When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Let me start out by saying of course I would have loved to buy an IS350 F-Sport originally; however I got a fantastic deal on an L/Certified 2022 IS300 that I just couldn't pass up.
That said I have always much preferred the piano black trim over the matte gray pieces. As far as I am aware no one has attempted to do the full swap so I embarked out on my own and wanted to share my results. The front grill, rear bumper valence, and the rocker trim pieces are all 100% compatible with no modifications necessary. You use all the same original hardware pieces too including the reflectors in the rear bumper. For the front grill the brake ducts are the only additional thing you'll need since they are a difference shape between the two grills.
Now for the larger corner grills on the front bumper they require a little more work but you do NOT need an F-Sport bumper to use them. There are five slots etched into the back side of the bumper on each side marking where the grills attach. These "slots" are punched out in the mold for the F-Sport bumper and left filled in on the regular bumper. Drill a hole at each end of the slot, connect them with a Dremel, and file the holes smooth. There is also a marked square that needs to be cut out as well. With all five slots and the square removed the new grills will fit perfectly and use all the same screws as the original pieces. You'll need the snap clips to lock the tabs into the new slots (part number listed below) and one little mounting bracket on each side where you cut the square (part number below).
In total I spent about $750 on this project using a used spindle grill and brand new everything else (I haven't replaced my brake ducts yet though). The initial savings I got on my IS300 plus this little conversion is still FAR cheaper than buying a real F-Sport would have been in my situation. Now I just have to buy the spoiler!
Here are pictures of the process for the front bumper grills.
Here are the slots marked on the inside of the bumper
These are all five slots you need to make and the square hole.
Fully installed with the retaining clips, screws, and the original lower corner splash shield bracket put back. You'll see the square hole you cut is for a screw post. This is where you'll add that extra little bracket you ordered so you can screw it down.
Hybrid pic just for fun.
Here's the rear valence. I took the opportunity while swapping the reflectors over the wrap them in gloss black vinyl so now they just disappear.
Finished! All in all it wasn't difficult and not too time consuming either. Well worth it.
Hopefully this will help someone in the future and give courage to anyone who was in my position that it can be done and isn't difficult to actually do.
Looks great and good work! I’d have expected it to cost a lot more.
You might reconsider this part however which is a good way to get sued by your insurance company, the other driver and their insurance company if you’re ever hit in the rear:
”took the opportunity while swapping the reflectors over the wrap them in gloss black vinyl so now they just disappear.”
Great job. I’m just curious, to replace the rear diffuser did you have to remove the rear bumper off of the car or are the tabs/clips accessible with it still on the car? Thanks
Great job. I’m just curious, to replace the rear diffuser did you have to remove the rear bumper off of the car or are the tabs/clips accessible with it still on the car? Thanks
I pulled the bumper, the clips for the valence are pretty high up so I’m not sure you could reach them with it still on the car. The rear bumper is super easy to pull. One bolt under the tail light covers on each side and six(ish) push clips on the bottom is all that holds it on.
I pulled the bumper, the clips for the valence are pretty high up so I’m not sure you could reach them with it still on the car. The rear bumper is super easy to pull. One bolt under the tail light covers on each side and six(ish) push clips on the bottom is all that holds it on.
Thanks for the rapid response and insight! Any issues with the parking sensors or blind spot monitoring sensors after reinstalling the bumper?
Nope, none at all. Didn’t even disconnect the battery.
Perfect. Thanks for the help man. I’m going to be installing a body kit soon that requires me to cut the rear valence a little and as such it suggests removing the bumper, but I was worried I’d have to get it all recalibrated.
Perfect. Thanks for the help man. I’m going to be installing a body kit soon that requires me to cut the rear valence a little and as such it suggests removing the bumper, but I was worried I’d have to get it all recalibrated.
Lemme guess, Is it either NIA or TOMS rear diffuser? Those are the only ones that I know that involve "cutting"
Lemme guess, Is it either NIA or TOMS rear diffuser? Those are the only ones that I know that involve "cutting"
the NIA kit doesn’t require any cutting. It’s actually a super **** poor design for a rear defuser because it’s the equivalent of a autozone stick on hood scoop. And it blocks the rear tow hook. When I called them out on it they laughed at me
the NIA kit doesn’t require any cutting. It’s actually a super **** poor design for a rear defuser because it’s the equivalent of a autozone stick on hood scoop. And it blocks the rear tow hook. When I called them out on it they laughed at me
Oh yea i forgot its just double sided tape lol. So, I'm assuming its a TOM'S rear valence kit then I assume.
Where did u get the parts from if u don’t mind me asking! Trying to do the same exact thing to my son’s car! Thanks
A lot came from Lexus of South Atlanta. They’re the regional distributor for Atlanta so they have a huge parts inventory and while on the wrong side of Atlanta from me, it saved a ton on shipping for larger parts to be able to pick them up. I also got some parts from megazip.net they have competitive prices if you don’t mind waiting longer to get stuff from Japan or the UAE warehouses.
The slots were pre-marked?
I wonder if this is the case for 2017-2020 models...
Thanks for posting this, lots of great info here!
Search eBay for used non-fsport 2017-20 front bumpers and see if any have pictures of the back side. Probably the easiest way to see if the slots are marked.
Search eBay for used non-fsport 2017-20 front bumpers and see if any have pictures of the back side. Probably the easiest way to see if the slots are marked.
Good idea, thanks man!
Worse case, I have to take the bumper off in the spring to install the faux grilles, I already did the swap on the main grille.
06-19-23, 04:38 PM
2021+ F-Sport Exterior Conversion
