I was thinking about installing a LED light strip under the running board to project more light. This would be especially useful when the mirrors are folded in and set to unfold when the car is started.

Would it be real difficult to tap into the puddle light wires to have the light strip come on when the puddle light does?

 

The weather is finally nice enough for me to tackle this yesterday. It was fairly easy to open and install the LED. The harder part for me was to putting everything back together

 

led strips that low will be as useful as it is now, there won't be enough usable light. If you modify the the existing clear cover (3d printed?) and make it larger, you probably can fit a larger and more powerful LED bulb there - Plus, it'll be higher and illuminate more areas.

Try what you have in mind and share. Thanks.

 

Great DIY writeup. Recently purchased a certified 2013 GS350 and wanted to replace the puddle bulbs and this was great help! Replaced with iJDMTOY LED bulbs and they look excellent. It took about 15min per side. Thanks for the DIY!

 

Good picture diy thread.

 

Does anyone know if these flank style LED bulbs from Vleds will work?http://www.vleds.com/5k-4-hpf.html The bulb is size 194. I used them on my 2010 RX350 and they are great. I just want to make sure that they work on the GS350, as the LEDs are only one sided.

 

Yes they work but don't face the ground directly - the socket isn't parallel to the road, it's slightly tilted so you don't get the full brightness of the bulb (It's described earlier in this thread). If I had it to do all over I'd get the omni bulb and save $$'s

 

Thanks Renrutjw! I must have missed that info while going through this thread.

 

First post!

Just got a '13 awd for the wife. Found this board and am now checking for neat mods to do to the car. Like this idea! Will tackle the trunk and reverse lights first and then follow up with the mirrors next.

Thanks for the writeup!

 

Those Sylvana bulbs are expensive! I just paid $28 for two including tax. I went to 4 Walmart locations, two Autozone locations, and one O'Reily auto parts store before I found them. $12.99 a piece. I hope they are bright and I'm not disappointed.

 

You should have get this Philips for half the price and even better quality. Sylvania bulbs will burn out in a year or two with heavy use.

 

Ok I just took your suggestion and ordered them. I will go and return the Sylvania bulbs. Thanks!

 

Great LED.
They work fine in the GS.I had them in mine.
I've used that bulb many times in the puddles.
Also use them in the door panels.

 

I'm glad everyone is getting good use out of the puddle light diy. Man it was very nerve wrecking but it was pretty easy

 

I'm using those right now, while great bulbs, they still aren't quite right for our puddle lamp housings. A lot of the bulb body is exposed, so potential light is wasted due to the light source not beginning closer to the contacts.

Yes, it also bites the bulb socket is not perpendicular, but instead appears to be a 45 degree-ish rotation. I just ordered these and am really optimistic. Look forward to trying them after they float over from China:

Amazon: S&D 5pcs Canbus LED 5630 SMD Bulb Led...White...120-160LM