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Bottom bolt on headlight assembly

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Goosedog, Jun 6, 2013.

  1. Jun 6, 2013 at 10:48 AM
    #1
    Goosedog

    Goosedog [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm trying to remove my headlights to work on them and I can get all but that bottom bolt out. It looks like the bumper has to be off to get to that last one. I gotta be doing something wrong, right?
     
  2. Jun 6, 2013 at 10:50 AM
    #2
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

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    They are quite a pain. Where you located?
     
  3. Jun 6, 2013 at 10:54 AM
    #3
    RearViewMirror

    RearViewMirror Saw things so much clearer once you... were in my

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    Here you go.

    It is a pain in the ass to get out. I went to Lowes and actually bought a cheap metric socket set ($6.00) with a small socket wrench. It was simple then. It is the bolt that sits on top of the lower one as you feel it from underneath the truck. Once you take it out "most" people don't put it back because it is such a pain and it really doesn't seem to be needed.
     
  4. Jun 6, 2013 at 10:56 AM
    #4
    KingKoda

    KingKoda Never Satisfied

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    Glad you brought this up...I'm prepping to do the BHLM next day or two.
     
  5. Jun 6, 2013 at 10:58 AM
    #5
    aaronbuell

    aaronbuell Well-Known Member

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    You can reach it from the bottom its kind of a pain but it can be done. I've taken mine out a few times. You have to lay under the truck and feel for it.The first time I did it I took the bumper off that takes too long. Once you know how to do it without taking the bumper off it take like 10-15 mins to pull the headlights.
     
  6. Jun 6, 2013 at 11:01 AM
    #6
    kryten

    kryten Well-Known Member

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    Yep, huge PITA, but CAN be done from under the truck.
     
  7. Jun 6, 2013 at 11:01 AM
    #7
    Goosedog

    Goosedog [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks guys, thats a big help. :thumbsup:
     
  8. Jun 6, 2013 at 11:51 AM
    #8
    dexterdog

    dexterdog My pee parts itch

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    It is much easier if you unbolt the two bolts at the bottom of the fender liner then fold it up against the tire. I have removed mine so many times it seems to take me longer to get the right angle to navigate the headlight out than it does to unbolt it.
     
  9. Jun 6, 2013 at 11:59 AM
    #9
    Boone

    Boone Vaginas are rad.

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    Very true. A 1/4" drive ratchet and shallow socket isn't bad at all to use in there after you free up some space.
     
  10. Jun 6, 2013 at 1:56 PM
    #10
    RearViewMirror

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    Honestly I didn't even have to free up any space with the 1/4 inch socket / ratchet.

    I bought a POS set similar to this from Lowes and it worked perfectly. Cost me right around $6 and well worth not having to deal with the frustration.


    [​IMG]


    Once the bolt loosened up I just used the socket without the wrench to remove it the rest of the way. Took 2 mins tops to find and remove the bolt. Just a thought.:)



    -
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2013
  11. Jun 6, 2013 at 5:36 PM
    #11
    Boone

    Boone Vaginas are rad.

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    I guess my sausage arms couldn't find a easy way in there without takin' a minute to get the inner fender out of the way.
     
  12. Jun 6, 2013 at 5:37 PM
    #12
    RearViewMirror

    RearViewMirror Saw things so much clearer once you... were in my

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    Lol.... It sucks no doubt!
     
  13. Jun 6, 2013 at 6:34 PM
    #13
    DunhamAll

    DunhamAll Well-Known Member

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    I 3rd the quarter inch ratchet.

    I have a dinky POS kit from kobalt. I first tried my larger ratchets, a wobble, deep drive, kitchen sink, et al... And only ended up cursing and slipping off the bolt. 7 cigarettes later, I grabbed the mini ratchet and the bolt came out in minutes.

    My passenger side bolt was much easier, so practice on that one?
     
  14. Jun 6, 2013 at 7:12 PM
    #14
    sparkystaco

    sparkystaco Well-Known Member

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    theres 1 screw to remove the little plastic piece under the hdlt, then all 4 screws are easy to reach
     

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