Jason Torchinsky discusses the weird rear tail light delete on the GDJ 70 Series wagon.
As an owner of a GRJ 76 wagon in Japan, I know why this was done.
The regulations regarding the rear tail lights and indicators in Japan changed such that the indicators and the rear lights and backup all have to be down at the bumper level. However, the rear body metal stamping die was not changed by Toyota so they use that cheap piece of plastic to cover up the hole.
For my GRJ 76, it has the indicators and brake lights at the bumper level but the backup lights are at the rear side. That's no longer allowed hence the change.
There are aftermarket kits sold in Japan that enable the usage of BOTH the bumper level indicators AND the rear side indicators (with LEDs there isn't a power concern) and I bought one but I have to pass govt. inspections annually and I haven't installed those aftermarket looms as I'd probably have to change those out at each inspection time.
One last thing- the GRJ76 came with a 2 color rear lens (red/white) but those who want the OG look change that out for the 3 color (red/orange/white) old school lens. I have an old set that I want to add in but haven't done that mod yet as well.
As an owner of a GRJ 76 wagon in Japan, I know why this was done.
The regulations regarding the rear tail lights and indicators in Japan changed such that the indicators and the rear lights and backup all have to be down at the bumper level. However, the rear body metal stamping die was not changed by Toyota so they use that cheap piece of plastic to cover up the hole.
For my GRJ 76, it has the indicators and brake lights at the bumper level but the backup lights are at the rear side. That's no longer allowed hence the change.
There are aftermarket kits sold in Japan that enable the usage of BOTH the bumper level indicators AND the rear side indicators (with LEDs there isn't a power concern) and I bought one but I have to pass govt. inspections annually and I haven't installed those aftermarket looms as I'd probably have to change those out at each inspection time.
One last thing- the GRJ76 came with a 2 color rear lens (red/white) but those who want the OG look change that out for the 3 color (red/orange/white) old school lens. I have an old set that I want to add in but haven't done that mod yet as well.
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