[lightfreak]

After some google-fu and poking and prodding a few dealers I was able to acquire a set of the Genuine Toyota OEM REAR FOG Lights lights that come standard on European market 2020+ Highlanders.
These replace the non-lighted reflectors on the rear bumpers.

My research took me to a Global Toyota parts supplier based in Dubai and ended with a local dealer in Southern Ontario special ordering from Toyota USA's warehouse, the parts arrived at my door a week later.

Any dealer in US/Canada should be able to special order these. They will be non-returnable items.
Total cost about $240 CAD including shipping and 13% tax.

Here are the part numbers:

81490-0E070 , RR FOG, LEFT HAND (driver's side)

81480-0E070, RR FOG, RIGHT HAND (passenger's side)

550B refers to Toyota's internal Program Code for the 4th gen Highlander.

The bulb socket wire is INCLUDED with each rear fog light, but here's the part number for reference:
81459-0E030, Bulb Socket and Wire

Here's where I ordered them.

https://www.toyotapartsdirect.ca/p/Toyota__/LAMP-ASSEMBLY--FOG-Left--Rear/94471338/814900E070.html

https://www.toyotapartsdirect.ca/p/Toyota__/LAMP-ASSEMBLY--FOG-Right--Rear/94471334/814800E070.html

IMPORTANT for CANADIANS: don't input your VIN or the order will be cancelled. Just leave a note in the order that these will be retrofitted. These parts aren't tied to any vehicle in Toyota's North American lineup so there's technically no compatibility in the system. For questions email [email protected] and ask for Bowen.

For US owners, you'll likely need to do the same through a Toyota online store or your local Toyota Parts counter.
ToyotaPartsDeal.com has them listed

81490-0E070 Genuine Toyota Lamp Assembly, Rr Fog, L

ToyotaPartsDeal.com offers the great deal for genuine Toyota parts 81490-0E070 (814900E070) Lamp Assembly, Rr Fog, L for $85.50. All parts are backed by the Toyota's warranty.

www.toyotapartsdeal.com

81480-0E070 Genuine Toyota Lamp Assembly, Rr Fog, R

ToyotaPartsDeal.com offers the great deal for genuine Toyota parts 81480-0E070 (814800E070) Lamp Assembly, Rr Fog, R for $85.50. All parts are backed by the Toyota's warranty.

www.toyotapartsdeal.com

The included bulbs are standard halogen 7440 bulbs. I highly recommend amber LED bulbs to colour match with the tail/brake lights.


EU vs China Market REAR FOG LIGHTS
If you followed my other thread where I talked about the China Market version Rear Fog lights I installed from a Crown Kluger, there's some differences and I would recommend the EU version over the China version.
The EU fogs are made in USA and designed to match our bumpers exactly which are also made in USA, it's safe to assume it's the same bumper used on the EU market Highlanders.
The China market OEM rear fogs are made in China and designed for their made in China 4th gen bumpers.
On the China version one of the tabs is too long and needs to be cut with a new hole drilled. The fitment of the China fogs into our bumpers is also just a little loose although they fit fine once screwed down.
I've had the China version on my car for 3 weeks and they're already one of those "should've came with the car" type of mod. I'll wait for a nice day to throw the EU versions. With winter coming it may have to wait till spring. I should be able to do it without taking off the whole bumper again, just releasing the sides of the bumpers should work.

Here is the China market version with tail/brake lights on. Using VLEDS high visibility 7440/7443 amber LED bulbs

Here's a video on how to properly use rear fog lights

Here's a general comparison video showing the difference with and without rear fog lights. (not my video)

 

[JB in AZ]

Kudos on the research and great post! While I have no desire for them, I think you have provided a very comprehensive and detailed set of steps for those who do.

 

[richbloom]

How did you install them?

 

[sarcoptic]

How did you install them?

My exact question...is there factory wiring already present to just plug into?

 

[SummerLimited]

Nice but violates US regulations

"
333.06 RED REFLECTORS ON REAR OF VEHICLES.

(a) Every new motor vehicle hereafter sold and operated upon a street, other than a commercial tractor, to which a trailer or semitrailer is attached, shall carry at the rear, either as a part of the taillights or separately, two red reflectors meeting the requirements of this Code, except that vehicles of the type mentioned in Ohio R.C. 4513.07 shall be equipped with reflectors as required by the regulations provided for in such section.



