I'm excited to see how the new speakers turn out after they're installed. Looks like they will be a huge improvement in comparison to stock.
I'll be looking into those Jogon carbon fiber steering wheel pieces too. They look great.
I wanted to ask, where did you get your stitched air bag cover? I love the look and want to look into it myself.
Looking forward to seeing more from you and your build.
I'm excited to see how the new speakers turn out after they're installed. Looks like they will be a huge improvement in comparison to stock.
I'll be looking into those Jogon carbon fiber steering wheel pieces too. They look great.
I wanted to ask, where did you get your stitched air bag cover? I love the look and want to look into it myself.
Looking forward to seeing more from you and your build.
1. I've already installed the speakers. The sound is cleaner for sure. I'm super happy with them but I'm still wanting more. Since I'm already planning on installing my sub/box, and will need to get an LOC anyway, I'm debating on just getting the LC7i with a 5 channel amp. The amp will drive the front/rear door speakers and the sub. Still trying to figure all of this out.
2. The stitched air bag does make a huge difference IMO. It really changes the entire look. Originally, I wanted to get the carbon fiber steering wheel but for now swapped out the airbag cover and I'm liking it.
*** Originally, I ordered from a company called Performance Wheelz. They were horrible at replying to my email inquiries. Months after ordering, I was able to have paypal reimburse me after submitting a claim.
*** I then started corresponding with a company called XT Carmods. Great experience with their customer service. They responded to my inquires and timely too. The price was $110 but the shipping was like $50. Here is the link: Airbag cover of Steering Wheel for Lexus
The chrome delete looks amazing on your car. The curve in the back window looks intimidating. How did you do the cut there?
I also dig the smoked reflectors. I removed the IS and F sport badges from mine and it looks really clean now. You’ve inspired me to do the reflectors next and to do a dark plate frame.
The chrome delete looks amazing on your car. The curve in the back window looks intimidating. How did you do the cut there?
I also dig the smoked reflectors. I removed the IS and F sport badges from mine and it looks really clean now. You’ve inspired me to do the reflectors next and to do a dark plate frame.
That's awesome Bill. Take your time with the delete. Make sure to use 70% alcohol on the chrome edges thoroughly. Before you make any cuts make sure to use a heat gun to see the indentions by using your fingernail, so you know where to make light cuts. You can do half your IS one day the the other half on another day. Nobody would even know only half is complete. You can also use cut tape. Look it up on youtube. I've seen some using it but you'll still need to use a blade to clean it up. Always use a new blade...always.
If you use dark tint on your back reflectors, you may want to check out doing light tint on your "L" emblems front and back. I like how that turned out.
I can see how it would look clean debadging. I'm not there yet but post a pic. I want to see how it looks.
Thanks for the tips. I’ve seen lots of videos but haven’t gotten the time and gumption yet. I smoked out the L badges already.
I posted a link below so you can see my de badged car. My badges were silver so I thought I’d get the black versions if I didn’t like it naked. The F Sport side was some work since it had so much 3M tape. The IS side was pretty easy. However, I had to use rubbing compound to remove a very slight haze it left behind. Another thing you can do is get the black side badges from the IS500. They’re stupidly pricey for what it is but it looks clean with a chrome delete.
Thank you, brother. When you do the vinyl wrap, just jump in and do it. It will all work out.
If you wanna round out the back end, I had light tinted my reverse and blinker tail lights. I really like the way it looks.
keep me updated on your chrome delete.
good call. What did you use for the light tint. I wanted to smoke mine out but also wanted them to be highly functional still. I think what you did is perfect..
good call. What did you use for the light tint. I wanted to smoke mine out but also wanted them to be highly functional still. I think what you did is perfect..
I use 2 tint shades. Vivid light and dark tint. Both are dry application. I'm thinking about doing my headlights in the light tint. That project will be more involved though. Here are the links: https://a.co/d/iyVuk8e https://a.co/d/6NOSL3q
I did my rear side reflectors as well. I used clear packing tape and a sharpie to make a temlate. Took it off and used a razor after sticking it on the back of the tint and cut it out. Have fun with it.
Dark tint was for the rear/bumper reflectors.
Light tint for the tail light reverse/blinker, front/rear emblems, rear side reflectors and wheel center caps.
I’ve done a few things since my last post
1. Amp/LOC/sub install.
2. Front lip.
3. Swapped out the fsport badge with the black and grey.
4. Armrest center tray.
• I completed the speaker/subwoofer/amp/LOC install and I’m very happy how it turned out. Sound is immensely better than what it was. Highs, mid and lows all stand out now.
First thing I did was I swapped out the speakers. From there, I installed the amp and LOC. I used a PAC harness plugged into the output of the amp, which is located in the trunk. The hard part was figuring out which wires belonged to which speaker. But, eventually figured it out. Then ran the power line from the battery through the firewall, then ran it to the back amp. I mounted the amp rack to the backseat on the driver side.
• Added a front lip. One of the cheapest that I could find but it’s the one that I like. They call it a V lip. Funny thing is I scrape on my driveway. I come in at an angle, but every once in a while, not enough of an angle. I like the way it looks. Thought about getting the carbon fiber and still may later.
• I swapped out my previous badge with the gray and black badge. I like it a lot. It goes well with the incognito.
• Armrest center tray. I saw a post previously that mentioned the RC 350 tray working for IS 350. Well, it does work. I used to Dremel to grind out a little bit of the edge, so my phone cables can come out without making the tray uneven. Worked well.
The front lip looks great! It’s sporty but doesn’t look over the top. Do you have a side profile pic of the car? Did you have to drill to install it? I’m looking for one that I can use the factory holes/hardware.
The front lip looks great! It’s sporty but doesn’t look over the top. Do you have a side profile pic of the car? Did you have to drill to install it? I’m looking for one that I can use the factory holes/hardware.
Here you go Bill. I did’nt need to drill, however, I used provided screws to fasten it to the underside of the bumper. Here’s a breakdown of how I did it:
1. It’s a three piece lip that you screw together. Hardware is provided.
2. Test fit to see where or if there were gaps. It’s a very tight fit.
3. The next step after test fitting, I used alcohol under the bumper where the lip would stick and the top of the lip to remove oils and grime.
4. I used 3m double sided “extreme” tape on the top side of the lip. I attached it far enough away from the edge so that it was not visible where the lip meets the bumper. I peeled about 3 inches of the red vinyl from the tape away to use as a tag so after I attached it, I could then peel away the vinyl and press up into the bumper to help it stick better.
4. After attaching the lip to the bumper, I then used the provided screws to secure. If memory serves me correctly, there are indeed holes in the lip. These holes line up where the oem clips that keep your undercarriage liner on. You’ll pop out those clips, line up the holes from the lip and then reinsert. When you open the link below, you’ll see the holes I’m referring to. I would not recommend just using the clips.
Super easy install. It cost me $60 but I ordered it from Temu I think. I thought why not since it was so cheap. I really liked the style and quality is okay. It lowers the front end about an inch, that’s an estimate. They have the same one on Amazon for $93 https://a.co/d/d5aQL3n. I might buy the real carbon fiber version later, $260 but we will see.
Just added a CarPlay Bluetooth adapter. Gonna give it a try for a bit. So far it’s been great. Had to fade my stereo system to the back speakers by one because the balance seemed off. I’m sure it’s because Usually Bluetooth sound is never as good as a direct connection but it’s not bad at all. The convenience is great and it connects quickly.