2024 GMC 2500 AT4 Smoked Side marker lights

[dbart]

I'm looking to do the smoked side marker lights and just curious if anyone has done this recently. the fronts seem pretty straight forward. Remove inner fender liner and loosen up the marker and it comes out the front, plug and play.
For the rears, all I'm seeing is you have to remove the fender trim piece??? Why not remove the inner fender liner like on the front???
Those trim pieces are a PITA...and the clips always break, plus there is a possibility of damaging the paint???

 

[zilla68]

i'd bet theres a tinted piece of wrap you can buy to put on them and not have to remove

 

[kazuaki]

I'm looking to do the smoked side marker lights and just curious if anyone has done this recently. the fronts seem pretty straight forward. Remove inner fender liner and loosen up the marker and it comes out the front, plug and play.
For the rears, all I'm seeing is you have to remove the fender trim piece??? Why not remove the inner fender liner like on the front???
Those trim pieces are a PITA...and the clips always break, plus there is a possibility of damaging the paint???
View attachment 139396

I just did this on my 2025 Sierra 2500HD. You've probably seen the install videos out there. The front is pretty easy. The rear you definitely do have to remove the fender trim. It is a bit difficult and scary how hard you have to pull on it and you will absolutely break several clips. Have the new clips on hand before you start the job. The reason you have to remove the rear trim is that the wiring actually runs from the back of the light along the back side of the trim (between the metal fender and plastic trim) and then goes into the fender near the rear-bottom end of the wheel well. It's odd that the made that so difficult. They do look much better though. Which lights are you going with?

Here's the replacement clips I ordered ahead of time. They fit perfectly.

Amazon.com

 

[dbart]

@kazuaki I am looking at the Diode Dynamics one. The light is full length and the smoke hides the led pretty well when not lit up.
The Boost ones have a definite look that the LED is only in the center and you can visually see it when not even on.
Recon is an option too.
Which ones did you go with?
1st image is Didoe Dynamics
2nd is Boost Auto
3rd is Recon

 

[dbart]

@kazuaki thanks for that link...I just ordered the clips.

 

[TheSPAINishLover]

I believe that’s illegal in Commiefornia.

*files anonymous complaint to have yore plate flagged*

 

[kazuaki]

@kazuaki I am looking at the Diode Dynamics one. The light is full length and the smoke hides the led pretty well when not lit up.
The Boost ones have a definite look that the LED is only in the center and you can visually see it when not even on.
Recon is an option too.
Which ones did you go with?
1st image is Didoe Dynamics
2nd is Boost Auto
3rd is ReconView attachment 139402View attachment 139403View attachment 139404

I originally got the Diode Dynamics ones. As soon as I opened them, I realized they have their brand name in the lens, pretty obvious. I didn't like that at all. they accepted my return, no issues. I ended up getting the Recon ones and I like them. The set I got from Recon had some small fitment issue that I was able to correct myself and they look perfect. I'm not sure if I just got an odd set, or if all of the Recon's are like that. You also have a 2024 and mine is a 2025, maybe something changed from GM. Shoot me a DM if you want to get into the details of the issue. Now that they are installed, they look great and the LED goes the entire length of the light, just like the Diode Dynamics ones.

 

[dbart]

@kazuaki I actually may look into getting them wrapped. It will keep the GMC Logo if I do it that way.
Plus there is one AT4 on my front grill that I don't have a black replacement for and may see about getting that done as well..
Gonna swing my Mike's Tint Shop in Orange today and get a quote.
If it ends up being the same price, I'll probably go with the Diode Dynamics. Talking with my brother who's tried a few things from Recon and has had return most of it for fitment reasons!
Not a fan

 

[kazuaki]

@kazuaki I actually may look into getting them wrapped. It will keep the GMC Logo if I do it that way.
Plus there is one AT4 on my front grill that I don't have a black replacement for and may see about getting that done as well..
Gonna swing my Mike's Tint Shop in Orange today and get a quote.
If it ends up being the same price, I'll probably go with the Diode Dynamics. Talking with my brother who's tried a few things from Recon and has had return most of it for fitment reasons!
Not a fan

Yeah, from what I recall, the fitment on the Diode Dynamics was fine. I just didn't like the big brand name on them. There's lots of very inexpensive options on Amazon that look fine, but I was afraid they may not last, especially considering the install takes some time.

 

[dbart]

$300 to do Smoked vinyl.
$240 for Diode Dyanamics plus my install time for me probably minimum of 8 hours + 12 pack at least, tons of cuss words, scraped knuckles....but could be a cool project. LOL
I had a thought...I wonder if a heat gun to warm up the fender flares would make it easier. More pliable to take off?

 

[kazuaki]

$300 to do Smoked vinyl.
$240 for Diode Dyanamics plus my install time for me probably minimum of 8 hours + 12 pack at least, tons of cuss words, scraped knuckles....but could be a cool project. LOL
I had a thought...I wonder if a heat gun to warm up the fender flares would make it easier. More pliable to take off?

Not 8 hours . I think pliable would be a bad thing, as you might crease them. What worked best for me is hard and fast pulls, to try and just break the clips, versus bending stuff slowly. Wish you were in my neck of the woods, we could get it knocked out in 2 hours.

 

[zilla68]

$300 to do Smoked vinyl.
$240 for Diode Dyanamics plus my install time for me probably minimum of 8 hours + 12 pack at least, tons of cuss words, scraped knuckles....but could be a cool project. LOL
I had a thought...I wonder if a heat gun to warm up the fender flares would make it easier. More pliable to take off?

300.00?

GMC Sierra 2500HD, 3500HD (2020+ ) Side Fender Marker Covers

Looking to tint the side markers on your GMC Sierra 2500HD, 3500HD (2020+ )? Lamin-x side marker Tint is custom cut to match the shape of your GMC side markers. Available in 5 colors and made in the USA.

lamin-x.com