Removing yellow reflector from Gen 2 Solara

[michaels artic frost]

Hello everyone,

Since I had a 3 day weekend ahead, I wanted to try and make the most of it. I really haven’t had time to R&D anything for my car due to grill orders. I apologize that some orders took longer than others due to my health. Don’t get me wrong, I love making the grills for each and everyone of you and I’m very grateful for everyone’s support.

Let me cut to the chase, Mark (krawzyazn ) and myself were discussing about clear headlights and other things. He is one of the reason that helped motivated me to proceed with this project. Thanks Mark.

It’s really hard for me to detail all of the instructions for a DIY. So, I’ll just give the procedures and if you have specific questions, feel free to ask.

General layout to removing yellow reflective corner piece from headlight of a 2004 Toyota Solara.
1. Remove front bumper. Start from left or right.
2. Start by removing half of the black wheel well under carriage and work towards the front bumper.
3. There is 1 screw that is situated underneath the bumper that requires you to remove the entire front bumper in order to remove the headlights. (There are several pictures pointing to bolts to remove for the headlight assembly.
4. Once you have removed the headlight successfully. From past experience of baking headlights in the ovens, I’ve chosen a safer method since I only have 1 set of headlights. I used a blow drier to heat up the corer of the yellow reflector.
5. Be very careful when trying to pry the edge of the headlight. This is not light the gen 1 where you just pry a bit and you’re successful. This is very time consuming.
6. You will want to pry a big enough opening area to remove the yellow reflector.
7. Once you have it open, you may want to place something inside the headlight to keep the opening secure, otherwise it will close up.
8. There is a small screw that you will need to remove. It’s not your ordinary flat or Phillips head screwdriver. You will need a 6 star head (T15) to unscrew the inside frame that is holding the yellow reflector.
9. Once the screw has been removed. This was very hard as well. Pry a big enough opening to pull the yellow reflector out of the headlight.
10. You will need to use clear silicon to reseal the headlight.
11. Do the same thing for the other headlight.
12. Once both yellow reflectors have been successfully removed and the headlight has been sealed. Put everything back together. Good luck. It’s actually easier than it seems.

Use the instructions above to help guide you through this DIY project. I did take plenty of pictures to help guide you along the way.

I’ve been up all night and still have not gotten any rest, so that’s the reason for not detailing every little thing.

I also washed my car and took some close up photos. I hope you guys find this helpful.

Best regards,
Michael

Here's the link to imagestation.
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=3990725093

[pontfirebird73]

now THAT is sweet!!

[pontfirebird73]

just a thought....

will the lexus ES headlights fit on the solara? they are already clear.

[Jon11582]

Im almost positive the shape is different.

I really like the look of it. Good job on havin the first true clear corners for Gen2.

Also, I dont know how it goes around Kentucky for inspection (I know some states dont have it at all), but clear corners can cause u to fail inspection, so you may wanna pick up an extra set of headlights for cheap off ebay when that time rolls around.

[geminimouse]

It looks a lot better. Nice write up
Hope I can see that car in person someday

[s e y t o n]

mike, you are truly a gen 2 revolutionary.

viva la revolucion! :bcrowd:

[Astro]

Damn Michael, again you amaze me with your talent! Good job!

[krawzyazn]

haha what time did you finish mike? i know it was like 12 am already for the first side lol

also let me tell you its not a walk in the park or as easy as some of you think to make the clear corners for your car

[Mole]

clean job.


are your fingers still hurting?

[redkysolarase]

The pictures can't give the car justice. Now I haven't seen the car since the doors and all but it's a really nice car. My favorite for sure. Even though you called me at like 2:30 in the morning just to tell me that lol... it looks really good Michael. Can't wait to see what you come up with next.

[slingshot]

hahaha, I think he called me right after you!

[thealkimo]

wow! what a difference on the gen2! nice work!

[SolaraT]

THIS Rocks!!!! Mike T What else you got man??? Find/Make some coilovers for the GEN 2.

You rock hard! I have heard alot of good comments about you from other members.

[michaels artic frost]

Thanks everyone! I just wanted to answer a few Q.

just a thought....

will the lexus ES headlights fit on the solara? they are already clear.

Im almost positive the shape is different.

I really like the look of it. Good job on havin the first true clear corners for Gen2.

Also, I dont know how it goes around Kentucky for inspection (I know some states dont have it at all), but clear corners can cause u to fail inspection, so you may wanna pick up an extra set of headlights for cheap off ebay when that time rolls around.

/\/\/\/\/\ Jon11582 is right on this one about the ES headlights. They may look the same, but the headlight assembly is totally different.

As for inspections. KY is slow on everything, so we have none, thank goodness. I would like to get another set from ebay when they're not too expensive ($100 each right now).

Mark, I finished 'round 6 AM eastern times and washed it too. And Mark is right about clear corners, they're not as easy as it seems. I'd just prefer buying them from ebay if they had some. We all know that it's going to be a long wait, so that's the only reason why I opted to do the project.

Mike, my fingers are still hurting...hahah.

Sorry for calling you so late Bryan (redkysolarase) and you too Dave (slingshot). Somehow I knew you guys were up...hhaha.

solarat, I wished I had more resources to some of the things that I have in mind. Perhaps one day...heehee.

Overall, I'm very pleased that I did it, because we all know that good feeling when projects are completed.

I'd love to meet everyone, perhaps one day once my ride is ready to be hitched in an enclosed trailer and headed to shows all across the U.S. But the current plans are to get a used truck or SUV along with a used trailer for my ride. Wish me luck.

Off the subject for a minute: It's amazing how 3-4 hours of rest does to you as compared to no rest at all. I feel REFRESHED! LOL

Thanks again,
Michael