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Interior & ExteriorDiscussions about the interior, and exterior of your vehicle.
This is a discussion thread titled "Tail-Light Swap", within the Interior & Exterior forum, part of the Technical & Vehicle Assistance Forums category.
Couple of years ago, I had a 96 Firebird...wanted to do a fairly simple modification, (or so I thought) in replacing the 96 taillights with the '98 version.
Wondering how the fit would transfer from my 2003 to a pair of the 2004's.
If anybody has attempted this, or lives in Denver, and wouldn't be opposed to meeting up with me, to take off your tail-light for a little while, sweet.
__________________ Lisa = 2003 Access-Cab Tundra SR5
C/R/C Tails, Clear Corners, Westin Black Ultimate Bull Bar, Toyota of Dallas Grille, PIAA 510 Ion Yellow Fogs, Putco LED Third Brake Light, Luverne Black Nerf Bars, Bilstein 5100's, Wheeler's AAL's, 285x75R16's on A.R. Trench wheels.
Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall.
Torque is how far you push the wall.
-Unknown
2005 Sienna LE 8 PAX, White, Full Curtain airbags, Tow prep package, VSC, Rear Disk brakes, rear audio, aftermarket entertainment center(will be bought soon)
I'm a proud Toyota Bigot!!!
Midwesterners checkout the midwest forum!Click here
Couple of years ago, I had a 96 Firebird...wanted to do a fairly simple modification, (or so I thought) in replacing the 96 taillights with the '98 version.
Wondering how the fit would transfer from my 2003 to a pair of the 2004's.
If anybody has attempted this, or lives in Denver, and wouldn't be opposed to meeting up with me, to take off your tail-light for a little while, sweet.
Hmm, are you referring to the newer style lights you'd see on the '05 Tundras (regular and access cab)? Or are you referring to the tail lights you'd see on an '04 Double-Cab?
Here is a set of '05 tail lights on a 2003 Tundra:
(click to enlarge)
And an angle shot (2001 Tundra):
There was no modification to be done!
Now see what an '04 D-Cab Tundra's tail lights look like:
You can see the difference, right? The Double-Cab tail lights would not fit flush if installed in the '03 Access-Cab Tundra's recess. You would have to cut up the back of your truck a little if you were trying to fit the '04 D-Cab lights into your '03 recess. However, you would be GOOD TO GO if you simply swapped out for a set of '05 tail lights.
If you have any other questions, just ask!
__________________
-Austin
2003 Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD Sport
You can see the difference, right? The Double-Cab tail lights would not fit flush if installed in the '03 Access-Cab Tundra's recess. You would have to cut up the back of your truck a little if you were trying to fit the '04 D-Cab lights into your '03 recess. However, you would be GOOD TO GO if you simply swapped out for a set of '05 tail lights.
If you have any other questions, just ask!
Appreciate it, I didn't even know that there was a design change between the '04 DC and the '05 AC.
That is why I joined this forum, to have questions answered, so from a very new member, thanks to everybody for making this forum so great.
__________________ Lisa = 2003 Access-Cab Tundra SR5
C/R/C Tails, Clear Corners, Westin Black Ultimate Bull Bar, Toyota of Dallas Grille, PIAA 510 Ion Yellow Fogs, Putco LED Third Brake Light, Luverne Black Nerf Bars, Bilstein 5100's, Wheeler's AAL's, 285x75R16's on A.R. Trench wheels.
Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall.
Torque is how far you push the wall.
-Unknown
The light bulbs and sockets are different. I grabbed a pair of housings on ebay for $90 that did not include the harnesses. I figured, no problem... cut and solder the harness to move the backup light to the top, it'll work.
Nope.
The backup light was the ONLY socket that fit the new housings.
I checked with Steve and a couple of dealers and they could not get the harnesses separately... only as a complete kit with the housings. I thought I was screwed, but the lady that sells them on ebay was able to get me the harnesses alone (with bulbs) for $10 each.
The bulbs are still pretty rare at auto parts stores.
__________________ 2003 SR5 TRD V8
Better Built toolbox / Limited leather / Power outlet mod / Maplight mod / Horn mod / Wheelskins leather wheel wrap / RS3200 Plus / Rebadged w/TRD / Bully Nerf bars / '05 OEM Taillights / Clear corners / Tint / Factory Woodgrain kit / Gentex EC Mirror / Gaylord's Toolbox-Lid / MB Overdrives with Revos / Muthco Signal Mirrors / Sport Grille / TRD Dual Exhaust / Camry Nav System
I got a pair of 05 taillights off of ebay for 160 and I am sure you can still find some. They come with all the wiring so its basically unplug the old and plug the new in. Its a pretty simple and quick mod! I love these lights!!
__________________
2002 Toyota Tundra TRD Off-Road Package
Mods: TRD Dual Exhaust, Clear Corners, Aluminum Skid Plate, 2005 Taillights, 2005 Center Console Mod, 10" Subwoofer in Rear Seat Console, blitzsafe iPod interface, Map Light mod, 1" Daystar Lift, Force Stainless Side Steps, Pirelli Scorpion ATR's on 17's, Fog Light Mod Parts 1 & 2C...hopefully more to come
Couple of years ago, I had a 96 Firebird...wanted to do a fairly simple modification, (or so I thought) in replacing the 96 taillights with the '98 version.
