LX470 Reverse Lights

[Burch1]

Ok, I've dug and dug and can't find the instructions on how to change the bulbs in the reverse lights on my '04 LX.
I took off the carpet on the tailgate and the covers over the taillights on both sides but still can't get to the reverse lights on either side of the license plate... any direction or instructions would be fab.
Thanks in advance!
Greg

 

[saucebox]

Take off the license plate, then unclip that whole panel from the tailgate. The reverse lights will come out with that entire panel, and you can change bulbs from there.

If yours still clips, that is. Mine's only held on by the license plate bolts.

 

[bamabrock]

if you have the plates off, you should be able to remove the nut holding the reverse light housings.

 

[nissanh]

Make sure to install Koito bulbs and are available from the dealer. Other brands fail in a few months if not in years.

 

[Burch1]

This process of changing the reverse lights was incredibly complicated, difficult, and totally unreasonable.
Having to remove the license plate, the tailgate carpeting, and then pinch the clips together from the inside, remove the 2 #10 nuts also holding it on so the panel will come off - and then have to remove nuts holding the lenses on so you can remove them as well to get to the bulbs! An hour job to change bulbs - so un-Toyota like!
My only thought is that Toyota added this rear license plate panel for the US market and were not too concerned about its maintenance aspect!

 

[flintknapper]

This process of changing the reverse lights was incredibly complicated, difficult, and totally unreasonable.
Having to remove the license plate, the tailgate carpeting, and then pinch the clips together from the inside, remove the 2 #10 nuts also holding it on so the panel will come off - and then have to remove nuts holding the lenses on so you can remove them as well to get to the bulbs! An hour job to change bulbs - so un-Toyota like!
My only thought is that Toyota added this rear license plate panel for the US market and were not too concerned about its maintenance aspect!

I think sometimes they remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki and do this to get back at us IDK?

But yes, that sounds needlessly complicated.

 

[lost abound]

It’s easier to remove the carpet panel on the back of the tailgate then Only remove 1 x 10mm nut on the back of each lens.
They are tangs rather than clips that hold the bottom of each reverse light in. It pulls out easily from the correct angle then the bulb socket can be removed from the back of it.