Some Jackass...

My little 2004 2wd single cab Tacoma took a hit yesterday. I don't even know when as I park nose in and way out past most a-holes. I discovered it when I got home Thursday as the left under headlight filler was hanging over the bumper. Thankfully no painting will be needed, every bit of that silver paint is still Toyota 2004. The problem may be finding the OEM parts to redo the grill and parking lights in that metallic gray used on base models.

"Photos or it didn't happen" -- here they are:

I have the filler strip that goes below the headlight, and the clip that attaches it to the front edge of the front fender. They are in the glove box now, along with some of the corner light plastic that was still inside the housing.

You can see how bad the factory grill faded compared to the corner lights (that still have the sharp metallic gray finish they came with.) You can see the nick on the top of the corner light that happened before the first oil change -- for the next 2 years I considered buying a new corner light just because of that (first damage -- oh I was pissed.)

What I need to fix this is the headlight, the corner light and the grill. I also need all the thingies that attach all these parts to the front of the pickup. I really wish someone had a detailed thread of the whole disassembly and reassembly process, but I did not find it here. I would prefer OEM parts with that base model finish. I'll post this while I try to look that up...

 

Looks like your headlight is fine. The corner lens is definitely gone though. Also, there's a piece missing below the headlight.
The corner light can be replaced pretty easily. Something like this might do the trick

$39 EPIC LIGHTING AMOE Style Replacement Chrome Trim Corner Signal Lights Compatible with Toyota 01-04 Tacoma Regular Access Cab (Not Full Four Door) [ TO2520161 8162004080 TO2521161 8161004080 ] Pair

https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Tacoma-Corner-Light-Chrome/dp/B002PQJ95O

 

May as well replace those hazy headlights. You can get TYC brand for 90 bucks a pair.

 

You'll find that the aftermarket headlight housings don't reflect as well as OEM. Instead of a properly spread beam of light, the headlight will beat blob of light. You're current lenses can be cleaned up though. Not near as well as factory but still better than foggy.
Food for thought

 

I'm confused by your statement.
Your saying the cheap version of OEM style has a different light pattern?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TYC-Headli...-2-Fits-Toyota-Tacoma-2001-2004-/133977738419

 

for what it's worth, I cleaned up my headlights with a 3M kit. then sprayed several layers of clear coat on them. Made a huge difference in the light output. There are many videos on you tube showing how this is done. Are they perfect, nope, but I'm satisfied with the results.

 

There's been a few threads on the subject and that's the general consensus. Aftermarket housings will get you there but it won't match factory 100%. How far off is hard to say. Could be splitting hairs on the difference though

 

Just wipe wd40 or PB Blaster on your headlights once a month, once your headlights get hazy. Makes them look almost new. Add it to your Truck wash regiment.

 

It happens if the lights still work it might have been months before I took notice.

After 4 Deer impacts and two Fork lifts I tend not to notice things.

Have you asked if where you where parked has security camera coverage most often the insurance Adjuster does that Grunt work.

 

Rock Auto has the marking lights with the color matched trim.

 

Very interesting. I bought new OEM housings. But thought I'd try TYC and install some projectors.

 

Thanks for the input, I am finding some parts. My desire to is keep this stock looking (though I did find a nice looking 8mm square tube grill with black powdercoat finish.) The stock dark metallic gray trim seems to be the problem. Later today I will call Marysville Toyota, one of the dealers in the parts.toyota.com network, and see what is available. That site has got me part numbers, but they are vague on color. Putting the first part number from each part into google seems to indicate these are the dark metallic gray finish (I believe that color code is 11GY21) for the base model 2004 Tacoma:
Grill - 53100-04230
Marker light, left - 81620-04070
Marker light, right - 81610-04070

Not color to match but needed:
Headlight, left - 81150-04110
Headlight, right - 81110-04110

My headlight has the lower attachment broken on it so while it is in place and works it shakes some while driving. That little body color filler panel that goes below the headlight I have, the clips where broken and it was hanging on by the last clip that attaches it to the fender. I removed it so it would get lost and it looks to be in perfect shape outside and with strait tabs. I also removed several chunks of marker light housing from inside the marker light. It couldn't have happened too long prior, it is obvious when walking to the truck from the front, perhaps it happened Tuesday when I was parallel parked in Seattle.

Any good tutorial threads here on the whole removal and installation procedure of the grill and lights assembly on these Tacomas?

 

That sucks! Nuthooks are too good for the person who did it. BTW - if you are interested in getting the haze off your headlights, I find the Mother's headlight restoration kit both cheap and easy to use if you have a cordless drill. It took me about 10 minutes each to restore mine a few years back.

 

My left headlight has a broken outboard mount and a bumper scar on the lens so the headlights will be getting replaced.

After talking to my local dealer that is part of the "parts.toyota.com" system, it turns out in Toyota lists my base model dark metallic gray and black combo as "unpainted" (also the lowest part number for each part.) I can get the stock grill and corner lights new from Toyota for $273. A new pair of genuine Toyota headlights costs $375.

I found a great video on YouTube for the installation, "How to Remove the Headlights on a 2001 to 2004 Toyota Tacoma". Copy that into google and it's the first hit. I knew it was easy but it helps to know where I need to go looking for the clips and fasteners and how they are released. This looks like something I can do in an hour on a reasonably warm afternoon. If I toss in some extra cleaning and waxing of the paint I can only get to while it's apart, perhaps 2 hours.

 

Nice ! ...I'd get all new oem if plan on keeping until the end

..Also curious how many miles on truck ? Just hit 75k on my 16 and had both diff and trans fluids replaced .... was thinking of not doing it if going to get new truck, but after seeing the 22 plat tundra prices, I'm in for long haul so maintenance is KEY !

 

I'm questioning the headlights as being replaced is not unexpected, but certainly will be using factory grill and corner lights. Do I want to spend $383 or $648? My '04 is very low miles, here is a picture from earlier this month:

 

The junkyards can be your friend in times like these: www.car-part.com

I usually look for trucks with good pics that are local to me, but many will ship parts too.

Best.

 

New grill and parking lights from my Toyota dealer are heading my way for $350. I decided to step the look up with Lunar Mist bezels on the grill and parking lights, ditching the base model dark gray surrounds. That is a "B" for the second to last number in the part number, and made the grill about $80 more expensive. I need to paint the bumper blades soon and will do those car color too. For headlights I chose stock looking CAPA certified aftermarket units -- $110 vs $375. I bet they will be a lot better than those hazy old stock headlights. I'll toss in some 194NA parking lights just to be different.

 

When you get parts from the dealer they come with everything attached, all the clips and lamps. So the grill has in it all those clips in it that I left in the body removing the grill in the normal way. Everything is so pretty.

Is it intended to have the clips in the grill first, then install the grill into the body?