IS - 3rd Gen (2014-present) Discussion about the 2014+ model IS models

DIY OEM style footwell ambient lighting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 15, 2019 | 11:04 PM
  #1  
ihateu3's Avatar
ihateu3
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 180
Likes: 73
From: OH
Lightbulb DIY OEM style footwell ambient lighting

Like many here, I owned a 2IS at one point, and was very surprised to see that our newer cars do not have ambient footwell lighting. I really enjoyed this feature on my 2IS, so I needed it on my 3IS, however the problem is that most owners on this forum seem to be 16 years old, and want the brightest flashiest "look at me" LED's that money can buy, whereas I just want the dim and "ambient" footwell lighting like Lexus provides stock on most models.

The hardest part of this whole project was finding the right LED to use. Searching for a "dim LED", is literally quite opposite of what anyone searches for, making it almost impossible to find, and many do not even list their lumens, or if they do they are not realistic. Anyways, I was able to find a 12V led with light output pretty much identical to the OEM Lexus setup, and that was the only hard part of the whole project.

You will need these LEDs https://amzn.to/2F5OptL and if you want to do it like I did, also some "add a circuit" fuse power leads https://amzn.to/2Ffwbrh.

I did not take pics of every step, but this is fairly straight forward. Remove the kickpanel underneath the driver and passenger side. Drill a hole for the LED towards the middle front, and in an area that does not interfere with anything above it when the kickpanel is installed. Install the LED's in the drilled holes, and then wire them by finding a fuse that turns on with your ignition (I used the heated seats fuse), insert your fused power lead there, wire the ground (I used the bolt holding the fuse box), and wallah. OEM style Lexus ambient footwell lights that turn on with your ignition.

These pics were taken in a complete dark garage with only interior lights on. Pics are hard to demonstrate brightness with, so I tried to make sure the stock ambient lights are in the pics for comparison, and also my feet, so you can hopefully see the lighting levels that these LED's provide.

Eventually I plan to use the 3rd LED in this pack for the center console, it puts out the perfect amount of light.







Reply
Old Mar 15, 2019 | 11:35 PM
  #2  
TonyN's Avatar
TonyN
Instructor
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 999
Likes: 142
From: Tucson
Default

Nice work, I will eventually get around to this myself. I hate bright led interior at night and want the footwell light to appear OEM
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2019 | 03:22 AM
  #3  
Flash5's Avatar
Flash5
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 459
From: GA
Default

Wait, I’m so confused. My 3IS came with footwell lighting?

EDIT: Are we talking about always on during operation functionality?

Last edited by Flash5; Mar 16, 2019 at 03:26 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2019 | 04:44 AM
  #4  
Sasnuke's Avatar
Sasnuke
Lexus Test Driver
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,260
Likes: 1,752
From: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Default

Originally Posted by Flash5
Wait, I’m so confused. My 3IS came with footwell lighting?

EDIT: Are we talking about always on during operation functionality?
Yes...he means always on when driving.
Actually a few people have expressed interest in this as well.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2019 | 05:02 AM
  #5  
Flash5's Avatar
Flash5
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 459
From: GA
Default

Originally Posted by Sasnuke
Yes...he means always on when driving.
Actually a few people have expressed interest in this as well.
Hmm, it would look pretty cool. Idk that I’m motivated enough to do this though haha. Maybe if someone makes a step by step DIY I’ll do it.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2019 | 07:19 AM
  #6  
ihateu3's Avatar
ihateu3
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 180
Likes: 73
From: OH
Default

Originally Posted by Flash5

Hmm, it would look pretty cool. Idk that I’m motivated enough to do this though haha. Maybe if someone makes a step by step DIY I’ll do it.
This guide is step by step. You drill a hole in your kickpanel, install led, wire led, done.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2019 | 08:09 AM
  #7  
Flash5's Avatar
Flash5
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 459
From: GA
Default

Originally Posted by ihateu3
This guide is step by step. You drill a hole in your kickpanel, install led, wire led, done.
I meant with pictures my bad.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2019 | 02:52 PM
  #8  
TonyN's Avatar
TonyN
Instructor
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 999
Likes: 142
From: Tucson
Default

I was thinking....
what if I ran this up to the overhead console and created ambient lighting like they had before....
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2019 | 09:10 PM
  #9  
ihateu3's Avatar
ihateu3
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 180
Likes: 73
From: OH
Default

Originally Posted by TonyN
I was thinking....
what if I ran this up to the overhead console and created ambient lighting like they had before....
I'm not sure if it would work well with these, as that overhead ambient light in the 2is seemed to be very focused, but it might, now you got me thinking too lol.

Last edited by ihateu3; Mar 16, 2019 at 09:22 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2019 | 01:46 AM
  #10  
TonyN's Avatar
TonyN
Instructor
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 999
Likes: 142
From: Tucson
Default

Originally Posted by ihateu3
I'm not sure if it would work well with these, as that overhead ambient light in the 2is seemed to be very focused, but it might, now you got me thinking too lol.
ok you do it and let me know lol
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jaym74526
RX - 3rd Gen (2010-2015)
12
Jun 19, 2021 03:48 PM
metaleckz
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
2
Aug 6, 2016 12:52 AM
JoshIS408
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
78
Feb 17, 2016 04:05 PM
XxGoKoUxX
GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011)
9
Feb 3, 2015 10:33 PM
ShawnOk
SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)
10
Sep 8, 2014 12:06 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:50 PM.