Limited --Trail Hybrid starting mods ?

Shogun

Shogun

New member
Decided to start with the mods on my 2013 MGM LE. Pulled the trigger on some TE Headlights off ebay. They came in the mail today.

My question is, do I have to remove the entire front bumper to install the lights? I know I need to remove the radiator cover and grille. Will I be able to just remove the 3 screws from inside the fender by the wheel and peel it back on each side ? I searched for some detailed instructions on here but didn't see a write up from anyone. Maybe I will document and photograph mine if I don't screw it up.

This is the closest thread I found to the subject
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/76226-5th-gen-hid-projector-retrofit-installation-pics.html

Since I am working by myself, not sure if I will be able to put the bumper on and off myself. I need to make sure I can do this in about 6 hours or less.

The old lights I guess I will keep and eventually do a projector setup or something.
 
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You could probably pull the front bumper off and install the lights and install the bumper back with in six hours. Plus have time for a couple of cold ones.
 
the bumper cover can come off in about 20 minutes max. Just like in Philsey's link you posted, leave the upper part (grille) attached to the bumper cover, much easier. Then just start taking out the screws the attach the bumper cover in the wheel well. Then get under and take out the screws below, then the screws on the opposite wheel well. There is one bolt holding the upper grill in place, and a few push-pins. Unhook the fog and turn signal bulbs and pull the bumper cover off starting at one wheel well. It is only held in by clips at this point. headlights are held in with three bolts. The entire swap, including removing and replacing the bumper cover should take right around an hour.
 
Jesse1983 said:
the bumper cover can come off in about 20 minutes max. Just like in Philsey's link you posted, leave the upper part (grille) attached to the bumper cover, much easier. Then just start taking out the screws the attach the bumper cover in the wheel well. Then get under and take out the screws below, then the screws on the opposite wheel well. There is one bolt holding the upper grill in place, and a few push-pins. Unhook the fog and turn signal bulbs and pull the bumper cover off starting at one wheel well. It is only held in by clips at this point. headlights are held in with three bolts. The entire swap, including removing and replacing the bumper cover should take right around an hour.
Click to expand...

This is the other piece of info I needed. THANKS !!!

One other thing, So once the bolts are off and the lights disconnected I can just start to pull the bumper starting at one side with some force? Then it will clip back in? Do I need to worry about breaking any of the clips ?
 
Someone (Harper maybe?) who's pulled their bumper several times once posted some shortcuts, eg not taking it all the way off - but I'm sorry to say I cannot remember who.

Somebody with a young brain will remember.

BTW: You see the already-HID-modded lights in the 5G classifieds?
 
Shogun said:
This is the other piece of info I needed. THANKS !!!

One other thing, So once the bolts are off and the lights disconnected I can just start to pull the bumper starting at one side with some force? Then it will clip back in? Do I need to worry about breaking any of the clips ?
Click to expand...

just to be clear for future readers, when you say "lights disconnected" you are talking about the fog and turn signal bulbs. But yes, once they are disconnected, just pull from a wheel well and it will begin to unclick. I wouldn't worry about breaking any clips. I've taken mine off a number of times and never broken any. and yes, it will clip back in and then you put back the bolts, crews, push pins.
 
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Jesse1983 said:
just to be clear for future readers, when you say "lights disconnected" you are talking about the fog and turn signal bulbs. But yes, once they are disconnected, just pull from a wheel well and it will begin to unclick. I wouldn't worry about breaking any clips. I've taken mine off a number of times and never broken any. and yes, it will clip back in and then you but back the bolts, crews, push pins.
Click to expand...


Yes, that is correct. The fogs and turns disconnect.

Thanks for the info. I plan on starting on this tomorrow. I'll try to document and photo the process for others as well and make my contribution to the site.
 
philsey said:
Someone (Harper maybe?) who's pulled their bumper several times once posted some shortcuts, eg not taking it all the way off - but I'm sorry to say I cannot remember who.

Somebody with a young brain will remember.

BTW: You see the already-HID-modded lights in the 5G classifieds?
Click to expand...

That was me. I've had my headlights off at least a half dozen times or so. I don't even take off the upper grill anymore.

Just take off the 3 10mm bolts on each fender, pull off the dozen or so plastic clips, and pull forward. I usually put a towel in between the bumper and fenders so they don't scratch anything as I'm installing the headlights. I did it while I was at the beach this past summer. It's somewhere on my build thread. You'll have to forgive me, because I'm not really sure how to link a particular page on a post.
 
Ducmonsta said:
You'll have to forgive me, because I'm not really sure how to link a particular page on a post.
Click to expand...

Just go to the page, copy the URL from your browser bar, and paste it into the post. Each page of a thread has a different URL (just a number at the end indicating the page number). You can also link to a specific post by clicking on Permalink in the top right corner of the post then copying the URL.
 
Ducmonsta said:
That was me. I've had my headlights off at least a half dozen times or so. I don't even take off the upper grill anymore.

Just take off the 3 10mm bolts on each fender, pull off the dozen or so plastic clips, and pull forward. I usually put a towel in between the bumper and fenders so they don't scratch anything as I'm installing the headlights. I did it while I was at the beach this past summer. It's somewhere on my build thread. You'll have to forgive me, because I'm not really sure how to link a particular page on a post.
Click to expand...

I found it on the last page. Thanks. Your Rig is AWESOME by the way.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/100058-ducmonstas-build-thread-very-pic-heavy-16.html
 
Put this on hold temporarily. Got to making my attack plan and looked at the fog bezel's and decided to order the trail fog bezel. Might as well attack that while I am in there and only have to do it once vs 2x. Now awaiting parts to arrive. :sleep:
 
Mission Accomplished

Fog bezels arrived and finally had some time to work on this. I was able to install the headlights and the bezels by just pulling the bumper out a little ways from the wheel well and stuffing a moving blanket in between. It takes about 1.5 hours and I included setting up tools, shop light ,checking and marking stock beam pattern etc. Mine took longer because I took photo's and documented the process so that I can make a post and others can benefit.

:hatsoff:Thanks to those who have done this before and posted threads. I was able to read up and reference these before hand to make a plan and it worked great with no surprises.

:cheers:
 
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