the license plate lights and window switch on the rear trip piece dont work and I wanted to figure out how to get the trim off so I can look at it. I honestly have no idea

 

You'll have to take off the carpet and the inspection plate on the inside of the tailgate. There are 2 tabs on the inside of the tailgate that hold that trim piece on, you may or may not need to remove the glass as well, you might be able to just drop the tailgate and extend the glass so you can access the tabs.

 

Here's what the backside of the TOYOTA panel looks like:

One screw on each side and a press in stud in the middle:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72188695@N05/8098822335/
Close up on the stud:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/72188695@N05/8098822469/
Close up on the one of the screws:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/72188695@N05/8098832028/

 

the fun part is working upside down on your back in the bed reaching through the access panel. Window must be up/tailgate closed to get to it.

 

thanks, guys! everyone is always so quick to respond on yotatech, i love it

 

by the way, stanz, I dig the profile pic, the only other place I have seen that logo has been on a sweatshirt

 

I always have the window in the closed position and have the tail gate open.Remember closed is up and open is down.

I just close the window enough to get at the nuts and disconnect the switch.

simple to unplug the motor and operate the motor in the direction you want. With the tailgate down although Toyota calls it the rear hatch.

I have found the license plate lights here in the salt belt just rust away.

For what it is worth the license plate lights the blubs are changed from the outside if you look up from the bottom