06AC cargo/brake light housing gasket advice/comment

Getting ready for 're-paint' and removed lens & lens gasket to check seal to cab for Brake-CargoLight. Thought I'd see a gasket between cargo/brakelight housing and cab surface.
Toyota parts view shows only a lens gasket between housing and lens.
https://parts.toyotasandiego.com/parts/toyota-center-high-mount-stop-light-gasket-815720c010?c=bT0x

So, I can see clearly there is a black gasket between housing and cab...maybe toyota installed to cab surface w/black seam seal?
Maybe not worth removing for the re-paint since cab is 'almost' rust free [might be some mInor under the roof drip mouldings].

Hard to see, but between housing and cab looks like black seam seal or dried out cracking black foam?

was surprised at how clean housing is; will replace lens gasket [$10].

 

You haven't removed the assembly yet. That entire black piece is taped in with doublesided black foam tape. You'll need to remove it all (it's gnarly), lots of residue.

 

will vouch. 'Tis messy.

 

His is the first I've seen that doesn't have glaringly obvious burn holes above/below the bulbs. Well, none below at least. Above is where my holes were.

For replacement, I think this VIPMOTOZ brand is what others have been using:

VIPMOTOZ Third Brake Light Stop Lamp Seal Gasket For 2000-2006 Toyota Tundra Pickup Truck - Upgrade 4mm Thickness Seal Replacement Foam, Double Side Ultra Strong Adhesive

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S43QCZ6/

 

Will vouch again. My had holes in all 3 spots.

 

That sounds like the normal number of holes.

 

have you considered replacing the housing? See how cloudy the "clear" section is for the white light? You're effectively getting at best half of the light output. And it's only going to get worse



same issue we all have with the headlight housings.

many replacement options out there these days it is amazing the difference it makes for the light output and just appearance, especially if you're getting it repainted

I did a partial repaint on mine at the first of the year. Did not realize how bad it was till I started replacing the light housings. I replaced them all, including the tag lights. Numerous friends were shocked and thought it wasn't the same truck. They literally could not believe it was the same truck. I had also refreshed/treated/replaced some of the trim but the paint and light housings made for the most dramatic change

 

You can buy a new lens alone. That's what I did. Then, later on, I got a smoking deal on the entire housing that remains wrapped, new, in the box. Toyota is VERY proud of that housing, so the price would suggest.

I learned that lesson on my '98 GMT400. Don't expect that stop lamp housing to be available for more than 15 years. Every OEM eventually stops making them because they don't sell at $150+/ea when you can buy a mainland China-made re-pop of shitty quality for $80% less.

 

Agree w/all above; Lens & Lens gasket fr/Toyota about $30, but Im wondering if the entire 'housing' will survive being pulled off for paint. If not, full Toyota assembly price jumps to $120.
I might just buy the complete Toyota assembly and if the OEM disintegrates during paint prep, new goes in; if it survives, I'll just replace lens gskt & lens when I return the entire assembly.
Im almost 100 certain my roof drip rail trims will disintegrate on removal too.
Toyota Parts Related:
Comparing notes w/ a neighbor who has an '04 AC, he said that at another local stealership, Toyota once had a 20% discount on parts to seniors 65+...I bet that was about a single weekend around xmas during our last recession!

 

Lens gasket is just the rubber piece between the colored translucent plastic and the housing. It's not the cab-to-housing foam gasket. Only mentioning in case that's not painfully obvious. Toyota doesn't sell the gasket; it's preinstalled on the housing. You cannot otherwise get the gasket, you must buy the hole housing. F'n stupid.

 

Amazing, but not unexpected fr/T. Thx @Shifty.
So I guess if housing survives removal, theres still the tedious cleanup task of the housing and cab in order to use the VIPMOTOZ gasket.
ReplacIng w/the full T assembly is starting to look worth the $130 in terms of ROI of time...

BTW: Off top of the deck, is it OK to go w/LEDs for this housing? IE: Any reports of subsequent lighting malfunctions such as lack of resistance, short life, etc?

 

Most of the stock housings get burnt/melt from the incandescents…..
I ordered a entire assembly and used leds with no issue

 

I too installed LEDs with no issues.

If I were to do it again, I'd get the corresponding lifetime-warrantied Sylvania ZEVO bulbs in the appropriate colors, white or red.

 

Or this...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3356200228...Yygy6Kz0uY8BbzDk&gPromoCode=13185409405&gQT=2

 

thx @FrenchToasty. Looking forward to updating my paint & body parts.

"A 2024 Toyota Tundra Double Cab Limited has a 5-year cost-to-own of $68,297. After 5 years a 2024 Tundra Double Cab Limited will depreciate $19,661 and have a residual value of $34,044. During this time out-of-pocket expenses are expected to total $48,636."
fr/KBB site.
Makes me feel SO much better about spending on maintenace/restoration of this FGT.