License Plate Light Bulb Replacment - What Am I Missing

[Ming89FJ62]

Went out to try and replace the burnt out bulbs for the license plate lights in the upper tail gate and cannot see how to remove the plastic lens. Do I just pull (unlikely) or do I need to remove the camera and acceess that way?

Thanks

 

[lhommec13]

The bulb housing clips into place, so be very careful when removing so you don't snap the plastic part that keeps it in place. Use a flat headed screwdriver to GENTLY pry the clip back and pull the housing down simultaneously.

 

[TheForger]

IIRC when I replaced my license plate lights, that lens cover actually slides to one side or the other. After sliding it you can then pull it out.

 

[n55luvr]

You have to slide the lens cap to one side (can't remember which direction). Then the lens can be easily pried off.

 

[Porter]

Please take a pic or two in the process, I've had this on my list for eight years or so. I have no issues with doing 2-3 banana maintenance items, but when it comes to plastic snap in stuff, I usually break things. IH8plastic.


Thanks!

 

[Dwight S]

Look in your owners manual for a line drawing on how you are supposed to remove the lens. Not too difficult, but you will feel like you are going to break it. Use a plastic body trim tool to wedge between the lens and the metal to assist.

 

[n55luvr]

Other thing to keep an eye out for OP seeing that you are in IL, is rust. Very common for the underside of the rear lift gate to rust, especially around the lens openings. Might make your job slightly more difficult.

 

[92LXAZ]

I just did mine not long ago. Mine slid to the right. Here is a pic I have of the assembly to give you an idea.

 

[Ming89FJ62]

Thanks everyone - I'll take some photos this evening. I never though about checking the manual. I will go LED too.

 

[El Cid]

I just did mine not long ago. Mine slid to the right. Here is a pic I have of the assembly to give you an idea.

View attachment 1294098

I just did this recently. If you look closely at the photo, you will note that the catch piece that holds the bulb cover in place is a good distance in from the edge. The metal opening is very small.

So you will need to slide something very flat under the cover to get to it and go further than just the edge. The bulb cover extends out well past the opening in the metal, so that connector edge isn't at the edge of the cover. Don't force that, or it will break. Just find a good but small flat head screwdriver and slide it in a good distance so it isn't forced.

Did anyone use LEDs on this? Do you remember which LED bulb that is?

 

[TheForger]

Did anyone use LEDs on this? Do you remember which LED bulb that is?

This was one of the very first mods I did to my truck years ago but I believe I purchased the 194 LED Bulb - Mini Wedge from SuperBrightLED. Pretty sure it was the 4100K color

 

[92LXAZ]

Did anyone use LEDs on this? Do you remember which LED bulb that is?

This was one of the very first mods I did to my truck years ago but I believe I purchased the 194 LED Bulb - Mini Wedge from SuperBrightLED. Pretty sure it was the 4100K color

Yep those are the ones I used as well. I just used their vehicle guide and it brought me to those.

 

[El Cid]

Thanks Guys! I went to lowes and bought a bulb but I may toss it.. I may have that LED in my PFran kit, but it''s 115 degrees in the garage and I want to wait to look.

 

[Pinittowinit]

Mine are burned out so this thread gave me motivation to go change them.
With the tailgate closed to slide the light outboard. Use your big boy fingers cause it takes some man hands. As you slide outboard pull down at the same time. Mine came right out as described.

 

[Ming89FJ62]

Well it certainly is in the manual....

I ran out of light last night so I'll try again in the morning

 

[Pinittowinit]

It took me a minute to figure out how to do it. So just push it over and pull out at the same time on that corner

 

[Ming89FJ62]

So it's like @Pinittowinit said. Push the lens away from the camera, towards the tail lights. The lens will slide about 3/8". At the end of the slide pull the corner of the lens out to pivot the lens out of the hole in the upper tailgate.

Exactly as depicted in the manual. If only every replacement was this easy.

 

[Pinittowinit]

I agree! Clever design indeed

 

[Spike555]

I bought these. Love them. My lenes broke when I went to replace the bulb.

2x Error Free LED License Plate Light For Toyota Land Cruiser Lexus GX LX470 US

 

[UnMechanic]

I'm a complete idiot when it comes to fixing anything. This is super easy, took less than 2 minutes. Take a 1" flat drywall/putty blade, press under light from the outside, and it should pop right out. It doesn't get easier than this. Lexus LX470