I live in Australia and (obviously) have an AUDM 1994 LS400 (gen 1). I am looking for some aftermarket tail lights and came across these on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019R2T7RS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zfz9CbG6MRJKM

Now in the ad it says that they are specifically for a US spec LS400. So I was wondering what the difference between an AUDM and USDM LS400 is, and if these lights will fit my car? I wouldn’t imagine that something like the tail lights would be very different from country to country but I’m not sure.

thanks in advance

 

The short answer is no; however, comparing pictures of your car to USDM models would help to confirm. I will explain below:

Depending on the region, the lighting configuration and assemblies of the 1st gen LS 400 were different.

Euro-spec models of certain areas and Australian models had shortened tail lights to accommodate longer registration plates. In addition to this, those models with shortened lights also had different lighting patterns for the parking and brake lights than USDM and JDM models. Here is an example of the shortened lights:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/7430965@N05/11408316473/
USDM and JDM LS/Celsior tail lights and lighting are nearly identical, with a few functional differences. The only physical difference I noted is that the JDM Celsior had a unique, wider high-mounted, or "middle" brake light behind the glass, for cars produced from August 1992 to July 1995 (1993-1994 US model years). Here is an example of the USDM and JDM lights:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/72637915@N03/28914977911/
The Depo clear tail lights for the LS 400 will only fit USDM, JDM, and certain Euro models (with the longer lights) only. The outer lights will fit on your car without a problem, but the inner assembles that mount onto the trunk panel will not fit unless you modify the car, due to a different design for the shortened lights.

 

Ahh thanks for the info, I can’t believe I never noticed the difference, it seems so obvious now I have the shortened tail lights.

I still have room either side of my plate so I could possibly do some modifications to make the new lights fit if the dimensions of my plate don’t exceed the US or JDM plates. I’ll have to do some more research to see how much of a task that will be.

 

Celsior, nice going, I have seen the difference, but never paid any attention to it til you pointed it out, thanks....
and I dont think you can change them without some real changes because of the trunk key location..

 

Unless I could source a USDM trunk lid somewhere in Australia but that’s probably unlikely haha I guess I’ll just have to stick with stock for now

 

I'm having a hard time finding the image, but there was a user on Instagram 2 years ago who converted his JDM Celsior trunk lights to the EUDM and AUDM lights.

Given this and some other images I have found, the trunk panel appears to be the same for all LS 400s and Celsiors internationally. The only difference is that models with the shortened lights have an adapter cover panel added onto the trunk, on which the rear EU and AU fog lights are mounted with the license plate and lock cylinder. It's just a thin, body color sheet that is layered on top.

I don't have any information on how to remove this trim panel from the trunk, but I do know it is separate. Once taken off, you may be able to mount the USDM/JDM lights if the holes have been drilled. The lock cylinder should also have another hole in the trunk to re-mount it for the USDM/JDM lights. However, I cannot guarantee that this process will be plug and play, because the lighting is different between regions.

Attached are pictures of the USDM/JDM trunk (green) and the EUDM/AUDM trunk (silver) with the adapter trim panel on it. If the inside of your trunk matches the USDM panel, then you should be good to go.

If you decide to disassemble this part of your car to inspect and install the Depo lights, it will be at your own risk.

 

Number plate sizes:

JDM: 13" x 6.50" (330mm x 165mm)
US/Canada: 12" x 6" (305mm x 153mm)
Australia: 14.5" x 5.3” (372 mm by 135 mm)

The outer and inner taillights on the gen 1 JDM Celsior and North American LS400 are the same dimensions. You can either shave about 1.5 inch (38 mm) from an Australia number plate or maybe slip the plate ends behind the inner taillights of a JDM Celsior or North American LS400 trunk lid to make it fit.

It's not a very good photo but the one attached shows an Australia number plate on a JDM gen 1 Celsior.

I thought gen 1 JDM Celsiors were pretty common and that Celsior parts were readily available in Australia. Is that no longer the case? They used to be common in the UK but many have been crushed in the UK vehicle scrappage scheme.