Is this the right OEM Mopar Part replacement for Issue on Driver s Taillight Gen3

[RedDogOhio]

Surprised to see any availability, but is this the correct part / part number to replace this Driver's Side / Left Tail Light on an '03 Gen III?

https://store.mopar.com/oem-parts/mo...left-4865487aj

See attached pic of my current issue. Just want to make sure this is the right swap to make.

ALTERNATE : Don't suppose there is another or better fix, correct, as the lens / light is flawless sans this seal issue?

Thanks in advance everyone and to a great balance of the weekend.

Condensation Image.jpg

[Old School]

From the 03 parts book, but they probably supersede to your number.

04865486AC 1 Up to 01/27/03, Right
04865486AE 1 27 After 01/27/03, Right
04865487AC 1 Up to 01/27/03, Left
04865487AE 1 27 After 01/27/03, Left

I had a leaky tail light that I fixed by smearing black RTV on at the joint. That was a couple years and 40k miles ago, still dry.

[1Willy1]

From the 03 parts book, but they probably supersede to your number.

04865486AC 1 Up to 01/27/03, Right
04865486AE 1 27 After 01/27/03, Right
04865487AC 1 Up to 01/27/03, Left
04865487AE 1 27 After 01/27/03, Left

I had a leaky tail light that I fixed by smearing black RTV on at the joint. That was a couple years and 40k miles ago, still dry.

That's what I'm dealing with

Would you happen to know how to remove the tail lights?

I heard there is at least one bolt in the wheel well.is that true ?

[Old School]

I heard there is at least one bolt in the wheel well.is that true ?

3, all accessible through the trunk.

[jpmst3]

That's what I'm dealing with

Would you happen to know how to remove the tail lights?

I heard there is at least one bolt in the wheel well.is that true ?

Super easy - Gen 3:
Remove the two curved black plastic covers with the two star headed bolts (torx?), remove the three plastic nuts from the tail light studs, one under the cover, one inside the top of the fender/wheel well, one inside the trunk. Disconnect the plugs (or twist out the bulbs/plugs from each socket), slide the tail light housing out rearward.

You may be able to repair yours. It might be as simple as a failing rubber gasket around one of the bulb sockets. I would take the housing out, dry it out. Put a tiny smear of silicone around the outside where the halves meet. Then check each socket to make sure the seal is tight. It might be fine after that. If you buy aftermarket, there is a small chance of the replacement being a shade off and require both to replaced to match.
I doubt that is the case, but something to consider. If others have purchased these, they can verify the fit and finish of the aftermarket housings.

The reason I say this is, I just ordered "direct replacement" sealed LED fog-lights for my F-150 that were supposed to be "direct OEM replacements" and claimed to be OEM quality. They ended up being cheap Chinese junk that were half as bright.
I only ordered them because the OEM parts were on back order. I had to send those POS units back and wait.

[sonicbloo]

several vendors have new tail lights - save yourself a few bucks by shopping around, other sites have them at $256 but the cheapest I found is $244

https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...e-lh-4865487aj

[RedDogOhio]

Always appreciate this group and community coming through clutch...

As a (never enough details) soul, I also appreciate the multiple options and possible solutions from these few posts.

Did not grow up in a household via *working* on things, and truth be known, still confused by watching all these car / car building shows (...but can never get enough of them, right?), but sincerely love having this kind of in-house talent to share and describe the proverbial forest at least.

Glad this is something very minor and still in disbelief opening my garage each morning to realize this dream car is sitting there, after this first week since it arrived from Florida. (Note same dealer just sold a stunning ‘97 GTS on BaT for $105.0 K...which was the other Viper that happened to be sitting there that day).

Oh...Was excited to see Ohio chapter post it’s first social event in February. I do hope this is not one they expect the cars to be at too...LOL

Thanks VOA and members and have a great start to the work week!

[TheMadMachinist]

I have a set of tinted taillight lens from a GEN 4 coupe if anybody is interested.