Alternative for Tail Light Gaskets?

[Tire Shredder]

Hey Guys and Gals,

I removed my front and rear bumper and took it to a bodyshop to have the paint stripped and repainted. (bye bye stone chips and spider cracks). but the main issue was to fix the rust/half-assed bondo around the antenna area and gas door. some rust was found under the flare aswell. However, this is not the issue as it has been fixed professionally. When I removed the tail lights to aid in removing the bumper, I found that my tail light gaskets were completley puffed up and cracked. They fell apart when attempting to remove them.

Thanks to Ken's post..I gave the local toyota dealer the part numbers and the response I got was this:

tailight gaskets -
-part#81554 - $37.30 each plus tax
- part# 81558 - $35.30 each plus tax
- part#81552 - $19.90 each plus tax

This means nearly $200 with tax to replace some strips of rubber. To me, this seems ubsurd and unecessary...there HAS to be some other option for a FIPG or similar solution...I was thinking I could use black silicone or FIPG. I suppose to trick is to let it set up so it can truely be used as a gasket and not as a sealant or adhessive.

What are your guys thoughts on alternatives? what's worked in the past?

Thanks for any help,
Steve

[stevrock]

Sorry to jump in here, but I also realized the last lightning storm that this was the source of half my pool in the back of the car.

I've thought of foam tape, but I'm not sure how well that would work around the corners..

I'll check out can-tire or wally-world friday, see what I can dig up.

[SilverMk2]

Buy a big sheet of foam gasket, a bunch of exacto blades, and go to town. The other option is call Jeff Watson and cut that price in half probably. I don't FIPG seems kinda ghetto on tailights.

[Tire Shredder]

I expected some pricey replacement parts, but to be honest it just wasn't in my budget for gaskets of that price. I'll have a look around for some foam gasket.

I have a friend whom is a TSC member and also a shop manager at a toyota dealership, offering me a 20% discount. even with that discount, I just can't justify paying that much for such an insignificant part. 19 trying to fix my car up, saving for university....it's just crazy and irresponsible for me to get them from the dealer when there could be other solutions.

thanks for the suggestions so far.

[RedP85]

Steve, 1 in wide tape (one sticky side) used on pick-ups to seal between
fiberglass cargo and side steel panels would do just fine.
Available at Canadian Tire, in the car/truck accessories area.
Not in the door / window insulation area !

[935motorsports]

double sided sticky foam seal

actually, just a typical old seal that is not broken.. Just cover it in RTV, evenly, let it dry some, and stick away.

I don't see how it is ghetto if it works and nobody can see it. New seals are ideal, but some of us have a very limited budget and have to do what we can to make things work.

[SupraFiend]

I've used the tape that RedP85 suggested, but from a different parts store oute here. Just make sure its not too thick or it will be a bear getting the tail light on and it might bulge out. You take the strips and stick them to the car to best approximate the coverage of the original gasket, then you use silicone to seal all the gaps and ends. Works pretty good but if you ever have to take the seals off the car to repaint again you have to do this all over again.

[Angkistrodon]

Urethane....watertight and cheap. However you might need to wait for a hot day to take them out again.

[Tire Shredder]

great! thanks for the suggestions guys!

I know how the confidence I will find something that will work.

[stevrock]

Mr. Trepanier, I was just at my local parts shop (Auto Sense), and I told them of my dilema.

I asked about a larger piece of gasket foam that is waterproof that I can cut out. He said he thinks he can do better.

The part number is PRF PF300, is it a Black Dum Dum Caulking Strips, cost me less then $12, and it stays soft. It's not like a urethane that will harder and be a bitch to remove, or a gasket that will dry out.

I just finished putting it on my lights (can be a pain, just don't let your fingers get tacky), and am sure that the lights are now water tight.

I'll let you know otherwise after I wash it and they leak.

[stevrock]

Just washed the car, seems to work just fine.. little bit of water (much less then before), so I think it sealed the light up.

It's just finding a way through somewhere else.

[Angkistrodon]

Dum dum strips....good idea.
I've got a roll of it. Going to try it tomorrow. Thanks.

[kbox]

If someone was kind enough to send me their old ones, we could produce the gaskets at a fraction of that cost.

[Dean]

If someone was kind enough to send me their old ones, we could produce the gaskets at a fraction of that cost.
Have you got a local Mk2 to test fit the fender flare trim on? If so, ask them to bring a set of taillight gaskets. If they can't do it, I'll get you some. I'll even be in Mississauga this week, probably Tuesday.

[kbox]

Have you got a local Mk2 to test fit the fender flare trim on? If so, ask them to bring a set of taillight gaskets. If they can't do it, I'll get you some. I'll even be in Mississauga this week, probably Tuesday.


Hi Dean,

No one local spoke up so I had shipped a small piece off to Seamus in BC. I was also in the the mist of hosting our annual Kingston MR2 Event this past weekend so my time was very limited.

Speaking of which, can you let me know how much you need? Not for one car but for all your cars.

I should be in Mississauga on Tuesday during the day in the Dixie/Hwy 10 area.


Let me know.

[SupraFiend]

Jody, just posting the pics now and I have spare foam seals to donate if you don't get any from someone closer.

[kbox]

I just replied to your email. Can't wait to see the pics.

[Tire Shredder]

ohhh boy this is exciting! i'm anxiously awaiting this kit Jody, I'll buy a set as soon as it's available! (flare trim that is)

As for the tail light gaskets, I'd be interested in that too. my locla autoparts store only had small sheets of gasket, and only double sided tape...no single. In the end i decided to go with a tube of black silicone. I used ample amounts and put it in the same area as the old gaskets. a small amount of oil film should allow me to remove them later if I want. so far, it seems to have done the trick. The suggestions have served me well..just sucks I don't have many options in a small town.

Steve

[kbox]

The gaskets which Charles shipped to me came in this week. These ones are really easy to do. If all goes well I should be able to make a kit of all six gaskets for under 50 bucks.

Charles, for which model Supra are these gaskets for again? It looks like Toyota lists 3 different types depending on the hatch.

I have also found out that these gaskest are no longer available from Toyota 81552-14480 & 81554-14430 which I am certain are the ones for the smaller lights.

[SupraFiend]

3 Different types? There should only be 2 differnt sets, ones for Supras and ones for Celicas as they have completley different tail lights. I don't think the gaskets changed when the Supra tail lights were updated in 84 but I could be wrong.

[charles q]

The three I sent were from an '84 PType