I'm looking to buy or trade my 09 clear tail lights for your early tinted tail lights. I'm in the San Diego area. Let me know. Thanks.
You do know that there were problems with those dark brake lights. They can melt and distort in hot weather. That's why Toyota changed them.
I would just go to Autozone or Napa and get some window tint film, cut to fit, and apply. Same look, low cost, easier than swapping a whole light
I think someone on the forum had tinted the lights with the film, but then they melted from the lights. I may try the spray instead, but i figure if i could get the factory ones, it may be easier/better. but i didnt know that there were problems with it from the factory. good to know. but im still open for swapping.
The black plastic melted from the sun. That's why Toyota changed to a chrome-like finish to reflect the sunlight. I never had problems with my 04, but many who left their cars outside in hot climates had problems which were corrected (replaced) under warranty.
Like firepa said, on the 2004-2005, it's not a dark tint of the upper lens -- the lens is still clear -- rather, the inside is black plastic. This attacts too much light through the clear lens which leads to heat buildup within the enclosure, which leads to melting of the black plastic. I like the upper black look too. But I think I'd go with a tinting of the upper lens instead.
thanks for the info. ive been looking at the early tail lights recently after reading this, but i think i like the look of the inside of the tails being tinted rather than the cover. if there were a dividing line to separate the bottom portion to the top, then it would make it cleaner, if i were to spray them. but there isnt, and id rather have a factory look than a masked off line.
I do too. I think the OEM with black plastic inside and clear lens outside looks great. But I wouldn't want to pay $300 to get new 04-05 OEM tailight assemblies. You might want to check used ones on eBay or in junkyards or used Prius parts vendors. Here's one place (I think there are others): 04 and newer Prius Parts Cars Or this eBay vendor: http://myworld.ebay.com/hybrid_autoparts/
no I did not buy those aftermarket ones...(very expensive) what I did was bought 2 sets of tail light tints (red and smoked) then just cut the it in 3 (tail light part, brake light part and back up/turn signal part)... then used the red tints on the tail light and brake light area and smoked on the backup light and turn signal area.... and recently I covered the third brake light with red tint also...
