1979-1983 Toyota Pickup Tail Light: Styleside vs. Flareside Fitment and Electrical Fixes
This guide covers common failure symptoms, critical compatibility checks for Styleside vs. Flareside beds, and how to inspect a used tail light assembly for your vintage Toyota Pickup.
- You must confirm if your truck has a Styleside (smooth side) or Flareside (stepside) bed; the tail lights are not interchangeable.
- Most tail light problems on these trucks are electrical (bad grounds, corroded sockets, faulty relay), not a failure of the assembly itself.
- When buying a used part, the condition of the bulb sockets is more important than minor scratches on the lens. Avoid any with corrosion.
- Replacement is extremely easy, requiring only a screwdriver and about 20 minutes, making it a great DIY task.
Critical Compatibility: Styleside vs. Flareside Bed
Warning: The single most important factor when replacing a tail light on a 1979-1983 Toyota Pickup is the bed style. The lights for Styleside and Flareside beds are completely different and are not interchangeable.
- Styleside (or Fleetside): This is the standard, more common bed. The sides are flat and smooth, and the wheel wells are located inside the bed.
- Flareside (or Stepside): This bed is narrower, with distinct fenders that bulge out over the rear wheels, often with a small step behind the cab.
Before purchasing any part, visually confirm which bed style your truck has. Ordering the wrong part is the most common and costly mistake.
Symptoms of a Failing Tail Light
On these trucks, tail light problems are more often caused by electrical issues like bad grounds or corrosion than by the assembly itself failing. Here are the common symptoms and what they usually indicate:
Dim or Flickering Lights
When a tail light is dim, flickers, or works intermittently, the cause is almost always a poor electrical connection. The most likely culprit is a bad ground connection where the light assembly bolts to the truck's body, or corrosion inside the bulb socket itself. Over time, rust and moisture interrupt the flow of electricity.
One Function Works, Another Doesn't
If your brake light works but your running light doesn't (or vice-versa), the problem is usually a burned-out filament in the dual-filament bulb. However, it can also point to an issue with the tail light relay or a specific wire in the harness. Sometimes, corrosion in the socket can affect one contact but not the other.
No Lights at All
If the entire tail light assembly is dead, start with the simplest solutions: check for a burned-out bulb and inspect the "TAIL" fuse in the fuse box. If those are good, the issue could be a faulty tail light relay (often located under the dash) or a cut or disconnected wiring harness leading to the rear of the truck. In some cases, a previous owner's attempt at wiring a trailer harness can cause shorts or disconnections.
Moisture Inside the Lens
If you see water droplets or condensation inside the tail light, it means the seal between the lens and the housing has failed. This moisture will quickly lead to corroded bulb sockets and electrical failures. While the lens can sometimes be resealed, it's often best to replace the assembly or lens.
Buying a Used Tail Light: What to Check
A used OEM tail light is often a better choice than a cheap new aftermarket part, as the original Toyota plastic and fitment are typically superior. When inspecting a used part, focus on these key areas:
- Bulb Sockets: This is the most critical inspection point. Look inside each socket for any signs of white or green corrosion, rust, or melted plastic. Clean, shiny metal contacts are a sign of a well-preserved part. A heavily corroded socket will cause constant electrical problems.
- Housing Integrity: Check the plastic housing for any cracks, especially around the mounting points where screws attach it to the truck. After 40+ years, the plastic can become brittle.
- Lens Condition: Minor surface scratches are normal for a used part. Look for deep cracks, spiderwebbing, or heavy, cloudy hazing that would reduce light output or allow water to enter.
- Wiring Pigtail: If the assembly includes a portion of the wiring harness, inspect it for any cut wires, brittle insulation, or shoddy electrical tape repairs. A clean, uncut factory connector is a major plus.
Known Issues, TSBs, and Recalls
There are no official NHTSA recalls or Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for tail light issues on the 1981-1983 Toyota Pickup. However, the owner community has well-documented common problems:
- Bad Grounds: This is the number one cause of lighting issues on these trucks. The lights ground to the body, and any rust or paint can create a weak connection. Many owners add a dedicated ground wire from the light housing directly to a clean spot on the truck's frame to solve this permanently.
