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XC90 LED Tail Light Upgrade

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60K views 42 replies 22 participants last post by  Volpak92  
#1 ·
Hey all, I've been around for quite some time with my V70R but have now picked up a 05' XC90 V8 and I am loving it! Originally it was for my kids but after commuting with it to work for a couple weeks its growing harder and harder to relinquish the keys. So much fun that I've already started to mod it. I'll post those in a different thread. This one is for the LED tail light upgrade.

I know there are tones of threads out there spread out over many different forums including this one but none have pictures of the resisters or any other parts of the install, only before and after pictures. Well here it goes; so you have a older 1st gen or 2nd gen XC90 and you want that late model look with those seriously cool LED tail lights.

Items needed:

Volvo OEM LED Tail lights (cost between $160-$250 each depending on seller)
31335506
31335507

Volvo OEM 2007 uppers (cost between $40-110 each depending on seller)
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30698141

2x 50 Watt 6 Ohm Resistors (increase resistance to eliminate Brake light code)
(Optional) 2x 25 Watt 30 Ohm Resistors (increase resistance to eliminate Parking light code; not all people will have this code pop up)

The installation is pretty simple. The 50 Watt 6 Ohm resistors attach between the Yellow brake wire and the Black negative wire on the inside part of the rubber grommet. This is the part that confused the crud out of me in all the forum threads because there are no pictures of this connection.

Changes:

The rear fog light will change from the primary tail assembly to the lower old marker lights. This is done in the LED tail light wiring and the only thing you will have to do is trim a tab off the lower marker light plug.

Here is the comparison between the new LED on the left and old pre 07' on the right.



With the parking lights on:



Once you take off the interior panel exposing the back side of the tail light and wiring you will have 2x 10mm nuts to take off:



Tail light pulled straight out and set to the side:



The lower trim piece between the tail light and bumper pulled straight out:



Both the Upper and Lower tail lights removed. Yuck over 12 years of dirt and grime.



All wiped down and cleaned up:



If you choose to use your pre 07' uppers there is a tab you must remove. (I bought newer uppers off eBay for $80 for both so I didn't have to do this.) So this picture is only if you want to save money and use your old uppers.



Here is a picture of the tail light wiring to indicate where the rubber grommet is and where to put the resistor.



These are the Yellow and Black wires you will have to tap:



The 50W6O resistor installed:



All sealed up:



The old lower parking lights will now be fog lights so to attach them to the new tails a tab must be removed:



Here is the tab removed:



The lower new rear fog connected and harness ran into the truck:



In put on some 3m Double sided tape on the resistor to attach it to the inside body. Place it away from any plastic as they will get hot.



Here is the resistor attached:



LED tails installed and complete:



Parking lights on:



Brake lights on:



Lower Fog lights on:



Sweet pic of my Prancing Moose!

 
#4 ·
That's a separate part from the tail lamp. In fact, you don't even have to touch it to change the lights! So yes, you can keep them.

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#6 ·
Not to hijack the thread but what is up with the exhaust??? That thing needs some major adjustment, thsoe pipes should not sit like they do.
 
#7 · (Edited)
Just noticed that too! Needs a shorter hanger on the outside. That or the pipes were welded crooked.

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#8 ·
This is a great post! To the sticky!!!!!
 
#10 ·
I thought the pictures on the website looked wrong to me the center pipes from the rear axle forward need to be cut and re-welded. Should be an easy fix I guess. How does it sound???

Image

Image


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#11 ·
I thought the pictures on the website looked wrong to me the center pipes from the rear axle forward need to be cut and re-welded. Should be an easy fix I guess. How does it sound???

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Yup those are the ones. It thought the angle was a bit off from the pictures but it was more than just off on the truck. Oh well, just one more thing the shop can fix.

