Broken Tail Light Replacement

If you look at the photo below you will see a piece of the clear plastic broken out and the inside is covered in dust. I can see no way to get it out. All I need to replace is the broken plastic, not the entire light assembly. Is this possible and how in the world do you get it out?

 

You could bake it? Not sure if they are the same as headlights

 

So, I guess replacing the tail light glass is not possible???

 

I dont believe the glass is replaceable. Nor would the baking method work like headlights.

I believe guys doing retrofit tailights are cutting the lens off the housing and then re-gluing it back when completed.

 

I had to replace the tail light on mine. They are pretty cheap out there, you can probably find one from someone who has upgraded to different tail lights. Very easy to swap out, took me only about 15 minutes.

 

^This.

The housing is held in with a couple (maybe 3) screws accessed when from the inside when the tailgate is dropped.

Sometimes they can be rusted in depending on the age and location of the truck.

When you get the screws out, there are a couple of clips that hold it in. Be careful not to snap them.

Look in the classified section here or online. I bought a used one through Amazon for fairly cheap $$ for my ‘07.

 

I thought someone left me an Amazon link that I looked at and could not find what I want, but don’t see the link anymore. When I saw “bake it” I thought of chocolate chip cookies. I bake them at least once a week, but baking headlights? Makes no sense to me.

The light works, it just collects tons of dust from that little crack. Replacing it would be nice, but maybe some duct tape would work to keep the dust out. Duct tape on a Tacoma? Ugh.

 

If you are really trying to save a buck pull the light off and take the old style bulbs out, rinse lightly with water to get the dust/dirt out, then use a blow dryer to get it dry inside. Then clear tape (packing type) over that missing lens. Make sure it is dry so you don't get a lot of condensation inside and blow the LED lights. Worth a try if so inclined. Much easier to replace the assembly.

 

You will have too replace the whole unit.

 

I think you could probably find a whole unit it great condition for something like $40. Not worth trying to fix it

 

I broke the cover on my rear tail light and was hoping to easily replace it myself. Having to replace the entire unit is way out of comfort zone Great thread. Thanks for all the info.

 

It's one of the easiest repairs you can do on the truck. If you can turn a screw driver, you can replace it. I bet there are youtube videos on how to do it.

 

@Revelations Thanks! I may give it a try

 

Good video to watch.

 

Fantastic. Tail light has been ordered. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Got the notification of a new reply to this thread and imagine my surprise to see that I started this thread 5 years ago. I’ve never really done anything with the tail light as it’s really no big deal, but that video was extremely helpful. Silly easy.

I do wonder if there is a backup light bulb that can be installed to replace the factory one that actually lights up the area behind the truck when backing into my dark driveway at night. The factory ones are worthless.

 

You could install a light bar or some aftermarket LED foglights with a spdt relay. Tap one of the reverse light wires for the trigger.

 

https://www.vleds.com/shop-application/reverse-back-up/921-led.html

I put in the 6 LED version... really bright!

 

Those look really interesting. Those are a direct plugin replacement? Have they caused you any problems? How long have you had them?