This sounds like a promising option. Did you get the inner and outer lights on eBay or elsewhere? Do you know the specs on the connector and wire you used? Also assume it was a straight shot with the fish to the light housing from the top of the trunk?
Yes EBay. Fishing wires: Yes straight shot up through the quarter panel into the roof to the rubber boot between the hatch and top of the Sienna. Used a $10 wire fishing tool from Harbor Freight to fish the wires to the boot. Pull the ends of the boot out of their holes and then it’s easier to feed your wires through the boot into the hatch. I used about 15’ of 20 gauge wire and T-Taps from Amazon so I didn’t buy any connectors. Also, finding the right connectors is very challenging. The side lights are super easy, the connectors match up so no wiring to do, 10 minutes each and done. I had them in for 2 weeks before tackling the hatch lights. The hatch is more work. Figuring out how to put the new hatch lights in, removing the hatch inner cover and subwoofer. Installing the lights, fishing the wires, and tapping into the right ones to get power to the hatch lights took me 2.5 hours. Knowing what I know now, I could easily cut that time in half. There is definitely a learning curve to this process… it helps if you’ve done wiring in cars before. I’ve upgraded sound systems and put in half a dozen stealth dash cams so I’m ok with removing panels and fishing wires so that everything is hidden and looks ‘stock’
Actually, you need all 4 light assembly's to do it correctly (2 for hatch and 2 for sides). You can get all four brand new from a Toyota dealer for about $830 retail. I assume you can save a bit if the dealer is discounting but I'm guessing you'll still come in around $700. The stereo shop idea is a good one, the average cost per hour for them in the U.S. is $77 an hour. They'll need 2 hours if they haven't done it before...
Just bought a 22 XLE Sienna and was very upset when I noticed the dim tail lights and especially the fake tail lights mounted on the hatch that don't even light up. I feel Toyota pulled a slick trick on me and others by not mentioning this difference in any of their printed material concerning the differences between the XLE and upper trim levels. They may feel good about it but I don't! If someone rear ends me at night, then it may become a serious issue!
I also was surprised to find I didn’t have the rear tail lights that the other higher models had. That’s exactly why I upgraded my ‘22 XLE to the premium tail lights. Without them I feel I’m more exposed to being rear ended. Shame on Toyota for choosing a few dollars more profit over the added safety/visibility on the LE & XLE models for their customers. I really think the LE and XLE Siennas are under lighted from the rear…
woodland based on XLE , so maybe not have led tail lights.
Actually, even though the 2022 Toyota Press pictures show the Woodland with the 3 strip LED tail lights, it apparently ships with the single light like the LE and XLE trims...
Correct. The Woodland does not have the fancy LED taillights. There are not many differences between the Woodland and XSE (lights, suspension, front grille, wheel design). Some of the Woodland features (e.g., JBL stereo, 1500w inverter) are optional on the XSE.
