Front turn signal lens body replacement

[Kmvreter]

I went to replace a burned out turn signal bulb. I noticed the housing was all fogged up and had a small pool of water inside it. I had something similar to this before due to the bulb connector not sealed in the housing but this time I noticed the lens was cracked right at the front edge, probably by a stone, looking at the chip. Finally got the replacement (U$34.91 at Partznet vs C$61.10 at the local stealer.) Luckily the fog light housing is OK because it would have cost U$294.21 to replace.

So here is the write-up on the install. I did this removal before and I think I found the details here somewhere but here is my version.

Removed the bulbs & wiring. Removed 3 bolts (10mm heads.) Released the 2 tabs on the radiator side of the fog light to free up the entire unit. The fog light and turn signal bodies are connected with a tab. Details of the locations will follow in the install pics.

Here is the new lens & body assembly (part # 81511-35401.)

 

[Kmvreter]

Top view with the 2 housings side by side. Notice the tab connector between them.

 

[Kmvreter]

Close up pic of the tab after sliding them together.
To disassemble these you have to pry the tab open with a screwdriver at the blue arrow to slide them apart. Be careful because you can easily crack the tab off the turn signal housing at the red arrow (I cracked it on the old one but I didn't care because the housing was junk anyway.)

 

[Kmvreter]

Front shot of the 2 connected.

 

[Kmvreter]

Side shot of the fog light housing. The blue arrows point to the tabs that interlock in the bumper holes and green arrow is the screw hole (see later pic.)

 

[Kmvreter]

Rear shot. Again, green arrows point to the screw holes.

(Not related to this replacement, but I thought I would point out the fog light aim adjustment screw at the red arrow.)

 

[Kmvreter]

The bumper cavity showing the interlocking tab hole locations (blue arrows) and the screw hole locations (green arrows.) Just slide the combined unit back into the hole and push in on the fog light edge to click the tabs back into place. Then install the 3 screws. Be careful not to overtighten these because they are just cutting threads into the plastic housing and strip very easy (I found out the hard way the last time I did this.)

 

[Kmvreter]

Finally, here is my blatant post-whore shot of the finished replacement.

 

[97hb]

Mine is also cracked, probably from some rocks on the highway. Looks good dude, will be replacing mine soon.

 

[ptung07]

Thanks for the write up! Unfortunately, my fog light is housing is the one that is fogged up and was shocked to see how expensive that replacement part is! I'll try to see if I can try it out and check the hosing for cracks. But thanks for letting us know how to do this!

 

[Kmvreter]

Thanks guys. Glad to help.

... Unfortunately, my fog light is housing is the one that is fogged up and was shocked to see how expensive that replacement part is!

Sorry to hear it's your fog lens. It's a steep price. Maybe you can pick one up or locate one through a bone yard.

 

[Sheriff]

Inexpensive alternative

I found them with 5 star reviews on Amazon for about $20 bucks. Also purchased new headlights from the same company for about $50 bucks OEM quality, exact drop in fit and just plain beautiful. Transformed my old but good looking 4 Runner.

 

[cdoyle]

Nevermind, Finally got them out.
just took some finagling to finally get them out.

Dumb way to have those in there

 

[jackal999]

Passenger housing won’t come out

How do you release the 2 tabs on the side of the fog light not connected to the turn signal? Because I’m having trouble figuring out how to get the passenger side out. There seems to be very little wiggle room to push them in.

 

[earthrealm]

How do you release the 2 tabs on the side of the fog light not connected to the turn signal? Because I’m having trouble figuring out how to get the passenger side out. There seems to be very little wiggle room to push them in.

Come across any aftermarket assy for the turn signal?. Mine are beat too. Wish to replace them and perhaps spice things up

 

[Aucilla]

How do you release the 2 tabs on the side of the fog light not connected to the turn signal? Because I’m having trouble figuring out how to get the passenger side out. There seems to be very little wiggle room to push them in.

I just took a flathead screwdriver and pushed it into the slot where the tabs were and pushed and wiggled it, and the tabs came loose real easy and the unit slipped out the front of the bumper.

 

[GTurbo]

Great fix for light assembly replacement

Stumbled upon this thread while trying to figure out how to install a new turn signal and fog light assembly combo in my 2004 4Runner 4.7LV8. Old ones long ago cracked and shorted, can't keep driving w/o operable turn signals. His guidance and pictures were spot on and it went very smoothly...except for fog light harness female connector that was damaged in an earlier accident. It had shredded wires earlier resoldered in place that finally gave out and i couldn't resolder again. Dealer says you can't get that part so its boneyard someday unless i can find another source. Used Rock Auto for the replacement turn signal and fog lamp assemblies, fit like a glove, no complaints.
Txs again to Kmvreter posting this fix way back in 2008 !!!

OBTW, I'm one of those 20 year old trucks not covered by the class action lawsuit and my frame is rusting away badly. She is looking great otherwise but the old bones are sadly deteriorating. Toyota did screw us on that one but otherwise love this truck.