My new tail light lens arrived today. Out of the box, it compares well to the original lens (first photo). I included three photos comparing the bulb fitting holes. I used a Dremel and utility knife to clean up the holes. The plastic molding of the holes on the replacement lens left a lot to be desired (third photo). I used calipers and eye-ball to try to make the holes in the replacement the same as the holes in the original. The bottom hole is recessed on the original and raised a bit on the replacement (fourth photo), which worried me, but seems to have worked out okay.
The lamp assembly is fastened with two screws and two pins. The pins fit into a plastic socket that is pressed onto a metal tab. When I went to install I noticed one of the sockets for the pin was missing. The socket was still attached to the pin of the original lamp assembly. The hardest part of this whole install was getting that socket (the thing in the last photo that looks like a tall hat) off the pin of the original assembly. Fortunately I found a tool to help--a tiny crowbar, about 5" long with a sharp, forked end that I could force under the socket to pop it off the pin. I added a drop of super glue under the "hat brim" when I pressed it back into its' tab. Hope that holds.
So, it took some fuhduperating, but I'm pleased to have a tail lens back in place for $65 vs the $340 the dealer wanted for a replacement assembly. The lights all work and it looks good. It may yet fail. I don't think the glue between the lens and the housing goes all the way around, which makes me think water will get in there. We'll see.
Anybody know what that gray Denko Nitto thing is? (second photo) There are two of them. No wires visibly run to them.