Installing LED license plate light on 2016 Tacoma

I didn't want to remove the whole housing because it wasn't necessary. I just grabbed the connector and twisted. It unlocked and came right out of the housing. Easier said than done, unless you have tiny hands.

 

I am going to give this another try today

 

For the life of me I can't get the stupid things out. So twist counterclockwise ?

 

Never mind got it! Lol

 

I did too

 

Took me a few tries the first time, too. Also several different positions.

Sounds like I was trying to get the wife pregnant.

 

Ive spent a whole hour just trying to get one to turn counter clockwise.. Frustrated that it wouldn't turn anymore than an inch. Turns out that's all it needed. DO NOT force it. Turn about an inch counter clockwise and then wiggle it out (due to rubber seal).

Because of my tow hitch frame, the damn space is small, that your going to have to re-adjust yourself several times just to get your hands fit in the right position.

 

Tried getting them out earlier, but I couldn't get a great grip due to the tow package. Going to try again after class.

 

Good Luck ! I don't have a tow package but i went from behind bumper and replaced both in probably 5-minutes or so .. one thing i will tell you is to just grab the very end closest to wire and twist .. don't grab the entire assembly w/ rubber boot .. the rubber boot part stays in the socket. You will figure it out and when you do the second one will be a breeze

 

Ok, just to throw this out there for idiots like me. I changed all my lights to LED's. All were candecent except parking light.

As for the license plate install, just turn them counter clockwise about 3 quarters of a turn and then pull out (grab by the assembly where the wires connect. DO NOT twist from rubber boot). No need to use the clips as the can be a pain with bigger hands. The lens DO come out, but their a pain and you risk cracking it. You have to grab from the rear. If you have a tow package like I do, then I hope you have small hands or you'll scrap them up like I did. It is what it is.

As for the bulbs, I can't remember. I googled it and bought them from JDM Star. They are the same as as the map lights.

 

Its JDM ASTAR right ?

 

Yes!

 

Here's what the bulbs look like

 

For me with the tow package and as little room as there is, it was grab the grey part and turn counter-clockwise while jiggling a bit. Just a little bit less than a 1/4 turn and then pull it out. Make sure to test that you have the bulbs in the correct orientation while they're still dangling there, instead of finding out after and having to try and pull them out again.

Edit: Forgot to attach photo

 

GREAT advice ! I almost put mine back in and then thought " i better crawl outta here and turn my lights on and make sure they work " luckily they were both working

 

Literally less than 24 hours later I get rear ended, but at least my LED lights still work.

 

That sucks ! What damage did the rear end collision do ?

 

Bumper was pushed in, destroyed my chargers hitch cover, and looks mostly cosmetic. Won't have any idea how much more there is until they take off the bumper, and in VA it takes up to 30 days for the claim report to be available, so it'll be a little before the collision center can get in there and look at it.

 

was it plug and play or did u need to order other parts

 

If you have larger hands like myself, I found it easier to just remove the housing by pushing in the 2 tabs on each side of the black boot. I used a plastic pry tool to push the tabs in on the light assembly from behind the bumper. Get one side started then nudge the other side slightly and it should be able to push through. It's easier to hook the bulb up and get right polarity and insert back into the housing this way rather than trying to lock it in with your hand in that tight space. Took me less than 5 minutes for both sides.