GS - 4th Gen (2013-2020) Discussion about the 2013 and up GS models

DIY Trunk LED Light Strip Guide

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Old 04-20-14 | 09:06 PM
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Default DIY Trunk LED Light Strip Guide

Just got finished installing a trunk light strip. Took me about 15 minutes and its looks great!
Once again, I am not responsible for any damages to your vehicle if installation is done incorrectly. This DIY guide is meant for reference only. I am not affiliated with any of the product used in this DIY.

Now on to the good Stuff!!


Here are the parts and materials I used. (1) 24" 5000K LED light strip, (1) #194 Bulb plug with wire to connect to light strip (both bought at vleds.com). (1) box of velcro. Scissors:


Use only the plastic hard side of the velcro strip and not the fuzzy side of the velcro.
Measure 24 Inches of velcro and cut with scissors to correct measurements of the led light strip:


Cut the Velcro in half for easy positioning onto light strip. Make sure you remove the tape backing off the led light strip and the velcro before they come together:


Here is a detailed look at the LED light strip:


Grab the trunk light lens with fingers and give it a nice tug and it should come right out:


Then position the LED light strip to desired location and firmly seat velcro onto trunk overhead liner.
Connect the LED light strip with the #194 Bulb plug adapter the plug that into the light socket of vehicle. Make sure that there are no extra wire overhangs dangling overhead. What I did was position the LED light strip far enough away so that it takes up all the slack. I dont have pictures of this step but a little imagination goes a long way!

Here are some before and after pictures:


Before with OEM bulb at nighttime.


After with LED light strip at nighttime.


Before with OEM bulb at nighttime.


After with LED light strip at nighttime.


LED light strip installed.

I don't know why Lexus uses a combination of LED and filament bulbs in the GS. The standard OEM bulb is extremely terrible at reproducing light. At first I though the GS trunk light was burnt out until I took a closer look and realized that its just very dim. I can hardly see anything in my trunk with the OEM bulbs. Overall I am very impressed with the overall quality of these Vleds.com light strips and wholeheartedly recromend them to any clublexus member. The best part is, it only cost me $11 USD.

Here is a direct link to the exact LED light strip I purchased at Vleds.com
http://www.vleds.com/white-5k-interi...ip-lights.html
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Old 04-20-14 | 09:39 PM
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Awesome idea! My IS-F has a weak trunk light as well. But I may just save this little trick for when I get my GS.

Nice write up!
Old 04-20-14 | 10:26 PM
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Niiiice.
Old 04-21-14 | 09:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Kingkrs
Awesome idea! My IS-F has a weak trunk light as well. But I may just save this little trick for when I get my GS.

Nice write up!
Yeah really! Why does car manufacturers cheap out on interior lighting. The whole purpose of lighting is to be able to see what your doing when you need it. It defeats the purpose when it does not work as intended.
Old 04-21-14 | 10:35 AM
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We have these LED strips in almost EVERY color. Waterproof and non-waterproof.

http://stores.ebay.com/taninautoelec...sub=4901128016
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Old 04-24-14 | 04:39 PM
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Ordered the same setup when I read this thread. Got my parts in the mail today. Can't wait to be able to see what's in my trunk at night lol.
Old 04-24-14 | 06:57 PM
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Huge difference! When I first read the title I thought someone had installed an LED light strip on the outside of the trunk. I was almost afraid to look!
Old 04-24-14 | 07:27 PM
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Ordered the same setup today. Hope to have it installed shortly
Old 04-24-14 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by dseag2
Huge difference! When I first read the title I thought someone had installed an LED light strip on the outside of the trunk. I was almost afraid to look!
Sometimes I do crazy things but doing that is not one of them. LOL
Old 04-24-14 | 09:54 PM
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That's too easy an upgrade to pass up!!!! Ordered mine today.

I can't believe any luxury car maker still uses incandescent bulbs!
Old 04-25-14 | 07:41 PM
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Damn great idea.. I just happened to order from vleds today need to add this.
Old 04-27-14 | 09:18 AM
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And I was just proud of myself for just switching out the light bulb to LEDs. Nice mod.
Old 04-27-14 | 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by obturator
And I was just proud of myself for just switching out the light bulb to LEDs. Nice mod.
Seriously. My LED bulb feels so inadequate now lol.
Old 04-30-14 | 08:01 PM
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I've got to watch which section I'm reading. I ordered the 194 adapter, but the 3G is different. Oddly enough the prongs on the cable plugged right into the factory harness. A little shrink wrap around the connection and now I can actually see what's in my trunk at night haha Don't mind my currently tore up trunk
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Old 05-01-14 | 04:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Schmexus
I've got to watch which section I'm reading. I ordered the 194 adapter, but the 3G is different. Oddly enough the prongs on the cable plugged right into the factory harness. A little shrink wrap around the connection and now I can actually see what's in my trunk at night haha Don't mind my currently tore up trunk
Great work Schmexus! Glad you got it to work. I am happy to see that my DIY guide is useful for members on this forum. Looking forward to making more DIYs as I continue to mod my 4GS.


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