License Plate Lighting Questions

[PhantomF4E]

So I've decided to finally replace the license plate bulbs with LEDs seeing as I've done all of the interior lights (to include the glove box light with many thanks to those on the forum that helped me with that information) with new LEDs.

That said, I noticed the plastic lens covers look pretty faded. Can you replace just those or are they told as a whole unit? Anyone done this particular mod in which you had to replace more than just the bulb itself? Thanks for any information.

 

[Bluesky 07]

So I've decided to finally replace the license plate bulbs with LEDs seeing as I've done all of the interior lights (to include the glove box light with many thanks to those on the forum that helped me with that information) with new LEDs.

That said, I noticed the plastic lens covers look pretty faded. Can you replace just those or are they told as a whole unit? Anyone done this particular mod in which you had to replace more than just the bulb itself? Thanks for any information.

Go to an online Toyota dealer parts site (McGeorge Toyota is a good one) & look at the diagram for that area. You’ll see what parts can be ordered individually. Personally, mine are cloudy too but the LEDs are so bright that I can’t imagine a clearer lens making a difference worth the trouble of changing them.

 

[cwilliams563]

So I've decided to finally replace the license plate bulbs with LEDs seeing as I've done all of the interior lights (to include the glove box light with many thanks to those on the forum that helped me with that information) with new LEDs.

That said, I noticed the plastic lens covers look pretty faded. Can you replace just those or are they told as a whole unit? Anyone done this particular mod in which you had to replace more than just the bulb itself? Thanks for any information.

Mine looked pretty cloudy and was kind of thinking the same thing initially. Once I removed mine they cleaned up pretty well and took a lot of the crud off, just a little opaque now and no biggie. The LED’s do just fine shining through there. I’d say try it first after the swap with your originals. If not happy then maybe order them.

The problem I ran into on mine were the screws for them were so rusted, the Phillips head portion basically just crumbled and was heck to get them out. I do need to get new screws for them though. After cleaning and lubing them I was able to get them back in for the interim. Not looking forward to that again lol.

 

[Zero0575]

Mine looked pretty cloudy and was kind of thinking the same thing initially. Once I removed mine they cleaned up pretty well and took a lot of the crud off, just a little opaque now and no biggie. The LED’s do just fine shining through there. I’d say try it first after the swap with your originals. If not happy then maybe order them.

The problem I ran into on mine were the screws for them were so rusted, the Phillips head portion basically just crumbled and was heck to get them out. I do need to get new screws for them though. After cleaning and lubing them I was able to get them back in for the interim. Not looking forward to that again lol.

+1 exactly for me. Lenses cleaned up well, but the screws were so bad I was surprised I was able to get them out. Lenses cleaned and screws replaced with stainless steel!

 

[Terminator03]

Yep, screws seem to be the big issue for the lens removal! I’ve been wanting to change mine since I bought the truck, but haven’t messed with them yet because the screws were so rusted they immediately stripped out. I’ll probably end up cutting a slot in them with a small cutoff wheel for removal, but that will likely trash the lenses anyway requiring their replacement as well. One of those things I probably won’t get to until a bulb burns out or something.

 

[J-Roc]

Had the same issue when I did mine. Eventually got the rusted screws out and the lenses were pretty bad.
Ordered two new ones through the dealer and they came with new rubber gaskets as well.

 

[Bluesky 07]

+1 on cleaning your lenses before ordering new ones. I actually came back to amend my post and say that only to find others had covered it. Good advice.

 

[PhantomF4E]

I appreciate all of the help and advice! I went and bought some LEDs from AutoZone and just took the lenses off to clean. They cleaned up surprisingly well! I think the lights are going to look much nicer in general and so on to my next mini-project.

Going to get a nice license plate frame and some new screws to hold the plate on. The two that are there now are terribly rusted. Probably seems like a silly question, but does anyone have particular screws/bolts they use for their plates? Unfortunately living in NM, it's not unheard of to have your plate taken, so was wondering if there might be any thoughts or recommendations on that.

Anyways thanks again to all who commented!

 

[ATOWN4R]

I actually had to tap mine out because the years were so rusted. A 5 min job turned into over an hour. But, they’re replaced and all good now. LED’s do a great job.

Did you guys do your reverse? So bright backing up after swapping those out.

 

[4Runner4life98]

So I've decided to finally replace the license plate bulbs with LEDs seeing as I've done all of the interior lights (to include the glove box light with many thanks to those on the forum that helped me with that information) with new LEDs.

That said, I noticed the plastic lens covers look pretty faded. Can you replace just those or are they told as a whole unit? Anyone done this particular mod in which you had to replace more than just the bulb itself? Thanks for any information.

I have had great luck with a microfiber cloth and some meguiars plast-X polish. Made them look new.

 

[PhantomF4E]

This is a very late reply but thanks again to all who responded. I ended up just cleaning the lenses and the housings out really well and it helped a lot. After that I just popped in a new pair of LED bulbs and wow is it bright back there now!

Honestly it's probably a little too bright as my backup camera gets some glare, but I can live with it. It looks really nice I think.

Thanks again!