(b) Every such reflector shall be of such size and characteristics and so maintained as to be visible at night from all distances within 300 feet to fifty feet from such vehicle"

 

[lightfreak]

Nice but violates US regulations

"
333.06 RED REFLECTORS ON REAR OF VEHICLES.

(a) Every new motor vehicle hereafter sold and operated upon a street, other than a commercial tractor, to which a trailer or semitrailer is attached, shall carry at the rear, either as a part of the taillights or separately, two red reflectors meeting the requirements of this Code, except that vehicles of the type mentioned in Ohio R.C. 4513.07 shall be equipped with reflectors as required by the regulations provided for in such section.



(b) Every such reflector shall be of such size and characteristics and so maintained as to be visible at night from all distances within 300 feet to fifty feet from such vehicle"

The bottom 1/3 are Reflectors.
It’s the top 2/3 of the assembly that’s the fog light.
Some European countries have the same reflector requirement actually, they just also require at least one rear fog, 2 if the vehicle is a certain width.

 

[lightfreak]

My exact question...is there factory wiring already present to just plug into?

Unfortunately no, if life were only that easy

This post covers the install and I’d say it’s intermediate difficulty if you’ve taken panels off a Toyota before and have some electrical experience.

DIY Install OEM Style Dash Switch

DIY Install OEM Style Dash Switch Here' an easy tutorial on installing OEM Style 22mm X 22mm dash switches to power any electrical add-ons. My '21 XSE came with 2 switch banks as it only comes stock with the Auto High-Beam and Hatch Release switches. This will vary depending on your trim...

www.toyotanation.com

 

[sarcoptic]

Unfortunately no, if life were only that easy

This post covers the install and I’d say it’s intermediate difficulty if you’ve taken panels off a Toyota before and have some electrical experience.

DIY Install OEM Style Dash Switch

DIY Install OEM Style Dash Switch Here' an easy tutorial on installing OEM Style 22mm X 22mm dash switches to power any electrical add-ons. My '21 XSE came with 2 switch banks as it only comes stock with the Auto High-Beam and Hatch Release switches. This will vary depending on your trim...

www.toyotanation.com

Definitely above my pay grade but fantastic work!

 

[SummerLimited]

The bottom 1/3 are Reflectors.
It’s the top 2/3 of the assembly that’s the fog light.
Some European countries have the same reflector requirement actually, they just also require at least one rear fog, 2 if the vehicle is a certain width.

View attachment 404741

Good to know
when i had an Audi it was a software setting that would light the drivers side light when car was parked
when the turn signal lever was pushed forward.
Useful on dark streets in the fog when parked

 

[Sporan]

Nice. I had a '91 Audi that came with a rear fog. It was a single separate bright red light. Def helpful in low vis conditions. There are some aftermarket lit replacements for those reflectors that mimic the turn and brake signals. I imagine these could be wired as rear fogs. Here's an example. They're much less expensive than the factory fogs.

Amazon.com: AstraDepot Compatible with Red CCFL LED Rear Bumper Reflector Brake Tail Light Sequential Flash Turn Signal 20 21 Toyota Highlander Multiple Functions : Automotive

Buy AstraDepot Compatible with Red CCFL LED Rear Bumper Reflector Brake Tail Light Sequential Flash Turn Signal 20 21 Toyota Highlander Multiple Functions: Tail Light Assemblies - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[lightfreak]

Nice. I had a '91 Audi that came with a rear fog. It was a single separate bright red light. Def helpful in low vis conditions. There are some aftermarket lit replacements for those reflectors that mimic the turn and brake signals. I imagine these could be wired as rear fogs. Here's an example. They're much less expensive than the factory fogs.

Amazon.com: AstraDepot Compatible with Red CCFL LED Rear Bumper Reflector Brake Tail Light Sequential Flash Turn Signal 20 21 Toyota Highlander Multiple Functions : Automotive

Buy AstraDepot Compatible with Red CCFL LED Rear Bumper Reflector Brake Tail Light Sequential Flash Turn Signal 20 21 Toyota Highlander Multiple Functions: Tail Light Assemblies - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Those don’t have the fog reflector in them to throw the light down the road. They’re more for decorative use.
There’s a video on YouTube with them in action and they don’t look any brighter than the tail lights.

