You may need to adjust the boot hook to ensure the boot lid locks on to the catch. Adjust boot lid dampers to ensure they sit flush on your magna.
You should be somewhere done just having to place your wire harness for the number plate back in place . You can cut and join the TJ’s sockets for the number plates which may save you some time and trouble removing the whole harness.
Enjoy you TJ boot lid mod.
FAQ
1. I love the TJ clear lights can I just buy them and place them with my TE boot lid.
Answer: No, firstly the clear lights do not include the wire loom and you need to get a pair. Secondly I tried this and the TE boot lid will hit the tail light which may result in damaging your tail lights.
2. Can I use a TL boot lid instead?
Answer: Yes BUT you need to change the rear bumper to a TL’s version as well. The TJ is the best candidate for this mod.
3. What if I stupidly close the boot lid when I have not coded the boot lid lock to my magna’s?
Answer: You can call a lock smith which would cost you quite a bit OR squeeze in to the back access panel from the back seat and unhook the lock to open it. In any case, I have warned that you should first code the boot lock to your set of keys by removing the boot lock for the lock smith and letting your painter to spray the parts for you.
4. What if I want to use Verada KJ lights?
Answer: Some modification is needed to be done on the wire loom to make this work, is not too difficult, I would let members who done this to add their knowledge to this thread.