IS-F Rear Gets a Refresh With Parts From eBay, Amazon
With just a few tools and some time, YouTuber updates rear spoiler, lights on his IS-F. The diffuser, though, is another matter.
For three generations of the Lexus IS now, the IS-F and IS-F Sport fly the flag of performance. The first-gen sedan burned up the track with 416 horses from its naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8. It also was a limited-production machine, with just 5,000 to 6,000 examples made for the United States annually.
There also happens to be a healthy aftermarket for the first-gen IS-F. YouTube channel EatSleepDrive knows this very well, as its host owns a copy of the sedan. Recently, he decided its backside need a refresh to make it more modern, using just eBay and Amazon for parts. Let’s see how well everything turned out.
“I want to update the rear end of this car,” said Kurt. “You’re gonna see some tail lights go on, which I think are really going to modernize this thing. You’re also going to see this carbon fiber wing go on, which I’m super-stoked about. And then maybe even this rear diffuser.”
First to go on the IS-F is the carbon fiber spoiler. Kurt and a friend go to work removing the old one, whose appearance has seen better days. Once popped off, an eraser wheel gently erases the old 3M tape on the hood, followed by some hand-polishing before application of new 3M tape on the new spoiler.
“I’m really happy with how this came out,” said Kurt. “It’s really subtle, especially looking from the rear of the car, but also still gives the car character. Regardless, it certainly looks better than the faded wing that was on before.”
What wasn’t a good look, though, was the rear diffuser. Turns out it didn’t fit at all, as the IS-F had a few obstacles in the way. Thus, it was a bust.
“The diffuser was a bit of a bust,” said Kurt, “but the next mod I’m really excited about. I found these tail lights on Amazon, and really thought they would make the car look a lot more modern.”
Similar to the spoiler, the process of installation involved opening the trunk and popping out a few tabs. Moments later, the new lights took their place.
“I think it looks absolutely great,” said Kurt. “The fitment is okay. There’s a little bit of a gap on the right side on this right tail light. It’s not ideal, but it really brings this car into sort of like 2020.”
All in all, not a bad upgrade for the IS-F.
