Chinook RV

Trying to find access.

Astrodokk wrote: December 27th, 2018, 11:28 am Trying to find access.

There is a thread on this forum on tail light replacement, but here is the jist:


From what I've read, there's no screws for the Expedition lens on Chinooks. It's all press fit instead.

Apparently there is a (breakable!) tab at its top and two press fit prongs at its bottom. (EDIT: hmm. Aftermarket photo below shows another push pin at top!)

- To remove, you gently pry the bottom out and slightly sideways away from the RV (left for left lens, right for right), until the prongs and top tab slip free.

- To install, insert the top tab into its body slot first, then rotate up and push in the bottom prongs.

Can the bulbs be replaced without taking the lenses off? I have not need to do any bulb replacement yet and have not look into it.

you would have to remove the trunk inner panels and then you can access the rear of that tail light and bulb completely. On the passenger side i assume you can probably remove the closet inner wall perhaps to gain the same access but i havent done that side myself yet??

This wouldn't apply to Astro (he's got the Expedition press fit lenses), but just so no-one tries to yank out their earlier taillights, I'll mention that pre-2000 different taillight lenses were used. My era has stock Ford Econoline taillights (which use screws) and earlier ones use Aerostar taillights (not sure how they attach).

You can tell the Expedition ones because they have three "Michelin tire man" bulges. The Econoline ones I have are perfectly smooth lenses. Not sure what the Aerostar ones look like (mid-90's and before).

Blue~Go wrote: December 27th, 2018, 3:20 pm... and earlier ones use Aerostar taillights (not sure how they attach).

They were screwed to the shell with (in my case) uncoated drywall screws, half of which broke upon removal.

dougm wrote: December 27th, 2018, 1:58 pm you would have to remove the trunk inner panels and then you can access the rear of that tail light and bulb completely.

Interesting. Mine has a bucket/receptacle glassed to the body to receive the tail light assy. No access from behind. Have to remove the the whole thing to get to the bulbs. Photo is too close, but this is under the closet. I was trying to capture how the bucket isn't fully bonded to the body, which is how water leaked in.

Here's what the earlier Aerostar assembly looks like:

Wow, look at all those ribs! Styling with your "fresnel" taillights