I want to replace all the bulbs in my headlights and also want to put in HID's in the fogs. It seems that removing the front bumper will be the only way to get at everything without killing myself.

Any instructions on how to do so?

Thanks!

 

You didn't mention the year model of your SC..either way it's a big job. The "Rube Goldberg" engineering encourages you to visit your local dealer for some of these modifications ..... I am attaching an exploded view of the front end. HOWEVER, this is for my recently acquired 02 project car. Nevertheless, this may help so you'll understand the task in a little more detail.

Good luck
Bob

 

Here is the PDF attachment...

 

I have an 04 model. Seems crazy to have to remove the bumper AND headlights just to replace the bulbs.

 

alright champ... from the diagrams i've seen

try removing the front wheels and getting at everything from the wheel well by removing the lining...

MAYBE it might work... but if the headlight assembly is completely closed of from the engine bay... that would be my second guess

 

I know many will say it's crazy to consider...but I would STRONGLY recommend paying dealer about 1/2 hour per set of lights for labor to replace. Perhaps they will bundle the fogs and side markers together and charge one fee for everything in the headlight.

I did the DRL's and can get to the main low beams. The driving light and fogs have to be reached from the interior well or bumper and it's not easy even then.

You are talking a major time consumption, not necessarily "hard" per se.

I had to have my pads done at the dealer and went ahead while they had the wheels off paid them $60 to do the fogs. It was well worth it!!!!

 

I am replacing the HID bulbs to 6000K, PIAA plasmas in the DRL, 24 LED 194's in the parking lights and a 6000K HID kit in the fogs.....my guess is it would be wayyy too much at the dealer. I can handle it, I just need to know how to do it.

 

Dropping the front bumper isn't as tough as it seems... as long as you can get under your front end with some clearance. It's time-consuming, since you can't rush the process. Also, note that the highest screw behind the fender liner is easy to miss if you don't know it's there.

BTW, the dealer will kill you on the labor-time involved.

GL

 

Getting my brake pads and rotors turned they were going to charge me 1/2 an hour of labor for the fog lights and side marker lights and I talked them into doing the headlights each side for 1/2 an hour of labor too. Didn't get a dollar amount, but what's 1.5 hours of labor run? What's your time worth? I would think no more than $150 for all bulbs to be replaced. If you are a high paid professional with a family and obligations, your time (if it's more than 3-4 hours to do) is WELL WORTH IT!!! My wife and son would kill me if I spent all day working on this versus knowing I could get it done for $150.

Just my ROI analysis

If you got the time and want to do it, why not? If you don't...I really don't think the cost would be astronomical. Another option would be to go to a trusted Lexus body shop or high end body shop and have them remove the bumper...you come in and replace the bulbs while it is off and then they put it back on. 1 hour of labor????

 

I guess my time isn't worth it since I'm 19 and in school to become a mechanical engineer...

When I get this car in February... I promise you all extensive DIY's

 

I replaced my high beam bulbs by removing the three screw nuts on either side and moving the plastic over just enough to squeeze my hand in their.Be aware you need a long extention to extract the screw nuts and have a magnet extention handy to recover them when they fall out of the socket. I also found that a previous owner put 100 watt bulbs in.I think this is not adviseable because I noticed the sockets were partially melted,they still work but I thought to throw that in. Go Ducks!

 

Go Beavers!

 

The standard Lexus labor time for the SC430 front bumper is 2.8 hours.

There is no need to compltetely remove the front bumper, only partially and leave it hanging.
Once you start it, you will know what I am taking about.

 

Your saying you don't need to disconnect the headlight washer system then?

 

OK I found the headlight over haul instructions but they are for the 2002 SC. I suspect they are about the same for your 04... There's no doubt it's a tedious job.