Fix It

Open the rear lift gate on your Montana and locate the three screws along the top and side of the taillight assembly. The screws are Torx head, and are tucked between the plastic taillight and the rubber seal around the lift gate opening.

Remove the three Torx head screws with a Torx head screwdriver and set them aside. Grasp the taillight assembly on the sides and pull it straight back, away from the body. Turn the assembly so that the lens is facing down and locate the bulb holder on the rear. Remove the holder by pressing the four locking tabs on the holder.

Separate the bulb holder and the assembly, setting the assembly aside. Locate the defective bulb, grasp it by the bulb top, and pull it out of the holder. Discard the old bulb and replace it with a new 3057 bulb by pushing the bulb into the bulb holder until it seats.

Position the bulb holder on the rear of the taillight assembly and snap it in to place, ensuring that all four tabs engage properly. Position the taillight assembly on the van and install the retaining screws along the inboard edge of the assembly. Tighten them with a Torx screwdriver.

Move to the opposite side of the van and repeat the process if the opposite light has a bulb out. Close the lift gate and test the lights by turning the headlight switch on or stepping on the brake pedal.

Raise the rear lift gate of the Explorer with the vehicle parked, the engine off and the headlight switch in the "Off" position.

Locate the two (upper and lower) taillight assembly retaining screws on the painted section of the side rail on the left (drivers side) assembly. Remove the screws with the screwdriver.

Pull the assembly outward away from the rear of the Explorer. The wire harnesses of the rear lights are attached to the sockets of the bulbs, but the assembly can be pulled out far enough to obtain access to the bulbs.

Turn the socket of the taillight/brake light counter-clockwise about 1/3 of a turn. Pull the taillight/brake light out of the taillight assembly.

Pull the taillight/brake light straight out of its socket, and replace it with a 3157 automotive bulb.

Reinsert the taillight socket into the assembly by aligning the tabs on the socket to the notches in the assembly, then twist the socket clockwise until it locks into place.

Replace the taillight assembly to the body of the Explorer, then replace and tighten the retaining screws.

Open the tailgate of your 2005 F-150, allowing the tailgate to rest on the support cables. Locate the two retaining screws in the bedside where the tailgate closes. The retaining screws are threaded into the taillight assembly.

Remove the two screws with a Phillips screwdriver and set them aside. Grasp the taillight assembly from the rear and pull it straight back, removing it from the truck. Do not pull it out so far that you damage the wires behind it.

Locate the bulb sockets on the rear of the assembly. Turn the bulb sockets counterclockwise, and remove them from the assembly. Discard the old assembly.

Install the bulb sockets in the rear of the new taillight assembly, turning them clockwise to lock them into place. Slide the new assembly into place on the truck. Push the assembly in until is seats completely.

Install the two retaining screws, and tighten them with a Phillips screwdriver. Do not tighten the screws so much that they thread into plastic, which could crack the housing. Close the tailgate.