- Voltage Regulator Failure: A known issue on some older Toyotas is a failing voltage regulator, which can send too much voltage through the system, blowing out all the bulbs in the tail light and dashboard circuits simultaneously. If you find multiple bulbs are blown, check the charging system voltage before replacing them.
- Hacked Trailer Wiring: Many of these trucks have had trailer hitches and wiring added over the years. These installations, often done with poor-quality connectors, are a frequent source of shorts, bad connections, and general lighting failures.
Replacement Overview & Difficulty
- Difficulty Rating: 1 out of 5 (Very Easy)
- Estimated Time: 15-20 minutes
- Tools Needed: Phillips head screwdriver
Replacing the tail light assembly is one of the simplest repairs you can do. The process involves removing a few screws that hold the lens and housing to the side of the truck bed, unplugging the single wiring connector from the back, and pulling the assembly away. Installation is the direct reverse of removal.
Cost Comparison
Prices for tail light components for the 1979-1983 Toyota Pickup can vary, but they are generally affordable.
| Part Type | Estimated Price Range |
|---|---|
| New OEM Assembly | $100 - $200+ (If found as New Old Stock) |
| New Aftermarket Assembly | $25 - $80 per side |
| Used OEM Assembly | $30 - $60 per side |
| New Aftermarket Lens Only | $20 - $45 per side |
| Shop Labor Cost | $75 - $150 |
Technical Specifications & Part Numbers
These part numbers are for the common Styleside bed models with black trim. Always verify the part number with your vehicle's specific details before ordering.
- Right (Passenger) Assembly: 81550-39625
- Left (Driver) Assembly: 81560-39585
- Right (Passenger) Lens: 81551-89121 (supersedes 81551-89122)
- Left (Driver) Lens: 81561-89122
Pro Tip: Many aftermarket parts use the Partslink number TO2801103. Be aware that this number is often associated with the next generation (1984-1988) pickup, so double-check that the seller guarantees fitment for the 1979-1983 models.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I just replace the lens instead of the whole assembly?
Yes. If your housing is in good condition with no cracks or corrosion, you can often buy just the lens and gasket. This is a cost-effective option if your only problem is a cracked or faded lens.
Why do my dash lights and tail lights not work at the same time?
The tail lights and instrument panel illumination are often on the same circuit and controlled by the same relay. If both stop working simultaneously, the tail light relay under the dashboard is the most likely cause, assuming the fuse is good.
Will a tail light from a 1980 pickup fit my 1983 pickup?
Yes. The tail light assemblies are interchangeable for all 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983 Toyota Pickups, as long as the bed style (Styleside) is the same.
How do I fix a corroded bulb socket?
For minor corrosion, you can often clean the metal contacts inside the socket using a small wire brush, a file, or a dedicated electrical contact cleaner. If the socket is heavily rusted or the plastic is melted, the entire assembly should be replaced.
Technical Specifications
OEM Part Numbers: 81550-39625 81560-39585 81551-89121 81561-89122
Fits 1979-1983 Toyota Pickup with Styleside bed. Features black trim and uses incandescent bulbs.
We Have This Part in Stock
The information in this article is provided for general reference and educational purposes only. Vehicle specifications, procedures, and part compatibility can vary by production date, trim level, and region. Always consult your vehicle's factory service manual and verify part numbers before purchasing or performing repairs. Safety-critical components such as airbags, seat belts, and braking systems should be installed by a qualified professional.
- Toyota Pickup:
- 🛍️ Shop This Part
- Critical Compatibility: Styleside vs. Flareside Bed
- Symptoms of a Failing Tail Light
- Dim or Flickering Lights
- One Function Works, Another Doesn't
- No Lights at All
- Moisture Inside the Lens
- Buying a Used Tail Light: What to Check
- Known Issues, TSBs, and Recalls
- Replacement Overview & Difficulty
- Cost Comparison
- Technical Specifications & Part Numbers
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 🎟️ Get 5% Off