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Toyota Tundra: How to Replace Your Headlights and Fog Lights

Changing the headlight and fog light bulbs is a really basic procedure that can be done by any Tundra owner. Keep reading to learn more.

By Jared Hammond - January 20, 2016

This article applies to the Toyota Tundra (2000-Present).

If you're driving at night with only one working headlight, then you might as well be driving with one eye closed. Ensuring that your headlights are clean and have the brightest available bulbs will help you see more of the road at night. For the Tundra, replacing the headlight or fog light bulb couldn't be simpler. Just follow the instructions below and you'll have your headlight working in no time.

Toyota Tundra How to Replace Headlights and Fog Lights

Materials Needed

  • Replacement headlight/fog light bulbs
  • Flat head screwdriver
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Ratchet with 10mm socket
  • Needle nose pliers

Step 1 – Replace the headlight bulb

Start by opening the hood of your truck. Behind your headlight assembly you'll see an electrical connector. Wiggle the connector loose from the assembly. Next, you need to remove the cover from the back of the headlight assembly. Pull it back until you can see the wire spring. Push in the wire spring and move it out so it comes loose. Now you can move the wire spring and the boot out of the way to access the back of the bulb socket. Remove the bulb socket with the bulb attached. Pull the old headlight bulb out of the socket, then attach the new one. Make sure that you don't get the surface of the bulb dirty or grimy and don't touch the bulb directly, as this will create hot spots and can cause the bulb to burn out.

Reinsert the bulb socket to the back of the headlight assembly. Return the wire spring to its locked in position, then pull the cover back over the bulb socket. Lastly, reconnect the electrical connector until it clicks back into place.

Toyota Tundra headlight assembly
Figure 1. Back of the headlight assembly.

Pro Tip

If you're having difficulty accessing the bulb because the space is too tight, you can also try removing the headlight assembly from the truck. To do this you'll need to remove the tap screw at the top of the headlight, slide out the turn signal light, then remove the four bolts at each corner of the headlight assembly. Slide the headlight forward until you can access the bulb socket.

Step 2 – Replace the fog light bulb

The only way to access the fog light bulb is to approach it from underneath the truck. You'll find it attached to the fender just below your headlight bulb. To remove the fog light bulb, twist the bulb socket counterclockwise and then pull it out. Push down the tab on the electrical socket to disconnect it from the bulb socket. Then, pull the bulb out of the bulb socket and replace it with the new bulb. After that just plug the bulb socket back into the electrical connector, then slide it back into the fog light housing. Remember to twist it clockwise to lock it into place.

Testing headlight and fog lights
Figure 2. Test out your new bulbs before going on the road.

Featured Video: How to Replace Headlight Bulbs on Toyota Tundra

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