Replacing windshield side seals/removing alley light 2014 PIU

[Inter-scepter]

I tried searching the forum for an answer to this but nothing came up, so I will ask the question in a new thread. Apologies if it is redundant. I've got a '14 PIU, the rubber on the windshield side seals is cracked so I'm going to replace them. The new seals (and the plastic trim strips on top of them) don't have a hole in the driver's side parts for the alley light on the truck, so I want to go ahead and remove that in conjunction with replacing the trim. Trying to find out the best way to do that. There are multiple screws on the rod between the handle and light and I don't know which ones to remove first. Any help is appreciated.

 

[DePolicify]

You may find this video helpful

 

[Inter-scepter]

Hey, thanks for the reply. That video was actually the closest result I got when I googled this question. Sadly, in the video the spotlight hardware was already removed and it just shows him removing the mount. Guess I'll just start removing screws from the light swivel until something happens. But thanks again for the response .

 

[peterk9]

Once removed, just plug the hole and get new interior and exterior trim pieces. Make sure that the exterior trim piece comes with the plastic clips to hold it in place. Not sure if this thread would help regarding the exterior trim moulding. Explorer 'A' pillar replacement
According to this install video, there doesn't seem to be much to removing it. Best/cheapest option regarding spotlight

Peter

 

[Inter-scepter]

Hey again. So I did what I said, I removed the end caps from the ends of the light rod (disconnected the battery since the light's circuit is hot) and removed every set screw I saw, all Phillips or Allen heads. First, I was able to remove the handle assembly from the inside, then, once ALL the screws were removed, I twisted/pulled the rod out from the outside. Then, a simple matter to unscrew the mounting base. The hole in the windshield trim was no problem since the reason for this project was that I wanted to replace both sides as the rubber weatherstripping was cracked all to hell. The hole in the interior trim is temporarily resolved with a piece of black duck tape. Also I need to trace down and remove the power wire at some point - I just have the end taped off for now.

 

[Carbon Gray ST]

Hey again. So I did what I said, I removed the end caps from the ends of the light rod (disconnected the battery since the light's circuit is hot) and removed every set screw I saw, all Phillips or Allen heads. First, I was able to remove the handle assembly from the inside, then, once ALL the screws were removed, I twisted/pulled the rod out from the outside. Then, a simple matter to unscrew the mounting base. The hole in the windshield trim was no problem since the reason for this project was that I wanted to replace both sides as the rubber weatherstripping was cracked all to hell. The hole in the interior trim is temporarily resolved with a piece of black duck tape. Also I need to trace down and remove the power wire at some point - I just have the end taped off for now.

I would recommend capping the power wire and leaving it in place. Super handy spot to grab 12v constant if you ever decide to hardwire in a dash cam, radar detector or something similar in the future.