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Filthy License Plate Light Lenses

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Rick G., Nov 5, 2024.

  1. Nov 5, 2024 at 1:40 PM
    #1
    Rick G.

    Rick G. [OP] Member since July, 2020

    Joined:
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    The Texas Hill Country
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    2022 SR5 Premium 4WD
    Wifey surprised me last week when, on a rare occasion that she drives (borrows) my 2022 T4R, she also used the back tailgate and so commented to me as clean as you keep your truck, why are the license plate lights so dirty?

    She said she attempted to wipe them off for me but could not, as the dirt was on the inside of the lens units. I had never paid any attention to it, but after she brought it up, it bugged me.

    I decided to take them apart to clean them on the inside.

    I don’t know how they got so dirty- there are black rubber gaskets that seal (supposed to seal) the lenses against the bulb housings, and all held together by two Phillips head screws per unit.

    Anyway, I disassembled them and cleaned them up. Much nicer now.

    For grins and giggles, I also took the time to put a pair of new “peanut” light bulbs in them while I had them apart. Because, sure as hell- if I would not have done that, one of them would have burned out anyway in the next week or so. That’s just the way a lot of stuff works for me. So, I beat them to the punch. lol.

    Anyways, no biggy, but dad gum it now I have clean license plate light lenses. Lol! Easy task.

    Before and after pics:
    IMG_1526.jpg
    IMG_1527.jpg
    IMG_1528.jpg
    IMG_1529.jpg
    IMG_1532.jpg
    IMG_1531.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2024
    Thacrow likes this.
  2. Nov 5, 2024 at 1:52 PM
    #2
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    I'm not too sure why dirt gets into them. I originally swapped them for a sealed board LED style but they were too bright and lit the ground so I went back to the OEM housings with LED lights.
     
  3. Nov 5, 2024 at 2:09 PM
    #3
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    S/E Wisconsin
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    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    Nice! My guess is that the dirt is coming in through the window seal. :notsure:

    Now I need to check mine.
     
  4. Nov 5, 2024 at 2:36 PM
    #4
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

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    Nice. I did the same with Meq. plastic polish. Much better.
     
  5. Nov 6, 2024 at 2:33 AM
    #5
    Kyblack76

    Kyblack76 New Member

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    Layton, Utah
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    Man i wish i had some peoples time to complain about such things.
     
  6. Nov 6, 2024 at 6:01 AM
    #6
    1SilverRunner

    1SilverRunner My boy, blue

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    22 TRD Off Road Premium
    Front Bumper: C4 Fabrication Low-Profile Bumper Warn Evo10-S Winch w/ Warn wireless adapter Extreme LED dual color light bar w/ Cali raised LED OEM style switch Bumper Cover Trimmed For Clearance Rear Bumper: 80% Off Road Rear Bash Bar (Limited rear bumper version) Armor: RCI Skid plate package C4 Gas tank skid RCI Rear diff skid RCI Shock Skids RSG Angled/ Plated Sliders Total Chaos Cam Tab Gussets Total Chaos Spindle Gussets 41.22 Hitch Slider Suspension: Dobinsons IMS long travel shocks: (Front: IMS59-50574 w/ C59-352 Springs) (Rear: IMS59-50575 w/ C59-675v Springs) Apex Chassis Tie Rod Assemblies (KIT410) Apache Off Road UCAs Apache Off Road HD Rear Links (Upper and Lower) Apache Off Road Rear Sway Bar Links Dobinsons Track Bar Front Sway Bar Deleted DuroBumps Rear Bump stops PerryParts Front Bump stops DRKDSS Track Bar Correction kit Dobinsons Diff Drop Wheels/ Tires: RRW 17x8.5 -12 RR6-H Wheels 285/75/17 Falken A/T4W 1.25" SpiderTrax Spacers BMC, Pinch Weld Folded. C4 High Clearance Fender Liners Performance: OTT Tuned Scan Gauge II for Temp Monitoring Yota Shop Diff Breather Storage Solutions: Sherpa Crestone Sport roof rack Aiden James Customs Gear Plate w/ Slide Out Tables *Backordered. Rado Designs Molle storage panels and top shelf Glove Box organizer Center Console organizer Interior: Diode Dynamics LED Interior lighting (Warm white ftw) Meso Customs Hatch lights Meso Customs Door Handle Covers Ram ball mount for Garmin In-Touch Mini II FitCamX Dash Camera Scosche phone mount Weathertech floor matts Misc: Nano Ceramic Tint (Including windshield and sunroof) Midland MXT575 and Ghost Antenna Cali Raised LED 27W Ditch Lights w/ oem style switch OVS Nomadic 6.5' Awning AVS Low Profile Vent Visors AVS Bugflector II Diode Dynamics puddle lights LasFit Reverse lights LED license plate lights Ark Splash Guards Ark Mud Flap Deletes (cut for rear bumper/ bash bar) AJT Push-To-Start Button +Midland handheld GMRS radios, Baofeng UV-5R Ham radio, recovery gear, water purification system, lifeboat food rations, trauma kit, fire extinguisher and fire starting kit stay on board.
    I have this problem currently. I do like the extra lighting but it causes a little glare to happen in my backup camera.
    I might just throw some tape on the edge of the one side the glare is and see if that kills it. If so I'll just put something a little more permanent there. (Paint?)

    Edit: Originally I changed them because the OEM's were so full of dirt they hardly worked anymore. LED's work a lot better and are sealed units.
     

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