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WTB or Trade : 2005 and older tail lights.

Discussion in 'Private Sales' started by The Gas Face, Mar 17, 2009.

  1. The Gas Face

    The Gas Face New Member

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    I'm looking to buy or trade my 09 clear tail lights for your early tinted tail lights.
    I'm in the San Diego area.

    Let me know.
    Thanks.
     
    #1 The Gas Face, Mar 17, 2009
  2. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    You do know that there were problems with those dark brake lights. They can melt and distort in hot weather. That's why Toyota changed them.
     
    #2 firepa63, Mar 17, 2009
  3. sdtundra

    sdtundra Senior Member

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    I would just go to Autozone or Napa and get some window tint film, cut to fit, and apply. Same look, low cost, easier than swapping a whole light
     
    #3 sdtundra, Mar 17, 2009
  4. The Gas Face

    The Gas Face New Member

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    I think someone on the forum had tinted the lights with the film, but then they melted from the lights.
    I may try the spray instead, but i figure if i could get the factory ones, it may be easier/better.

    but i didnt know that there were problems with it from the factory.
    good to know.

    but im still open for swapping.
     
    #4 The Gas Face, Mar 18, 2009
  5. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    The black plastic melted from the sun. That's why Toyota changed to a chrome-like finish to reflect the sunlight. I never had problems with my 04, but many who left their cars outside in hot climates had problems which were corrected (replaced) under warranty.
     
    #5 firepa63, Mar 18, 2009
  6. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Like firepa said, on the 2004-2005, it's not a dark tint of the upper lens -- the lens is still clear -- rather, the inside is black plastic. This attacts too much light through the clear lens which leads to heat buildup within the enclosure, which leads to melting of the black plastic.

    I like the upper black look too. But I think I'd go with a tinting of the upper lens instead.
     
    #6 Boo, Mar 18, 2009
  7. bino

    bino JDM ZVW30

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    just want to share...

    I also did not like the all clear tail lights so I did this...

    [​IMG]
     
    #7 bino, Mar 18, 2009
  8. The Gas Face

    The Gas Face New Member

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    thanks for the info.
    ive been looking at the early tail lights recently after reading this,
    but i think i like the look of the inside of the tails being tinted rather than the cover. if there were a dividing line to separate the bottom portion to the top, then it would make it cleaner, if i were to spray them. but there isnt, and id rather have a factory look than a masked off line.
     
    #8 The Gas Face, Mar 23, 2009
  9. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    I do too. I think the OEM with black plastic inside and clear lens outside looks great.

    But I wouldn't want to pay $300 to get new 04-05 OEM tailight assemblies.

    You might want to check used ones on eBay or in junkyards or used Prius parts vendors.

    Here's one place (I think there are others): 04 and newer Prius Parts Cars

    Or this eBay vendor: http://myworld.ebay.com/hybrid_autoparts/
     
    #9 Boo, Mar 23, 2009
  10. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    How did you do that?
     
    #10 Boo, Mar 23, 2009
  11. The Gas Face

    The Gas Face New Member

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    Boo,
    thanks for the links!

    and Bino's tails look like the aftermarket ones you can buy on sigma.

    [​IMG]
     
    #11 The Gas Face, Mar 24, 2009
  12. bino

    bino JDM ZVW30

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    no I did not buy those aftermarket ones...(very expensive)

    what I did was bought 2 sets of tail light tints (red and smoked) then just cut the it in 3 (tail light part, brake light part and back up/turn signal part)... then used the red tints on the tail light and brake light area and smoked on the backup light and turn signal area.... and recently I covered the third brake light with red tint also...
     
    #12 bino, Mar 24, 2009
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