Tail light disassembly

[RioRunner]

Has anyone with a 2014+ 5th gen taken the tail light lens apart to paint the chrome trim inside? I would like to get rid of this chrome, as everything else has been painted or plastidipped black...

 

[Cytronus]

I just received a "test unit" tail light I picked up on eBay to test this very idea. I received it today, baked it at 220 degrees F to soften the glue and no luck. I will try again tomorrow baking it at 220 for 20 minutes to see if that makes a difference in softening the adhesive. If not, I have a heat gun that I can try out. I'd really like to black out the chrome as well. More soon.

 

[keyser_soze]

I thought the 2014+ tail lights were laser welded.

I hate chrome as well and I remember people saying they couldn't be taken apart. And since there are some sharp transitions and that bump on the side vinyl wrapping or tinting they is hard. I think the easiest options are VHT nite shades, or some other form of spray on tint/smoke.

 

[rayofsi]

think the only way to work on the insides, is to cut from the back, and reseal it from the back, seen a project like that on the new tacoma. Can't bake open

 

[Antman]

Yes- no way to open it unless you Hack the Back, Jack. Better get a Snack because this project won't cut you any Slack, you will probably be yelling Ack!...Faaack!! before you just decide to tint them Black...but hey, give it a Whack.
[MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION] (He's the only one on here that'll appreciate my bad poetry, lol)

I dunno what's wrong with me this am- Vacation giddy I guess.

 

[philsey]

@Rapman

Not my style Bub.



#overcaffeinated?

 

[Foques]

get your dremel out, and go to town.

You can't bake tails to open, they do need to be cut (unlike headlights)

 

[Antman]

#overcaffeinated?

Almost always.

 

[Cytronus]

Yes, I confirmed the 5th gen 4Runner's tail light assemblies are plastic welded. I studied up on the process and discovered the weld cannot be easily broken and definitely cannot be baked or heated apart.

I will attempt cutting with a dremel and resealing and then testing for moisture intrusion.

Guys what are your suggestions on a good consumable adhesive to bond the plastic back together again after separating it? JB weld? Windshield glue?

I'll report on the light disassembly this weekend.

 

[flyrv9]

I'd use some type of 2 part epoxy that you mix and apply. First find out what kind of plastic you're dealing with and buy accordingly. Also check into the cure times. Some epoxys cure quite quickly like 5min. Temps will alter cure time too.

 

[808RUN]

Good luck

I just received a "test unit" tail light I picked up on eBay to test this very idea. I received it today, baked it at 220 degrees F to soften the glue and no luck. I will try again tomorrow baking it at 220 for 20 minutes to see if that makes a difference in softening the adhesive. If not, I have a heat gun that I can try out. I'd really like to black out the chrome as well. More soon.

Any progress

 

[philsey]

Yes, I confirmed the 5th gen 4Runner's tail light assemblies are plastic welded. I studied up on the process and discovered the weld cannot be easily broken and definitely cannot be baked or heated apart.

I will attempt cutting with a dremel and resealing and then testing for moisture intrusion.

Guys what are your suggestions on a good consumable adhesive to bond the plastic back together again after separating it? JB weld? Windshield glue?

I'll report on the light disassembly this weekend.

I see new tail lights in somebody's future....

 

[Foques]

^ I have a set of 5th gen tails for sale!

 

[migs_]

In for updates.

 

[honda250xtitan]

I'd use some type of 2 part epoxy that you mix and apply. First find out what kind of plastic you're dealing with and buy accordingly. Also check into the cure times. Some epoxys cure quite quickly like 5min. Temps will alter cure time too.

doubt you'd wanna use that, it'll emit fumes and the taillight will be cloudy all the time. (unless its some sort of "type 2" sealant that doesn't put off fumes)


Butyl from theretrofitsource.com works. Or use permatex black sealant. its easier to work with (just a bit messy), and easily found at auto zone. This is all assuming there some sort of groove the lens can sit in against the back side or vice versa.

 

[Cytronus]

Got stuck working most of the weekend and I'll be in Moab this Thursday - Sat for the Jeep Safari and Expo, so I'll have to tackle the tail light upon my return. I'll try dremel cutting. Any suggestions on a cutting bit or blade?

 

[Rogue-Runner]

Reviving this old thread because there may be a work-around. If I could open them I'd try to strip the chrome with a purple degreaser instead of painting. I saw a video where someone did this on another vehicle by immersing an unopened turn signal housing to delete the chrome instead of removing the lens. I'm not sure if the led brake bulbs in the 4Runner are sealed off from the other lighting compartments. Looks like it. But the fluid would also enter and blacken the reverse light reflector bowl. Maybe an led reverse bulb would make up for the loss in brightness. Would need to make sure it's properly degreased, rinsed, and dried afterword, which would admittedly be really tricky. Maybe risky but I might be trying it in the next few months. Worst case scenario I buy new black tail lights which I was near doing anyway.