Trouble removing headlamp housing covers '00 Taco

When I bought my 2000 Taco a few months ago I couldn't help being annoyed by the grungy build up inside the headlights.

Today I had a crack at removing the covers. I tried just removing the clips around the cover- no luck (glued on? Vacuum Sealed?) so I looked through the Haynes manual and tried removing the entire housing. I did everything by the book, removed the grill also, but after removing all of the bolts and the indicator housing I still could not remove the housing.

I'm not sure what to do- this isn't an issue I want to pay a mechanic to solve. I figured I could take care of this myself. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

 

i know this sounds sketchy but put then in the oven at 200* and leave them for 8 mins and then when there done take them out and slowly pry them appart

thats how i took mine appart

 

^That might be too cool, makes it a little harder haha
Ive found 225* for 14min works great... I put lights in the oven everyday

 

^ might be better

 

^Did you have any difficulty at that temp?

 

^not really but it was harder to pry them appart
i was scared enough to leave them in there for that long

 

^ haha, we usually cook lights at 225-250 for upwards of 16min at a crack!

 

Before I can even think of putting them in the oven---- I have to get the housings out of the truck.. I took off the grill- unbolted all of the bolts and pulled! They barely move- any suggestions? Those little plastic pieces are tough. I already busted one removing the side indicator housing-

Thanks for the info thus far- much appreciated

 

are ya sure the buildup is on the inside? I thought i was going to have to do something similar to what your doing to clean em, but decided to try some maguires headlight cleaner. Cleaned it right up,no more yellow bullshit on it.

 

are you sure u removed all of the bolts?
there are 2 nuts that attach from the side behind the corner marker and one on the inside top behind the grill and there is one behind the filler peice under the headlight (you have to remove the filler piece to get to it)
io beleve thats it?

and there all 10mm

 

yeah pop off the corner lights fo sho.