Wondering how the fit would transfer from my 2003 to a pair of the 2004's.
If anybody has attempted this, or lives in Denver, and wouldn't be opposed to meeting up with me, to take off your tail-light for a little while, sweet.
Instead of swapping '05 AC taillights for your '03s, you could also do as I did for my '03 and use aftermarket taillights. I bought a set of Clear/Red/Clear lights (same as stock except the turn signal lens is clear) and installed Sylvania Silverstar Signal bulbs to avoid the egg-yolk color inside the turn signals.
General view of the back of my truck:
Close up of the turn signal:
Right now I think I'm the only guy in Colorado with taillights like this on a Tundra.
__________________ Ray
Natural White '03 Access Cab V8 SR5 4X4 with TRD Off Road Suspension, Limited Slip Differential, and Towing Package
Towing & Performance Mods: JBA Headers, Gibson Muffler, 4.30 gears, Michelin LTX M/S Tires, Hellwig Anti-Roll bar, Prodigy Trailer Brake Controller, Autometer Z-Series Transmission Temperature Gauge, Magnefine Transmission Filter
Utility & Misc Mods: Genuine Toyota OEM Step (Nerf) bars, Peragon Tonneau Cover, TracRac Rack and Rail System, Muth Signal Mirrors, Pop&Lock tailgate lock, TruSpeed speedometer calibrator, "$20" RS-3200 Upgrade, Auto-Dimming mirror w/ Temp and Compass, Clear/Red/Clear Taillights with Silverstar Signal bulbs, 3M Clear Bra
Instead of swapping '05 AC taillights for your '03s, you could also do as I did for my '03 and use aftermarket taillights. I bought a set of Clear/Red/Clear lights (same as stock except the turn signal lens is clear) and installed Sylvania Silverstar Signal bulbs to avoid the egg-yolk color inside the turn signals.
Right now I think I'm the only guy in Colorado with taillights like this on a Tundra.
I did the C/R/C and new bulbs, as well, and like it. I also had the black plastic surrounds on the lenses painted with OEM Red Pearl to keep with my color-keyed theme. There is a pic in my gallery of the setup. Just another option for folks.
Edit - said pic (click to enlarge):
__________________ John ..Sí, Dorothy, there is no place like home..!
The Toy: 2000 Tundra 4.7L TRD Limited 4x4 Red Pearl (22k Original Miles)
Interior:TRD Luxury Sport Leather|TRD Mats,Seat Belt Pads|2003 Console|Gentex Temp Mirror|Stratos Sunroof|15% window tint|Back Seat & Map Light mods|"Tundra" logo sill protectors|Alpine IVA W205|JL components|Fosgate Amps| Q-logic|Blackbird Nav|
Exterior:TRD Ivan Stewart Conversion|TRD IS 16" wheels|265x75 Toyo AT's|ARE LSII Tonneau|WeatherTech visors|Debadged|Muth Signal Mirrors|Color keyed Mirror Housings,Tailgate handle|Clear Corners front|C-Red-C Tails with color keyed surrounds|Bedrug|Fire Extinguisher|Toyota Emergency Road Kit|Ground Effects Step Bars|TRD Windshield Graphics,gas cap,license plate bolts|18" Powdercoat Antenna|PIAA lighting upgrade|Paint maintained w/ Klasse Products|
Engine/Driveline:TRD LSD|Red powdercoat Hellwig Sway Bar w/Poly bushings|TRD Red/Blue Bilsteins|TRD Red powdercoat Coils|2" Cornfed Spacer in Red powdercoat|Red powdercoat front Sway bar |Red PVC SS brakelines|Red Calipers|Frozen Cyro Slotted Rotors w/ceramic pads|Powdercoat Skid Plate w/SS hardware|TRD Headers (polished)|TRD oil-radiator caps|AEM Intake|Optima Red Top Battery|Complete changeover to Red SVH for all hoses|SS Metric bolts|Colorkeyed Brackets in engine bay|Gloss Black undercarriage complete| SS custom dual exhaust| PPD TB cover and Fuse cover|Blaster Horns|
The light bulbs and sockets are different. I grabbed a pair of housings on ebay for $90 that did not include the harnesses. I figured, no problem... cut and solder the harness to move the backup light to the top, it'll work.
Nope.
The backup light was the ONLY socket that fit the new housings.
I checked with Steve and a couple of dealers and they could not get the harnesses separately... only as a complete kit with the housings. I thought I was screwed, but the lady that sells them on ebay was able to get me the harnesses alone (with bulbs) for $10 each.
The bulbs are still pretty rare at auto parts stores.
who sold you the harness on ebay? I ran into the same problem as you so I need ot purchase the harness as well... let me know
__________________
00' Tundra 4.7 SR5 AC. TRD ivan stewart front bumper cover, mirrors, fender flares, eclipse avn navigation, snugtop lid w/ carpet, TRD skidplate, custom black headlights.
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Tail-Light Swap
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