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06-09 headlights on an 05?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by appleuser84, Feb 5, 2009.

  1. appleuser84

    appleuser84 New Member

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    Is it possible to install newer style headlights and taillights on my 05. I like the look of the newer versions better.
    Thanks,
    A
     
  2. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    I knew about the differences in the tail lights. I hadn't known the headlights were different.

    Anyways, I understand that you can change the tail lights. But it'll cost you several hundred dollars for the parts alone because I think you have to purchase the entire tail light assembly.
     
  3. jelloslug

    jelloslug It buffed right out!

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    They (front and rear) should bolt right in.
     
  4. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Yep, they changed both the headlights and taillights for 2006+. I think that I remember someone posting that there was a problem with the 04-05 taillight in high temp regions because of the blackout at the top.
     

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  5. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    dogfriend,

    I am probably the OP on that info here at PC.

    FWIW, last summer I was researching replacing '08 tail lights with the '04-
    '05 ones with blacked out brake lights. I found info somewhere on the
    wwweb that suggested there was a problem with '04 tail light assemblies
    warping/melting in extremely hot locales due heat build-up in the "blacked
    out" brake light area.

    Supposedly, the whole thing was corrected on the hush-hush, and the '05
    lights were made with different plastic to overcome this problem. Further,
    the only way to tell '04 tail lights from '05's is to check the VIN on the car
    they came from. Salvage tail light assemblies go for ~$130-$150 each on
    the internet.

    From direct experience, I cay say that '05 tail light assemblies are a plug-
    and-play installation in an '08 car. Although I don't know for sure, I suspect
    the opposite is also true.

    Don't know how the tail light switch would go to/from an '09. And at least
    at this time, I'm clueless as to whether headlight switches are as simple.
     
  6. maseace

    maseace Prius enthusiast

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    I like the look of the black brake light area on the 04-05 better than the newer chrome color. It flows well with the lower rear window, so it's black all the way across.

    But I like the newer headlights better, with the separate reflector and side marker.
     
  7. BerkshirePrius

    BerkshirePrius New Member

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    Amen! I agree 100%
     
  8. ADDvanced

    ADDvanced Junior Member

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    So do newer headlight assemblies bolt into the 04-05s?
     
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Yes