Hello Everyone,

I have a 2005 Tacoma and do not know how to remove the tail light assembly. There are a few hex head bolts that are accessable when the tail gate is down but I don't see any others. It would be most appreciated if anyone could give me a heads up as to how to proceeed.

Thanks,

Bob

There should be a small reflector snapped onto the surface of the tail light. Underneath is a bolt. The tail light should be removable after removing the bolt/screw as it is held in by a tab at the top. I believe you pull down and out....but don't quote me.

Hi Pongo,

Great info. I suspected that all of the visible bolts DID NOT hold the assembly on. I did not want to mess around and scratch this baby as it only has 15K on it after a year and a half of me owning it. I am going to install a trailer light connector that plugs into the existing light connectors.

Thanks,

Bob

Bob,

Be careful. Because if your trailer wiring requires you to hook to an electrical connector, they would not be accessible from the tail light.

On a 4Runner you would have to remove interior panelling to get at the wiring. If you are splicing with those individual wire-connectors then that's different.

Once you get the light off it will be clearer.

I have an 2005 05 Toyota Tacoma, and to remove the tail light I open the tail gate, then look at the few hex bolts on the side panel that is conceiled by the tail gate when it is closed. Remove the top and bottom bolts (they screw into the light itself, the others hold the truck together)

The tail light has two plastic pop-out things on the outer edge, and the two hex bolts on the inner edge. If you break forget to unscrew the bolts, you will break the brackets on the light (thats what I did).

Then light should pop off straight backwards. Put a butter knife or a screwdriver in the gap of the outer edge, and pop it off. the pop-out things are near the top and bottom of the light, so if you pry in the middle it should work out for you.

i did the same with my tacoma..