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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

96-98 - frosted

99 to 02 are more clear in color

 

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

01-02

 

Actually, the new clear taillights came out in 01.

 

Exactly

 

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.

 

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...

 

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.

 

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).