While I'm an SC owner, my buddy just bought a '98 GS4. He wants to do the newer tail lamp swap and wants to know a few things.


I searched the Forums and it wasn't clear to me if you need the newer wiring harnesses or not. I came to the conclusion that the newer tail lamps fit physically. I work for the Lexus Dealership and the newer style tail lamps have 2 parts to the assembly, 1 is the newer wiring harness, and the other is the Lens assembly. Our question is, do you have to buy the newer harness? If not, then will the newer style Lens itself use the existing hardware? I read on the forums and found all sorts of stuff on this swap but all were not helpful to me. I came across a post that involved drilling into the reverse light part of the lamp? Some say you need the new wiring, and some say you don't. What's the real answer? I came to the GS experts to consult, what is recommended? I appreciate your time and replies.

Regards
James

 

I bought my lamps off ebay and they came with the harness's you have to make sure when you buy the taillight that it comes with the harness, if not, you have to buy it at your dealer for 60 bucks, or else like you mentioned, shave the reverse light hole...

 

you need the new harness for sure, i can guarantee that

 

The existing reverse bulbs does not fit into the new 01+ taillight lenses.

 

I bought my tail lamps from Carson Toyota (Brand new) and it came with the harness and everything necessary to install it.. You will need the new harness make sure the lamps come with it..

 

there is actually a ways to just get the reverse socket and make it fit on the older harness.

 

what bulb does the reverse light use? also what bulb does the turn signal use? i am hoping still the 7440 bulb?

 

Yeah, if you are willing to do some splicing and a little dirty work, a wiring harness is completely unnecessary.

 

I bought mine from Carson Toyota also via mail. I had the same question that you had at first, but Steve fron Carson assured me that it comes with everything you need to install(wiring harness, even new bulbs, even the plastic caps that cover the visible screws) It took me about 15-30 min to install.

 

hey, what bulb type is used in the turn signal and parking light? is it the 7440 wedge bulb?

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I know what to do. Again, Thanks

 

I'm considering this upgrade. Where does the wiring harness come in? I assume there is a plug for the wiring tail, but when I've had my taillights out, I dont see it. Do you have to peel back the trunk liner to get to it? And is there already a matching plug already there, or do you have to splice in the new wiring tail? Also, how many bulbs carry over from the 99 and how many need to be upgraded? (Guess I should have waited before putting in M2 Polarg reverse bulbs.

 

I talked with the shop that did my tail lights and they said that it is plug and play.

The wiring diagram and setup for the car across the model years did not change. When Lexus changed the tail lamp configuration they needed to have a wiring harness/adapter to fit the specs of the car and that is the proverbial harness that everyone is talking about.

So - if you buy the "tail light assembly" it will include everything. And this is what they sell at Carson Toyota.

Good luck!

 

Cliff, thanks for the good info. It's consistent with what I've read. But does anybody have a picture of it, or can anyone explain how that wiring harness update attaches to the existing wiring? I'm a very hands on, DIY kinda guy, I plan on installing it myself, and would sure like to understand it in detail..

 

Ummm, nevermind. I did another search with better parameters and came up with thread that had this link... http://www.somniplex.com/Dex/Dex%202...ght%20swap.pdf . It answered all my questions about the wiring.