Map Light Disassembly
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: ca
went at it again.. I've never been so clueless with something that should be so simple. it won't budge at all. i couldn't find screws, so I figured that there would be clipping points in the corner... but nothing.. help!
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 452
Likes: 5
From: NC
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: ca
yeh.. the bulb isn't as simple. it's got a housing. when I tried to pull it out, the housing unscrewed itself and popped all the way in. I've put quite a bit of pressure, but it wouldn't budget all all.
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 452
Likes: 5
From: NC
The housing should not come out at all.
Are you trying to pull the bulb out with your fingers? If the bulb gets slippery, you may want to try using a thin towel or gloves.
For me, the map bulbs came out easily, but the center dome bulbs were difficult to grab.
Are you trying to pull the bulb out with your fingers? If the bulb gets slippery, you may want to try using a thin towel or gloves.
For me, the map bulbs came out easily, but the center dome bulbs were difficult to grab.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: ca
passenger side was easy but the driver side was somewhat stuck. I've put an electrical tape around it and put it out with a pair of plyers (I couldn't find a rubber band). One simple mistake is causing me a lot of grief. I was able to get the bulb+housing out from the front panel of the roof, but it can only fit from behind the map light housing. this is some intricate stuff. This should've only taken me 5 min, but it's taking me days, lol.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: ca
Trending Topics
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 452
Likes: 5
From: NC
Here is a link to the DIY thread:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...iy-thread.html
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 396
Likes: 5
From: NJ
this may or may not help you i have an '06 GX470 and i put white LEDs everywhere in it. if your 2nd gen one is set up similar to the 1st gen one it should be no problem for you.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: ca
I went to hell and back trying to get the unit off. there are clips in the corners and you have to put insane amount of pressure and have to be really careful not to break it. I may have to remove the unit again when I'm ready to hotwire a Valentine One. FYI - Our Mic for the bluetooth is very sensitive. Mine got moved around and I somehow messed it up somewhat. My voice command isn't as accurate and the other party is hearing road noise (previously it was dead quiet and perfect).
I've installed Oznium LED maplights and they're insanely bright. much more so than the wedge bulb type. If you like to be blinded these are a must. for the cabin, I'll go with the regular 194 and possibly blue for the back.
I've installed Oznium LED maplights and they're insanely bright. much more so than the wedge bulb type. If you like to be blinded these are a must. for the cabin, I'll go with the regular 194 and possibly blue for the back.
I went to hell and back trying to get the unit off. there are clips in the corners and you have to put insane amount of pressure and have to be really careful not to break it. I may have to remove the unit again when I'm ready to hotwire a Valentine One. FYI - Our Mic for the bluetooth is very sensitive. Mine got moved around and I somehow messed it up somewhat. My voice command isn't as accurate and the other party is hearing road noise (previously it was dead quiet and perfect).
I've installed Oznium LED maplights and they're insanely bright. much more so than the wedge bulb type. If you like to be blinded these are a must. for the cabin, I'll go with the regular 194 and possibly blue for the back.
I've installed Oznium LED maplights and they're insanely bright. much more so than the wedge bulb type. If you like to be blinded these are a must. for the cabin, I'll go with the regular 194 and possibly blue for the back.
I am using suction caps on the windshield at the top to the right of the mirror. Since we don't have the tint line there like my GS350 has. I have put small piece of darkest tint I could find to cover suction caps. From outside it looks like there is piece of something coming from the roof (like mirror has it). If you don't look closely, you will not see it. Also since I have routed wire to cigarette lighter, I was able to put concealed display under the stereo door (the one going up/down from stereo system). It looks great and an easy access to mute the V1 and see where the threat comes from.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: ca
You have mentioned hotwiring the Valentine. I have done it already. The easiest and fastest way I found was hotwiring it to cigarette lighter in the middle center console. To route the cable the only place where took 5 minutes of extra work was removing the cover for side pillar where the airbag is. Overall install took 30min + 30min for tint (couldn’t get the right cutout to be just perfect size.
I am using suction caps on the windshield at the top to the right of the mirror. Since we don't have the tint line there like my GS350 has. I have put small piece of darkest tint I could find to cover suction caps. From outside it looks like there is piece of something coming from the roof (like mirror has it). If you don't look closely, you will not see it. Also since I have routed wire to cigarette lighter, I was able to put concealed display under the stereo door (the one going up/down from stereo system). It looks great and an easy access to mute the V1 and see where the threat comes from.
I am using suction caps on the windshield at the top to the right of the mirror. Since we don't have the tint line there like my GS350 has. I have put small piece of darkest tint I could find to cover suction caps. From outside it looks like there is piece of something coming from the roof (like mirror has it). If you don't look closely, you will not see it. Also since I have routed wire to cigarette lighter, I was able to put concealed display under the stereo door (the one going up/down from stereo system). It looks great and an easy access to mute the V1 and see where the threat comes from.
you got some pics of your setup?
Here are some pictures I have just took. I am not a big fan of the mirror setup. I have looked at it as well but just doesn't look right and everyone sees that you have a radar detector (including cops). The tint film worked out perfectly as you don't see suction cups and you have to look very closely to see that I have a radar detector. Also connecting to cigarrete lighter involved only couple wire taps.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: ca
interesting location. I might just have it etched on my rearview mirror. either that have it underneath the mirror. check this out and drool, lol.
btw, no need to extract power from the lighter. you can plug a wire right behind our mirror.
there's also a functional mute button on the etched version (main unit can be installed on the rear section of the roof as well).
btw, no need to extract power from the lighter. you can plug a wire right behind our mirror.
there's also a functional mute button on the etched version (main unit can be installed on the rear section of the roof as well).
Last edited by cannysage; Sep 21, 2010 at 12:59 AM.
interesting location. I might just have it etched on my rearview mirror. either that have it underneath the mirror. check this out and drool, lol.
btw, no need to extract power from the lighter. you can plug a wire right behind our mirror.
there's also a functional mute button on the etched version (main unit can be installed on the rear section of the roof as well).
btw, no need to extract power from the lighter. you can plug a wire right behind our mirror.
there's also a functional mute button on the etched version (main unit can be installed on the rear section of the roof as well).