I was running out of daylight yesterday and feared breaking something. I am talking about the rear center lamp garnish that says "GS300" on our cars. I am replacing it with the "Aristo" version. I got all 9 bolts and heard the 2 clips pop, but it wasn't coming up as easy as I thought it would. Do I just need to apply more pressure, or is there a trick? Any advice would be most welcome. Same with the rear tail lights; I haven't even started on those yet. Although looking through the service manual, they look to be just as simple as the center panel. <insert evil grin here>.

Ken

 

they are a ***** for sure to come out,

on the ends, towards the top of the trunk, i'll try to find a picture, but there's 2 clips on the ends, do you get waht i'm talking about?

 

I think so. Are they similar to the clips in the center of the panel that go "POP" when you pry up?

 

ummmm, kinda, they're little plastic things, that are on the outside of the panel.

say if you open the trunk, so that GS300 is pointing straight into the air, then look from the drivers of the car, towards the passenger side, so that the rear window is on the left side of you, then, look athe the GS300 that's pointing straight in the air,

and where hte light assembly meets the trunk lid, they'll be right there(one on each side)


so basically, if you close the trunk, they are in between the signal light assembly and center garnish

each side is shaped differently, cause it's cutout to go under the trunk. want me to find a picture?

 

If you have one handy. I don't recall seeing any clips on the side of the panel, just smooth black plastic.

 

that's the only decent picture i managed ot find quickly on the internet,

go outside and look at your GS300 one, where that red circle is, there'll be one on each side

 

i can take a picture of mine if you need?

 

Yeah, when you get a chance please. I'm at work now, can't go out for another 15 minutes.

 

k, i'll be back in a few, i'm using my phone btw, i'm not finding my camera it's to cold outside

 

here, open your trunk and yo ushould find this:


remove this piece, so your left with this:




then your right, undo the 9 bolts or so, including the little rubber caps that have nuts under them on the outside edges. then you gotta pry it out, it's a pain in the ***, i really had to pry mine up, i used a big screwdriver to pry up one side, then pull up on the other side

 

AWESOME !!! Thank you !!!

 

did you remove those before?

 

Nope, never even saw them mentioned in the service manual. But it was also 5 hours working on the car, so I might have missed it.

 

fair enough, let me know if you have any other troubles

also, do you need a toyota grill and from emblem? i have the rear emblem too if you need it

 

Hell yeah !! At least until I get my Aristo clip. I have the rear Toyota emblem in the stock 3 piece spoiler. And the "ARISTO" for the trunk. How much are you asking for the front grill and front emblem?