How To: Remove Tail Lamp Assembly 2004 Tundra Stepside

[42GAMI]

HOW TO: REMOVE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY 2004 TOYOTA TUNDRA STEPSIDE.

TOOLS: 10mm combo wrench, 10mm deep socket w/extension, small standard (flathead) screwdriver, and beer.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: 1-2 BEERS






1. Lower tail gate and remove the 2 service hole covers.





2. Loosen the 10mm nut located in the sill of the tailgate 1st, avoid removing all the way. If you do, that’s ok.





3. Loosen and remove the 10mm nut located in the rear bed quarter panel. (I have found that the stud sticks out so far that the average deep socket may not attain enough leverage to loosen the 10mm nut. In this case, I just climb under the truck and use a 10mm combo wrench and a little bit of elbow grease.





4. Climb under the truck and gently pry the tail lamp assembly, between and near the front retainer pins. Only about a ¼ - ½ inch of pry need be applied to “pop” the assembly off the retainer pins. Do not attempt or try to push tail lamp assembly all the way out.





5. Top side, remove ratchet from extension and seat the 10mm deep socket w/extension assembly on the previously loosened nut located in the tail gate sill.



Pad your tail lamp assembly with the torso of your body, so it doesn’t fall out.



Proceed to apply lateral force to the socket extension, or a few light raps with an open hand on the ratchet end of the extension.



6. Once the rear of the tail lamp has “popped” from the truck’s body, remove the 10mm nut from the stud. Don’t worry if the nut falls into the body sill, it will drop all the way to the ground.



7. Pull tail lamp assembly back from the body and remove the 3 lamp lighting sockets, keyed twist type.





8. Consume beer.





A few more pictures can be found in my TS gallery:

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photo...at/1292/page/1

Basic reverse order to replace tail lamp assembly. Consume another beer, optional.

Disclaimer: 2004 Toyota Tundra Stepside, may apply to other Tundra Step side models. Information provided is at the sole responsibility of user. The names Toyota and Tundra are exclusive trade marks, etc, of their respective manufacturers.