So my truck has a scratched up license plate frame on the rear hatch- p.o. Must have brought the garage door down on it. I want to replace it, but not sure how to tackle it- removed the interior panel and am confronted with the window mechanism - can anyone tell me the best way to approach this?
Replacing rear license plate bezel
- Thread starter mreloc
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4Running Daily
New member
1) Remove the plastic interior panel on rear hatch
2) Unplug cords on the big black plate.
3) Remove Black plate via like 9 screws.
4) Take License plate off
5) There are 3 bolts I believe in order to remove the plastic trim piece. Find them, take them off.
6) Then, grab a pair of needle nose pliers. Longer the better. There are a bunch of little plastic clips you'll have to compress in order to get the plastic off.
7) Remove a view more wires, and the rear window key.
That's a general idea of what you have to do.
2) Unplug cords on the big black plate.
3) Remove Black plate via like 9 screws.
4) Take License plate off
5) There are 3 bolts I believe in order to remove the plastic trim piece. Find them, take them off.
6) Then, grab a pair of needle nose pliers. Longer the better. There are a bunch of little plastic clips you'll have to compress in order to get the plastic off.
7) Remove a view more wires, and the rear window key.
That's a general idea of what you have to do.
Mine DID hit the garage door
I've been wanting to do this on mine as it did hit the garage door and scratched the crap out of it. I've been wanting to change it out for an older 3rd gen where they put the 4runner logo on the top of the license frame. Anyone know if it's the same otherwise and will be direct fit?
If anyone has one lying around that's in good shape, let me know.
I've been wanting to do this on mine as it did hit the garage door and scratched the crap out of it. I've been wanting to change it out for an older 3rd gen where they put the 4runner logo on the top of the license frame. Anyone know if it's the same otherwise and will be direct fit?
If anyone has one lying around that's in good shape, let me know.
ski4runner
New member
I think im just going to tape mine off and paint it black seems easier.
Beach Runner
New member
Freshly, I have one, but it needs to be sanded and repainted. PM me if you're interested.
Yoter
New member
Be very careful when sliding the window motor assembly aside to get access to the screws and clips holding the bezel in place!!
Make sure to grab the assembly from the sides NOT the middle!
It can easily slip off the small clips that hold it to the sheet metal of the door. And if you are holding it from the middle your fingers can/will be caught in the gears of the door.
I seriously tore up my finger and had to get stitches when this happened to me!
Good luck its a bit of a frustrating space to work in but pretty straight forward, its much easier if you have a helper.
I removed mine sanded, primed, painted, then realized the custom color matched PPG spray I bought was completely the wrong color, a much lighter silver. Ended up just Plasti-Dipping it for now.
Make sure to grab the assembly from the sides NOT the middle!
It can easily slip off the small clips that hold it to the sheet metal of the door. And if you are holding it from the middle your fingers can/will be caught in the gears of the door.
I seriously tore up my finger and had to get stitches when this happened to me!
Good luck its a bit of a frustrating space to work in but pretty straight forward, its much easier if you have a helper.
I removed mine sanded, primed, painted, then realized the custom color matched PPG spray I bought was completely the wrong color, a much lighter silver. Ended up just Plasti-Dipping it for now.
Last edited:
Finished
So I tackled this yesterday, switching the bezel off my less beautiful truck with the scratched one. The replacement is chrome, but I think It looks better than the scratches. Anyway, not too bad, but wanted to offer some pointers:
1. Removing the hatch panel is super easy
2 with the hatch closed, remove the large black center plate to access window mechanism by removing the screws
3. Lower the rear window about an inch or two. This will give lots of play when you unscrew the 4 screws holding the mechanism to the frame, and allow for easy reinstall
4. Remove license plate, and one bolt in upper right that holds the bezel to the hatch
5. I used a small diameter nut driver to push the retaining clips out of their holes
6. Remove the two nuts holding the rear half of the hatch handle, unclip, and remove
7. Disconnect license plate light wiring harness
8. Remove bezel from the outside- use a short Phillips head deliver to unscrew lock mechanism from bezel- VERY CAREFULLY as the screw holes are fragile- I cracked one
Reinstall everything in reverse order. My clips were not in good shape, but the installation seems tight and secure, especially after the license plate was reinstalled.
So I tackled this yesterday, switching the bezel off my less beautiful truck with the scratched one. The replacement is chrome, but I think It looks better than the scratches. Anyway, not too bad, but wanted to offer some pointers:
1. Removing the hatch panel is super easy
2 with the hatch closed, remove the large black center plate to access window mechanism by removing the screws
3. Lower the rear window about an inch or two. This will give lots of play when you unscrew the 4 screws holding the mechanism to the frame, and allow for easy reinstall
4. Remove license plate, and one bolt in upper right that holds the bezel to the hatch
5. I used a small diameter nut driver to push the retaining clips out of their holes
6. Remove the two nuts holding the rear half of the hatch handle, unclip, and remove
7. Disconnect license plate light wiring harness
8. Remove bezel from the outside- use a short Phillips head deliver to unscrew lock mechanism from bezel- VERY CAREFULLY as the screw holes are fragile- I cracked one
Reinstall everything in reverse order. My clips were not in good shape, but the installation seems tight and secure, especially after the license plate was reinstalled.
Bad Obsession
New member
Did you try the classified section of the forum? Try posting a WTB post so it gets seen.
Did you have any luck finding it?
IBallEngineer
New member
OK, as much as I hate to sound ignorant, I must ask. WTF is plasti dipping I keep reading about. I have used a product called something like that which you actually dipped stuff into. Seems people here talk about masking and spraying Plasti dip here. I'm new to this forum, but not new to restoring cars. In fact I owned an auto body shop for 14 yrs, and have been working on cars professionally off and on for over 30 yrs. Which brings me to my second question, why do so many on this forum choose to paint handles, flares and such in place, the rubber gaskets don't like paint! Just sayin'
zgensler31
Senior Member
Its the exact product you have used but it is now made as a spray paint application. People like it because it is a cleaner and non permanent way to paint stuff. Google it. People are dipping wheels hoods even whole cars...
IBallEngineer
New member
I googled it, I am now less ignorant.
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