 

[2VZ-FE]

The factory method requires replacing the turn signal switch which has a spring loaded switch for the rear fog light, after the front fog detent

 

[2VZ-FE]

Those don’t have the fog reflector in them to throw the light down the road. They’re more for decorative use.
There’s a video on YouTube with them in action and they don’t look any brighter than the tail lights.

Rear fogs don’t throw light down the road. It needs to be bright enough to see the car in heavy fog

 

[lightfreak]

The factory method requires replacing the turn signal switch which has a spring loaded switch for the rear fog light, after the front fog detent

I found those part numbers also, the turn signal stalk with rotary rear fog light switch built into it and the required harness under the steering wheel. Easily doubles the cost of the project, but they’re not available here.
We might also need the Euro spec BCM to control it, since on the Euro highlander the rear fogs revert to off automatically when car is restarted. If true this turns a not so bad install into a very complicated one.

 

[lightfreak]

Rear fogs don’t throw light down the road. It needs to be bright enough to see the car in heavy fog

The point is it needs to go further than your tail lights, otherwise what’s the point? My rear fogs do throw light down the road further than my tail lights. I’ll get you picture if it helps.

 

[2VZ-FE]

The point is it needs to go further than your tail lights, otherwise what’s the point? My rear fogs do throw light down the road further than my tail lights. I’ll get you picture if it helps.

So do brake lights compared to running lights, they project farther than running lights due to shear brightness difference

Rear fogs are not made to blind the crap out of other drivers behind you.

I’ve had many European cars with rear fog lights already

turn signals project further than running lights due to brightness also, that’s why many people drive with their hazards on in inclement weather where visibility is restricted

EU has requirements for minimum distance between rear fog and brake lights which dictates whether an automaker can put 1 or 2 rear fogs

 

[lightfreak]

So do brake lights compared to running lights, they project farther than running lights due to shear brightness difference

Rear fogs are not made to blind the crap out of other drivers behind you.

I’ve had many European cars with rear fog lights already

turn signals project further than running lights due to brightness also, that’s why many people drive with their hazards on in inclement weather where visibility is restricted

EU has requirements for minimum distance between rear fog and brake lights which dictates whether an automaker can put 1 or 2 rear fogs

You will annoy other drivers if using them when not needed. They’re really good for tailgaters though. You’re supposed to keep them off in good weather. My rear fogs go much further than my brake lights and turn signals.

 

[2VZ-FE]

You will annoy other drivers if using them when not needed. They’re really good for tailgaters though. You’re supposed to keep them off in good weather. My rear fogs go much further than my brake lights and turn signals.

You're supposed to keep the front fogs off in good weather also, but it doesn't stop people from using them in good weather anyway.

 

[CC_HH]

I found those part numbers also, the turn signal stalk with rotary rear fog light switch built into it and the required harness under the steering wheel. Easily doubles the cost of the project, but they’re not available here.
We might also need the Euro spec BCM to control it, since on the Euro highlander the rear fogs revert to off automatically when car is restarted. If true this turns a not so bad install into a very complicated one.

So there's no harness available at all? For any stretch of wiring?

 

[lightfreak]

So there's no harness available at all? For any stretch of wiring?

I didn’t look into the harnesses that much.
There’s no factory harness just for the rear fogs though, from the back it’d be all bundled together with the wires for the tail lights, blind spot monitors , tailgate speaker , tow converter, kick sensor etc and runs to the front in a thick harness. This type of harness would be very expensive even if you can get them, and there’d be additional wires for other features we don’t get here or possibly missing wires for features they don’t get in Europe.

I decided to make a dedicated harness in multiple sections for easy future repair or complete/partial removal if needed. Didn’t want to touch any existing harnesses.

My configuration:
Section 1 - from dash switch/fuse box down to driver’s kick panel.

2 - goes through driver’s door sill to just before B pillar

3- goes through B pillar and ends after B pillar

4- goes through 2nd row door sill and runs to the floor cover at the first step of the 3rd row

5 - runs under the cargo area through the empty cavity and out the grommet at the rear corner.

6- this is the main external harness with 2 waterproof connectors at each end to match with the fog socket wires


I’m interested to see how others might tackle this project , it could’ve been done adequately a few different ways.