It is possible to change the rear light clusters from a 1990-1993 model year MR2 to the style as seen in the 1994 and later model years. There is a collection of different postings to the MR2 mailing list on this topic at the www.mr2.com website. Various other people have also posted details on performing this modification on their websites, so I've gathered together a few links to their instructions as well as my own:
If you want to perform the modification at minimum expense, it is possible to do it without replacing the trunk lock cylinder. However, if you don't change this part you will no longer be able to open the trunk with the key - you'll always have to use the passenger compartment lever. You can also choose not to purchase the new "MR2" logo that fits on the rear panel between the reversing (back-up) lights. The center panel between the taillights comes prepainted in any of the 1994 colors. If your car has the factory anti-theft system (alarm) you will need the the lock cylinder with the alarm connector.
Note that when you're carrying out the modification you'll have a choice of either using the wiring harness that comes with the new taillights or discarding that and reusing the original pre-1994 harness. My instructions follow the latter approach because I believe it is the simplest. It does mean that the taillight illumination will be slightly different from the stock 1994 and later MR2s. If you're interested in seeing the different lighting effects that choosing one method over the other produces, check out my taillight wiring page.
The parts required are broken down into four major sections:
If you would rather have the amber rear side markers (as found on Japanese-spec MR2s) instead of the red ones, you'll need the following part numbers:
If you're not sure what the “rear side markers” are, take a look at photos 3 & 4 in my installation instructions.
Note that part number 90179-05095 is just a simple 5mm hex nut. If you buy them from Toyota they'll charge you more for one than you could pay for a handful at your local hardware store. It is up to you which you choose.
The rear panel comes pre-painted from the parts department. Not all paint colors may be available, however. If you find that your color is not available, you might consider buying a white panel and having it painted (or painting it yourself) or perhaps fitting a black panel if you have a dark colored car. Most cars came with the gray “MR2” logo, except for those painted gray, which were fitted with the dark gray logo.
If your MR2 came with the “Toyota Theft Deterrent System” (TTDS), or in other words, the factory alarm, you'll need the lock cylinder with the alarm connector.
Note that various postings to the MR2 mailing list archived in the “how-to” section at www.mr2.com list the following parts too:
Note that these parts are not required, since you'll already have them when you remove your existing taillights. The only reason you would need these parts is if you were fitting the taillights to a bare bodyshell from the factory.
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