I just found out my '05 3rd brake light is out. Can someone please tell me how to change it? I misplaced my owners' manual so any help would be very much appreciated. I thought it would be an easy replacement, but i can not figure out how to take the lense off or even get to the bulb.

Thanks in advance

According to my 2003 manual, there are clips at the bottom of the lens. It says to use a flat-blade screwdriver wrapped in a cloth (or tape would probably work) to unhook them, then pop out the lens.

I presume that it is the same if you have a spoiler.

Edit: I found the repair manual. There are 5 claws on the high-mount stop light. Pop them as I wrote above, then change the bulb.

If you have a spoiler, the manual says you have to remove the spoiler -- looks to be fairly involved. Remove bolts and grommets on the inside of the door, drill out rivets for the clips, take out the screws on the spoiler, place new rivets for the clips, reinstall spoiler.

I guess the issue with the spoiler is that the center lamp is screwed in from the back. It looks like there's no way to get the center lamp out unless you remove the spoiler first.

Be very careful removing the spoiler! Don't break it trying to get it loose from the clips. Why they didn't use 4 bolts I don't know.

Here's the process for removing the spoiler so you can see some pics about what we're talking about.

Attached Images

rear spoiler replacement.pdf (29.9 KB, 5924 views)

I looked my spoiler to double check as I recalled from washing the truck. My third brake light isn't held on by hex bolts like service instructions. It's two regular phillips screws.

If you have the spoiler and have regular screws, you might be able to save yourself the trouble of removing the spoiler to replace the light. (The whole drilling and replacing of the clips look like a royal PITA.) You'll most likely need a tool like this or this better one. I think by lowering the rear glass, there should be enough room and clearance to squeeze the ratchet tool in to get to the screws. I'm not sure if there's a socket with a low enough profile to squeeze in there if it's held in by hex nuts.

i can't believe they would make it to where you have to remove the spoiler to change a brake light bulb. now that's stupid!

Toyota.....yes I can believe it. They would love for you to come back to the dealer to have this simple bulb change for a modest service fee.

Fortunately some of the 4Runner's spoilers were installed either at the dealer or after port and are not the molded 3rd light type factory spoilers. The after market spoilers have two screws that can be removed and the whole 3rd light lens will come off in your hands. Change the bulb, replace the insulation and then reinstall the screws.

The spoiler brake lamp is LED, so it should last the life of the truck. But if it does go out, replacement would be costly even for the DIY-er.

To remove the break light, first remove the the philips screws from the back side. This separates the light from a tension bar inside the spoiler that helps to maintain pressure against the weather seal. From there, you can use a putty knife or small screw driver to disengage the clips along the lower edge.

note, there is no quick disconnect at the light, unless you can find out the correct bulb size ahead of time, you may be doing this proceedure a few times to get the job done.

Check out this link to Subzero's install of a backup camera, it shows the light hanging out of the hole....good reference.

Cross linking for future reference.

Center Mount (3rd) brake light requires spoiler removal?


Okay, I got hooked up by CXS - he sold me the high mount center lamp from his 2005 Limited. I replaced mine and took a few pictures. Hopefully this helps somebody else.

It seems like it should be a simple thing but it's unlike changing any other brake light bulb I've ever encountered so, here's the scoop.

Important notes:

1. There is no 'bulb' in the stock spoiler center lamp. It's a sealed LED.

2. This is a 2004 Sport with a stock spoiler. Aftermarket spoilers use a different lamp. Often with a replaceable bulb. Aftermarket it aftermarket though so YMMV.

3. The stock spoilers from 03-09 all use the same lamp. According to the Toyota Dealership and a reputable body shop manager.

4. The replacement lamps are stupidly expensive (thanks for the good deal CXS!).

Here's a picture of the center lamp and a close up of the connector.





First, raise the tailgate and remove the two plastic grommets on either side. Use a 10mm socket (an extension is handy to keep your ratchet from hitting the glass/tailgate)





On my 2004, the spoiler slid down off these round plastic attachment 'tab' pieces. On the underside of the spoiler are two 'slotted' piece that keep it pressed against the back of the tailgate.



This shot shows the underside of the drivers side of the spoiler. That red slotted area in the upper left is the 'slot' that goes around the round plastic tab in the previous picture. You can see the connector from the Center Lamp pigtail. It's held onto the spoiler by a metal tab. You can just pull on the connector and it will slide off the tab.



Unscrew the two philips screws hold the center lamp in place. Pull the old one out carefully. Having some sort of plastic pry device to pop it out will help. When inserting the replacement, it has a tab that requires it to be slid in a certain way. Just fiddle with it. It's easy to figure out.



That's about it really. Only took about 15 minutes. Easy, but a strange way to repair a brake light being out.

The tough part seems to be finding a replacement for a reasonable price.

Center light (also called 3rd brake light / spoiler light if in spoiler) was not working on my 2004 4runner with a spoiler. Did some research and came across this thread. I was able to remove the bad light out of the spoiler without removing the spoiler. There are 2 philips head screws behind the spoiler. I took a vise wrench and put a small philips head driver from my drill kit and removed the 2 screws by having the philips head at 90 degrees. Its a tight fit back there - this worked. I then used a flat screwdriver to pop light out of spoiler via the front. This light unit is a sealed unit (led light) with a strip of led lights under the red cover. THERE IS NO LIGHT BULB TO CHANGE. You will need to replace the entire unit. I went online and found a OEM replacement for $69.00 at spoilerlights.com. Ordered the one I needed (measured 14.75" across with same mounting brackets) - once light arrives I will cut the 2 wires on the side of the broken one to remove and then reattach the wires by twisting wires together and adding caps. I plan to put new light in, place screws in back and hopefully it will work. If not, I will send an update.