As far as sound they sound awesome! My wife says it sounds like a stock Ferrari now or BMW M7. There is a little drone when the 3rd row us up. I plan on putting some Dynomat down in hopes to negate that issue. Other than the minor drone and the fact I have to have them rotated a little I'm very satisfied.

If I weren't a car guy I would be pissed though..... Have to look at it from both sides I guess right?
 
#14 ·
I will have to say this sounds absolutely perfect to me! I wouldnt want it any louder!
 
#16 ·
Has anyone tried these? Thanks

Home > XC90 Accessories > 2003-2014 XC90 > Exterior > Upgrade to LED Tail Lights XC90 2003-2014

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Upgrade to LED Tail Lights XC90 2003-2014
Upgrade to LED Tail Lights XC90 2003-2014
Your Price: $495.33
Retail Price:$695.22
You Save:$199.89(29%)
Description
Upgrade your tail lights to the LED style tail lamps that came out 2012.If your XC90 is a 2003-2012 model you can upgrade to the later lights.

Kit includes all necessary parts and instructions.
Part Number:XC90-LED
Choose Options

options
options 2007-2014 xc90 (upper lamps no need to change) 2003-2006 (includes upper lights) [+$217.95]
 
#17 ·
Hmmmm super tempting!
 
#19 ·
#20 ·
Hi , many thanks for these good pictures and all informations.
I just want to add some details , I have an XC90 2004 (2.5t) , and I want to keep the uppers , but it's very difficult. I have to cut many pieces (on the back down), to file a lot the down of the upper. I advise it's better to buy the 2007 part.
 
#22 ·
#23 ·
Hi, the black is Ground, is it necessary to tap into the black wire, or would grounding on the car work the same? One of the Green wires should be used for the Park Bulb Error.
 
#27 ·
The only problem I see with this setup is any time you have to change your tail light assembly due to damage, etc you'd have to duplicate this work.

Wouldn't it make sense to add the resistor to the body side of the wiring harness, not the assembly side?
 
#28 ·
The only problem I see with this setup is any time you have to change your tail light assembly due to damage, etc you'd have to duplicate this work.

Wouldn't it make sense to add the resistor to the body side of the wiring harness, not the assembly side?
I added the resistor to the wires on the inside of the trunk area, not the outside light side past the rubber grommet. Is that what you meant?

Then again, how often does one replace one's taillight assembly?
 
#30 ·
Thanks for the pictures and details …Hi I have a 2011 volvo xc90 R Design. I want to replace with the rear tail lights with led lights. Will they fit without any new wiring or adjusting needed will it just fit right in no problem or is there some other parts I need to order? Please respond ASAP greatly appreciated as I want to know this information before I order the parts. Travis VOLVO LoVer
 
#32 ·
Excellent updated write up. But Can someone explain to me how he was able to slip the shrink tube over the crimp connector ? What am I missing ?
Image

Image
 
#33 ·
If you look closely, it was only crimped on one end when the photo was taken.

(Hmm... if the thin wires were not cut it's still a mystery...)

(Hmm again... If they're not cut, how did the crimp connectors get on? So they must have been cut.)
 
#34 ·
Please

1st
Bear in mind if you are trying to do this MOD on 2003-2006 year car.
You must use 50w-100w 6Ohm or 50w-100w 8Ohm rezistor. If 10Ohm rezistor is used, it will give a warning to check brake lights if the car is not running ( as voltage is lower when the car is not on ).
2nd
It is NOT possible to use the old style uppers with the led tail-lights.
They are slightly different dimensions! You will have to cut off approx 0,8-1cm off from the reflector itself to fit correctly. So 2007+ uppers must be used!

For 2007+ you will be required to use 2nd resistor. for each tail light as per running light warning.
 
#38 ·
Hope I get a response, I wired in the 2nd resistor for the position lamps and no luck. Message is still on the dash, bulb failure position light. Any ideas?
 
#37 ·
I hope I get a response on this. I used the second resistor and still have a bulb failure position lamp message unfortunately.