Gang-been reading all the posts after I searched about this very popular topic (moderators: maybe we can make a sticky?) and it seems like everyone is happy with the mods they made, but I wanted to get a FINAL verdict from those of you who did not opt for the expensive ECU option and have been living with the light indicator on and if you regret.

I guess it's time for another survey!

Also for those of you who dropped the cash for the ECU how much harder that install was? Is it still DIY?

I am thinking for $600 or so from lexusparts or carson toyota, some careful labor and those great chrome coated amber blinking lights that this is a no brainer to go the cheaper route and live with the indicator light, but that's just my initial take. Hoping to get your thoughts/opinions now that you all have been living with this upgrade for a while. Thanks!

 

Changing the ECU is easier than changing the lights. ECU is 2 mins job and very simple to get to.

 

Just swapped out my tail lights and boy what a big difference in appearance. 10 minutes is all it'll take to swap the ECU, the pain is getting off all the trunk trim pieces to get at the stupid thing. But all you need is a 10mm socket to do the job. It took longer installing the lights.

Now everytime I look at my car, I wonder how I lived with those ugly lights before :P

I say, pony up and get the darn thing. Disabling the TPMS, the tail light indicator, etc, you're missing out on a useful function of your car. I've seen countless IS300s driving around with their lights out...and wonder how many fix-it tickets they've gotten. And with the "mods" I have on my car, I don't want to give the five-oh any reason to stop me

 

lol...big response. sorry if the poll was boring...just wanted to see opinions about the value of doing the ecu vs the annoyance of not. I think I am leaning towards NOT doing it...$1k for rear tail lights that don't shine your shoes or brush your teeth is a lot!

 

I tell you if there is any mod to do this is the one... it makes such a huge difference..day and night..I did the lights and the ecu and couldnt be more happy..

 

Yep makes a big difference, Ive even had ppl who are not into cars at all notice and say how much better it looks.

But the price has gone up alot on the ecu since I bought mine.

 

there is a much cheaper option. you can tint the taillights red. it covers up the amber for a cleaner look. that's what i did and it's a big difference in my opinion.

 

My son is color blind. One time, we took a long trip in the spring and we were all commenting on how the fields of Indian Paintbrush flowers looked so pretty. My son never said anything. Finally, after hearing us continue to marvel at the beautiful colors in the fields, he yelled out, "What are you LOOKING at?" LOL....with his color blindness, he couldn't see a darn thing.

I feel the same way on this tail light mod thing. I've compared the lights and tried to see what everyone else sees, but I just don't see any significant difference or improvement at all. I'll just never understand this mod. What am I supposed to be looking for?

 

LED vs bulbs. LED's look cool and modern. But yep daylight pics you wont see that

 

Sewell sells the whole setup for ~770.

 

Ahhh, thank you. I wonder if there's a vid of this on YouTube.

 

Here is how they look like...

 

Jason that looks amazing

 

thanks. personally, i like it a little better than the LEDs. i know i'm in the minority there. but i like the cleanness of one solid color. and i spent a total of $60 installed. so that's a plus

 

nice option jason....I agree your look is much better than the amber/red mix. If I didn't want the 2006+ tails I would definitely do your mod!

for me the mod is for the led look and the modern look of it all, and I actually like the white stripe on the 2006+ lens

interesting that the sewell deal is only $770 for everything...I cannot find that link and have searched like crazy. On the sewell parts online site you price everything out and it's like $900 even with the CL discount code.

Can someone send this to me? Maybe I searched wrong...tried sewell group buy, searched for 2006+ tail light group buy, "mod", etc. etc.

Thanks!