AndyG

I got in some LED lights that I replaced my stock license plate lights with and the process was a bit more daunting that I expected, but nothing too tough. Essentially, you need to get into the trunk, remove the protecting cover at the rear and sides, take off the top plastic piece along the trunk edge, and pull the taillights out to replace them. Both sides were easy enough to get to and there's only a few bolts to remove and then the lights slide on out with minimal effort. If you're tugging too hard and it seems stuck, you forgot a bolt (I did!).

Without further ado:

On this model Lexus (and maybe yours too), the license plate lights are recessed in a housing that also accompanies the taillights. We can't get to the bulb from here though, we'll need to get into the trunk.


Don't mind the dirty trunk, a box of cat litter exploded when it was my mother-in-laws car and I haven't been able to get it all out. Anyhow, this is what we're looking at. We'll need to remove that back cover, partially remove the sidewall covers, and remove that plastic strip along the top to get to the guts.


Carefully remove these plastic screw/plugs/thingys as if they break, you're sol until you get more. The top part of this plug needs to come out fully first and then you can remove the lower disk shaped portion from the hole.


All of those removed (should be 3 of them holding on the back wall cover) and we're looking into the rear end now.


To remove the upper plastic guard, gently pry upward at these points and it will snap up and off.


When you've got the guard off, you'll need to remove this additional plug from each side.


There were nuts holding screws in these holes I'm pointing out, I just got in a hurry and forgot to snap a pic. Remove those nuts.


There were two more nuts holding screws at these points in the passenger side corner area. Pull back the side cover to access these.


Drivers side of the trunk corner nut.


Once those are done, you can pull the taillight assembly out.


Remove the old light, plug in the LED light then test it out. If it doesn't light up, flip the bulb's polarity in the socket and try again. When you get them to light, put the assembly back together, push the tail light into the body of the car and reverse operations. You're done!



I originally expected to just pop off the plastic cover over the bulb and change it out that way, but it's not quite that simple as shown above. I hope this helps someone in some way and thanks again for reading!

funcrusher

I got some LED lights for my license plate but haven't put them in yet. I think im going to try and get someone to help me. Do u only need 2 bulbs?

AndyG

Yes, two bulbs, one for each side. It's an easy DIY!

Lexucan

Nice DIY write-up! A few pics always help to describe the process clearly.

305lexus

niceee man..!!! where u bought them?? and u should post pics at night.i wanna buy them!

JTS06Z06

Wow you guys with the older ones sure miss out because they must have changed things around for the newer 98 and up models and made it much easier to do. You simply pop out the plastic push pin and the light assembly drops down, put the new bulb in and done.
I put some LED ones in mine and I recommend going with a pure or warm white LED to give you the most OEM look (like newer Lexus with OEM LED plate bulbs).

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

^^ best way.

Nice write up dude! It sucks you have to take out the tails. I did my entire '01's bulbs in <10 mins.

AndyG

Yeah, these antiques are sometimes tougher to work on! ;D

Here's a couple of shots from tonight - the output is much brighter and easier to see than what was there.

imherenow

looks good..where did u get it from..and what was the part number.

AndyG

I ordered them from FyreFlys out of Houston and they were about $8 total with shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_5584wt_939

I also bought my interior lights from them:

gquinones

You should do your speedo with Leds, theres a forum on here on how to do them.