Replacing a fog light

First: on a Tacoma this is a straightforward job, and since you already have the replacement, you're most of the way there. The one thing to check before you start is whether the deer took out just the fog light or the mounting around it too — that decides whether this is a 20-minute swap or a bracket job.

Check the mounting before you fit the new light. A fog light that got knocked out by an impact doesn't always come out clean. Look at the opening in the bumper: the tabs or bracket the fog light clips or bolts into should be intact, not cracked or bent. If the bracket behind the bumper is bent, a new light won't sit straight no matter how good it is — straighten or replace the bracket first. Also check the wiring connector: make sure the plug isn't cracked and the wires aren't pulled or cut. If the connector is damaged, fix that first — a new light on a bad connector will flicker or not work at all, and you'll be taking the bumper apart twice.

How the swap goes. Tacoma fog lights come out from behind, not from the front. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the opposite side to open up room in the wheel well, then loosen the front part of the fender liner — a few clips and screws — and peel it back enough to reach in. From behind you'll see the fog light housing and its connector. Disconnect the plug first, then release the housing: depending on the year it's held by clips, screws, or a twist-lock. Don't pry from the outside with a trim tool or screwdriver — that's how you crack the bumper cover around the opening and turn a fog-light job into a bumper job. Push the old housing out from behind, fit the new one the same way, and make sure every clip or screw is seated before you reconnect the plug.

Test it before you button everything up. With the new light connected but the liner still loose, switch the fog lights on and check it lights up and sits flush in the bumper opening — even all the way around, no gap on one side, no movement when you press it gently. Then check the aim: park facing a wall about 25 feet away and make sure the new light's beam sits at roughly the same height as the other side. A fog light aimed too high blinds oncoming traffic; too low and it's useless. Once it's flush and aimed right, refit the fender liner and its clips.

On the replacement itself. A replacement fog light assembly commonly fits your Tacoma, but always confirm against your vehicle's exact trim and engine and the product's fitment data before buying, since fog light shape and mounting vary by year and trim — and if you bought a driver's-side unit, double-check it's the driver's side, because the left and right housings are mirror images and won't swap. If the bumper cover is cracked around the opening, the bracket is bent beyond a straightforward fix, or the wiring is damaged behind the bumper, that's the point to get a body shop to look at it — if unsure, consult a professional mechanic.

Disclosure: I used an AI tool to help draft this answer.