I know that the new lights are led but is there a way to duplicate the white strip down the center of the tail lights on an 01?

 

I'm sure this can be done on an LS tailight, but some ES owners employ this method for the "cleared" effect on the head/tailights: Taking apart the light assy by heating it in the oven at a low temp, and then prying the light assy apart to get inside and remove the amber (orange) strip. As long as that piece of strip is shown on the inside of the light assy, the heating method should work. A heat gun can be used in place of the oven. The head/tailight assy pieces are glued back together, and you now have a light assy with clear lens.

Do a search for "clear headlight" or "clear tailight", and you'll get some results. I don't know anyone who's done the tailight mod on an '01+ LS.

 

I've looked into this. The golden yellow part of the 01-03 tail light is all one piece, it has no color strip inside. The whole assembly would need to be replaced. Hiltop (http://www.hiltop.jp/clear_tail/f_ctlenzuvip.htm last UCF30 item in Toyota section) in Japan and Junction Produce have clear lenses available, but co$tly. The 04 corners can be ordered from a Lexus dealer or discount parts supplier for around $180 each and should fit. Don't forget to order the amber bulb too! The top and bottom bulb socket clips might not fit perfectly as the wire harness assembly is different between the 04 and 01-03.

If enough 01-03 owners are interested, maybe we could get a group buy going on clear corners from www.lexus-parts.com. Please chime in if your a 01-03 owner who would like to change corner lenses to clear.

 

Price listed @ 60,000 Japan Yen (~ $541 USD).