Mr. Bob

I must be missing something.... I looked through some pics after somebody said there was a big difference between 1997 and 1999 tail lights... I really didnt see the difference... I was also looking at crappy pics though....

Could somebody explain the difference to me???

thanks!!!
Bob

marko3xl3

Yeah, I never saw a difference either, I was always wondering what everyone is talking about. I know that the headlights look much cooler (IMO) on the 99-02, but the tail lights always seemed the same to me.

Mr. Bob

The headlights are deadly!!!! maybe we are missing somthing??

marko3xl3

I don't know, I checked some parts sites and they just use the same picture for all years, unlike headlights, so i am really not sure at all. Someone with experience needs to chime in here.

Bob_98SR5

96-98 - frosted

99 to 02 are more clear in color

iceman601

Just like Bob says...here are the pics to clear things up...
96-00

01-02

4RUNN!N

Actually, the new clear taillights came out in 01.

4RunnerFever

Exactly

4Runner4Christ

I dont believe there is a difference between 97 & 99. My 99 taillights looked just like any 97 I ever saw. The pictures dont do justice to the difference between the pre 01's and 01-02's. If you saw them in person it's more noticable. The pre-01 taillights have a dull/frosted look when compared to the modern/clean look of the newer ones. I did this upgrade and really liked it. It really freshened up the back and yet has a clean stock look.

ebelen1

Ditto. I tried looking at pics and couldn't tell the diff. What I did was park next to a newer runner at work and it's night and day difference to me. Especially, after I painted the whole rear of the truck to one color, the newer lights give the truck a newer truck look.

BTW, after I did the mod, I noticed other newer cars/trucks w/ the same newer look of the '01 tails. It's kinda weird how you start noticing things like this after modding your own...

X-AWDriver

The newer tails are clear over the turn signal with a chrome backing reflectore inside and those two little diffs do make a big visual difference but I'm holding off on a pair for now.

ebelen1

If anyone is interested in this mod, the cheapest OEM tails I could find was from 1sttoyotaparts.com. The tails were $90 each and cheaper than Fink got his (which he gets a deal at his local stealership).