Decklid panel fitment

[WD Pro]

I'm positive. This is how I aligned my taillights to the decklid panel. You will most likely find that these are turned all the way in. So to move the taillights out you will need to turn adjustment screws counterclockwise after you loosen the three taillight mounting nuts.

This is great info, thank you

@Tinpot

WD

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[2023EGM1]

Awesome knowledge we have here, I’ll try this today!

 

[NJ3]

Ok I just went out and tried this. You weren't lying, they are indeed adjustable. The fitment isnt perfect, but its much, much better. Thank you so much!

It's a Mustang, panel fit will never be perfect.

 

[Pistol_91]

I have an aftermarket decklid and it fits like shit too. I will try this. Good thread

 

[Crew4991]

The taillights have 3 adjustment screws similar to headlight adjustment screws. You will need to remove the 4 threaded plastic net attachments, two on each side, and remove the trunk trim panel. Then loosen the taillight mounting nuts a bit. Then loosen the adjustment screws, I think they are a 4.5 mm, to move the taillights out to match the decklid.

I tried to adjust my decklid first and made things worse.
(There is a third mounting screw with an adjustment screw for each taillight against the quarter panel on each side. They should be loosened and adjusted to prevent damage to the taillight assembly.)

Don't pay attention to the dirt.

Hey @AZ_Ryan hope you are well.
You can adjust this. I've changed out my decklid panel on my GT/CS to one of the newer styled GT/CS decklid panels. Now, removing the panel from the car to change it out is frustrating in my opinion, but you aren't doing that... just aligning it so I would say half the job. When I installed the one I wanted I actually had to go back and adjust it myself as I didn't align it properly - it looked similar to your photos. It is pretty easy to align.
You are right though, the stock one on my 2016 was even from the factory. Seems like someone on the assembly line may have been a bit careless putting yours on. Basically there are 4 holes on the inside of the trunk and 4 tabs in the top of the decklid with clips on them. You would need to remove a lot of plastic tabs and the inside lining of the trunk to scoot it over a bit but that is the extent of your job. This is totally manageable to align the decklid yourself. Use some force to scoot the panel over a bit. Luckily you aren't removing the panel entirely which can be stressful since the clips that go into the holes are a royal pain in the butt to get out.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Hey @AZ_Ryan hope you are well.
You can adjust this. I've changed out my decklid panel on my GT/CS to one of the newer styled GT/CS decklid panels. Now, removing the panel from the car to change it out is frustrating in my opinion, but you aren't doing that... just aligning it so I would say half the job. When I installed the one I wanted I actually had to go back and adjust it myself as I didn't align it properly - it looked similar to your photos. It is pretty easy to align.
You are right though, the stock one on my 2016 was even from the factory. Seems like someone on the assembly line may have been a bit careless putting yours on. Basically there are 4 holes on the inside of the trunk and 4 tabs in the top of the decklid with clips on them. You would need to remove a lot of plastic tabs and the inside lining of the trunk to scoot it over a bit but that is the extent of your job. This is totally manageable to align the decklid yourself. Use some force to scoot the panel over a bit. Luckily you aren't removing the panel entirely which can be stressful since the clips that go into the holes are a royal pain in the butt to get out.

You're a little late with the comment. Read up.

 

[Crew4991]

You're a little late with the comment. Read up.

lol I see now you already did it...
I don't have time to read through all the comments!!
I try to be helpful and answer the first question, then move on.

 

[2023EGM1]

It worked perfectly, I also removed the ugly “cloth spacer” that was showing itself below the lights. A lot better now, I have to fix the doors fitment now…

 

[tomservo92]

Great info! Thanks for posting it.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

It worked perfectly, I also removed the ugly “cloth spacer” that was showing itself below the lights. A lot better now, I have to fix the doors fitment now…

Is there an adjustment for the door fitment...?

 

[2023EGM1]

Is there an adjustment for the door fitment...?

Yes, I don’t remember where, but I believe it’s not easy.

 

[NJ3]

Is there an adjustment for the door fitment...?

There is, I've not attempted it myself.

 

[DRKHORS]

Learned something new today! Just FYI the nuts for the taillights are 10mm, and you can use a 4mm socket to make adjustments to the studs once the nuts are loosened off.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Learned something new today! Just FYI the nuts for the taillights are 10mm, and you can use a 4mm socket to make adjustments to the studs once the nuts are loosened off.

And one of my adjustment screws was really tight initially. Since they seem to be tightened all the way in from the factory, you may need to put a socket on them with a little force to get them to break lose before you back them out. Just make sure you are going COUNTER CLOCKWISE. Other wise you might break the housing if you go the wrong way.

 

[First Stang]

Wow. I have the same problem!. Here I was thinking It was a design flaw and not worth stressing over. Someone at the factory just didn’t want to be bothered I guess and went full screw in. Thanks for the thread. I will definitely add to the to do list.

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