3rd brake light replacement

I have the stock third brake light housing. About a week ago the lights in there are all out. I pulled the light out and none of them are burned. I am also looking to put an after market housing in but I have looked around to try to figure out how to get the old one out. I saw some having to take the headliner out some just prying it out. What is the best way to remove that whole thing?

 

If you can fit a small wrench up in the holes you won't have to completely remove the headliner. However you need to be really careful not to drop the nuts in there otherwise you'll be fishing them out, which will royally suck if you don't have a magnet. You'll need a 10mm deep socket for the nuts

 

is it the holes where the clips are in the back above the back glass?

 

Yes. You will need to partially remove the headliner (two push clips, dome light, and clothes hanger hooks to partially remove the top edges of rear trim) to get to the two bolts behind the 3rd brake assembly. That's if you have an ext cab. It's a real pain and you'll have to be careful not the drop the nuts, but less work than removing the entire headliner, obviously