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Replacing Aftermarket Tail Light Assembly

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by i<3theventurafwy, Nov 1, 2020.

  1. i<3theventurafwy

    i<3theventurafwy Junior Member

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    Due to a bit of carelessness in the parking lot I need to replace one of my tail light assemblies, which I learned after a trip to the dealer are decidedly not OEM. From what I have gathered there are numerous different aftermarket options for the Gen 2 Prius, and I have no idea which one mine is because (according to the body shop I took it to) there is no part number on the existing assembly. Is there a known way to identify something like this? I would prefer to not have mismatched tail lights if at all possible. If I missed something obvious or if the body shop was spouting rubbish please accept my humble apologies and refrain from laughing too hard at me. Also note that I can post a picture of the current assembly if that would help anyone in identifying it. Thanks for the help!
     
    #1 i<3theventurafwy, Nov 1, 2020
  2. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    It might.
    Any chance that you can contact the previous owner for information ?
    Could replace both with stock parts......but I suspect they are $$$$$.
     
    #2 sam spade 2, Nov 1, 2020
  3. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    I ordered one off ebay for like $60 shipped. Not factory but looks and works fine. Think available off Amazon too. Just search the year and make of your car, tail light. The 04 and 05 have the tinted top section.
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #3 audiodave, Nov 1, 2020
  4. ttou68

    ttou68 Active Member

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    #4 ttou68, Nov 1, 2020
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  5. i<3theventurafwy

    i<3theventurafwy Junior Member

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    It was at dealer so I don't think so. I will post a picture when I get a chance.

    Aren't these the OEM assemblies? The 06-09 looks exactly like the factory part I saw when I visited the service department at my local Toyota dealer.
     
    #5 i<3theventurafwy, Nov 2, 2020
  6. PriusHead05

    PriusHead05 Member

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    I'm pretty sure the OEM ones look very similar to the aftermarket. The only difference is the OEM ones should say at the bottom "Koto".

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #6 PriusHead05, Nov 3, 2020
  7. PriusHead05

    PriusHead05 Member

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    Correction: some OEM parts have the word "Koito". But the rear OEM taillights have between the light and the weatherstripping, the words Stanley and Toyota stamped on the black trim.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #7 PriusHead05, Nov 6, 2020
  8. i<3theventurafwy

    i<3theventurafwy Junior Member

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    While that is useful information I will note, it is not applicable in this situation because the aftermarket model I have looks noticeably different on the bottom row - the plastic is red in certain places and there are two bulbs rather than one. There is a switch on the left side of the dash with the only apparent purpose of toggling one of these two bulbs on so I wonder if they are linked?
     
    #8 i<3theventurafwy, Nov 6, 2020
  9. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    If that bulb is notably brighter than the normal marker lights, it is probably a rear fog light.

    These are incredibly bright to following traffic so be considerate to other drivers and don't drive with this on if it is not foggy.
     
    #9 dolj, Nov 7, 2020
  10. i<3theventurafwy

    i<3theventurafwy Junior Member

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    Thank you for this. I had never compared the brightness to the regular tail light so I checked and indeed they seemed to be noticeably stronger. Hopefully this will help in searching for the same part, because I can't imagine most aftermarket assemblies have an extra fog light included. I will do that before bothering anyone further.

    And don't worry - I have never used the switch except when trying to figure out why it was there in the first place. :ROFLMAO:
     
    #10 i<3theventurafwy, Nov 11, 2020
  11. ukiltmybrutha

    ukiltmybrutha Member

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    Which one did you order? Looking at alot of reviews that say the fit is off.
     
    #11 ukiltmybrutha, Nov 22, 2020
  12. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    After market is China junk. I have one it leaked bad I gooped it up and it slowed it down but it’s manas grocery getter and then lives in the garage
    So not a tactical car really.

    When your behind the car and can compare the 2 taillights the china one is a joke. But it’s still in my car though.

    If it’s a beater why not as the oem was very expensive years ago when I looked.
    The bone yards are picked cleaned.

    Just goop it up real good.

    It is what is is.
     
    #12 edthefox5, Nov 23, 2020
    ukiltmybrutha likes this.
  13. ukiltmybrutha

    ukiltmybrutha Member

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    Do you consider the TYC taillight that I mentioned as being the same Chinesium? Heck, if that is the case I will return it and just get one at $65 not the $95 that I paid. Not sure if you ever tried the NSF certified TYC that I mentioned. It's supposed to fit pretty well.

    It is definitely a beater. I hate chasing down leaks though.
     
    #13 ukiltmybrutha, Nov 23, 2020
  14. ukiltmybrutha

    ukiltmybrutha Member

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    Just wanted to report that the TYC taillight was a 100% match. Absolutely no difference. I was shocked.
     
    #14 ukiltmybrutha, Jul 5, 2021
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